A Farewell Visit to the Gardiner Museum: Cherishing Memories Before Renovations

As we strolled through the Gardiner Museum last week, my husband and I were among the last visitors before it temporarily closed its doors for much-anticipated renovations. This visit turned into a journey through time, art, and culture that we will cherish forever.

Nestled in the heart of Toronto near the Southeast corner of Queens Park and Bloor Street East, the Gardiner Museum is a gem dedicated to the art of ceramics. It's one of the few museums in the world focused on ceramic art, making it a unique cultural destination.

I am going to admit something that I have been by here hundreds of times and never had the interest in visiting until now.  Only until now before learning that it would be closed for quite a long time.  They don't have a date, which if you live in Toronto, you will know that renovations have always gone above budget and way behind schedule.

I was surprised -pleasantly so though visiting. I am sorry to share this with you after the fact!!

What I have learned is that the museum's collection spans continents and centuries, showcasing everything from ancient American pottery to contemporary works by renowned artists.

One of the highlights of our visit was the European Porcelain Galleries. We marveled at the delicate beauty of pieces from the Meissen, Sèvres, and Royal Vienna manufactories. The intricate details and craftsmanship were astounding. It was fascinating to learn how these ceramics not only served functional purposes but also reflected the social and political climates of their times.

Another captivating exhibit was the Modern and Contemporary Ceramics. This section featured bold and innovative pieces that pushed the boundaries of the medium. We were particularly drawn to the works of Betty Woodman and Jun Kaneko. Their pieces, with their vibrant colors and unconventional forms, offered a refreshing contrast to the classical ceramics we had seen earlier.


The Gardiner Museum is also home to the works of Pablo Picasso, who, unbeknownst to many, had a deep passion for ceramics. Seeing his playful and imaginative ceramic creations up close was a delightful surprise and added another layer of appreciation for his versatility as an artist.


A charming aspect of the Gardiner Museum is its intimate scale. Unlike larger institutions, it offers a more personal and immersive experience. We had the opportunity to engage with the exhibits at our own pace, allowing us to fully appreciate the stories and histories behind each piece. The museum's knowledgeable and friendly staff were always on hand to share insights and answer our questions, enhancing our experience even further.

As we wandered through the galleries, we were reminded of the museum’s dynamic role in the community. The Gardiner is not just a repository of beautiful objects; it's a vibrant hub for creativity and learning. It regularly hosts workshops, lectures, and family programs, fostering a deep appreciation for ceramic art among people of all ages.


The decision to close for renovations is bittersweet. While we’ll miss our regular visits, we’re excited to see how the Gardiner Museum will evolve. The planned updates promise to enhance the visitor experience with improved facilities and new exhibition spaces. We’re already looking forward to the grand reopening and the new treasures that will be on display.

As we walked out of the Gardiner Museum for the last time before its temporary closure, we felt a deep sense of gratitude for having the opportunity to see such awesome pieces of art, history and culture come alive.  Make sure to put it on your list for when it reopens. 

The Indigenous Arts Festival 2024

    While looking for something to do in Toronto this weekend, I came upon the Indigenous Arts Festival 2024 -Celebrating Culture and Heritage Through Art and Film

On our bikes, we set out to Old Fort York where the grounds were splayed with an array of vibrant colours and rich culture of the Indigenous people.

This year brought together artists, performers, and communities from diverse indigenous backgrounds to celebrate and showcase their unique traditions and contemporary expressions.

The festival was held from June 14-16 from 12:00 - 5:00, on the grassland just north of "The Bentway" over the hill, located in the Garrison Common - in the heart of the city.  There were hundred of people dressed in beautiful garments, decorated with colourful feathers, beads and leathers.

The festival attracts thousands of visitors eager to immerse themselves in the beauty and depth of indigenous cultures, but it's the first time I've ever gone.

