The Gardiner is now open from Thursday - Sunday, including free weekend admission! There's plenty of space to reconnect and amazing art to discover in all corners of the Museum. Clay Restaurant is still open Tuesday - Sunday. Reservations fill up fast, so book your table early. Please read our new health and safety policies before you visit.
From sticky to crusty, pliable to powdery, and shaped to shapeless, clay’s ability to transform in real time is prompting a new generation of artists to explore the possibilities of this ancient material. RAW features new work by four artists who are pushing boundaries with unfired clay: Cassils, Magdolene Dykstra, Azza El Siddique, and Linda Swanson. See it now!
We're firing up the kilns again! Join us on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 - 3 pm for drop in clay classes in our pottery studios. We've reduced our class sizes to allow for safe physical distancing, and instituted new health and safety protocols. Registration opens online at 10 am on the morning of the class. We can't wait to see you back in the studios!
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!
As we begin to welcome visitors back to the Gardiner, we need your support to continue offering innovative and engaging exhibitions, programs, and community projects on site and online. Make a donation and help us build community with clay.
A dedicated group of individuals who are championing the power and potential of art, clay, and culture. YPC membership is for the next generation of Gardiner Museum supporters up to 45 years of age.
Become a YPC member
Launched in 2015, the Gardiner Museum’s Young Patron Circle (YPC) program offers young professionals exclusive opportunities to connect with a like-minded community of culturally-engaged individuals looking to expand their knowledge of art, culture, and collecting, while providing philanthropic support to a world-renowned cultural institution and shaping its future.
Joining the YPC means building connections to local artists, curators, and collections; access to exclusive patron events; participation in our Patron Insider Events; invitations to special studio and home visits; and a complimentary ticket to SMASH, the Gardiner’s annual art party hosted by the YPC.
Our YPC Committee welcomes new members. Join today if you’re creative, open-minded, and committed to the arts.
We offer installment plans for YPC member fees. Please contact sangjoon@gardinermuseum.com for more information.
Benefits
By joining the YPC you will gain exclusive access to a museum unique in Toronto. You will enjoy:
Upcoming events
Note: Programs marked with (*) are complimentary for YPC members. Tickets to public events can be purchased by YPC members at the Gardiner Friends rate.
August 25, 2020* Clay Date With the cancellation of this year’s SMASH art party, we’re excited to introduce Clay Date, a new online art fundraiser in support of the Gardiner Museum and inspired by the special exhibition RAW. Presented by the Young Patron Circle’s SMASH Committee, Clay Date will virtually unite a community of art enthusiasts and cultural philanthropists.
August 2020* Ceramics 101 (TBC)
September 2020* YPC Clay Mixer
November 2020* Art Education Event
December 3* YPC Holiday Social
Past Events
February 18, 2020 RAW Artist Chat with Cassils* YPC members are invited to a special evening of conversation with internationally-renowned artist Cassils.
March 3, 2020 RAW Patron Opening* An exclusive preview of the special exhibition RAW.
November 21, 2019 International Ceramic Art Fair Preview Gala The International Ceramic Art Fair Preview Gala offers attendees exclusive first access to view and purchase the exceptional works on display, representing the best in contemporary ceramics.
October 15, 2019 Patron Opening | Savour: Food Culture in the Age of Enlightenment* Join us for an exclusive preview of Savour: Food Culture in the Age of Enlightenment, introduced by Curator Meredith Chilton and Exhibition Designer Gerard Gauci and featuring a special performance by Opera Atelier.
September 17, 2019 YPC Clay Mixer* Enjoy drinks and snacks in the Museum lobby, as well as a hand-building clay class led by Chief Curator Sequoia Miller.
June 26, 2019 SMASH: Nourish* Presented by RBC Wealth Management Curated by Art Director Corrie Jackson, our third annual summer art party will see the Museum transformed by invigorating art, music, food, drinks, and experiences designed to nourish and inspire.
See the Facebook album
June 13, 2019 Patron Garden Party* All Young Patron Circle members receive a complimentary invitation to the Patron Garden Party. In 2019, the Garden Party will be hosted at the home of Isadore and Rosalie Sharp.
Tuesday March 26, 2019 YPC Artist Chat with Nurielle Stern* Meet artist Nurielle Stern and hear about her work Unswept Floor (Tesserae), an installation of small-scale ceramic sculptures in response to the exhibition Ai Weiwei: Unbroken.
Leadership Committee
Netila Demneri, Co-Chair Kulin Matchhar, Co-Chair Isha Damania Esther Del Duca Azadeh Houshmand Marina Krtinic Michael Liebrock Anjli Patel Rahul Patel Jigen Shah Connie Xi