Watch the virtual celebration here.
Design
Selected through an international competition, Michael Maltzan Architecture‘s challenge was to increase public access to the WAG’s celebrated collection of contemporary Inuit art, while respecting the context and character of the Gallery’s iconic 1971 modernist building, designed by Gustavo da Roza. Maltzan was inspired by a trip to Nunavut where the team visited Inuit communities and artists’ studios. Working with associate Cibinel Architecture, Maltzan’s design echos the ephemeral qualities of the North. Qaumajuq’s undulating white stone façade, made of Bethel Granite, hovers above the ground as if floating over the glass-filled lobby. Its abstract quality recalls the scale and carved forms of the North as well as the artwork housed within its walls.
Nutaaq Tummaqtuyuq
“big steps forward” Inuvialuktun >>> Outdoor Plaza
Come relax at the new community plaza on St. Mary Ave. You can peek inside to the Visible Vault and other spaces of Qaumajuq, and enjoy the patio in the summer months. You’ll also come face-to-face with two new outdoor sculptures: Tuniigusiia/The Gift by Goota Ashoona, commissioned by the Manitoba Teachers’ Society; and Time to Play by Abraham Anghik Ruben, commissioned by Tannis M. Richardson.
Ilavut
“our relatives” in Inuktitut >>> Entrance Hall
The first thing you’ll see, even before you enter Qaumajuq, is a three-story glass vault filled with thousands of carvings from the world’s largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art. The vault’s curved walls allow you to walk around the collection and also be immersed in it. You’ll see curators, conservators, and other Gallery staff working within the vault. It’s like a town square—you come from the outdoor plaza into the entrance hall with art, a main floor shop and café, and leading you to breathtaking new gallery and learning spaces.
New Era of Accessibility
Qaumajuq’s new main entrance isn’t the only way the Gallery is opening up, the entire main floor is FREE for visitors. Admission to WAG-Qaumajuq is also FREE for all Indigenous Peoples.
Ilipvik
“a place where you can go to learn” in Inuttitut >>> The Learning Steps
The Learning Steps is a 90-seat theatre where you can take in talks, performances, films, and more. It’s also a smart classroom expanding our distance learning programs, connecting classrooms, artists, elders, and educators locally, from North to South and worldwide. A massive curtain printed with an artwork by Elisapee Ishulutaq, titled Yesterday and Today, will envelop you during screenings and private events.
Niizhwaaso
“seven” in Ojibway, in honour of the Indigenous group of seven >>> Collaborative Learning Centre
Make your way up to the second floor and discover the reading room with access to the Clara Lander Library which includes artist files, periodicals, and archives totalling over 24,000 volumes. Learn more about the space here. This research area expands on the Clara Lander Library, established in 1971.
The non-circulating collections support research activities of WAG staff and are also available to the academic community and general public. It overlooks the Learning Steps and features an outdoor terrace where you can not only hang out, but where you’ll discover artist demonstrations, performances, and more. Stay tuned!
Three New Gallery Spaces
- PIMÂTISIWIN “life and the act of living, to be alive” in Cree/Ojibway >>> Focus Gallery
- GIIZHIG / KISIK “sky, heaven, day” in Cree/Michif/Ojibway >>> Fourth Floor Gallery
- QILAK “sky” in Inuktitut >>> Main Inuit Gallery
On the third level, you will enter an intimate space called Pimâtisiwin that leads into Qilak, an 8,000-square-foot gallery dedicated to the display of Inuit art. Enormous skylights in the ceiling bring an amazing quality of light, illuminating the art and undulating walls. Keep ascending skyward to Giizhig, overlooking the main gallery.
WAG Studio
Art-making has moved up to the rooftop level of WAG-Qaumajuq! No matter your age or skill level, this new space is sure to inspire you. Join artist instructors and channel your creativity in five indoor classrooms, and two outdoor studios. From painting and pottery to carving and new media, choose from five and 10-week classes, or casual, one-night workshops (including private virtual sessions for you and your family and friends!).
Events
Fiber Arts
Ages 9-14
Jan 12 Mar 23 '25
Students will develop a variety of skills to help them create one-of-kind pieces utilizing hand sewing, machine sewing, and mixed media techniques.
Drawing & Painting 3
Ages 9-11
Jan 12 Mar 23 '25
This course gives an introduction to basic techniques and fundamental concepts that artists use to create successful drawings and paintings.
Graphic Novel
Ages 9-14
Jan 12 Mar 23 '25
Love reading comics and drawing? This graphic novel class allows students to explore the art of storytelling through illustration.
Grown Up & Little 1
Ages 4-5
Jan 11 Mar 22 '25
Grown ups will explore their creative side, while introducing their little one to the world of visual arts during this collaborative class!
