In addition to its many smaller art galleries, Ottawa is is home to – or within a reasonable train ride to – several major galleries and museums that offer large-scale, international exhibitions. Often at the beginning of a new year I check out my list of usual suspects to see what’s on or what’s coming up. I keep this in mind when I’m in the mood for an art-related adventure.
These are on my radar for 2019…
National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa)
Paul Klee’s Temple Gardens (above) is part of the exhibition at the National Gallery.
Paul Klee: The Berggruen Collection from The Metropolitan Museum of Art
November 16, 2018 to March 17, 2019. Colours and shapes and symbols, oh my! I have to get moving on this one if I want to catch it before it closes. D. and I have it penciled in for next weekend.
May 24, 2019 to September 8, 2019. It’s Gauguin. And portraits. ‘Nuf said.
Canadian Museum of History (Ottawa)
Notman, Visionary Photographer
Until April 14, 2019. I follow the Canadian Museum of History on Facebook and keep seeing images from this exhibition in my feed. I know nothing about Canadian photographer William Notman, but I am drawn in by his work. Therefore, it goes on the short list.
Agnes Etherington Art Centre (Kingston)
In the Present: The Zacks Gift of 1962
August 25, 2018 to April 7, 2019. I’m intrigued by the time period covered by this exhibition (the 1960s) and by one of the pieces featured on the website. The piece is by Marcelle Ferron, a Québécoise painter associated with a group called the Automatistes. Back in January when D. and I visited the Musée national des beaux-arts in Québec city we saw several paintings by some of her male counterparts, but alas, I don’t remember seeing any by women. Here’s my chance. Also, I’ve been wanting to visit this gallery for a while now so… short list.
McCord Museum (Montreal)
December 16, 2018 to March 17, 2019. OK I’m not sure if I’ll make it to this one because there are only so many museums I can visit between now and mid-March, but an exhibition featuring antique and vintage toys? That’s short list material whether I manage to see it or not.
The Polaroid Project: At the Intersection of Art and Technology
June 14, 2019 to September 15, 2019. If I can’t make the vintage toys exhibition, maybe I try to make this one. It speaks to my love of images and nostalgia.
Yours truly climbing the stairs up to the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec’s Pierre Lassonde pavilion. Photo by D.
Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (Québec)
Miró in Mallorca. A Free Spirit
May 30, 2019 to September 8, 2019. How often do we get to see a collection of Miró pieces in our neck in the woods? Not very often, which is why this one’s on the list. Plus, D. and I visited this museum for the first time in January and were absolutely smitten with its spaces. If you’ve never been I highly recommend a visit.
Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto)
It's Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Collection
July 13, 2019 to January 5, 2020. I’m not a huge horror or sci-fi fan and full confession: I didn’t know who Kirk Hammett was until I read the description. I still think this is cool. And I think D. would get a kick out of it. So many of our art adventures are Stephanie-focused, here’s one for you D.!
.:.
Et voilà, my short list for the year so far. I rarely make it to all of them, but a girl’s gotta have some goals, yes?
For the record, there are many other exhibitions on deck in and around Ottawa that are not on this list. You might want to check out the new Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) or Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). If art’s your thing, I encourage you to take a look at the websites and tally up what speaks to YOU.
In spirit of discovery,
Stephanie