Happy National Volunteer Week!
In the fall of 1983, the year before the Gardiner opened its doors, a group of volunteers from the neighbouring Royal Ontario Museum came together to form a committee in support of the Gardiner. As interest in volunteering at Canada’s only museum dedicated to ceramics grew, the number of volunteers accepted had to be capped at 75; however, as the Museum developed and expanded over the years, that cap was lifted, and we now have a robust community of over 200 volunteers—each of whom is essential to our success.
This week, we’re celebrating National Volunteer Week, which recognizes the contributions of volunteers across the country. From leading daily tours to ensuring that our library and archives are cared for, our volunteers can be found just about everywhere in the Museum and are key to the visitor experience.
In honour of National Volunteer Week, and to introduce you to some of our fantastic volunteers, we invited a few of them to share some insights and stories from their time at the Gardiner.
Samantha is a Family Sunday Volunteer who inspires creativity with her background in art and art history.
On what she looks forward to most on Family Sundays: “Every Sunday I’m anticipating the kind of people I’m going to be meeting. There are regulars who I always look forward to seeing—it’s nice to catch up and make sure they’re doing well. The kids are always great! I never knew how much I loved working with kids until I started volunteering here—I love watching them do art. It’s always exciting, and gives me inspiration for my own work.”
Blaine has been volunteering at the Gardiner for over two years. He’s a Front Desk Volunteer, and one of the first faces you’ll see when you walk into the Museum.
On his newfound appreciation for ceramics: “I didn’t have an interest in ceramics before I joined the Gardiner, but once I became a volunteer, I became fascinated with the actual construction of the objects in the collection, and in particular their glazes. When I look at an object, I realize how intricate and complicated the glazes are—to get those colours and effects is really amazing and never fails to impress me.”
Mary Ann and Gilda both started out as Shop Volunteers 5 years and 3 years ago, respectively. Mary Ann is now President of the Gardiner Volunteer Committee, and Gilda is the Secretary and Treasurer.
On working together at the Shop: “There was one instance I remember—a gentlemen came in, and just loved an object. He picked it up, and put it back down. Gilda said to him, ‘I think you just absolutely love that. You’ve got to pick it up, hold it longer, and get a feel for it.’ That’s all she said—and he bought the object!” – Mary Ann
“I don’t remember that! I was lucky. I started volunteering on Monday mornings, and I met Mary Ann—she was the first person I started volunteering with. We work really well together, and she’s really a joy to work with.” – Gilda
Thomas is a Meet & Greet Volunteer. You can find him on our first and second floor galleries, and he’s always happy to chat about our collection.
On the most interesting thing he’s learned at the Museum: “I learn something new every time I come in to volunteer. My favourite part of the Museum’s collection is the Chinese and Japanese porcelain—there’s one piece in the Chinese collection that has a five-clawed dragon, which was symbolic of royalty. The four-clawed dragon was a symbol that anyone could use, but the five-clayed dragon was especially reserved for royalty. It was a status symbol and illegal for common people to have a five-clawed dragon depicted on their ceramics.”
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