Gardiner Museum Of Ceramic Art

As the largest metropolis of Canada, Toronto is home to some of the highest end and most exciting opportunities for shopping and recreation in the nation. In fact, when you visit the city, it seems you can never run out of things to do. One area which can boast of Toronto is unique in the country is in the display of ceramics, the Gardiner Museum, located on Queen's Park Drive, is the only museum in the nation of Canada dedicated to the display of ceramic arts .

History

The museum was designed and built by philanthropists George and Helen Gardiner. The owner of a large brokerage firm in Toronto Stock Exchange (where he built himself), George and his wife Helen has long been interested in the art of ceramics. Their collection began in 1976, focusing on pieces aesthetically refined from the ancient Americas, 18th century Europe and China. The Gardiner Museum opened in 1984, with the hope that it would contribute to appreciation and understanding in the world of the oldest form of art.

The Gardiner was awarded the Order of Canada for their contributions in this area and others. Before his death at age 80, George Gardiner donated an endowment of $ 15 million, which enabled the museum to gain its independence from the Royal Ontario Museum. Using this new autonomy, the museum has seen its attendance more than doubled, and could be a major renovation in 2006.

The Gardiner Museum today

Today, the Gardiner Museum is dedicated to the joy, wonder and passion for ceramic art. The museum itself includes several studios where artists can develop their crafts, as well as many displays available each year. In addition, the Museum provides a basis and funding for ongoing research on ceramic art and scholarships for those who wish to pursue a productive career in this process of creation.

The museum has an impressive collection of coins, with more than 2,900 in all. The ceramics on display and in the archives include works from the initial collection of Gardiner and his privileged background and parts from Japan, the Italian Renaissance and contemporary gallery.

Clay classes and displays of private collections are also held at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto, also support this most ancient and widespread art forms. If you are in the region, this unique museum is definitely worth a look.