Event Details

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) was founded in 1967 after Oshawa designer William Caldwell organized an exhibition of work by local artists at a commercial space on Simcoe Street. Seeing the need for a more permanent home for the arts, Ewart McLaughlin and his wife Margaret (painter Alexandra Luke) offered major financial support and works from their own private collection toward the establishment of an expanded public art gallery for the City of Oshawa. In 1987, a $5.4 million dollar expansion was commissioned and Arthur Erickson, renowned for his love of natural light and materials, was secured to add 36,000 square feet to meet the growing needs of the RMG and the community. Erickson built his design around the existing structure, incorporating the original stone façade into the dramatic lobby design which is flooded with natural light, skylights and soaring 35 foot ceilings. The RMG proudly holds Canada’s largest collection of works by Painters Eleven, primarily as a result of significant donations to the permanent collection by Alexandra Luke.

This application is for “The RMG Celebrates Oshawa’s Centennial” taking place May 3 to October 12, 2024 at the RMG. The RMG is using this anniversary as a launching pad for special programming that will mark this milestone and attract tourists and new visitors from further afield. This project is a result of recent research and a strategic plan developed by Oshawa Tourism to revitalize downtown Oshawa and draw further investment in local cultural, business, and the culinary scene.

Programming will include:

(1) “The Night of My World: A Contemporary Art Exhibition for Kids” (June 1 to October 6): an immersive exhibition developed in collaboration with local children and homeschool families. The artists convened in this exhibition take seriously the unique perspectives that children can bring to art and see play as a crucial entry into artistic inquiry. Artists Shaya Ishaq, Hannah Jickling + Reed H. Reed, Leisure (Meredith Carruthers and Susannah Wesley), and Amy Wong’s new works will be interactive;

(2) “RMG Fridays Programming” (May 3, June 7, July 5, August 9, September 20): live performing arts, studio activity, gallery tours, and showcase local food and beverage partners. Each of these RMG Fridays will also be used to promote Oshawa Tourism’s Convergence Arts + Music Festival held from September 20-22, 2024; and

(3) “Go Big” (opening September 20 in conjunction with Convergence launch party): Painters 11 exhibition including their largest artworks.