This Week at Agnes

Agnes’s love letter to Kingston

This season is written as a constellation of solo exhibitions, commissions and interventions that rightfully celebrate and elevate the culture and artists of our hometown. From a tattoo parlour to a mobile printing press; from retrospective to first-ever gallery exhibitions; from re-patterning Agnes’s historic dress collection in collaboration with members of the local drag community to tracing “hidden” histories alongside Black protagonists of Kingston’s past and present, these hyper-local projects participate in the range of cultural production that enlivens this place.

We are thankful to CIBC Wood Gundy, The Johnson, Johnston and Macrae Investment Group and CIBC Asset Management for their combined support of these exhibitions and, through this, their commitment to Kingston’s vibrant art scene.

People’s Symposium

The theme of the inaugural People’s Symposium is Restorative Relationships with Land, Community and Archives. The People’s Symposium is a platform for the dissemination of local and regional histories centering Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, queer and trans stories in Kingston, Wolfe Island and surrounding areas. Bringing community together, the People’s Symposium invites Indigenous knowledge keepers, local historians, independent researchers, academics and artists including Alejandro Arauz, Scott Berthelette, Maureen Buchanen, Emelie Chhangur, Nasrin Himada, Jennifer Dysart, Cathie Jamieson, Qanita Lilla, JP Longboat, Jennifer Smith, Sheldon Traviss and Winsom Winsom together in a public forum to share and elevate knowledges typically erased from mainstream representations which tend to emphasize Eurocentric colonial histories of English and French settlement. Read more about the speakers and schedule. >

Free and open to the public. Sign up as space is limited >

Open Secret with Jennifer Smith and Jennifer Dysart

Open Secret: The Second Edition continues as a series composed of screenings, conversations, and workshops with guest curator, Jennifer Smith, and filmmaker, Jennifer Dysart. Memory Keeper, the title of this iteration curated by Smith, is a look back at the work of Dysart who uses archives as a source material and pieces together stories of Indigenous life using archival material. The materials used were most often documentation taken by settlers of Indigenous communities. Jennifer’s films tell a story that was not intended when the original footage was taken, but that tells a narrative through an Indigenous lens. All events are free and open to all. Check the event details and sign up >

Curated by Nasrin Himada

Memory Keeper is a partnership between Agnes Etherington Art Centre and the National Indigenous Media Arts Coalition (NIMAC). Supported by the George Taylor Richardson Memorial Fund, Queen’s University.

Artist Talk with Ann Clarke

At 13 years of age Ann Clarke stood in front of J.M.W. Turner’s painting Snow Storm: Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth and thought to herself, “That’s a good way to spend a life—that is what I will do.” At that moment, she found her vocation. Join Ann Clarke at this artist talk, where she touches upon exhibitions, artworks and artists that have inspired and influenced her 57 year career. Sign up >

Koerner Lecture with Sarindar Dhaliwal:
the cartographer’s mistake

Sarindar Dhaliwal is the 2024 Koerner Artist-in-Residence in Queen’s BFA (Visual Art) Program. This artist talk includes a Q&A. A reception with refreshments follows. Sign up >

Sarindar Dhaliwal’s practice, multidisciplinary but thematically cohesive meditations on childhood memories and the experience of migration, focuses on not only how this affects the way we remember our formative years, but also how we recreate the past using personal and autobiographical narratives.

This residency and lecture are made possible by the generous support of The Michael & Sonja Koerner Charitable Foundation.

Artist Finances and Taxes with Shantae Cunningham

Tax season can bring thoughts of confusion and stress for artists, but only if you’re not prepared for it. Join us in a virtual workshop to get you prepared.

Have your questions about tax preparation, HST, tax deadlines, how to report for grants and all things taxes. Shantae Cunningham, Founder & Senior Associate of Cobella Financial Inc. discusses some important tax topics for artists. The session is suitable for artists who are new to filing their self-employment taxes, new to entrepreneurship or those who are looking for a refresher. Sign up (free) >

Making Art Work is a professional development series co-presented by Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre and Union Gallery.

Creative Movement

We invite folks 16+ to join us for this free and accessible program. Located in Agnes’s galleries, these mindful movement sessions respond to works in Agnes’s exhibitions and inspire individuals to move creatively in ways that make them feel good. Sign up >

There is an opportunity for improvisation and collaboration at each session. This program is facilitated by Amy Booth, a registered Physiotherapist and dance educator.

Making Home:
A Love Letter to Katarokwi-Kingston

We invite folks 16+ to reflect on place, and the concept of making home, as we observe and explore artworks in Agnes’s current exhibitions. Led by Agnes docents this program includes a 45-minute tour and a 45-minute artmaking activity. Sign up >

The docent program is generously supported by the Lloyd Carr-Harris Foundation.

Art Hive @Agnes

Artmaking is innately therapeutic and can improve general well-being. We invite adults 16+ to join us and explore the creative process through experimentation and play. Art Hive is free; materials are provided. If you are looking for guidance, Harper Johnston, art therapist and facilitator, is onsite to offer support through suggestions, encouragement and a weekly guided activity. Sign up >