Upcoming events at the VAC
The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington provides exciting local, regional, and national contemporary art exhibitions from emerging, mid-career and established artists. We are involved in a number of community oriented events in the Clarington region. Our Artist Talk series consists of Curator Sandy Saad in conversation with the featured artists in our exhibition program.
2019 Events Calendar
September 2019
September 28-29, 11 am - 6 pm
Clarington Outdoor Art FestivalClarington Outdoor Art Festival (COAF) is an outdoor arts festival. Now in its second year, COAF will feature fine art, local food, family-friendly activities and more! COAF serves three purposes: To celebrate the national Culture Days; to show appreciation for the local art community by providing a platform to exhibit and sell art; to bring the community together for a weekend of learning and discovery.
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September 29, 1 pm - 3 pm
Culture Days: Collaborative Journeys In conjunction with the Clarington Outdoor Art Festival, families and community members are invited to create collaborative works of art in a workshop led by Z’otz* Collective. Using an art-making method by which a compilation of words or images is collectively assembled, each collaborator will add to a composition in a sequence, either by following a rule or by being allowed to see only the end of what the previous person contributed. When the pieces are complete, groups will work together to develop titles and narratives for them.
Workshops will take place in the drawing and painting studio every half hour: 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30 PM |
November 2019
Friday, November 15, 6 pm - 8 pm
Opening Reception: 100 Small Paintings Show & Sale
Join us as we continue the VAC’s long standing tradition of celebrating its artist members. The 100 Small Paintings Show & Sale is an exhibition that offers VAC members the opportunity to show and sell their artwork. The first 100 artwork submissions are automatically accepted and all works are for sale with 100% of the sale price going directly to the artists. Information about the submission process will be released in fall 2019.
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Past Events at the VAC
January 2019
Sunday, January 20, 2 - 4 pm
Opening Reception: Jane EcclesJoin us for the opening reception of In These Threads, an exhibition by artist Jane Eccles. Exhibition continues until March 17, 2019.
Image credit: Jane Eccles - Margaret's Dress, 2009, acrylic on canvas, 36” x 48”. Photo by Jane Eccles. |
Sunday, January 20, 2 - 4 pm
Opening Reception: Ron BennerJoin us for the opening reception of The Loft Gallery Commission, an installation by artist Ron Benner. Installation continues until November 20, 2019.
Image credit: Ron Benner - Trans/mission: Meeting Room, installed at Robert Langen Art Gallery, Laurier University, Sept. 2017. Photo by Scott Lee. |
February 2019
Mayor's Gala - For the Love of Art
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Saturday, February 23, 2019
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March 2019
Saturday, March 9, 11 am - 4 pm |
Friday, March 22, 6 pm - 8 pm |
In These Threads: Exhibition ProgrammingStorytelling by Jane Eccles and a musical performance by Anne Walker
Saturday, March 9, 11 AM - 4 PM The day after International Women's Day, the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) and Clarington Museum and Archives will host a collaborative program that highlights women's stories from Clarington and beyond. In conjunction with the VAC Exhibition In These Threads, the day will start with a performative reading by artist, Jane Eccles narrating the stories of the women behind her dress paintings. Participants will then be invited to a musical performance by local singer-songwriter Anne Walker at the Clarington Museums and Archives. Walker’s music captures the spirit of rural Ontario life and the local women who were the backbone of it. Schedule: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Performative reading by Jane Eccles. Refreshments will be provided. 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Musical performance by local folk musician and songwriter, Anne Walker. |
Art from the High Schools: Pizza Party ReceptionIt's a Pizza Party!!! Join us for the opening reception for the Art From the High Schools Show to celebrate work produced by our local youth. Enjoy some great conversation, great art and great food courtesy of Square Boy Pizza.
The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is committed to fostering youth cultural engagement and creating a space for young people to have a voice and become active community members. By providing opportunities for local youth to participate in exhibitions, volunteer, and win bursaries, we hope to support artistic growth, active citizenship, social and employment skill development, and overall well-being. |
May 2019
Sunday, May 5, 2 - 4 pm
Sameer FarooqJoin us for the opening reception of Boop Museum, an installation by artist Sameer Farooq. Exhibition continues until July 5, 2019.
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Wednesday, May 15, 6.30 pm
VAC Annual Members MeetingOur Annual Members Meeting will be taking place on Wednesday May 15, 2019 at the VAC. We encourage VAC all members to attend as it’s the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the VAC community and staff.
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July 2019
Friday, July 5, 4pm
BOOP Museum LootingChildren between the ages of 4 - 10 are invited to loot BOOP Museum.
