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From Brunch Club to Awkward First Date Tours and visible mending workshops, AGO spring programs offer new ways to come together with art

Members of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra perform music by women composers Friday, May 17 & Friday, June 28; Miles Greenberg debuts new durational performance in Walker Court, Wednesday, June 5

TORONTO —The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) invites Torontonians to make their mark this spring as it unveils an exciting line up of talks, performances, and artmaking experiences. AGO Members and Annual Pass receive discounts on workshops, courses, screenings, and talks. For a full list of courses and programs, visit ago.ca/events. For more information on how to become a Member or Annual Pass holder, visit tickets.ago.ca/join.

Inspired by the new special exhibition Making Her Mark: A History of Women Artists in Europe, 1400-1800, the AGO is offering a variety of courses and workshops throughout the month of May that highlight dynamic women makers, past and present, as well as textile arts.

“There are so many ways that art can bring us together. This spring we invite Toronto to explore art in all its many forms – as something you do, something you see, something you think about and feel,” said Audrey Hudson, the AGO’s Richard & Elizabeth Currie Chief Education, Programming & Diversity. “New experiences enrich us all, so come with a friend, or find your community. Our programs spark new ideas and encourage learning, exploration, and offer fun for audiences of all ages.”

Spring 2024 programming highlights:

AGO Friday Nights
Make, see, and explore at the AGO every Friday, when the museum stays open until 9 p.m. AGO Friday Night programming is included in General Admission, which is always free for Ontarians under 25, Indigenous Peoples, AGO Members and Annual Pass holders.

Miles Greenberg RESPAWN
On Wednesday, June 5, from noon till 9 p.m., internationally acclaimed Montreal-born, New York-based artist Miles Greenberg will debut a new durational performance in Walker Court. In this day-long performance, inspired by first-person fighter video games, Greenberg wields a weapon. His opponent is an imaginary foe, located directly behind a robot-mounted camera. Standing on a mirrored stage, littered with the silicone replicas of the artist himself, he will perform to exhaustion. This performance is free for Luminato Members, Ontarians under 25, AGO Members and Annual Pass holders and is included in general admission. After 6 p.m., admission is free for everyone as part of First Wednesday Night Free. Miles Greenberg RESPAWN is co-commissioned and co-presented by the Art Gallery of Ontario and Luminato Festival Toronto. For more details visit, ago.ca/events/miles-greenberg-performance

Talks

  • On Friday, May 31 at 7 p.m., join independent curator John Wee Tom in Baillie Court for KAWS x Collector Culture, a panel discussion on the art of KAWS and collecting, featuring speakers Jonathan Elias, Houman Rahimzadeh, Marcus Troy, and Sara Nickleson. AGO Members and Annual Pass holders receive a discount. To buy tickets and for more information, visit ago.ca/events/kaws-x-collector-culture
     
  • On Friday, June 7 at 4 p.m., join acclaimed artist Miles Greenberg in conversation with novelist, playwright, and director of film and theatre Jordan Tannahill about their work and inspiration.  Moderated by the AGO's Program Curator, Performance and Live, Bojana Stancic, and presented in conjunction with Miles Greenberg: RESPAWN and Luminato’s Conversation Series, this talk is free with an advance ticket. Seating in Baillie Court is first come, first serve. To reserve tickets and for more details, visit ago.ca/events/miles-greenberg-conversation
     
  • On Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m., the AGO welcomes Lacemaker & Historian Elena Kanagy-Loux for a talk on lace and textiles production inspired by the original AGO exhibition Making Her Mark.  Tickets required. AGO Members receive a discount. To register, visit ago.ca/events/art-and-ideas-lacemaking-elena-kanagy-loux
     
  • On Saturday, June 22 at 11 a.m., the AGO welcomes Dress Historian Dr. Ingrid Mida, author of The Dress Detective and Reading Fashion in Art, for a conversation on fashion and female artistry, inspired by Making Her Mark. Tickets required. AGO Members receive a discount. To register, visit ago.ca/ events/art-and-ideas-lives-women-makers-ingrid-mida
     
  • On Saturday, June 22 at 2 p.m., celebrate the opening of Jinny Yu: at once with remarks from the artist and from Georgiana Uhlyarik, Fredrick S. Eaton Curator of Canadian Art. Free with general admission. For more details visit ago.ca/events/jinny-yu-once-opening.
     

Relaxed Visits
Happening Tuesday, June 4, 2024, between 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and continuing monthly, the AGO invites neurodiverse visitors and families, those on the autism spectrum, those with sensory and communication disorders and individuals with learning disabilities, to explore the museum. Program facilitators will be onsite activating our art cart with multi-sensory activities and sharing visual guides, sensory maps, and kits. No registration required. Relaxed Visits and materials are free with general admission. For more information and to access the sensory maps, visit ago.ca/events/relaxed-visits-1.

Seniors Social
Seniors Social, the AGO’s dedicated artmaking and conversation monthly series for older adults returns in person this spring. 