Clayworks 2
Ages 6-8
Jan 12 Mar 23 '25
Students will work on a series of functional and sculptural projects, using a variety of techniques to develop clay hand-building skills.
Clayworks 3
Ages 9-11
Jan 12 Mar 23 '25
Students will work on a series of functional and sculptural projects, using a variety of techniques to develop clay hand-building skills.
Clayworks 3
Ages 9-11
Jan 12 Mar 23 '25
Students will work on a series of functional and sculptural projects, using a variety of techniques to develop clay hand-building skills.
Clayworks 4
Ages 12-15
Jan 11 Mar 22 '25
Students will work on a series of functional and sculptural projects, using a variety of techniques to develop clay hand-building skills.
Mixed Media 4
Ages 12-15
Jan 11 Mar 22 '25
Students will try out a variety of media that may include drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and printmaking. Encouraging creativity, projects can be layered, mixed, and occasionally take more than one class to complete.
Mixed Media 3
Ages 9-11
Jan 11 Mar 22 '25
Students will try out a variety of media that may include drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and printmaking. Encouraging creativity, projects can be layered, mixed, and occasionally take more than one class to complete.
Drawing & Painting 4
Ages 12-15
Jan 12 Mar 23 '25
This course gives an introduction to basic techniques and fundamental concepts that artists use to create successful drawings and paintings.
Drawing & Painting 2
Ages 6-8
Jan 11 Mar 22 '25
This course gives an introduction to basic techniques and fundamental concepts that artists use to create successful drawings and paintings.
Digital Drawing 4
Ages 12-15
Jan 11 Mar 22 '25
Students will learn to translate the principles of traditional drawing and painting into the language of digital media using an iPad with Apple Pencil and the Procreate app.
Digital Drawing 3
Ages 9-11
Jan 12 Mar 23 '25
Students will learn to translate the principles of traditional drawing and painting into the language of digital media using an iPad with Apple Pencil and the Procreate app. Transform your drawings into digital works of art! Bring your own tablet, or borrow the WAG’s in our new Digital Media Lab
Digital Drawing 3
Ages 9-11
Jan 11 Mar 22 '25
Students will learn to translate the principles of traditional drawing and painting into the language of digital media using an iPad with Apple Pencil and the Procreate app. Transform your drawings into digital works of art! Bring your own tablet, or borrow the WAG’s in our new Digital Media Lab
Figurative Painting (Intermediate, Oil)
Adult
Jan 15 Mar 19 '25
This class is designed for individuals who have a basic drawing and painting skill level and wish to learn the art of figurative painting using oil paints.
Life Drawing (Intermediate)
Adult
Jan 14 Mar 18 '25
Using a variety of drawing materials, you will work from a model and learn about proportion, foreshortening, and other fundamental techniques for drawing the human form.
Illustration (Intermediate)
Adult
Jan 16 Mar 20 '25
Learn the basics of this versatile and expressive art form while improving your drawing skills. Tell your story in pictures, develop and design your own characters, create textures, and depict gestures. The end result is a self-produced picture book.
Friday Watercolour Painting
Adult
Jan 17 Mar 21 '25
Learn the basic techniques of watercolour painting, the use and care of paints and brushes, the elements and principals of design, and colour theory.
Oil Painting
Adult
Jan 16 Mar 20 '25
Discover the art of oil painting.
Acrylic Painting
Adult
Jan 15 Mar 19 '25
Discover the art of acrylic painting.
Digital Drawing
Adult
Jan 15 Mar 19 '25
Transform your drawings into digital works of art! Bring your own tablet, or use the WAG’s in our new Digital Media Lab!
Thursday Drawing Basics
Adult
Jan 16 Mar 20 '25
For students with little or no drawing experience, this introduction to the fundamental techniques and concepts of drawing will sharpen observational skills and build confidence.
Tuesday Drawing Basics
Adult
Jan 14 Mar 18 '25
For students with little or no drawing experience, this introduction to the fundamental techniques and concepts of drawing will sharpen observational skills and build confidence.
Collage & Assemblage
Adult
Jan 14 Mar 18 '25
Juxtapose, transform and combine recycled materials, found objects, paper, photographs, cloth, cardboard, metals, or wood, into 2D and 3D works of art. Whether constructing a piece of personal history through use of mementos or an abstract piece, students learn through experimentation with color, form, and design.
Friday Pottery
Adult
Jan 17 Mar 21 '25
Discover hand building, which includes slab building, slump molded forms, and throwing on the potter’s wheel.
Cannes Lions
International Festival of Creativity
December 20 – February 21
Catch the screenings of the 2024 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity – The World’s Best Ads! The works will screen at WAG-Qaumajuq with select dates in December, January, and February.
