Visual Arts Centre of Clarington

Name: Visual Arts Centre of Clarington
Address: 143 Simpson Avenue, Bowmanville, ON, L1C3K8, CA
Telephone: +19056235831
Price range: $

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Visual Arts Centre of Clarington

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The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) is a non-collecting public gallery dedicated to arts education and the exhibition of contemporary art. The VAC is open to the public and free to visit. The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington has a 40-year history of providing quality exhibition and educational programming to the Clarington community and beyond.

10/13/2026

We’re excited to welcome Nebula Kamrul, Shyann Johnson, and Veronika Tomckaz to the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington as our new Gallery Attendants!

Shyann returns to the VAC after working as our Inclusion Support Leader (YCW) this past summer, while Veronika is back after spending the summer as our Gallery Assistant Intern (CWC). We’re so happy to have them back in new roles.

New to the VAC, Nebula has already made a great impression on the team!

We’re glad to have all three as part of the VAC and look forward to having you get to know them around the gallery!

10/09/2026

The VAC will be closed:

October 10–12
October 18 (Still open for Ceramic Halloween Plate Workshop: Ages 8–13)
October 25

Thank you for your understanding & if you haven't yet - register for our Ceramic Halloween Plate Workshop, link in bio!

10/06/2026

Homecoming is on view at the VAC until December 6!

If you haven’t already, be sure to check it out and see the work of eleven local artists, each reflecting on their personal experiences of Clarington.

Artists:
Maralynn Cherry (), Sujesh Chitty (), Tony Cooper, Jane Eccles, Ron Eccles, JR Hunter (.2.d2), Jihee Min () , Amy Shackleton () , Pete Smith (), Todd Tremeer () , David Trotter ()

Installation:
David Wigley ()

Image Credits: Installation views of Homecoming, Maralynn Cherry, Sujesh Chitty, Tony Cooper, Jane Eccles, Ron Eccles, JR Hunter, Jihee Min, Amy Shackleton, Pete Smith, Todd Tremeer, David Trotter at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, 2026.

Sponsored by Rotary Club of Bowmanville

09/28/2026

The VAC will be closed September 29 & September 30 for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We thank you for your understanding, and will see you at the gallery on the 31!

09/22/2026

Reminder that our Annual General Meeting is Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 23 at 7PM!

All membership holders are invited to attend in person at 143 Simpson Ave., Bowmanville, ON.

Join us as we celebrate our shared passion for the arts in Clarington and reflect on the VAC’s 2025 year! Make sure your membership is in good standing to maintain your voting privileges.

Click the link in our bio to view our 2025 Annual Report.
Image Credits in order of appearance:
Installation Views of “To our reunited future,” Rihab Essayh at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, 2024. Photos by LF Documentation ().

Installation Views of "Milestone Nerve," featuring Philip Leonard Ocampo, Andrew Harding, Yan Wen Chang, Brandon Fujimagari, and Josi Smit at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, 2025. Photos by LF Documentation

Image Credits: Installation Views of “Thought Pictures” featuring Nabil Azab at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, 2025. Photos by LF Documentation

Installation Views of ‘Dear atmosphere,’ featuring Ella Gonzales, Marlon Kroll, and Douglas Watt at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, 2025. Photos by LF Documentation

09/18/2026

Join us for an afternoon of creativity and community at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington! Explore Homecoming, our 50th anniversary exhibition featuring the work of 11 artists with connections to Bowmanville and the surrounding community. The exhibition offers diverse perspectives on place, memory, and belonging, reflecting on the people and places that shape our community.

Participants are invited to take part in a guided tour of the exhibition before trying their hand at relief printmaking. Learn how to create a print using a carved linocut block and make your own postcard to take home. This is a drop-in workshop, so participants can explore the gallery and stop by the studio to create at their own pace. All materials are provided, and no previous experience is required. Open to creatives of all ages and skill levels.

[Tours: 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm]

Image Credits: Installation views of Homecoming, Maralynn Cherry, Sujesh Chitty, Tony Cooper, Jane Eccles, Ron Eccles, JR Hunter, Jihee Min, Amy Shackleton, Pete Smith, Todd Tremeer, David Trotter at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, 2026.

Homecoming is sponsored by Rotary Club of Bowmanville

09/09/2026

Upcoming workshops at the VAC!

Culture Days! Art in the Garden: Monarch Monoprint Workshop
Sunday, October 4 | 10:30am–1:30pm
Free + Drop-In

Join Jihee Min at Soper Creek for an afternoon of making, inspired by Where Longing Gathers. Create your own monarch monoprint and add it to a temporary community installation outside. All ages and skill levels welcome!

Ceramic Halloween Plate Workshop
Sunday, October 18 | 10:30am–12:30pm
Ages 8–13 | $30

Young artists will create their own ceramic spider web plate with artist Charlotte, and learn the basics of working with clay along the way.

🔗 Links for registration & more info in bio!

08/29/2026

The VAC will be closed August 29 - September 14 as we refresh our space after the summer season, and prepare for the fall.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and can't wait to welcome you back on September 15!

Thank you all for a fantastic summer!

08/28/2026

It's the last day of Summer Camp at the VAC before it's over for the season. We have so many amazing people to recognize for helping make this summer happen!

We would like to express our appreciation to our wonderful summer staff. Both our Creative Programs Facilitator Rae, and our Inclusion Support Leader Shyann spent the summer creating a safe, fun, and unforgettable experience for our campers. We would not be able to hire these dedicated team members without the generous support of Young Canada Works (YCW) in Heritage Organizations/ Jeunesse Canada au Travail and Culture Works Canada (CWC) - it’s through their vital investment that we can provide meaningful programming to our Clarington community.

We’d also like to thank our additional Camp Counsellors Ella and Veronika whose enthusiasm and kindness shone through each and every day, we could not have done this summer without them!

Thank you to our amazing volunteers and Co-op students who generously volunteered their time at our summer camp and uplifted our programs.

A huge thank you to our brilliant artist instructors: Sarah MacNaughton, Hayde Esmailzadeh, Madeleine Baird, Hanna Lavoie, and Jihee Min. Each one joined us in our studio this summer and helped us create spectacular art projects each week!

Thank you to our wonderful neighbours at the Clarington Public Library () for visiting our campers with a thoughtful selection of stories and activities that matched our weekly theme. And thank you to local singer-songwriter Heather Whaley () who came by throughout the summer to share fun traditional stories and songs with our campers.

A very big thank you is deserved for our Manager of Arts Education & Public Programming, Bronwyn Gauley. Our Summer Camps would not be what they are without them. Planned and executed from start to finish, Bronwyn treats every last detail with so much dedication and care!

Finally, we would like to extend our thanks to the families that spent time at our Summer Art Camp. Thank you for supporting our programs and the arts. We hope you have a wonderful rest of your summer and to see you again soon!

08/24/2026

Are you interested in the arts? Do you have a passion for helping your community?

The VAC is currently looking for dedicated volunteers to assist with our fall programs. These volunteers will gain valuable experience working with children and youth while developing new skills in a fun, creative setting. Volunteers will play an essential role in keeping our young artists engaged and supported throughout their creative journey.

This is an excellent chance for high school or university students to earn their required volunteer hours while gaining experience in a non-profit setting. Please note that all applicants must be 14 years of age or older for consideration.

Address

143 Simpson Avenue
Bowmanville, ON
L1C3K8

Telephone

+19056235831

Website

https://linktr.ee/visualartscentreofclarington

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