BOOP Museum is a fictional museum filled with dolls of various shapes, sizes and colours purpose-built to be accessible to children. Artist Sameer Farooq created the museum as a participatory space that provokes us to think about how our relationships with objects change as they transition out of the museum space. In order to do this, we need the help of our local children. Looting Rules In order to qualify as a looter, you must be a child between the ages of 4 - 10 years old, who is willing to plunder our museum. The looting will start at 4:00 pm sharp. Sign up your child to loot BOOP Museum here. |
Friday, July 19, 5.00 pm - 7:30 pm
Ron Benner's Corn RoastThe Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) is pleased to host a free public Corn Roast with Loft Gallery Commissioned artist, Ron Benner. Come out and enjoy some fresh corn cooked and barley soup prepared by the artist himself!
Ron Benner will be joined by London, Ontario based singer-songwriter Frank Ridsdale, who will entertain us with his music including a new song written for the event. Event details Location: Visual Arts Centre of Clarington Gardens Cost: FREE |
Friday, July 19 , 6 pm - 8 pm
Opening Reception: VAC 39th Annual Juried Art ShowJoin us for the opening reception of our VAC 39th Annual Juried Art Show on Friday, July 19 from 6 pm - 8 pm.
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August 2019
Wednesday, August 14, 7.30 pm
Bard’s Bus Tour: A Midsummer Night’s DreamA Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare, adapted by Kevin Fox, Tom Lillington and D. Jeremy Smith.
This summer, Driftwood Theatre celebrates 25 years of The Bard’s Bus Tour by revisiting Shakespeare’s most magical, musical story. Four lovers and one band of hapless mechanicals wander into the forest of Arden one fateful night, only to have their lives forever changed by the denizens of the faery realm. A magical adventure of musical proportions, Driftwood Theatre’s A (musical) Midsummer Night’s Dream is sure to delight the hearts of audiences of all ages. Cost: Pay What You Can (PWYC), suggested donation $20 pp. |
Saturday, August 24, 10 - 4 pm
Kids Outdoor Art FestivalNow in its 8th year, the Kids Outdoor Art Festival (previously Picasso’s Picnic) is an annual youth art festival produced by the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington. The festival brings together kids and youth of all ages, families, professional artists and local businesses for a day of celebration and support of our young community artists. The KOAF offers a wide range of art workshops, make-and-take activities, a youth art market, live performances, workshops, and local food.
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September 2019
Sunday, September 8, 2 pm - 4 pm
Opening Reception:
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2018 Events Calendar
April 2018
March 30 - June 8
Marissa Sweet at Clarington Town HallAncillary Exhibition: VAC Instructor Marissa Sweet will be displaying a body of work at the Clarington's Town Hall Gallery. Selected works from Chi Life Energy Series will be on display in the Main Gallery from March 30 - June 8.
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Sunday, April 22, 2- 4 pm
Opening Reception: Anne O'CallaghanJoin us for the opening reception of Utopia! Who's Listening Now, an exhibition by artist Anne O'Callaghan.
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May 2018
Saturday, May 5, 9-5 pm
MapleFest 2018The VAC will have a table at Historic Downtown Bowmanville's MapleFest 2018. Come visit us and learn about our exhibitions, education programs, membership and volunteering opportunities.
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Wednesday, May 9, 6.30 pm
Annual Member MeetingOur Annual Members Meeting will be taking place on Wednesday May 9, 2018 at the VAC. We encourage all members to attend as it’s the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the VAC community and staff.
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Sunday, May 6, 2-4 pm
Artist Talk: Anne O'CallaghanAnne O'Callaghan will be discussing her work from the exhibition Utopia! Who's Listening Now with Sandy Saad, our Curator.
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June 2018
Sunday, June 3, 2-4 pm
Opening Reception: Jane LowBeerJoin us for the opening reception of The Preponderance of the Small, an exhibition by artist Jane LowBeer.
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Sunday, June 17, 2-4 pm
Artist Talk: Jane LowBeerJane LowBeer will be discussing her work from the exhibition The Preponderance of the Small with Sandy Saad, our Curator.
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Tuesday, June 19, 12-3 pm
BOAA Membership PicnicBowmanville Older Adult Association (BOAA) will be hosting their Membership Picnic in celebration of Seniors Month in Ontario at the VAC. Learn more about this event on their website.
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July 2018
Sunday, July 15, 2-4 pm |
Sunday, July 15, 7.30 pm |
Opening Reception: Mary Catherine Newcomb - Bread and BonesJoin us for the opening reception of Bread and Bones, an exhibition by artist Mary Catherine Newcomb.