A Showcase of Artistic Excellence in the Artisan Market

As an artistic festival, you can expect to to see and hear an extensive array of artistic expressions, including traditional music, dance, visual arts, crafts, and storytelling. 

I loved the mesmerizing performances by indigenous dance groups showcasing their traditional dances passed down through generations, as well as contemporary dance pieces that fused traditional elements with modern influences.

Visual artists displayed their traditional artwork ranging from intricate beadwork and pottery to modern paintings and sculptures. 

Traditional Food and Drink at the Food market

Tents lined the main gally where you can find an array of diverse flavours, celebrating the rich tapestry of Turtle Island’s indigenous traditions. Traditional teas are found such as Sassafras, cedar and pine needle teas among some of choices.  There was a definite scent of maple syrup permeating in the air in the crowds.  While more commonly used as a sweetener, the sap of maple trees is consumed directly or boiled down into syrup. Drinking the sap directly is a traditional springtime practice among some tribes.

Documenting the Journey: A Cinematic Endeavor

There was signage as you entered the park letting you know that this year’s festival was being documented in a film project to share experiences of the event with a global audience. 

A team of filmmakers, led by renowned director Emily Johnson will capture the essence of the festival through a series of interviews, performance recordings, and behind-the-scenes footage.

After doing some research I learned the documentary, slated for release later this year, and will take an intimate look at the artists' creative processes, the significance of their works, and the communal spirit that underpins the festival. 

It aims to not only celebrate indigenous art but also to raise awareness about the importance of preserving these cultural practices for future generations.

Community and Cultural Exchange

The Indigenous Arts Festival 2024 offers a chance for a cultural exchange and dialogue for visitors to ask questions and witness their cultures sights and sounds. The "Chicken Dance' although sounded funny was actually a really sensual kind of movement performed by men.

Although I believe I should have asked permission to take photographs, they were kind and respectful and the entire feel of the afternoon was an exchenage of openness and a genuine sharing of traditions without any negative overtones.

I felt a deeper understanding and appreciation of indigenous cultures among a diverse audience when I left once I witnessed it for myself and it will leave a lasting impact on me.  As I left the festival, the sense of unity and cultural pride was palpable.  The festival highlighted the incredible talent within the indigenous communities but also emphasize the importance of cultural preservation and education.  

The importance of the Documentary

The documentation of the festival through film ensures that these moments will be cherished and remembered, inspiring future generations to engage with and honor their heritage.

I am looking forward to next year's events and hope they will include a more diverse representation of their art and culture.  

As the echoes of drums and songs linger, the Indigenous Arts Festival 2024 stands as a testament to the enduring strength and beauty of indigenous cultures worldwide.

The Spadina House Museum

 

 

 

During a recent 'Open Doors' in Toronto I wanted to check out the Spadina Museum, also known as Spadina House just based on the photos alone. I've lived here my whole life and never heard of it.

The Spadina House is a historic mansion located at 285 Spadina Road in Toronto, Ontario. It's operated by the City of Toronto's Economic Development & Culture division, it serves as a historic house museum preserving the architecture and decor from the 1860s through the 1930s, including styles like Victorian, Edwardian, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Colonial Revival.

After closing for extensive renovations, it reopened on October 24, 2010, showcasing the inter-war era style of the 1920s and 1930s. The estate's gardens reflect the landscape during the Austin family's residence. (incidentally, the Austin family which owned Casa Loma is a stones throw away from here)


Dr. William Warren Baldwin built the first house on the site in 1818, naming the 200-acre property "Spadina" from the Ojibwe word for "hill." The original house burned down in 1835, and Baldwin moved to Front Street. He built a smaller estate on the property in 1836. Believe me, we had to bike up it to get here, and it is definitely a hill!

In 1866, James Austin, founder of The Dominion Bank and Consumers Gas, acquired the property, then reduced to 80 acres. By 1889, Austin had sold off 40 acres. In 1892, he transferred the house and 20 acres to his son, Albert William Austin, who expanded the house, adding a third floor in 1912. Albert sold much of the property to the city in 1913 for the St. Clair Reservoir and died in 1933.


