News & Media Releases

Image: Accessibility Coordinator Tyler DurbanoWith generous support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the MacLaren Art Centre is excited to announce the development of MacLaren Access Art: accessible exhibition-related programs and interpretive tools designed in...

For over a decade, The Sarjeant Co. Design Project has been a highlight of the MacLaren Art Centre. We thought you might be interested in seeing where some of our past winners are now.Image: Victoria McCartneyVictoria McCartney was a 2011 winner. "Since winning the...

by Jessica Comella, Gallery Shop Manager | Nov 25, 2020 On July 2 after months of uncertainty, we reopened our doors by appointment. With Plexi-shields in place, hand sanitizer at every possible touchpoint and masks worn by staff upon entering the building, the idea...

At the conclusion of an international search process, MacLaren Art Centre is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Executive Director, Karen Carter. Karen will begin her role on January 4, 2021. “Karen is an exemplary arts executive whose transformational...

Bringing downtown Barrie together through art.  Moving forward by supporting our community. In this time of change locally and globally, art offers reflection and hope. Downtown Barrie itself is in a moment of revitalization and recovery. Artists and writers have the...

Today this social media manager got to chat with Acting Director/Senior Curator Emily McKibbon to delve a little deeper into The Uncanny Outdoors. Walking through the Janice Laking Gallery together, I had a chance to hear her thoughts on the exhibition and learn some...

"As a Barrie kid, I've grown up with the MacLaren Art Centre. I currently volunteer as Co-Chair of the Maclaren's Black Tie Gala. In college, I took a volunteer placement at the Maclaren, writing a curriculum for Early Childhood Art Programs. In high school, I...

Sorel Etrog, Untitled Orange, 1965, intaglio on paper, A.P. II. Collection of the MacLaren Art Centre. Gift of the artist, 1999. Photo: Andre Beneteau (left); Sorel Etrog, Hingescape I, 1978, lithograph on paper, A.P. Collection of the MacLaren Art Centre. Gift of the...

Janice Laking. Photo courtesy of the Laking familyFormer City of Barrie Mayor Janice Laking challenged our community this summer to match her generous gift of $20,000. “Organizations like the MacLaren would not exist without support from the community,” Laking stated....

Former Barrie Mayor Janice Laking is inviting others to join her in building a brighter and more creative future for our community by donating to the MacLaren Art Centre. In an exceptional act of generosity, she has pledged to match all donations made to the Gallery...