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The Bard's Bus Tour presents: Rosalynde (or, As You Like It)Escape to the Forest of Arden for a prohibition-era comedy with love, whiskey and puppets. In William Shakespeare’s Rosalynde (or, As You Like It), Rosalynde escapes into the forest after her life is threatened. There, she embarks upon a bold journey of self-discovery and love, learning that to carve your own path, sometimes you need to break the rules. Seating is by first-come-first-served in the PWYC section of the lawn. Bring your own seating (lawn chairs and picnic blankets). Driftwood has a limited number of chairs/blankets/cushions to rent.
Admission: PWYC (Pay-What-You-Can), the suggested minimum is $20/person, but no PWYC offer is refused. Performance begins at 7:30pm. Facebook Event: More information here! |
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Artist Talk: Mary Catherine Newcomb - Bread and BonesJoin us for the 4th instalment of the VAC's Artist Talk series led by Curator of Exhibitions and Education, Sandy Saad. Artist Mary Catherine Newcomb will be discussing her work from the exhibition Bread and Bones. The artist shall take place in the VAC's courtyard located directly behind the building beside the Rotary Gardens. Should we have wet weather, the artist talk shall take place in our Loft Gallery located on the 3rd floor.
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June 11 - August 17
Lindsay Anderson at Clarington Town HallAncillary Exhibition: VAC Lindsay Anderson will be displaying a body of work at the Clarington's Town Hall Gallery. Selected works from his pottery practice will be on display in the Main Gallery from June 11 - August 17.
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August 2018
Saturday, August 18, 9-5 pm
BluesBERRY FestivalThe VAC will have a table at Historic Downtown Bowmanville's BlueBERRY Festival 2018. Come visit us and learn about our exhibitions, education programs, membership and volunteering opportunities.
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August 20 - October 26
Hi-Sook Barker at Clarington Town HallAncillary Exhibition: VAC Hi-Sook Barker will be displaying a collection of her watercolour paintings at the Clarington's Town Hall Gallery. Selected works from her painting practice will be on display from August 20 - October 26.
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Saturday, August 25, 10-4 pm
Picasso's PicnicGet ready for a fun filled day of performances, a youth art market and make and take activities! Saturday August 25, 2018 10 am - 4 pm (rain or shine). Click here for more information.
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Sunday, August 26, 2-4 pm
Opening Reception: Gerald Banting - If You Go Down To The Woods TodayJoin us for the opening reception of If You Go Down To The Woods Today an exhibition by artist Gerald Banting.
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September 2018
Sunday, September 23, 2-4 pm
Closing Reception: Gerald BantingThe closing reception includes a short gallery tour and a walking tour through Soper Creek (weather permitting) with Sandy Saad, our Curator.
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September 29 - 30, 10.30 - 4pm
Clarington Outdoor Art FestivalThe Clarington Outdoor Art Festival (COAF) is a summer festival presented by the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington. Aligning with Culture Days 2018, COAF is a platform that connects people of all ages and backgrounds in a creative place for learning and discovery.
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October - December 2018
Sunday, October 14, 2-4pm |
October 29 - December 28 |
Opening Reception: 38th Annual Juried ShowJoin us for the opening reception of our 38th Annual Juried Art Show on October 14, 2-4pm. Four prizes will be handed out this year, three of which will be selected by the juror and announced at the exhibition opening, and a People’s Choice Award, which will be voted on by the public and announced at the end of the exhibition.
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Jo-Ann Jordan at Clarington Town HallAncillary Exhibition: Jo-Ann Jordan will be displaying a collection of her eclectic stoneware at the Clarington's Town Hall Gallery. Selected works from her pottery practice will be on display from October 29 - December 28.
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Friday, November 23, 6 - 9pm
VAC Community Appreciation PartyTo launch the 100 Small Paintings Show and Sale, we would like to invite you to the VAC Community Appreciation Party on Friday 23 November 2018 from 6-9pm. This event is created to thank and recognize our volunteers for their many contributions to the VAC and to launch an exhibition that celebrates the work of our members. The invitation is open for everyone, please come and join us in celebrating our great community! All ages are welcome.
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November 23 - December 16
100 Small Paintings Show and SaleJoin us on Friday, November 23, 6-9pm for the opening reception of our year end exhibition 100 Small Paintings Show and Sale. This exhibition celebrates our members, and it's more than just painting... All works are for sale with 100% of the sale price going directly to the artist.
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