Albert's daughter, Anna Kathleen Thompson, lived in the house from 1942 until 1982. Facing expensive renovations, the family donated the house and its furnishings to the city instead of selling it. It opened as a museum in 1984, jointly owned by the city and the Ontario Heritage Foundation, and is noted for its gardens.


Take some time out of your schedule to take a tour into the past and enjoy this historical site!

P A T H - Toronto's Underground

 When the snow piles high and the wind blows cold, you can get yourself around in the underground of Toronto without ever coming up for air.

There's a whole world down here and its called the PATH.

The PATH led me to my first job downtown, my first attendance to a Convention and Trade show and to my first husband, but not necessarily in that order and not all in the same day!



The P A T H starts from Dundas Street from the north at the Eatons Centre (future plans are to continue north to College Street) to Queens Quay in the south (south of the Gardiner Expressway) and from Simcoe Street in the west to Yonge Street in the east.

You can check out any map of Toronto yourself to see that that is a pretty impressive underground trek, don't you think?

In order to follow the P A T H, each color represents a direction (Red-South; Orange-West; Blue-North; Yellow-East).

During the week, this underground world is saturated with hundreds of thousands of people commuting from the local transit systems (TTC) to the GO Stations (Metrolinx) at Union and to the VIA trains or the Toronto Coach Bus Terminal  at Bay Street, which can take them out of the city's core altogether.

Workers, shoppers, and tourists pack the P A T H more so during the week days.  On weekends, you may have a little more elbow room especially if you plan on taking pictures as the Office Towers close down except for the odd bored security person.

The P A T H links to some of the most visited tourist attractions in Toronto, like the Eaton's Centre, which brings in millions of holiday shoppers; Air Canada Centre, Ripley's Aquarium, Skydome (I still refuse to call it the Rogers Centre :) and of course the CN Tower.


Some of the major performing arts centre, like the Four Seasons Centre and Roy Thompson Hall are accessed on the path as well.  Although I do enjoy most movie soundtracks which apparently were inspired by classical composers, I don't enjoy most classical music unfortunately so don't go to Roy Thompson or others like it very much.




When I worked downtown, I loved the convenience of the  
P A T H as it took me to many hotels, some for business, others for pleasure.  I was in the Convention and Trade Show industry that hosted Toronto for international exhibitors.  This was of course before Free Trade, when Trade shows and Conventions were a very busy industry not only for for tourism (still are) but for the Custom House businesses.

Conventions are awesome for local economies obviously because when exhibitors come to your city, they often put money into hotels, spend lots in shops and restaurants and list goes on.



Today, the Metro Convention Centre hosts most of the Conventions in the city and has a hotel built directly beside called the InterContinental Toronto Centre Hotel.   Hotels like the Sheraton or the Royal York or Hilton, which once were the only game in town have lost out to that income on a private corporate level.

Sometimes in bigger shows though, there is always the much needed extra capacity for rooms for which they are necessary.

The bigger shows kept us up sometimes over 24 hours straight working on booth setups, and coordinating with Customs to bring shipments in for the show.  It was great fun.

Back to present day, the holidays dress up the main lobbies of many of these Corporate Towers, like the Royal Bank Plaza, The Toronto-Dominion Centre, First Canadian Place and the beautiful Exchange Tower.  It was a treat looking at them again.

Historical value? I didn't want to research too much on this underground world, but rather give credit to those who have by linking you to this site.

We came here just for fun for me to take pictures and share them as I love to do.  So here are some of what we saw today.

Toronto City Hall

It was in the middle of the afternoon on a blustery Saturday, so not really expecting to find our illustrious Mayor Ford, but since it seems he does a lot of unexpected things, you never know.

