MacLaren Art Centre

MacLaren Art Centre The MacLaren is building a creative future for our community by offering art classes, tours and work
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The MacLaren Art Centre 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 and a gift shop. 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.

The MacLaren is proud to host Healing in Colour: A Community Art Workshop on Black Health, in collaboration with Making ...
06/01/2026

The MacLaren is proud to host Healing in Colour: A Community Art Workshop on Black Health, in collaboration with Making Change. 🀎

Hosted by multidisciplinary visual artist Andrew Mattis, these free workshops invite local artists, both emerging and experienced, to creatively explore themes of Black health, wellness, and care in a welcoming and collaborative environment. Together, participants will help inspire the visual direction of an upcoming healthcare resource serving Simcoe County. Both dates are free to attend! βœ…

πŸ“… Tuesday, June 9 | 5–7 pm
πŸ“… Saturday, June 13 | 1–3 pm

Spots are limited, so be sure to register through the link in our bio. Thank you to Alectra for their generous support in this program.

Summer is just around the corner, and June at the MacLaren is full of creative fun! β˜€οΈFrom two exciting three-week adult...
05/30/2026

Summer is just around the corner, and June at the MacLaren is full of creative fun! β˜€οΈ

From two exciting three-week adult programs to a fun-filled PA Day, there’s plenty happening in the galleries and studios this month. We’ll also be celebrating the wonderful work of our Creative Spark and Art Explorers participants as their sessions come to a close. 🩷

We’re looking forward to a month of creativity ahead and hope to see you at the MacLaren soon! πŸ–ŒοΈ

πŸ“Έ Photo Credits: Slide 1 Max Power Photography, Slide 4 LF Documentation, Slide 10 Juicebox Studios

05/29/2026

It’s your final weekend to experience π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘ˆπ‘πΌπ‘‡π‘Œ and π‘ƒπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘“π‘œπ‘™π‘–π‘œ. πŸ§ πŸ’š

Both exhibitions close on May 31, so don’t miss your chance to explore these thoughtful and inspiring shows before they leave the Gallery. From the creativity of graduating regional students in π‘ƒπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘“π‘œπ‘™π‘–π‘œ and the talents shared through π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘ˆπ‘πΌπ‘‡π‘Œ, there is so much to discover within these spaces.

⏰ We hope you’ll stop by and spend some time with them before they’re gone. ⏰

πŸŽ₯

πŸ₯‡ Finishing off our Portfolio 2026 Highlights is First Place winner Eleanor Gregoire, from Innisdale Secondary School. E...
05/28/2026

πŸ₯‡ Finishing off our Portfolio 2026 Highlights is First Place winner Eleanor Gregoire, from Innisdale Secondary School. Eleanor chose blue and brown beads, simple colours with deep meaning. They worked each bead with care and attention, reminding them of the responsibility to protect what sustains us all. Beadwork connects them to their MΓ©tis traditions while also allowing them to express their thoughts about what is happening today. 🧑

Reflecting on their piece, called π‘‡π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘™π‘’ πΌπ‘ π‘™π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘: 𝐴 π‘…π‘’π‘™π‘Žπ‘‘π‘–π‘œπ‘›π‘ β„Žπ‘–π‘ π‘‘π‘œ πΏπ‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘
π‘Šπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ, Eleanor writes: "This beaded piece comes from the connection to land,
water and identity, inspired by the "Land Back and Water Back" movements. This
work was created to reflect what Turtle Island means to them. Not only as the
place they live but their relationship to the environment." 🐒🌊

Take in Eleanor's work, and all the fantastic contributions to Portfolio 2026, on view in the Carnegie Room until May 31st.

As summer approaches, our final spring programs are just around the corner! β˜€οΈπŸŽ¨Starting next week, join us for one, or b...
05/26/2026

As summer approaches, our final spring programs are just around the corner! β˜€οΈπŸŽ¨

Starting next week, join us for one, or both, of our upcoming three-week adult series:

🌳 Watercolour Landscapes: Intro to Plein Air
⏰ Saturdays, June 6–20, 9:30am-12pm

πŸ‚ Nature’s Colours: The Slow Art of Dyeing with Natural Materials
⏰ Fridays, June 12–26, 9am-12pm

Both programs offer guided, hands-on instruction and the opportunity to explore creative techniques inspired by the natural world. Whether you’re interested in painting outdoors or experimenting with natural dyes, these workshops are a wonderful way to slow down, learn something new, and spend time creating in community.

Learn more and register here: https://maclarenart.com/adults/

🏞️ Our Artwork of the Month for May is π‘Šβ„Žπ‘–π‘‘π‘’ π‘Šπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ, π‘‡π‘œπ‘π‘¦ πΆπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’π‘˜, πΆπ‘œπ‘™π‘’π‘šπ‘π‘–π‘Ž π‘€π‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘  (1996) by Pat Clemes. 🏞️Born in Los A...
05/22/2026

🏞️ Our Artwork of the Month for May is π‘Šβ„Žπ‘–π‘‘π‘’ π‘Šπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ, π‘‡π‘œπ‘π‘¦ πΆπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’π‘˜, πΆπ‘œπ‘™π‘’π‘šπ‘π‘–π‘Ž π‘€π‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘  (1996) by Pat Clemes. 🏞️

Born in Los Angeles, California, Clemes moved to Canada in 1940 and became known for her watercolour landscapes. In 1958, she committed herself exclusively to painting in watercolour, often working directly on location to capture the energy and atmosphere of the environments around her.

πŸ”οΈ This work feels especially fitting for May, with Clemes conveying movement, renewal, and the intensity of the changing season. As Eden Cameron, student of Georgian College’s Museum and Gallery Studies Program, observes of Clemes’ work: β€œIn this watercolour painting, artist Pat Clemes’ use of vivid colours and loose brushstrokes has captured the movement of the river, swollen with spring melt. Her mastery of this medium has created a moment in time where one can almost hear the thunderous passage of the rushing water."

πŸ“ Artwork credit: Pat Clemes, π‘Šβ„Žπ‘–π‘‘π‘’ π‘Šπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿ, π‘‡π‘œπ‘π‘¦ πΆπ‘Ÿπ‘’π‘’π‘˜, πΆπ‘œπ‘™π‘’π‘šπ‘π‘–π‘Ž π‘€π‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘‘π‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘ , 1996, watercolour on paper. Collection of the MacLaren Art Centre. Gift of Patricia Clemes LaPierre, 2003.

Continuing our highlights of artwork in the π‘ƒπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘“π‘œπ‘™π‘–π‘œ 2026 exhibition, here is "Inked Brain" by Maciek Gilewicz, a Grade...
05/20/2026

Continuing our highlights of artwork in the π‘ƒπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘“π‘œπ‘™π‘–π‘œ 2026 exhibition, here is "Inked Brain" by Maciek Gilewicz, a Grade 12 student from St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School. 🧠

As Maciek describes, "This piece was made using pencil and ink on cardstock. The artwork depicts a brain filled with ideas and thoughts exploding outwards. The various ideas are a mix of monsters and characters influenced by the media (mainly fantasy). This artwork is representative of their portfolio theme: the connection between the mind and soul." βœ’οΈ

πŸ—“οΈ Maciek Gilewicz won second place for this artwork in π‘ƒπ‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘“π‘œπ‘™π‘–π‘œ, on view until May 31st.

Address

37 Mulcaster Street
Barrie, ON
L4M3M2

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(705)721-9696

Website

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