Varley Art Gallery

⏳ Our first 72 hours.

Last week, the Varley completed its first-ever 72-hour durational performance, welcoming visitors continuously, day and night, for 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 by exhibiting artist Anique Jordan.

Our sincere thanks to Anique Jordan for initiating this ambitious performance, and to the entire Varley team who helped bring it to life, especially Gallery Curator Anik Glaude, who worked closely with the artist to coordinate the program.

And, of course, thank you to everyone who stepped through our doors, whether during the day, late at night, or in the early hours of the morning, to experience and support 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁.

As the Varley continues to grow, we remain committed to expanding the ways our communities can encounter and engage with art.

Many more new experiences to come.

| About the Program |

Over approximately 72 hours, Jordan inhabited the gallery through unscripted periods of rest, sleep, and travel. Informed by the Shouter Baptist spiritual practice of “moaning,” which involves extended fasting, 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 turned to dreams and bodily experience as sources of knowledge, asking the Gallery to bend to the artist’s rhythms and reconsider its relationship to space and time.

Presented as part of 𝗜 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗜 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝘆, curated by Essence Harden.

Learn more about our 2026 Fall Exhibitions at VarleyArtGallery.ca.
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Images: 𝗜 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗜 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝘆, installation view, Varley Art Gallery of Markham, 2026. Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid

Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham , Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada , TD , Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario , Ontario Government , WEINS Auto Group

👢 The popular fundraiser 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝘁 is back!

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝘁
🗓️ Friday, October 16, 2026
🕖 7 to 10 PM
🎟️ Tickets include two complimentary drinks, line dancing, great food, and silent auctions

| About the Fundraiser |

Organized by the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham, 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝘁 returns for a boot-stompin’ evening of line dancing, fundraising, and community spirit. Dust off your favourite cowboy boots and hit the dance floor with Cheatin’ Hearts, leading an energetic line dancing session for all experience levels.

Benefiting the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham, with proceeds supporting the Varley’s milestone 30th anniversary in 2027 and its continued commitment to art, education, and community.

Get your tickets at VarleyMcKayArtFoundation.com.
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Images: Louis Li Photography
Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham , Cheatin' Hearts Line Dancing , Main Street Unionville , The Duchess Of Markham , Calabria Bakery, Ace Beverage Group , Cottage Springs Beverage Co.

🏆 The Markham Public Art project 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗻, a living installation by Xiaojing Yan (.yan.studio), received the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 – 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗿𝘁: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 (Creative City Network of Canada ) on October 6, 2026, in Calgary, Alberta.

Currently on view at Milliken Mills Park, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗻 is part of 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱: 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺, co-produced by the Varley Art Gallery of Markham through our Community Artist in Residence program.

Spanning 2,500 square feet of civic lawn in Markham, the living installation transforms the landscape through a mycelium-inspired pattern planted with native Ontario species that bloom yellow from early spring through late fall. Rather than replacing the existing lawn, the work evolves alongside it, allowing plants, soil organisms, pollinators, weather, maintenance, and visitors to become part of an artwork that changes from season to season.

Curated by Yan Wu, the project extends Xiaojing Yan’s practice with living materials into public space, inviting us to reconsider a familiar patch of lawn as a site of ecology, relationship, and care.

The 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 – 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗿𝘁: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 recognizes Canadian municipalities and public art projects that demonstrate artistic quality, innovation, responsiveness to place, and meaningful connections with communities.

Congratulations to Xiaojing Yan, Yan Wu, and everyone who contributed to bringing this evolving public artwork to life!

📍𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗻
Milliken Mills Park, Markham
2025–ongoing

Special thanks to Catherine Dean and Jonas Spring from Ecoman.

The artist would like to acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and City of Markham.

Learn more about the 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 at creativecity.ca/programs/awards
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Image: Xiaojing Yan, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗻, 2025–ongoing. Living installation with more than 700 perennial plants, Milliken Mills Park, Markham. View of spring 2026 growth. Photos by Aidan Mao. Courtesy of the artist.

📣 Our 2026 Fall Exhibitions are now open.

