Varley Art Gallery runs family-oriented programming through the year.
It’s an excellent way to introduce your kids to art. Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids
The Varley Art Gallery of Markham, located in Historic Unionville – about a 30-minute drive from downtown Toronto – is currently running an exhibit called Carnival – The Spirit and the Soul. This summer exhibition, curated by Teodoro Dragonieri and Christopher Jackson, has over 200 works, in a variety of mediums, that will interest visitors of all ages. Our six-year-old was fascinated with the brilliant colours adorning every wall in the gallery. It was also great to learn how Carnival is celebrated in different countries.
This multi-media exhibition uses theatrical narrative and the mask as an element of storytelling, common to virtually every world culture.
by Varley Art Gallery of Markham
Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids
Over 200 works, including carnival and theatrical masks, photography and mixed media works engage the viewer and prompt a dialogue about the evolution and continued social relevance of the Carnival tradition and its parallels with today’s artistic practice
by Varley Art Gallery of Markham
Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids
On June 7th Varley celebrated the Carnival of the Arts at the Unionville Festival. It was an excellent family event that opened the Carnival – The Spirit and the Soul exhibit to visitors for free. As well, an event-filled day was planned around the Carnival theme. Some of the activities included making your own mask.
Children made their own masks using a variety of materials provided by the museum for free. Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids
Ardeleana, a performance group, staged a wonderful children’s story in the Varley Gallery Courtyard. With a mix of music, theatre and dance , kids of all ages were quite enthralled with the story called Melissa’s Song.
Image: Phil Raby © 2008 Trips with Kids
Interested in seeing this exhibit? Well, the Varley Art Gallery will be organizing a few more Carnival-themed events during the summer. For more information: varleygallery.ca
Check out the Trips with Kids website for more ideas.
© 2008 Trips with Kids - Unauthorized reproduction of this article and images is prohibited.
Thank you Anna – glad you enjoyed Melissa. The Carnival was a parntership between the Varley Gallery and Blue Bridge Festival – did you catch the canoe ballet by any chance? My favourite part was sitting in the canoe/raft where I was paddling, and watching all the kids in their masks swaying gently in time to the operatic arias and the canoes on the pavilion- truly a beautiful site.
I am the author/composer of Melissa’s Song – I would so grateful for any pictures you may have of it – despite many performances I am always without any kind of documentation of the show! THanks so much for you interest and comments.
By: Brenda Muller on June 23, 2009
at 12:36 pm
We didn’t see the canoe ballet but I heard it was wonderful. I will pass along the request for images to the photographer and he will get back to you.
By: tripswithkids on June 23, 2009
at 7:47 pm
Thanks Anna – wait till next year. ORCKA has got the idea now, and I think that canoe ballet will really grow! The opera singers love it too…it is just too much fun….
By: Brenda Muller on June 24, 2009
at 6:30 am