Be a MacLaren BBF and celebrate the MacLaren’s 40th anniversary in creative style! Here’s your chance to gather with community and add your artistic mark to our celebration! Led by regional artist Laura Bradley, families will explore a variety of watercolour painting techniques to create their very own heart— creatively reflecting their own personal connection to the MacLaren Art Centre.   

A smaller painted heart will then be included in a special 40th Anniversary button that each participant will take home as a memento!  The artwork created with be a part of I Heart MacLaren group exhibition in the PIE Education Centre from September 5 to October 18, 2026.  

Join us and continue the celebration at our 40th Anniversary Open House on Saturday, October 3! 

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In celebration of Culture Days, the MacLaren is excited to participate in Doors Open Barrie!Join us for a special opportunity to explore printmaking and then get an intimate look inside our Prints & Drawings Room. 

MacLaren Education Officer Christina Mancuso will then guide families to create a variety of textured and colourful monotype prints using different style markers on Plexiglas. This is fun for all ages!  

Guided by MacLaren Artistic Director Tyler Durbano, visitors will view selected prints from our Permanent Collection in the Prints and Drawings Room—a space where part of the MacLaren’s prints, drawings and photos are stored and cared for. 

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In conjunction with The water’s edge, here at noon, join exhibiting artist Sadko Hadžihasanović in a special workshop exploring figure painting. Beginning with an informal tour of his exhibition in the Carnegie Room, participants will learn more about the themes and ideas behind his artwork. Inspired by this exhibition, participants will be guided by Sadko in various water-soluble painting techniques.  

A live model will be present as the painting subject. The MacLaren will provide a gallery-style canvas. Participants are encouraged to bring their own brushes, and water-soluble paint of preference. There will be some paint for available use. Suitable for all levels of painting experience. 

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Join us to ring in a new season of exhibitions for the Summer/Fall season!

About the exhibitions:

Sadko Hadžihasanović: the water’s edge, here at noon:  Sadko Hadžihasanović’s recent paintings on copper plates and objects consider his relationship to home, memory, and the enduring connections between his life in Bosnia and Canada. 

Michelle Sound: We all go home to the stars: Cree and Métis artist Michelle Sound explores motherhood as a complex field of relation shaped by family, language, land, and community. 

Christina Leslie: The Album: Christina Leslie examines the family archive as a sourcebook, asking how photographs shape what can be known about a life, especially when the archive is marked by absence as much as presence. 

Peyton Keeler-Cox: Questions Nobody Asked Me: Centring on the home and life of a late family friend, Keeler-Cox presents contemporary photographs and archival images that examine memory, grief, care, and chosen family. 

Illusory Images: Experience Sovfoto: a collection of over 20,000 press photos from the Soviet Union’s diligent propaganda campaign over World War II and its aftermath.

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Join us as we celebrate the opening of three exciting exhibitions: Portfolio 2026, commUNITY, and IT LIVES HERE: The Afrofusion Diaspora.

Drop in between 1–3 PM on Saturday, May 2 for an engaging afternoon filled with art, conversation, and community. Enjoy light refreshments, hear opening remarks, and take the opportunity to connect with the featured artists and curators as you explore the exhibitions.

Portfolio 2026 highlights emerging artistic voices from high schools across the region, commUNITY celebrates connection, collaboration, and the power of shared experiences through art, and IT LIVES HERE: The Afrofusion Diaspora. celebrates fashion designs by emerging and award-winning designers, dynamically captured by regional emerging and established photographers. Together, these exhibitions offer a dynamic and inspiring look at creativity in our community. See you there, registration is encouraged!

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Reconnect to your inner landscape of self in a kind and safe space. Join local artist and Expressive Arts Practitioner, Karin Foulds, as she gently guides you through a creative morning. Using the outline of your body as your canvas, you will create a mixed media artwork using paint, collage, and various marking tools … other modalities will be used along the way in response to the marks made which may include movement, sound and word play. Both skilled artists and the creatively curious will have the opportunity to take home a very personal and unique artwork that reflects your journey, hopes and dreams. No previous art experience is required!

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Max capacity: 10 (10 toddlers +10 adults/caregivers). You only need to pay the registration fee once per child; caregiver attends for free. 

Join us with your little one for a fun and creative morning led by local artist Golbahar H! Visit the galleries, read stories, and make some art together! Each week we will explore colour, texture, and sensory experiences that will spark your imagination using simple & creative materials in a safe environment. 

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Winterfest: Snow Painting with the MacLaren Art Centre
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: Centennial Park
Cost: FREE, Drop-in 

The MacLaren Art Centre and the City of Barrie’s Nature Play Trailer are teaming up to offer fun, play-based experiences for families at Winterfest! Take part in snow painting and create colourful designs and low-relief sculptures in the snow. Fun for all! 

Please note: Snow Painting is dependent on adequate snow accumulation. 

Cozy Storytime by the Fireplace 
Date: Sunday, February 8
Time: 12:30 to 1:00 pm
Location: MacLaren Art Centre lobby 
Cost: FREE, Drop-in  

Join us for a very special Winterfest story time! Hosted by the Barrie Public Library, families are invited to attend a winter-themed story-time in front of our cozy fireplace. Sign up and stay for our special Family Sunday workshops in the PIE Education Centre afterwards. 

Family Sunday: Falling Snowflakes  
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026
Time: 1:00 to 2:00 pm OR 2:30 to 3:30 pm
Cost: FREE
Location: PIE Education Centre, MacLaren Art Centre 

Spend a cozy and creative Winterfest afternoon indoors! Guided by regional artist Tessa Deneumoustier, families will explore fun mixed-media watercolour techniques to create their very own mobile full of hand-painted wintery snowflakes.  

Registration for this workshop is on the day of at the front desk, based on a first-come first-served basis.  

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Registration will be capped at 30 persons per date and time. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged. 

In acknowledgement of Mental Health Awareness Month and Children's Mental Health Week in May, New Path Youth and Family Services and the MacLaren Art Centre are thrilled to continue their partnership on the commUNITY art project – a series of free, hands-on workshops designed to bring families together through creative expression. Guided by a MacLaren art instructor Tessa Deneumoustier, participants will explore shapes and symbols, and incorporate the colour green, to create a vibrant painting that visually represents themes of growth, hope and transformation.

The resulting artwork will be showcased at the MacLaren’s PIE Education Centre beginning in May, to align with Children’s Mental Health Week, and highlight the power of art in fostering connection and wellbeing. All are welcome to celebrate at the opening reception for this exhibition on Saturday, May 2 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

These workshops are idea for families with children ages 5 and up.

All family workshops are now sold out. There will be a first-come, first-serve waitlist available 30 minutes prior to each workshop start. We cannot guarantee accommodation.

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