MacLaren Art Centre

MacLaren Art Centre The MacLaren is building a creative future for our community by offering art classes, tours and work
(323)

The MacLaren Art Centre is the regional public art gallery serving the residents of Barrie, the County of Simcoe and the surrounding area. The Gallery has a permanent collection of 26,600 works of art held in trust for the public and presents a year-round programme of world-class exhibitions, public art projects, education activities and special events. It is an architectural landmark: originally

the Carnegie library, it has been renovated with a remarkable and exquisite contemporary addition designed by Siamak Hariri of Hariri Pontarini Architects. The complex includes multiple galleries, an education centre, a sculpture courtyard and a gift shop. As a cornerstone of culture for Barrie, the MacLaren is a visual arts centre that adds to the social, intellectual, creative and economic fabric of this community. The MacLaren is committed to building a vibrant, healthy and creative community. Exhibitions, workshops, special events and community activities nurture artistic talent, inspire creativity and stimulate intellectual curiosity. Our award-winning education department offers art appreciation and hands-on programmes for all ages, interests and abilities including lectures, panels, artist talks, publications and gallery tours; art classes and camps; after-school youth workshops; artist-led programmes in the schools; and Sunday, art-making activities for families.

This month, we celebrated the conclusion of our Creative Spark programs. Now in its seventh season, this program offer w...
06/24/2026

This month, we celebrated the conclusion of our Creative Spark programs. Now in its seventh season, this program offer weekly opportunities for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers to engage with art in a welcoming and supportive environment. ๐ŸŒผ๐Ÿฉต

To mark the end of the season, participants shared artwork created throughout the programs in a community exhibition, led by instructors Naj Saghaei and Monica Loney. The talent, imagination, and dedication on display were truly remarkable. ๐Ÿ’Œ

A heartfelt thank you to the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County for making this partnership so meaningful. Special thanks to Don Saunders, whose impactful giving supports programs like Creative Spark. ๐Ÿ’˜

Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day, and we are closing our showcase of Indigenous artists with a preview of Michel...
06/21/2026

Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day, and we are closing our showcase of Indigenous artists with a preview of Michelle Sound's upcoming exhibition, ๐‘Š๐‘’ ๐‘Ž๐‘™๐‘™ ๐‘”๐‘œ โ„Ž๐‘œ๐‘š๐‘’ ๐‘ก๐‘œ ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’ ๐‘ ๐‘ก๐‘Ž๐‘Ÿ๐‘ . ๐ŸŒŸ

In her new series ๐‘›๐‘–๐‘˜๐‘Žฬ‚๐‘ค๐‘–ฬ‚๐‘  (๐‘™๐‘–๐‘ก๐‘ก๐‘™๐‘’ ๐‘š๐‘œ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’๐‘Ÿ) (2026), Sound works with personal photographs, tearing their surfaces and repairing them with vibrant embroidery thread, mink poms, caribou tufting, seed beads, and other materials. ๐Ÿชก The vivid colours draw attention to sites of repair, while the visible tears acknowledge the lasting effects of colonial violence on Indigenous families. Through these gestures, Sound reflects on motherhood, care, inheritance, and the relations that shape them. ๐Ÿงต

Michelle Sound is a Cree and Mรฉtis artist and mother. She is a member of Wapsewsipi Swan River First Nation in Treaty 8 Territory. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University, School for the Contemporary Arts, and a Master of Applied Arts from Emily Carr University Art + Design. Her work is held in the collections of the Indigenous Art Centre (CIRNAC), Forge Project NY, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and the National Gallery of Canada. Sound has been longlisted for the Lind Photography Prize (2024) and the Sobey Art Award (2025). She is represented by CEREMONIAL / ART.

Join us on Thursday June 25 as we celebrate the opening of ๐‘Š๐‘’ ๐‘Ž๐‘™๐‘™ ๐‘”๐‘œ โ„Ž๐‘œ๐‘š๐‘’ ๐‘ก๐‘œ ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’ ๐‘ ๐‘ก๐‘Ž๐‘Ÿ๐‘ , and all of the exhibitions included in our summer season.