On Saturday, September 26, we welcomed artists, curators, guests, and members of our community to the Varley for the opening of 𝗜 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗜 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝘆 and 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆.

The afternoon brought together art, conversation, performance, and shared experience. Guests heard from artist Anique Jordan and guest curator Essence Harden, as well as curator Anik Glaude, offering insights into the ideas and curatorial perspectives shaping the exhibitions. The program also featured 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀, a collaborative improvisational poetry and sound performance by Farhia Tato and collaborators, alongside exhibition-inspired art-making and Caribbean cuisine.

Our sincere thanks to Anique Jordan, Essence Harden, Farhia Tato and collaborators, the Varley team, and everyone who joined us in marking the opening of the fall season.

We were also honoured to welcome Mayor Frank Scarpitti, MPP Billy Pang, Councillor Ritch Lau, EGCE Director and DMC President Vinay Sharda, Varley-McKay Art Foundation Board Member Sophia Sun, and incoming Board Member Ann Marie Rasiawan. Thank you for joining us and supporting the arts in our community.

Upcoming free exhibition programs:

• October 1 | Lunch and Learn with artist Anique Jordan and curator Essence Harden
• October 17 and November 14 | Study Hall Sessions
• October 24 | Art Bus
• November 21 | Curator’s Corner
• And more

Explore the exhibitions and upcoming programs at VarleyArtGallery.ca.

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Images: Louis Li Photography

Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham , Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada , TD , Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario , Ontario Government , WEINS Auto Group

📣We’re pleased to share that the Varley Art Gallery of Markham has once again received funding through the Ontario Arts Council’s 𝗢𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 – 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 for the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

This investment supports the important work of the Varley in preserving and showcasing Canadian art, providing arts education opportunities, and enriching the cultural life of our communities.

The funding was formally recognized during our 2026 Fall Exhibitions Opening Reception on September 26, 2026, with MPP Billy Pang joining us to share the announcement and recognize the Varley’s ongoing contributions.

We are grateful to the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario for their continued support. This funding helps the Varley continue its commitment to presenting meaningful exhibitions, supporting artists, expanding access to arts education, and creating opportunities for our communities to engage with art.

Learn more about the Varley and our work at VarleyArtGallery.ca.

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Images: Louis Li Photography

Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario , Ontario Government , Billy Pang

💻 On Thursday, October 1, spend your lunch hour with artist Anique Jordan and curator Essence Harden.

Join us online for a conversation exploring Jordan’s artistic practice and 𝗜 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗜 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝘆. Hear directly from Jordan about her work and creative process, followed by a discussion with Harden offering insight into the exhibition’s key themes, ideas, and curatorial perspective.

𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻
🗓️ Thursday, October 1, 2026
🕧 12:30 to 1:30 PM
💰 Free | Online | Zoom link provided upon registration

Learn more and register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5717683371321/WN_H0fSyE5aR-WZU2-RfH__JA
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Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham , TD

🌙 Come in at any time. We’re open for 72 hours, nonstop.

𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗔 𝟳𝟮-𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
🗓️ Sunday, September 27 at 10 AM to Wednesday, September 30 at 10 AM, 2026
💰 Free | Registration not required

For a continuous 72-hour period, Anique Jordan inhabits the gallery, moving through unscripted periods of rest, sleep, and travel. Informed by the Shouter Baptist spiritual practice of “moaning,” which involves extended fasting, 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 similarly turns to dreams and bodily experience as sources of knowledge. Jordan asks the gallery to bend to these ways of knowing, allowing her experience to shape the institution’s rhythms and its use of space and time.

The gallery remains open throughout the performance, including overnight. Visitors are welcome to enter the gallery at any time.

Presented as part of 𝗜 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗜 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝘆. Curated by Essence Harde.

Learn more at VarleyArtGallery.ca
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Image: Louis Li Photography

Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham , Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada , TD , Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario , Ontario Government , WEINS Auto Group

🍂Registration for select fall classes closes soon!

Settle into the season with artist-led art classes for adults at the Varley. Explore new techniques and enjoy making art in a welcoming studio setting.

Explore the full lineup and register at VarleyArtGallery.ca.
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Image: Louis Li Photography