The Gardiner is thrilled to announce the launch of CLAY, an original in-house restaurant offering seasonal menus of fresh, local fare in collaboration with The Food Dudes.
The Gardiner has reunited for the first time more than 350 objects from Sir William Van Horne’s exceptional collection of Japanese pottery alongside archival materials and stunning watercolours. See it now!
Join us for family-friendly craft activities throughout the holiday season including festive ornament-making, gingerbread cookie decorating, clay experimentation, and more.
The Gardiner Museum is among the few museums in the world focused on ceramics, and is one of the most important specialty museums internationally. It houses approximately 4,000 objects, including European porcelain, ceramics from the Ancient Americas, Chinese porcelain, Japanese porcelain, and contemporary ceramics. Search the collection online!
Everyone can love clay! Become a Friend at one of the world’s great specialty museums and enjoy the benefits, including unlimited admission, invitations to exhibition previews and special events, discounts on lectures and clay classes, and more.
Zeus, Poseidon, and Daphne are just some of the Gods, Heroes, and Heroines who are illustrated on our pieces from the Italian Renaissance. Bring your students to the Museum to learn of their fate, as well as the art of ceramic colouring during the renaissance. Learn why Maiolica pieces remain vibrant centuries after their production.
Students are led on a guided tour, follwed by a hands-on activity in the studio.
Students learn about Greek and Roman mytholgy from scenes painted on the vessels, complete a scavenger hunt and, view audio visual presentations. In the afternoon, students will work with professional potters in the studio for their hands-on project.
Program Details
* Optional $3 kiln firing fee. Firing takes 10 to 14 business days. Please add a $5 processing fee per group. ** Registration required, please fill out the form by clicking “Book a Visit” button below.
Book a Visit
1. Dish with scene from the story of Icarus Italy, Urbino and Gubbio, c. 1530 Painted by Francesco Xanto Avelli da Rovigo (c. 1500 – after 1542); lustred in the workshop of Maestro Giorgio Andreoli (c. 1465/70-c. 1553) Tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica), with metallic lustre Inscription on reverse: fran: Avello R : pt: / Dedalo co’l figlical’ T Aeve / à nolo. / fabula y (fran: Avello R: painted this:/ The fable of Daedalus with his son in the air) Gift of George and Helen Gardiner, G83.1.362
2. Seated Drummer, Tala-Tonalá style Mexico, Jalisco 300 B.C. - A.D. 200 Earthenware with white on red slip paint Gift of George and Helen Gardiner, G83.1.56
3. Shaman’s Head (II), 2006, Gift of the Museum of Inuit Art G16.13.8