Our walk began off Queen Street at University Avenue where we spotted the old historical Campbell House.  The owner of the house, Sir William Campbell was born in 1758 near Caithness Scotland.  He fought with the British forces during the American Revolution but was taken prisoner at Yorkton in 1781.  Three years later he was practicing law in Nova Scotia where in 1799 he was elected to the House of Assembly.  He later moved to Upper Canada in 1811 and accepted  a judgeship on the Court of King's Bench.  He did this until 1825 when he was made Chief Justice of the Province.  Four years later he received the first knight ever awarded a judge in Upper Canada.  He built this brick house you see in 1822.  It was originally on Adelaide where he lived but was moved in 1972 by the historical society to its present location on University.

Okay so on to the next interesting point of interest.  This very ominous shrine stands right in the centre median of traffic going north and south on University.  Impossible to miss, and it is in honour of the Canadians who died defending the Empire in the South African War between 1899-1902.


Moving now across the street you can see the opens gates of Osgoode Hall.  This is an absolutely stunning property of law and order.  It's a popular site for photographing at the 'Doors Open' in Toronto as they have a stunning library that was constructed in the famous Victorian Era.

Osgoode Hall began construction in 1829 and was named after William Osgoode, the Province's first Chief Justice.  In here are the Court of Appeals and other legal and judicial offices.   Years ago Osgoode Hall provided accommodations for young lawyers and students.  It was severely damaged during the six years in which provincial troops were stationed following the Rebellion of 1837.  Later in 1844-46 it was remodelled and new wings were constructed.

Today Osgoode Hall remains one of the first examples of Victorian Classical architecture in Canada.  I've added a few night shots I took as well which show a little more of the expanse of the building.  Walking through here is very nostalgic, at any time of day or night.

Once you leave the property at Osgoode, you can see the skaters off in the distance on the ice rink in the square, known as Nathan Philips Square which utilizes three quarters of the space dedicated to Nathan Phillips, who was credited with the vision to initiate the City Hall project in the first place.

Skating in the winter months has been an annual tradition of Torontonians as long as I can remember.   Along with skate rentals, hot chocolate and ice that is always perfect (I still fall down...)There are constantly festivities being held at the square including the festival of lights, and of course bringing in the New Year.  It is to Toronto what Times Square is to New Yorkers.

Now at last entering City Hall.  There are some interesting pieces of artwork both surrounding the 12 acres of land where City Hall lives.  Once you step inside the main saucer-like concourse you will immediately notice the low ceiling and wide expanse of the front foyer.  This section features the podium and the council chamber which appears to float above the podium.  It sits between 2 crescent shaped office towers.  It's hard to believe that City Hall is now almost 50 years old now, as it opened its doors on Sept 13 1965 and instantly became Toronto's identifiable landmark.  The building was way ahead of its time looking into modern architecture and was noted for its experiments with 20th century building technologies. 

Its unique design was chosen from an international competition held to determine the right choice and saw a multiple of design ideas from over 500 competitors in 42 difference countries.  In the end, it was an architect named Viljo Revell (1910-64) of Helsinki, Finland who won.

As of 1991, this was designated as a property of heritage significance under the Ontario Heritage Act, so even if an idea to rebuild does enter the minds of men, this place isn't going anywhere.

Just wanted to also mention Old City Hall, located at Queen at Bay Street.  It is still fully functional and used as a court house now.  It still has squeaky and noisy floors and hallways that echo which its massive ceilings as you can hear every footstep from your clackity high heels.  Edward James Lennox was chosen as the architect.  It took him three years to design it and over ten years to build it.  It served as both a City Hall and a Courthouse at one time and the cost to build was more than two million dollars.  It was completed by the late 1800's and at that time was the largest building in the city. 

Now that the quest to find Rob Ford was over, we found plenty of Rob Ford paraphernalia, his office, and lots of photographs of him, but no Rob Ford.  Not too surprising, but I think he can't be that bad of a guy: after all his office houses a fish tank in the corner and I've been told he makes a point to feed them everyday.