This Week at Agnes

Demo-lution Party!

On Saturday August 17, Agnes’s Demo-lution Party did indeed blow the roof off Queen’s campus! Over 175 people were in attendance, including all six Transformations artists (like Emily May Rose, pictured here with bricks from her work). DJ Kid Koncussion, Chef Josh Blake from Jerkebago and artists Eronone and Alejandro Arauz brought people together with amazing music, delicious food and free artmaking. Agnes also welcomed 20 new folks into our membership program and they all walked away with Transformations bricks.  Did you miss out on getting a brick? If you’re a member, come down and get one! If you’re not a member, become one and take home a piece of Agnes. Email Kate Ducharme at kate.ducharme@queensu.ca to book a pickup time.

Agnes Orientation Activities

Throughout a week-long series of interactive events, Agnes welcomes new arrivals and those returning to Queen’s campus.  All events are free and open to all but require registration.

• Get started on 16 September (2-4pm) with a sound-making workshop facilitated by acclaimed music collaborative, LAL. (BONUS: go to their performance the following night – tickets are sliding scale $10-$20)
• Shed your inhibitions in the warm embrace of Agnes’s Queer Karaoke Dance Party, co-hosted with Union Gallery. 20 September (4-8pm)
• Prioritize a “no-border” approach to teaching  with a new workshop: Workshop for Educators: Cross-Cultural Relations and Solidarity. For all educators, teaching fellows, teaching assistants and faculty. 21 September (1-4pm)
• Attend a screening of A Fidai Film, based on the tragic destruction of Palestinian archives the film “aims to create a counter-narrative to this loss, presenting a form of cinematic sabotage that seeks to reclaim and restore the looted memories of Palestinian history.” 21 September (4:30pm)

SWEP Students 2024

Each year, Agnes runs six weeks of Art Camp. This incredibly popular program is made possible by stellar students from Queen’s Student Work Experience Program (SWEP), under the supervision of our Program Coordinator, Charlotte Gagnier. This year Carolyn Kane, Christine Ma, Sharan Gill and Shay O’Brien helped to create an unforgettable experience for the campers and completed a significant sustainability audit that will inform Agnes’s future programming. Read the full story here.

Become an Agnes Docent

Docents are a vital part of Agnes programming. They lead tours, deliver educational programming and assist with special events. This is a rare opportunity to learn about visual culture and artistic practice and gain valuable work experience, all while working in a collaborative, supportive environment. Our docent positions are volunteer only. We encourage anyone in the community to apply. For more information visit our Opportunities page.

Praise from a former docent:

“The docent program allowed me to work with museum professionals to learn how to deliver tours, practice visual thinking strategies, and work on my presenting skills. These skills and experiences have given me the confidence to speak in groups about art, develop new research methods, and find creative solutions to tasks at school and when working in museums.”

– Ilinca Stingaciu, 2023–2024 Head Docent

The Bader Collection and Agnes Reimagined

Suzanne van de Meerendonk,  Agnes’s Bader Curator of European Art, recently gave a talk which positions The Bader Collection of European art within the future-oriented context of Agnes Reimagined. Van de Meerendonk’s talk took place at CODART 25, an annual conference for Curators of Dutch and Flemish art. Watch the full video here: Suzanne van de Meerendonk at CODART 25.

Ontario Arts Council’s Exhibition Assistance program

Agnes Etherington gifted her house to Queen’s in order to “further the cause of art and community.” We’re bringing this energy to our role as an official recommender for the Ontario Arts Council’s Exhibition Assistance Grants program. Apply for financial assistance for costs related to an exhibition that falls within the date parameters. For more information, go to our Opportunities page. Good luck!