June has been a busy month for the MacLaren's Curatorial Team! ๐Ÿชœ Behind the scenes, we've been hard at work preparing th...
06/19/2026

June has been a busy month for the MacLaren's Curatorial Team! ๐Ÿชœ Behind the scenes, we've been hard at work preparing the exhibitions of our Summer 2026 season. โš’๏ธ

From unpacking artworks to fine-tuning the layouts, the galleries are transforming as reception day approaches. Join us on Thursday, June 25, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm for our Opening Reception to experience the newest exhibitions alongside the artists who brought them to life. ๐ŸคŽ

While preparations continue, the Gallery remains open to visitors. Stop by to explore ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’ ๐‘ค๐‘Ž๐‘ก๐‘’๐‘Ÿ'๐‘  ๐‘’๐‘‘๐‘”๐‘’, โ„Ž๐‘’๐‘Ÿ๐‘’ ๐‘Ž๐‘ก ๐‘›๐‘œ๐‘œ๐‘› by Sadko Hadzihasanovic in the Carnegie Room, as well as ๐‘„๐‘ข๐‘’๐‘ ๐‘ก๐‘–๐‘œ๐‘›๐‘  ๐‘๐‘œ๐‘๐‘œ๐‘‘๐‘ฆ ๐ด๐‘ ๐‘˜๐‘’๐‘‘ ๐‘€๐‘’ by Peyton Keeler-Cox and ๐ผ๐‘™๐‘™๐‘ข๐‘ ๐‘œ๐‘Ÿ๐‘ฆ ๐ผ๐‘š๐‘Ž๐‘”๐‘’๐‘  in our lower galleries.

Image description: MacLaren Curatorial staff prepare exhibitions by Christina Leslie and Michelle Sound.

In recognition of Indigenous History Month, we are continuing our showcase of artwork by Indigenous artists from our Per...
06/18/2026

In recognition of Indigenous History Month, we are continuing our showcase of artwork by Indigenous artists from our Permanent Collection. ๐Ÿงก

Up next is Francis Kagige's ๐‘€๐‘œ๐‘œ๐‘ ๐‘’. ๐ŸซŽ Rendered with simplified forms, bold contours, and symbolic imagery, the work invites us to consider the connections between the internal and the external, the physical and the spiritual, and the relationships between animals, the land, and human communities, all of which characterize Woodland-inspired artworks. ๐ŸŒฒ

Francis Kagige (1929-2014) was a self-taught Ojibwe artist, of the first-generation artists on Manitoulin Island. His paintings take inspiration from Indigenous stories and legends, and his deep appreciation for nature. He had numerous exhibitions across Canada and internationally starting in 1963, including a mural at Expo 1967. His work is in numerous private collections across Canada.

Artwork: Francis Kagige, ๐‘€๐‘œ๐‘œ๐‘ ๐‘’, 1977, silkscreen on board, 60.1 x 75.2 cm. Collection of the MacLaren Art Centre. Gift of Beverley and Boris Zerafa, 2003

The MacLaren is excited to host ๐ผ๐‘‡ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐‘‰๐ธ๐‘† ๐ป๐ธ๐‘…๐ธ, an exhibition of photographs taken during the 2nd Annual Afrofusion Fashi...
06/17/2026

The MacLaren is excited to host ๐ผ๐‘‡ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐‘‰๐ธ๐‘† ๐ป๐ธ๐‘…๐ธ, an exhibition of photographs taken during the 2nd Annual Afrofusion Fashion Show, presented by UPlift Black Artist Collective. ๐Ÿ“ธ๐Ÿ‘—

The photographs showcase the incredible work of eight contemporary Black designers, bringing together seasoned, award-winning designers with emerging and self-taught talent. ๐ผ๐‘‡ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐‘‰๐ธ๐‘† ๐ป๐ธ๐‘…๐ธ reveals a thriving Afro-diasporic fashion and design culture grounded in Simcoe County. ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿฉท

The exhibition highlights UPlift Black Artist Collective's active work of nurturing racialized and 2SLGBTQIA+ creatives toward sustained artistic production, collaboration, and wider visibility. This partnership reflects the MacLarenโ€™s ongoing commitment to representing the breadth of creative practices within our region, while supporting initiatives that foster a sense of belonging in the arts.

โžก๏ธ Learn more about the designers and photographers at upliftblack.org.

๐ŸŒˆ In honour of Pride Month, the MacLaren is proud to share a selection of hand-crafted pages from the Gilbert Centre 30t...
06/15/2026

๐ŸŒˆ In honour of Pride Month, the MacLaren is proud to share a selection of hand-crafted pages from the Gilbert Centre 30th Anniversary Colouring Book, a community project created in collaboration with the Gilbert Centre. The pages were sketched by 2SLGBTQI+ individuals from across Simcoe County. ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ

Featuring original artwork and designs that celebrate identity, creativity, and community, the colouring book highlights the diverse voices and experiences of local 2SLGBTQI+ artists and contributors.

Copies are available in the MacLaren Gift Shop and make a thoughtful gift for artists, allies, and anyone looking to support local creators while celebrating Pride Month. โค๏ธ

Artwork credits, in order of appearance: Caleb Acland, Rae Riley, Alicia-Resilient, Bryan.