Saturday Pottery
Adult
Jan 11 Mar 22 '25
Discover hand building, which includes slab building, slump molded forms, and throwing on the potter’s wheel.
Thursday Pottery
Adult
Jan 16 Mar 20 '25
Discover hand building, which includes slab building, slump molded forms, and throwing on the potter’s wheel.
Intermediate Pottery
Adult
Jan 15 Mar 19 '25
For students that have taken pottery previously and are ready to move onto more advanced techniques.
Tuesday Pottery
Adult
Jan 14 Mar 18 '25
Discover hand building, which includes slab building, slump molded forms, and throwing on the potter’s wheel. From basic thrown or hand-built forms you’ll create mugs, bowls, and platters. You’ll also learn glazing and decorating techniques to finish your work and develop your own ideas related to functional and non-functional forms.
Monday Pottery
Adult
Jan 13 Mar 24 '25
Discover hand building, which includes slab building, slump molded forms, and throwing on the potter’s wheel. From basic thrown or hand-built forms you’ll create mugs, bowls, and platters. You’ll also learn glazing and decorating techniques to finish your work and develop your own ideas related to functional and non-functional forms.
Monday Watercolour Painting
Adult
Jan 13 Mar 24 '25
Learn the basic techniques of watercolour painting, the use and care of paints and brushes, the elements and principals of design, and colour theory.
Block Printing
Adult
Jan 13 Mar 24 '25
Learn to create custom art prints, cards, textiles and more!
Summer Camp: Adventures in Painting
Ages 7–11
Aug 5 Aug 15 '25
Unleash your child’s creativity in Adventures in Painting, the ultimate two-week summer camp designed for young artists, no experience necessary. Stay tuned for more details.
Summer Camp: Miniature Building & Stop Motion
Ages 7–11
Jul 21 Aug 1 '25
Kids will dive into the world of miniature model-making and learn the basics of stop-motion animation. Stay tuned for more details.
Summer Camp: Storytelling – Costume & Set Design
Ages 7–11
Jul 7 Jul 18 '25
In this engaging camp, kids will explore the art of storytelling through costume and set design. Stay tuned for more details.
Summer Camp: Clay, Sculpture, & Pottery
Ages 7–11
Aug 18 Aug 29 '25
This hands-on camp is perfect for kids interested in exploring the world of clay. Stay tuned for more details.
Honouring Our Métis Mothers
Collaborative Art Project by Tracy Charette Fehr
Sep 14 '24 Jan 25 '25
Honouring Our Métis Mothers is a collective art project celebrating the lives of women and girls of the Red River Métis Nation across the Homeland.
Traditional Drawing (Intermediate)
Adult
Oct 7 '24 Mar 24 '25
Learn the fundamentals of drawing and build skills that transfer to other art practices.
Mixed Media 2
Ages 6-8
Oct 5 Dec 14 '24
Students will try out a variety of media that may include drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and printmaking.
Animation
Ages 9-14
Oct 6 Dec 15 '24
This course provides a beginner’s understanding of animation process and techniques.
Travel Tour
Namibia
Sep 30 Oct 15 '25
Join the Associates of the WAG on a Travel Tour to Namibia!
Digital Drawing 3 or 4
Ages 9-11 and 12-15
Multiple Dates/Ages Available
Students will learn to translate the principles of traditional drawing and painting into the language of digital media using an iPad with Apple Pencil and the Procreate app.
Drop-in Tours
Select Afternoons
Uncover the stories behind the art and artists with a 45-60-minute guided tour by our experienced Gallery Guides on select afternoons.
Watercolour Painting
Adult
Multiple Dates Available
Learn the basic techniques of watercolour painting, the use and care of paints and brushes, the elements and principals of design, and colour theory.
Mixed Media 3 or 4
Ages 9-11 and 12-15
Multiple Dates/Ages Available
Students will try out a variety of media that may include drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and printmaking.
Pottery
Adult
Multiple Dates Available
Discover hand building, which includes slab building, slump molded forms, and throwing on the potter’s wheel.
Drawing Basics
Adult
Multiple Dates Available
For students with little or no drawing experience, this introduction to the fundamental techniques and concepts of drawing will sharpen observational skills and build confidence.
Clayworks 2, 3 or 4
Ages 6-8, 9-11 and 12-15
Multiple Dates/Ages Available
Students will work on a series of functional and sculptural projects, using a variety of techniques to develop clay hand-building skills.
Drawing & Painting 2, 3 or 4
Ages 6-8, 9-11 and 12-15
Multiple Dates/Ages Available
This course gives an introduction to basic techniques and fundamental concepts that artists use to create successful drawings and paintings.
To plan your visit, check out wag.ca/visit
