Barrie, ON — February 19, 2025 — The MacLaren Art Centre is excited to announce their new partnership with PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint and PIE Education, who will sponsor the Education Centre through a three-year agreement. This partnership reinforces both organizations’ longstanding commitment to community engagement, educational programming, and the arts. PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint, a beloved local business and long-time supporter of the MacLaren, will now lend its name to one of the Centre’s core spaces.
The newly named PIE Education Centre is a space dedicated to hosting creative programs and opportunities for individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
“PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint and the MacLaren Art Centre share a belief in the power of creativity to uplift and empower. By providing essential support to children in need, PIE lays the foundation for confidence and learning—just as our art programs offer exploration, expression, and connection,” said Interim Artistic Director, Tyler Durbano. “We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to the MacLaren and the community. With the support of PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint, we can continue to offer programs for everyone at a reduced cost, ensuring that creativity remains an accessible tool for personal growth, inclusion, and community.”
As a non-profit entity, PIE Education is a “hand-up” initiative dedicated to providing essential educational supplies to underprivileged and at-risk children. Their goal is to boost children’s confidence as they return to school, helping them focus on their studies and foster positive engagement with their peers. With a shared vision for empowering the community through education, PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint’s support will help sustain and expand the MacLaren Art Centre’s vital arts programs.
“Since PIE Education’s inception in 2010, the program has provided over 27,000 backpacks to children in need. Along with partners such as the John Tavares Foundation, Progress for Mental Health and the City of Sudbury, PIE Education continues to grow province wide. We are proud to expand our partnership with the MacLaren Art Centre through the PIE Education Centre” says Craig Russell of PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint.
The MacLaren Art Centre is grateful for PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint’s continued partnership and looks forward to the exciting opportunities this sponsorship will bring for both organizations and the community they serve.
About the MacLaren Art Centre
The MacLaren Art Centre is a contemporary art gallery in Barrie, Ontario with a focus on community engagement and education. The charity offers a wide range of dynamic exhibitions, educational programs, and outreach initiatives which aim to engage the community through the visual arts. The Centre provides a platform for artists, curators, and the public to come together in creative dialogue and cultural exchange.
About PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint
PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint is locally owned, and operates restaurants in Barrie and Muskoka, Ontario, known for its delicious wood-fired pizzas and commitment to using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Beyond their culinary excellence, PIE is a strong advocate for community involvement and support, making significant contributions to local arts, education, and charitable initiatives.
For more information about the MacLaren Art Centre and its programs, please visit www.maclarenart.com. For more details about PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint and PIE Education, visit www.piewoodpizza.com.
