Courtesy of AGO. Copyright 2013 Art Gallery of Ontario.
ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO
317 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M5T 1G4
T: 416.979.6648
www.ago.net
AGO Offers Unique Opportunities for Kids, Adults and Families to Learn and Have Fun
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) offers Torontonians an opportunity to unleash their creativity and learn new skills at one of North America’s leading art galleries. Registration for a brand new slate of winter education activities is now open at www.ago.net/learning, and classes begin on January 12, 2013, in the AGO’s Weston Family Learning Centre.
“We are proud to offer Toronto’s most exciting range of courses for art lovers of all ages, skill levels and interests,” said Kelly McKinley, the AGO’s executive director of education and public programming. “The quality of instruction and the variety of courses at the AGO really sets the Gallery apart as a leader in art education.”
With more than 20 courses to choose from, Torontonians of all ages can hone a craft or learn a new one through painting, drawing, photography and cartooning, to name a few. The popular yoga program returns to the AGO with classes for adults and families. Courses run on weekdays, evenings, weekends and on a drop-in basis. There is a selection of courses for everyone – adults, youth, families and children.
This season, the must-take courses include:
Adults
Introduction to Creative Photography (4 weeks: $200 Members / $265 non-Members) allows students to be creative with their digital cameras while learning about exposure, shooting in challenging lighting situations and creating strong compositions.
Portrait Painting (10 weeks: $325 Members/$390 non-Members) provides students the opportunity to learn various painting and drawing techniques to represent the human face. Inspired by special AGO exhibitions as well as the AGO collection, students will tackle portraiture from varying angles, live observation and source imagery.
In addition to scheduled classes in the WFLC, the AGO also offers drop-in classes, including Yoga in the AGO Galleries ($9 Members/$10 non-Members per class), where participants can practise among the works of the masters, and Life Drawing in the AGO ($15 per class) that allows participants to develop their drawing skills while working with life models.
Youth
Life Drawing (ages 13 to18; 8 weeks: $250 Members/$300 non-Members) is the perfect opportunity for teens to develop their drawing skills by observing human figures and utilizing various mediums. Noting everything from gestures and proportions to tone and shading, students will explore the technical and perceptual skills needed to draw confidently.
As always, Ontario high school students with valid ID can visit the AGO for FREE after 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Activities include DJ school, dance workshops, art-making and even skateboard building.
Children: Ages 6 to 13
Floor Burgers, Ice Cream Cones and More (ages 6 to 9; 4 weeks: $125 Members/$150 non-Members) is the much-beloved course that invites children to exercise their creativity by creating masterpieces with modelling clay, model magic, plaster, cardboard, wood and fabrics.
Cartooning (ages 8 to 13; 8 weeks: $315 Members/$375 non-Members) allows kids to use their imaginations and tell their stories with cartoons, using several different tools, including pencil, pen, markers and scratchboard. With the guidance of a professional cartoonist, children learn the art of drawing, storyboarding and character development.
Children: Ages 4 to 7
Side by Side – Little Kids (ages 4 to 7; 4 weeks: $155 Members/$185 non-Members) is the perfect opportunity for parents, grandparents and caregivers to discover art through the eyes of the littlest art makers while painting, drawing, sculpting, printmaking and exploring the galleries side-by-side with them.
Family Sundays continue to be a great hit! New to the schedule in 2013 is Family Yoga for ages 3 and up. This class will occur twice during every Family Sunday from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 3:13 p.m. Whether it’s stretching like a cat, slithering like a snake or howling like a dog, it’s exciting family fun! Each class is 45 minutes and includes breathing exercises, stretches, yoga poses, partner yoga, games and relaxation using puppets, balls and music.
Upcoming Family Sundays:
Wintery Wandering
January 27, 2013
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. NEW TIME!
Members’ hour: Noon to 1 p.m.
Spend a Sunday afternoon in the studio playing with winter-themed materials – immersed in white and blue – making all white or blue constructions, things that hang and move and creating art from winter sounds. Spend the day exploring diverse art making processes, experimenting and playing!
Kids Gallery of Ontario (KGO)
February 18, 2013 (Family Day)
Noon to 4 p.m.
On Monday, Feb. 18, the AGO will celebrate Family Day 2013 by transforming into the Kids Gallery of Ontario (KGO) for one special day! The Gallery will have a family-friendly art-making extravaganza featuring the creation of a day-long exhibition by kids entitled Kid Nouveau. The iconic red AGO on the building’s exterior will be creatively reworked to reflect its temporary name change, to KGO. Kids attending the event (included in the price of admission) will be encouraged to channel their inner artists through activities co-programmed with Bunch Family Inc.
Itty-Bitty City
March 31, 2013
1 to 4 p.m. NEW TIME!
Member’s hour: Noon to 1 p.m.
Kids love little itty-bitty things that you can hold in your hand. On Mar. 31, 2013, kids can make teeny tiny things. Tiny cities, tiny fairy houses, tiny animals, tiny food — all things miniature because little is fun! Who knows, there might even be miniature golf.
Courses are available to Members and the public and range from $100 to $350 for Members, and $100 to $440 for the public. More information on the WFLC and 2013 Winter Programming can be found by visiting www.ago.net/learning.
Education Programs are generously supported by smART women with additional support from the Learning Fund
The AGO acknowledges the generous support of its Signature Partners: American Express, Signature Partner of the Conservation Program; and Aeroplan, Signature Partner of the Photography Collection Program.