We believe that art is for everyone. Join us this summer from Wednesday - Sunday for FREE Museum admission, hands-on activities, outdoor art displays, studio classes, dining, shopping, and more. Whether you want to explore the indoor galleries or engage with art outdoors, we're here for you. We can't wait to welcome you back to the Gardiner!
We've reopened our doors with a series of new artworks and exhibitions on display, including HEAVY SHINE, part of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival; Sheridan Graduate Show: Audax 8, a showcase of work by the next generation of ceramic artists; and Garniture Remix, an installation of vases and vessels from all areas of the collection. There's so much to discover!
We've officially launched hands-on art activities on the plaza - all summer, all outdoors, all free! Join us every Wednesday - Sunday for kids colouring activities, clay bird making workshops, and family days, part of Gardiner Goes Outside. Plan a visit with family or friends and reconnect over clay.
Every object in our permanent collection can be accessed through our eMuseum portal. Learn about individual collecting areas, like Italian Maiolica or Modern and Contemporary Ceramics, or search the full collection by keyword. You'll be amazed by what you discover!
With the Museum closed temporarily, we need your support to continue to offer innovative and engaging exhibitions, programs, and community projects online, as well as plan for the future. Please consider making a donation to help us build community with clay.
Free all summer!
We believe that a museum is more than a building—it’s a community.
This summer, the Gardiner is breaking down barriers and moving beyond traditional museum spaces to increase access. We’ve reimagined the Linda Frum & Howard Sokolowski Plaza and the Laura Dinner & Richard Rooney Community Clay Studio to create outdoor space for creativity and connection. Join us for pop-up window exhibitions, public art projects, family clay activities, outdoor dining, wellness workshops, performances, and more.
It’s time to rebuild and reconnect. And it starts with art. All summer. All free.
Discover art on the plaza
Audio Tour Discover pop-up window exhibitions, works of public art, special commissions by local artists, and more on the Linda Frum and Howard Sokolowski Plaza. Look for the labels with the audio guide symbol to access the tour right from your smart phone, or click here to listen now.
Portico Gallery Sponsored by Kim Spencer McPhee Barristers PC Food Security Ceramics has long been central to the preparation, presentation, and preservation of food. From casseroles to fermentation pots, water jugs to coffee mugs, ceramic forms and technologies have developed in large part to accommodate our eating habits. Discover historical and contemporary objects from the collection that comment on our relationship to food, including works by Victor Cicansky, Roger Aksadjuak, Peter Gboko, David Gilhooly, and Janet Macpherson.
Laura Dinner & Richard Rooney Window Gallery Dream Together This mini exhibition features three works by Hamilton-based ceramic artist Marissa Y Alexander. Alexander’s large-scale vessels embody a full and generous spirit, with rounded curves and undulating profiles. Her surfaces are equally exuberant, with figures approaching each other in joyful, dream-like encounters.
Dine at Clay Restaurant
Make a reservation
Wednesday – Friday: 11 am – 4 pm Saturday & Sunday: 10 am – 4 pm
Enjoy lunch among the art. Snack on confit chicken baos, smash burgers, fresh pasta, house-made donuts, and more at Clay Restaurant, including our outdoor terraces overlooking Queen’s Park. Check out our new summer menu
You can also order takeout right to the plaza! Look for more details on site or visit clay.restaurant.
Create with clay
Join us on the plaza for free outdoor family clay workshops, Wednesday – Sunday. Outdoor activities are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and will be cancelled in the event of rain or inclement weather. Click here to see the full schedule of events.
Clay Bird Making Sponsored by David Staines & Noreen Taylor Wednesday – Friday from 1 – 3:30 pm Take part in a drop-in clay bird making activity on the Gardiner Plaza, part of artist David Constantino Salazar’s project Forever (Bird-Botanicals). Open to adults and children.
Family Days Sponsored by Mary Janigan & Tom Kierans Sundays from 11 am – 3 pm Get the family together for outdoor art-making on the Gardiner Plaza, with new activities and themes each week.
Play Date Sponsored by Weston Family Foundation Wednesday – Saturday from 10 am – 12 pm Join us on the Gardiner Plaza for a kid-friendly colouring activity inspired by our collaboration with No.9 Contemporary Art + Environment.
Engage online
In addition to our onsite events, we’ll continue to offer free digital programs.
Virtual Artist Demo: Habiba El-Sayed Thursday August 12 at 1 pm Free registration
Our sponsors
Thank you to our visionary sponsors for helping us build community with clay.
Presenting Partners David Staines & Noreen Taylor Kim Spencer McPhee Barristers PC Mary Janigan & Tom Kierans
Supporting Partners Laura Dinner & Richard Rooney Linda Frum & Howard Sokolowski Weston Family Foundation
Thanks To The Citrine Foundation HUB International Margaret McCain Andre Morriseau Rosemary Phelan Diana Reitberger