Exhibitions
Cursive: Reading and Writing the Old School Way
RECEPTION: FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 6:30 PM In any style, cursive text, also known as handwriting, script, longhand, or running text, is the joining of the character symbols of language in a flowing manner, generally for the purpose of making writing faster and more efficient. Ancient cultures developed systems of writing that have evolved and persisted into the 21st century. Featuring artifacts selected from the permanent collection, this exhibition traces the history of penmanship, never more compelling than in the digital age.
Find out more »Revelations from the Collection
A revealing look, through photography, at selected artifacts from the collections featuring ordinary objects made extraordinary.
Find out more »Brewing Changes Guelph
Label illustration and design: Lind Design Brewing Changes Guelph examines the social and economic importance of brewing beer in the Royal City and the changes brought about by the rise, fall and resurrection of Guelph breweries. Whether one has worked in the brewing industry or has never tasted beer before, visitors will learn how brewing has benefitted and continues to benefit our city. The story begins with whiskey, early independent innkeepers and entrepreneurs, includes English immigrant brewers who established…
Find out more »Indianized
Curated by Naomi Smith, the exhibition Indianized traces this nation’s colonial timeline while featuring Indigenous beadworks as creative expressions of survival, crafted by historical artists. Indianized also presents beadworks by Naomi and other contemporary artists, which reflect traditional beading techniques and imagery. Naomi shares her personal reflections throughout this exhibition of everyday objects that have been embellished in visually intriguing ways. This exhibition runs concurrently with Konnón:kwe. About the Curator Native Artisan and Educator Naomi Smith had an early awareness…
Find out more »Konnón:kwe
Image: Amanda Strong, How to Steal a Canoe, 2015 (still from stop-motion animation) Konnón:kwe, a Kanyen'kéha (Mohawk) word signifying “three or more women,” speaks to the power of collective agency by Indigenous women artists. Themes of wellness, community, and environmental justice weave historic artifacts and contemporary fine art into an exhibition that invites visitors to consider Indigenous futurities in the local context. As leaders who have held their ground though the centuries, Indigenous women continue to shape wellness and self-determination…
Find out more »B&W and Read All Over
Opening reception: Friday, May 31, 6:30 p.m. Guelph’s storied past is recounted through this exhibition, which traces the history of The Guelph Mercury, this city’s daily printed newspaper that reported the local, national and international news to our community from 1854 to 2016. This exhibition runs concurrently with "The Dailies: Front Pages & Frontispieces"
Find out more »The Dailies: Front Pages & Frontispieces
Opening reception: Friday, May 31, 6:30 p.m. What “makes” the front page? The Dailies explores the history of headline news, the form and function of the “front page” in news making, and the use of photographs and illustrations to tell the story of a thousand words. This exhibition runs concurrently with "B&W and Read All Over".
Find out more »Art As Activism: Truth, Survivance, and Resilience
Image: Alex Jacobs-Blum, The Medicine Game Opening reception: Friday, August 2, 6 PM Guelph Museums was established in the 1960s to preserve and share this city’s local history. Since then, our founding story has been told through the narrative of the Canada Company. Founded by John Galt, who became its first Superintendent, the Canada Company is responsible for colonizing over two million acres of land on the shores of Lake Huron, now known as the Huron Tract. This version of our…
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