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Archives: Associated Programs

LunarFest 2025

2025 marks the Year of the Snake, a symbol of flexibility and duality across cultures. The theme Fluidity in Diversity highlights the beauty of embracing differences while celebrating individual traditions within the vibrant diversity of the GTA community. Highlights include outdoor Lunar Lanterns, snake-themed craft workshops, an artist market, film screenings, and live performances. Learn […]

Lunch and Learn with artist Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona

Beneath the Surface: Stories of Kinship and Connection Inuit artist Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona will share insights into her art practice and creative process. Learn More  

Lunch and Learn with artist Karen Kar Yen Law

Join Karen Kar Yen Law: Better Bitter exhibiting artist as she discusses her latest works on view at the Varley Art Gallery. A printmaker and painter, Law explores the intersections of mediums, abstraction, and Chinese cuisine, reflecting on Chinese diasporic experiences and cultural practices through the theme of bitterness. Learn More  

Lunch and Learn with artist Emma Nishimura

Beneath the Surface: Stories of Kinship and Connection exhibiting artist Emma Nishimura will share insights into her research and art practice, which explore the complicated experiences of her paternal grandparents and Japanese Canadians during and after their forced incarceration in World War II. This talk highlights her work, creative processes, and reflections on navigating generational […]

Artist Workshop: Printmaking with Karen Kar Yen Law

Discover the art of printmaking with 2025 Winter Exhibition artist Karen Law. Learn step-by-step techniques to create your own unique prints and explore your creativity in a fun, hands-on environment. Perfect for beginners and art lovers alike. All materials included. Learn More  

Curator’s Corner

Join Varley Art Gallery curator Anik Glaude for an engaging discussion on selected works from our collection and 2025 Winter Exhibitions. Gain unique insights into the stories, themes, and techniques behind the art, and enjoy light refreshments in an intimate setting. Learn More    

2025 Winter Exhibitions Opening Reception

Join us to celebrate the launch of our winter exhibitions, Karen Kar Yen Law: Better Bitter, Beneath the Surface: Stories of Kinship and Connection, and The Printmaker’s Matrix: Process, Image, and Innovation. Engage with talks by the artists and curator, get creative with family-friendly printmaking activities, and enjoy a festive Chinese lion dance performance. Savour delicious snacks and drinks while connecting with […]

Art Bus

Join us for a free Art Bus adventure with exhibiting artist Meera Sethi. Starting at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) located at 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, participants will travel together by bus to the Varley Art Gallery of Markham in Historic Unionville to enjoy a guided tour of Meera Sethi: A Brief History of Wear led […]

Olde Tyme Christmas at the Varley

Drop in for a festive, hands-on Christmas activity, enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate, and then head to Main Street Unionville for the magical Candlelight Parade. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the season together—pay what you can. Learn More

Multi-sensory Birding for Beginners

While many focus on sight when birdwatching, led by artist and birder Scott Rogers, this walk will encourage you to engage your other senses, prioritizing hearing and bodily awareness to connect with wildlife in local Markham habitats. Binoculars and bird books are welcome but not required. This program includes a guided tour of the Varley […]