Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham

Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham Learn about the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham's fundraising events, volunteer program & other initiatives in support of the Varley Art Gallery.

The Varley-McKay Art Foundation supports the Varley Art Gallery through its activities and investments. The Foundation supports art acquisitions, conservation of the art collection, public and educational programs, exhibition research and an energetic volunteer program. The primary sources of funds are the McKay endowment proceeds for education and art acquisitions, and fundraising activities. Proceeds are applied to our volunteer program, art conservation, exhibition research, art acquisitions and free educational programming. By supporting the Foundation you can build on our successes of great exhibitions, art of the highest quality and innovative public programs.

👢🤠🎨✨Boots for Art is Back!This October, pull on your boots and join us for an unforgettable evening in support of the Va...
09/28/2026

👢🤠🎨✨Boots for Art is Back!
This October, pull on your boots and join us for an unforgettable evening in support of the Varley Art Gallery of Markham’s 30th anniversary year.

For nearly three decades, the Varley has connected our community through inspiring exhibitions, educational programs, family activities, and opportunities to experience Canadian art. Now, you can help ensure the next chapter is just as vibrant.

Join us in October 16 for a night of line dancing, great food, exciting silent auctions, and community spirit, all while supporting the future of arts and culture in Markham.

Every ticket makes a difference. Every dance step helps support the exhibitions, programs, and experiences that bring our community together.

🎟️Grab your tickets today through the link in our bio.

Tag your dancing partner below and help us spread the word! 🤠👇

Line dance your way into a hoot in’ good time at Boots for Art—all while supporting Varley Art Gallery of Markham Grab y...
09/14/2026

Line dance your way into a hoot in’ good time at Boots for Art—all while supporting Varley Art Gallery of Markham
Grab your $60 ticket and join us on the dance floor for a fun, feel-good night at the Varley.

Thank you to Armas, one of our Gallery Animateurs for the 2026 summer season at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham Varley...
09/07/2026

Thank you to Armas, one of our Gallery Animateurs for the 2026 summer season at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham Varley Art Gallery of Markham ! Our Gallery Animateurs worked hard this summer answering visitor questions, providing guided tours, organizing drop-in activities, and hosting Artist in the Gallery Talks with the featured artists from our summer exhibition 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘜𝘴 𝘛𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.

Armas is an art historian who holds a Master of Arts degree in art history from the University of Toronto. They are passionate about creative writing and fiber arts, and about learning the history and context behind pieces of material culture that fascinate them. Armas has loved being a Gallery Animateur this summer, and getting the chance to learn the stories behind the art through hosting our exhibiting artists for the Artist in the Gallery series, getting to share those stories and the history of our collection through our drop-in tours, and getting to watch people become just as enthusiastic about art and creativity as they are through running our weekly drop-in activities!

The Gallery Animateur position is funded through the support of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham, Canada Summer Jobs, the Jackman Foundation, and TD Bank Group.

Thank you to Sydney, one of our Gallery Animateurs for the 2026 summer season at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham Varle...
09/07/2026

Thank you to Sydney, one of our Gallery Animateurs for the 2026 summer season at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham Varley Art Gallery of Markham ! Our Gallery Animateurs worked hard this summer answering visitor questions, providing guided tours, organizing drop-in activities, and hosting Artist in the Gallery Talks with the featured artists from our summer exhibition 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘜𝘴 𝘛𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.

Sydney is a practicing artist and is returning to school this fall to complete her Master of Fine Arts in Print Media at Concordia University. She has had a wonderful experience as a Gallery Animateur this summer and thoroughly enjoyed hosting the exhibiting artists for engaging public discussions through the Artist in the Gallery series. She has a passion for teaching art and loved witnessing the creativity of our participants in the weekly drop-in activities.

The Gallery Animateur position is funded through the support of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham, Canada Summer Jobs, the Jackman Foundation, and TD Bank Group.

Come join us at the Varley Art Gallery Varley Art Gallery of Markham for our final drop-in activity of the summer season...
09/05/2026

Come join us at the Varley Art Gallery Varley Art Gallery of Markham for our final drop-in activity of the summer season! For our last weekend drop-in, we are taking inspiration from Frederick Varley’s observational sketches of historical artifacts and specimens. Come try your hand at sketching with charcoal, conté, and more of the classic art materials used by Varley himself, and create observational drawings in your own style, following in Varley’s footsteps.

The drop-in activity will run from 10AM to 4:30PM Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6, as well as from 12PM to 4PM on Labour Day Monday, September 7.

All of our drop-in activities have been designed by our gallery animateurs Armas and Sydney, and have been funded and made possible through the support of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham, Canada Summer Jobs, the Jackman Foundation, and TD Bank Group.

A retrospective on this summer’s weekend drop-in activities, inspired by the artists featured in our summer exhibitions!...
09/04/2026

A retrospective on this summer’s weekend drop-in activities, inspired by the artists featured in our summer exhibitions! Look back on the summer with these examples of each of our drop-in activity projects, made by our Gallery Animateurs.

We only have one drop-in activity left this summer, so make sure to come and join us this weekend at the gallery for your last chance to participate in our summer drop-in activities. Running during Varley Art Gallery public opening hours Saturday, September 5 to Monday, September 7.

Which drop-in activity was your favourite? Tell us in the comments below, and share your work with us by tagging Varley-McKay Art Foundation and Varley Art Gallery of Markham

The summer drop-in activity program is funded through the generous support of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham, Canada Summer Jobs, the Jackman Foundation, and TD Bank Group.

🌟 A Huge THANK YOU to Our Volunteers! 🌟This summer, our volunteers helped bring creativity and connection to our communi...
09/04/2026

🌟 A Huge THANK YOU to Our Volunteers! 🌟

This summer, our volunteers helped bring creativity and connection to our community through Summer Camps, weekend Art Activity Tables, and outreach events. Your energy, kindness, and hard work helped make every program a success.

Thank you for being such an important part of the Varley Art Gallery family. We appreciate all that you do! 🎨✨

As another incredible summer comes to a close, we'd like to celebrate our final Volunteers of the Week: Cailey, Mehraud,...
09/02/2026

As another incredible summer comes to a close, we'd like to celebrate our final Volunteers of the Week: Cailey, Mehraud, and Cassia! Their kindness, creativity, and willingness to lend a helping hand have made a lasting impact on our campers and staff alike.

Thank you for helping make Summer Camp at the Varley Art Gallery such a success. We are grateful for everything you've contributed this season! 🎨✨

Come join us for our weekend drop-in activity inspired by the surreal and captivating artwork of our featured Emerging A...
08/29/2026

Come join us for our weekend drop-in activity inspired by the surreal and captivating artwork of our featured Emerging Artist Hayley Chiu, led by our gallery animateurs Sydney and Armas. Come and decorate a popsicle that will never melt, and celebrate all the symbols of summer.

Join us today August 29 and tomorrow August 30 from 10AM to 4:30PM at the Varley Art Gallery and show us everything that represents summer to you.

This programming is funded by the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham, the Jackman Foundation, TD Bank Group, and Canada Summer Jobs.

Varley Art Gallery of Markham
HAYLEY CHI HAY CHIU 🐭

Address

216 Main Street Unionville
Markham, ON
L3R2H1

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

905-477-7000 ext.3264

Website

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