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New year, new monthly free event

This weekend, the WAG and Canada Life launch a new three-year program that grants you and your family free admission to the WAG on the second Sunday of every month! Starting January 12, 2020, Canada Life Free Sundays@WAG ensures greater community access to your Gallery and features enriching family programming that changes each month.

This initiative opens the WAG doors wide, inviting people everywhere to the downtown neighbourhood of both the WAG and Canada Life to experience the joys of art. This recurring programming launches the same year as the WAG Inuit Art Centre, which opens in late 2020 to showcase the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world.

“These next three years are going to be among the most meaningful in the WAG’s history thanks to Canada Life,” says Dr. Stephen Borys, Director & CEO, Winnipeg Art Gallery. “This gift to the public comes into play during Manitoba 150 with an incredible line-up of exhibitions leading up to the opening of the WAG Inuit Art Centre in fall 2020, and beyond. Thank you to Canada Life for helping the WAG break down barriers, making the Gallery more accessible for all.”

Sundays, the WAG is open from 11am to 5pm. From 2pm to 4 pm, the free days will feature complimentary activities for the whole family, such as games, art making, tours, films, and performances. On free days there will also be a cash snack bar from 1pm to 5pm.

Free public parking is available at the Canada Life parking lot behind 100 Osborne St. N. for visitors on Canada Life Free Sundays@WAG. Downtown street parking is free Sundays, and several bus routes service Portage Avenue & Colony Street as well as Portage Avenue & Vaughn Street.Visitors are always welcome to browse the Gallery Shop or share a picnic in the seasonal Rooftop Sculpture Garden free of charge.

Here’s an overview of what’s coming up this year:

Jan 12 – The Great Gallery Parade:  Decorate yourself into a work of art with the help of neighbourhood partner Art City and parade through the Gallery.

Feb 9 – Drag@WAG:  Hear dazzling tales read by Winnipeg’s most fabulous drag queens in the exhibitions on display.

March 8 – Nuliajuk’s Story:  Visit this family-friendly exhibition and partake in interactive activities based on the enchanting Inuit sea spirit, Naliajuk. Explore her story and respond with your own work of art.

April 12 – Landscape Escape:  Discover the painters of Canada’s Group of Seven including their well-loved Winnipeg member through Into the Light: Lionel Lemoine FitzGerald.  Explore the exhibition, then make your own landscape painting.

May 10 – Morrisseau and the Seven Teachings: Explore Aanishnaabe artist Norval Morrisseau’s monumental and boldly-coloured painting, Androgony. Learn about the Seven Sacred Teachings and be inspired to respond creatively.

June 14 – Vive le Manitoba!:  Come celebrate Manitoba’s 150th through the new exhibition Kwaata-nihtaawakihk — A Hard Birth, Manitoba, 1870 where you can discover vibrant Metis art. Check out the beautiful beading in the show and try your hand at a simple beading activity provided by Le Musée de Saint-Boniface!

July 12 – On the Rooftop: Discover the beautiful sculptures on the WAG rooftop through a variety of fun games.

August 9 – ᐃ is for I: Celebrate the International Year of Indigenous languages at the WAG. Visit the exhibition, then learn to write your name in syllabics and make your own name art that reflects who you are.

Sept 13 – Art of Nature:  Enjoy making art with found elements from nature in a fun and adventurous collage workshop.

Oct 11 – Water is Life: Discover a fascinating range of inspiring artwork in the inaugural Winnipeg Indigenous Triennial Gwaaba’ibii: To Draw Water. Explore the significance of water in cultures Indigenous to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, then try your hand at watercolour painting.

Nov 8 – In Flanders Fields:  Handcraft a beautiful paper poppy with your family for Remembrance Day.

Dec 13 – WAG Inuit Art Centre Adventure:  Explore the new WAG Inuit Art Centre on a fun family-focused art tour and create your first visit badge!

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4 thoughts on "New year, new monthly free event"

Nancy McDowell-Kok says:

If I am reading this correctly, the free family days are on Sunday’s, but the dates listed all fall on a Monday. Am I reading this correctly, or do you need to change the dates on this webpage?

Winnipeg Art Gallery says:

Hi! You are correct in that the free days are on Sundays! This was written in 2020, so the dates correspond with those in 2020. Please check here for the upcoming free Sundays: https://www.wag.ca/events/signature-events/freedays/

Chen says:

Hello! I have had two shots of vaccine in China, but I have not applied for a vaccine card. Can I go to visit?

Winnipeg Art Gallery says:

Hi Chen, current provincial restrictions require proof of vaccination to enter the Gallery. If you have any other documents showing full vaccination, they should be accepted!

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WAG-Qaumajuq recognizes that land acknowledgements are part of an ongoing dialogue with Indigenous Nations, and we are grateful to live and work on these lands and waters. Institutionally, WAG-Qaumajuq is committed to acknowledging our colonial history and we are actively working to interrogate the Gallery’s colonial ways of being.

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Winnipeg Art Gallery—Qaumajuq
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