  • On Tuesday, May 14, at 1 p.m., join older adults for a guided tour of the exhibition, Making Her Mark: A History of Women Artists in Europe, 1400-1800, discussion and drawing exercises. AGO Members and Annual Pass holders receive a discount. To register, visit ago.ca/events/seniors-social-making-our-marks
     
  • On Tuesday, June 11 at 1 p.m., join older adults for a guided tour of the museum followed by discussion and multimedia artmaking. AGO Members and Annual Pass holders receive a discount. To register, visit ago.ca/events/seniors-social-moments-modernism.

Adult Courses & Workshops

  • Art-As-Therapy Workshops
    Beginning Saturday, May 18 at 10:30 a.m. and continuing monthly, join art psychotherapy practitioners Rachel Mae Robbins and Katherine Yao for a series of three sessions, each dedicated to art making and personal reflection, inspired by AGO exhibitions and artworks. No previous art experience is needed, and all materials are provided. AGO Members and Annual Pass holders receive a discount. To register and for more information, visit ago.ca/events/art-therapy-collage-your-future.
     
  • Yoga in the Gallery
    On Saturday, May 25 at 11 a.m. and Saturday, June 22, at 11 a.m., join instructor Karmit Ifrah for yoga in Galleria Italia. Open to all ages and skill levels, these gentle Hatha yoga sessions promote balance, strength, flexibility, and stillness in the mind. AGO Members and Annual Pass holders receive a discount. For full schedule and to register, visit ago.ca/events/yoga-gallery
     
  • Brunch Club
    On Saturday, May 25 at 11:30 a.m. and Saturday, June 29 at 11:30 a.m., AGO Bistro presents a unique twist to the weekend classic – guided art instruction and conversation followed by a prix-fix brunch menu.  Gallery admission, sketching supplies, coffee/tea and pastry, and brunch prix fixe included in the fee. AGO Members and Annual Pass holders receive a discount. To register, visit ago.ca/events/brunch-club.
     
  • Visible Mending with Arounna Khounnoraj of Bookhou
    On Wednesday, June 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., join Arounna Khounnoraj, artist and owner of Bookhou, for a hands-on lesson in visible mending. No previous experience is required, and materials will be supplied, but participants are asked to bring a garment to practice on.  Tickets required. AGO Members receive a discount. To register, visit ago.ca/events/visible-mending-arounna-khounnoraj-bookhou
     
  • Drawing.Drinks.Social
    On Friday, June 7, and Friday July 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., join us for an inspired evening of conversation and artmaking, led by an AGO art-instructor. Gallery admission, sketching supplies, and a cocktail included in the fee. AGO Members and Annual Pass holders receive a discount. For more details and to register, visit ago.ca/events/drawing.-drinks.-social.

Studio Courses
Studio art courses continue this spring and summer for artists of all ages and skill levels at the Anne Tanenbaum Gallery School. Browse over 80 course and workshop offerings all inspired by current exhibitions and collection. Some spaces remain for May courses. Registration for June courses opens May 14, for July courses on May 21 and for August courses on May 28 at ago.ca/learn/courses-and-workshops. AGO Members receive a discount on courses. Course highlights include:

  • Intro to Sculpture
    Beginning June 18, at 10 a.m., in this four-day intensive workshop adults of all skill levels will be introduced to the art of sculpture, it’s process and methods. Led by instructor Anran Guo, all materials will be provided. For more details and to register, visit ago.ca/learn/courses-and-workshops.
     
  • Intro to Painting
    Beginning June 18, at 2 p.m., in this four-day intensive workshop adults of all skill levels will be introduced to the art of painting. Led by instructor Michael Toke, all materials will be provided. For more details and to register, visit ago.ca/learn/courses-and-workshops.
     
  • Textile Explorations
    Beginning July 5, in this four-week course, participants will create an abstract textile work, using basic embroidery techniques. Inspired by Making Her Mark, participants will be encouraged to reflect on the themes of symbolism, connection, and sustainability. For more details and to register, visit ago.ca/learn/courses-and-workshops.

Acknowledgments

Relaxed Visits generously supported by
The Azrieli Foundation

Miles Greenberg: RESPAWN at the AGO is generously supported by
The Schulich Foundation

Miles Greenberg: RESPAWN for Luminato Festival Toronto is generously supported by
Partners in Art
Delta Air Lines

ABOUT THE AGO
Located in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, attracting approximately one million visitors annually. The AGO Collection of more than 120,000 works of art ranges from cutting-edge contemporary art to significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists to European masterpieces. The AGO presents wide-ranging exhibitions and programs, including solo exhibitions and acquisitions by diverse and underrepresented artists from around the world. The AGO is embarking on the seventh expansion it has undertaken since the museum was founded in 1900. When completed, the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery will increase exhibition space for the museum’s growing modern and contemporary collection.  With its groundbreaking Annual Pass program, the AGO is one of the most affordable and accessible attractions in the GTA. Visit ago.ca to learn more.

The AGO is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Additional operating support is received from the City of Toronto, the Canada Council for the Arts, and generous contributions from AGO Members, donors, and private-sector partners.

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