Published July 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
“With summer vacation underway, a season full of creative arts and family fun is happening now at the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA), one of the best arts and culture destinations serving Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon.
All year round, PAMA (located in downtown Brampton) is home to exciting programs and art exhibitions, and they’re ramping it up this summer with big new exhibitions and a variety of fun programs to get those creative juices flowing.
Did you know this year is PAMA’s 55th anniversary? For over half a century they’ve been one of Peel’s go-to spots for art, history and fun, and they’re hoping to make this this year one of their biggest yet.
With new exhibitions, a summer camp for kids, and brand new workshops, there’s so much to see and do at PAMA this summer! Here’s a quick rundown on what to expect:
Exhibitions:
That’s So Random: Highlights from the Art Gallery Collection
On now until Sept. 3
To mark the 55th anniversary of PAMA, the art gallery staff delved deep into the vault to each select work that speaks to the breadth of the art collection. This is an opportunity to reflect on the composition of our holdings that have defined our collecting practices for over five decades.
PAMA is pleased to present a diverse palette of work that demonstrates the rich trajectory of (mostly) contemporary art and our efforts to grow a vibrant and relevant collection that includes art by women, Indigenous peoples, and other underrepresented groups of artists.
a crack in the mirror
On now until Sept. 3
This exhibition is a survey of multi-media work by artist Simranpreet Anand who has been deeply influenced by her experiences as a young Punjabi-Sikh Canadian. The exhibition includes works made in collaboration with ethnomusicologist and scholar Conner Singh VanderBeek.
Anand’s practice, indebted to familial and cultural community, engages materials and concepts drawn from the histories of Punjab and its diasporas. The title of the exhibition, sheeshe ‘ch thareṛ, captures the fissures emerging from the artist’s ongoing encounters with matter and material culture in our globalized world.
Yours to Discover: Sights/Sites of Peel Region
Permanent exhibition
The Region of Peel stretches from the shores of Lake Ontario to its most northern point where it borders with Dufferin and Simcoe Counties. In years past, it was populated by Indigenous nations; today, it is the home of over 1.5 million people of diverse Indigenous and settler backgrounds. As visitors or residents, many artists turned their paint brushes or camera lens to the area, making visual records of a place and time in the history of the Region. All reflect a sense of place that is uniquely Peel.
Iron Willed: Women in STEM
On now until Jan. 7, 2024
Do women and girls, as well as their parents, educators, and employers, see themselves equitably represented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields? Women have made significant contributions to STEM – and continue to do so – but their stories are often untold. Why is that? This travelling display shares some of these stories and provides recognition for the crucial role of women in STEM.
Programs:
This summer, campers will imagine, explore and play! Inspired by PAMA’s exhibitions and collections, campers will engage in a variety of daily activities within PAMA and at various parks and outdoor spaces within walking distance. Campers will create their own masterpieces and explore art and history in new ways.
PAMA Kids Summer Camp is designed for kids ages 6 to 12, with a new theme every week:
- Pop Art Party, July 10 – 14
- Creative Discoveries, July 17 – 21
- Adventures in Nature, July 24 – 28
- Mixed Media Extravaganza, July 31 – August 4
DIY Studio Time
Every Saturday and Sunday
Each weekend, explore exhibitions and connect with your family over self-guided art projects that inspire creativity. Do-it-yourself studio time activities change every month.
July activity: Discover the multi-media work by Simranpreet Anand in the exhibition a crack in the mirror and create your own art inspired by the artist.
Sunday FUNday with Brampton Library
Last Sunday of each month
Learn all about 3D printing with Brampton Library and PAMA! Kids will learn how to design a 3D model using Tinkercad. They will see a 3D printer in action and have a chance to 3D print their design. Brampton Library will also provide information on how to access 3D printers and related programming at various library locations throughout Brampton.
Sunday FUNday happens on the last Sunday of every month, with the July event taking inspiration from the Iron Willed: Women in STEM exhibition.
Be A Detective
Tuesdays and Thursdays in August
Calling all art and history sleuths, Be A Detective is back by popular demand! On Tuesdays and Thursdays this August, explore PAMA, solve the mystery and create your own art. Get ready to test your inner museum detective skills.
Recommended for children ages 5 to 12, guardians must accompany children.
Forest Bathing with Sock Gee Gan
August 24th
Discover a practice that brings people closer to nature and supports healing and wellness through natural environments. Forest therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which translates to “forest bathing.” Experience the benefits of slow-paced wandering in nature with a trained forest therapy guide on this guided journey.
Modern Batik Workshop with Deon Best
August 12th
Explore the East African fabric art of Modern Batik with Bampton artist Deon Best. Batik is an art form that uses wax and dye to create designs on fabric. Enjoy an afternoon adventure creating landscapes imagined or inspired by the art gallery exhibition Yours to Discover: Sights/Sites of Peel Region.
With so many exhibitions and activities coming up, there’s a ton to see and do this summer at PAMA for the whole family! Check PAMA’s calendar for more info on these and all other events.
Keep up with PAMA on socials by following their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.”