Our Summer 2026 exhibition season is here! โ˜€๏ธ We're thrilled to present a powerful lineup of exhibitions exploring photo...
06/13/2026

Our Summer 2026 exhibition season is here! โ˜€๏ธ We're thrilled to present a powerful lineup of exhibitions exploring photography, storytelling, family, memory, and lived experience.

Join us for our FREE Opening Reception on Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 PM! Enjoy light refreshments and drinks, hear from exhibiting artists, and be among the first to experience these remarkable exhibitions. ๐ŸŽจ๐Ÿ“ธ

โœจ Sadko Hadลพihasanoviฤ‡: ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’ ๐‘ค๐‘Ž๐‘ก๐‘’๐‘Ÿ'๐‘  ๐‘’๐‘‘๐‘”๐‘’, โ„Ž๐‘’๐‘Ÿ๐‘’ ๐‘Ž๐‘ก ๐‘›๐‘œ๐‘œ๐‘›
Recent paintings on copper plates and objects reflecting on home, memory, and enduring connections between Bosnia and Canada.

โœจ Michelle Sound: ๐‘Š๐‘’ ๐‘Ž๐‘™๐‘™ ๐‘”๐‘œ โ„Ž๐‘œ๐‘š๐‘’ ๐‘ก๐‘œ ๐‘กโ„Ž๐‘’ ๐‘ ๐‘ก๐‘Ž๐‘Ÿ๐‘ 
A moving exploration of motherhood, family, language, land, and community through the lens of Cree and Mรฉtis experience.

โœจ Christina Leslie: ๐‘‡โ„Ž๐‘’ ๐ด๐‘™๐‘๐‘ข๐‘š
An examination of the family archive, considering how photographs shape what can be known about a lifeโ€”and what remains absent.

โœจ Peyton Keeler-Cox: ๐‘„๐‘ข๐‘’๐‘ ๐‘ก๐‘–๐‘œ๐‘›๐‘  ๐‘๐‘œ๐‘๐‘œ๐‘‘๐‘ฆ ๐ด๐‘ ๐‘˜๐‘’๐‘‘ ๐‘€๐‘’
Contemporary and archival photographs exploring memory, grief, care, and chosen family.

โœจ ๐ผ๐‘™๐‘™๐‘ข๐‘ ๐‘œ๐‘Ÿ๐‘ฆ ๐ผ๐‘š๐‘Ž๐‘”๐‘’๐‘ 
Discover a collection of more than 20,000 press photographs produced during the Soviet Union's World War II-era propaganda campaign and its aftermath.

Register here: https://maclarenart.com/product/summer-2026-opening-reception/

We can't wait to welcome you! โœจ

We were thrilled to welcome exhibiting artist Marlene Hilton Moore to the Gallery on May 30 for her Visual Narratives wo...
06/12/2026

We were thrilled to welcome exhibiting artist Marlene Hilton Moore to the Gallery on May 30 for her Visual Narratives workshop. ๐Ÿ‘—

Following an engaging tour of ๐‘‡โ„Ž๐‘Ÿ๐‘’๐‘Ž๐‘‘๐‘™๐‘–๐‘›๐‘’๐‘ , participants created their own fabric narratives using textiles that held personal meaning and significance. The results were thoughtful, moving, and beautifully unique. ๐Ÿงต๐Ÿชก

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their stories through this creative experience. We are grateful to Marlene for inspiring such meaningful conversations and connections through art.

โ€ผ๏ธIt's also the last weekend to see ๐‘‡โ„Ž๐‘Ÿ๐‘’๐‘Ž๐‘‘๐‘™๐‘–๐‘›๐‘’๐‘ , so don't miss out! Closing this Sunday, June 14.

We've been having so much fun with our littlest artists during Toddlers Explore and Create, led by the wonderful ๐Ÿงธ๐ŸงฉโœจFro...
06/11/2026

We've been having so much fun with our littlest artists during Toddlers Explore and Create, led by the wonderful ๐Ÿงธ๐Ÿงฉโœจ

From painting and sensory exploration to discovering new materials and spending time in the galleries, each Wednesday morning has been filled with creativity, curiosity, and plenty of joyful moments. We love seeing our youngest visitors learn, create, and explore together at the MacLaren! ๐Ÿงฎ๐Ÿ–Œ๏ธ

Address

37 Mulcaster Street
Barrie, ON
L4M3M2

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(705)721-9696

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when MacLaren Art Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to MacLaren Art Centre:

Shortcuts

Share

Category