Description
The MacLaren is building a creative future for our community by offering art classes, tours and workshops, fostering local talent, and providing unique experiences through our collection, our exhibitions and our public art projects. The MacLarenArtCentre is the regional public art gallery serving the residents of Barrie, the County of Simcoe and the surrounding area. The Gallery has a permanent collection of 26,600 works of art held in trust for the public and presents a year-round programme of world-class exhibitions, public art projects, education activities and special events.
It is an architectural landmark: originally the Carnegie library, it has been renovated with a remarkable and exquisite contemporary addition designed by Siamak Hariri of Hariri Pontarini Architects. The complex includes multiple galleries, an education centre, a sculpture courtyard, café, gift shop and framing department. As a cornerstone of culture for Barrie, the MacLaren is a visual arts centre that adds to the social, intellectual, creative and economic fabric of this community.
The MacLaren is committed to building a vibrant, healthy and creative community. Exhibitions, workshops, special events and community activities nurture artistic talent, inspire creativity and stimulate intellectual curiosity. Our award-winning education department offers art appreciation and hands-on programmes for all ages, interests and abilities including lectures, panels, artist talks, publications and gallery tours; art classes and camps; after-school youth workshops; artist-led programmes in the schools; and Sunday, art-making activities for families. In 2011, we reached over 56,000 people through our programmes at the Gallery, in the schools and in the community, including 26,000 children and youth. Last year, we presented 31 exhibitions and offered 710 arts education activities. Through VanGo we delivered 427 studio programmes to 8,985 students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 in Simcoe County.
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facebook.comWith the weather warming, it’s time to get out and active! Embark on a new creative adventure this spring with fresh art classes starting soon at the MacLaren. Inspired by our Spring Exhibitions, this season is all about drawing! Spend art-filled days in our beautiful sunlit studio exploring an exciting range of traditional and contemporary drawing materials and techniques. Register yourself or your youngsters today! https://maclarenart.com/educational-programmes/art-classes-for-all
We’re celebrating #internationalwomensday with a tribute to current exhibiting artist Landon Mackenzie! A Governor General Award winner and popular Emily Carr University professor, Mackenzie is renowned for her large-scale abstractions of the Canadian landscape. Since winning first prize at the 1981 Quebec Biennial through a blind-jury, Landon has carved a dent in the traditionally male-dominated field of landscape painting. In reference to her time studying under artist Irene Whittome at Concordia University, critic Robin Laurence writes: “Her teachers at NSCAD had all been men and Mackenzie wanted to know what it would be like to work with a woman.” Join us for a free artist-led tour of Mackenzie’s exhibition “Parallel Journey” on March 17 at 2 pm!
Calling all performers ages 14 to 18 years! Are you in a band? Do you know somebody with an amazing voice? Are you a Spoken Word artist and looking for a chance to perform? Then the MacLaren Art Centre Youth Advisory Council is looking for you to audition on March 28th at the Gallery! Those chosen will perform at the Grease-themed Spring Coffeehouse on April 20th! Please share and join the audition event below: https://tinyurl.com/yauz6lhh
Congratulations to the 2018 #GGArts award winners!
Our latest Art of the Month pick is Slapchartreuse by Vancouver-based painter Allyson Clay. Slapchartreuse is from her series Groundsplatpink, comprising riotously coloured paintings exploring the language used to describe abstract painting. Read the full article here: https://maclarenart.com/permanent-collection/art-of-the-month-march-2018
The MacLaren is pleased to announce our Spring 2018 season of art classes & workshops! Explore an exciting range of traditional and contemporary art forms, as taught by professional artists from our region. We have options for all ages (children, youth and adults) and all levels of experience. #stARTthinkingART https://maclarenart.com/educational-programmes/art-classes-for-all
A big thank you to photographer Joseph Hartman for sharing his series "The Artist's Studio" with us today. It was fascinating to gain a behind-the-scenes look at the creative spaces and methods of so many prominent Canadian artists. #ArtforLunch #JosephHartman #TheArtistsStudio #CanadianArtists #ArtistTalk #Photography
The Gallery Shop will be closed on Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25 for facility upgrades. We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause.
Don't miss #BattleoftheBands2018 Tickets are going fast for one of the most celebrated musical events of the year in Barrie! The 14th annual Battle of the Bands concert returns TOMORROW for an electrifying evening of live music, dancing and culinary marvels by Cravings Fine Food. Get your tickets at the MacLaren before they sell out! Learn more at http://bit.ly/2oiOz9L
Our Volunteer Spotlight for February is Brian Porter. Brian has been volunteering at the MacLaren for five years, working mainly on the Benefactor Exchange Committee. He enjoys meeting patrons at MacLaren events and working with the staff and other volunteers. Brian feels helping out at the MacLaren has broadened his horizons and given him a better understanding of the visual arts. After a nearly 30 year career in the Military, Brian now works as a handyman in the area. He enjoys live theatre, concerts, snowshoeing, hiking, coin collecting and volunteering. Thank you Brian for your service at the MacLaren Art Centre! The MacLaren has many rewarding volunteer opportunities for members of the community. Learn more at http://bit.ly/2HxGR3k
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