IT’S ALL CHILD’S PLAY AT THE GARDINER MUSEUM IN 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IT’S ALL CHILD’S PLAY AT THE GARDINER MUSEUM IN 2010

TORONTO (January 7, 2009) – The Gardiner Museum invites children and families to unearth their artistic muses at one of the museum’s exciting array of kid-friendly camps, classes or special events in 2010.

2010 Winter and Spring Clay Classes
Under the guidance of the Gardiner Museum’s education team, children registered in one of the two-month clay classes can create water fountains, birdhouses, balcony and patio pots to enhance their outdoor space. Register soon – these classes fill up quickly.
• Saturday Winter Kids Clay Classes
$200/$170 for Gardiner members’ children and grandchildren
January 9 to February 27, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Saturday Spring Kids Clay Classes
$200/$170 for Gardiner members’ children and grandchildren
April 24 to June 12, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

March Break at the Gardiner Museum
Every day during March Break (March 15 to 19), from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., kids can keep busy at the Gardiner Museum with crafts and scavenger hunts. Kids can make a family tree, find the hidden rabbit and enjoy a visit to the Gardiner Museum. These programs are free with the price of adult admission and children must be accompanied by an adult. As always, children 12 and under are free.

March Break Clay Camps
Kids can get their hands dirty at the Gardiner Museum’s March Break Clay Camp. This half-day camp is a fun, active way to learn about art and human history. They explore the museum’s permanent collection and special exhibits with a hands-on clay experience. The camp runs March 15 to 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and costs $250 ($215 for Gardiner members’ children and grandchildren).

Family Days
On the second Sunday of every month (with the exception of Easter), the Gardiner Museum will host Family Days from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extra fun with hands-on crafts, scavenger hunts and more. The schedule is as follows:
• January 10: In conjunction with the exhibition Bigger, Better, More: The Art of Viola Frey and the Medallic Art Society of Canada display in the lobby, children will make their own big badges, for themselves and for their deserving friends and families.
• February 14: Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year! Make dragons and Valentines and enjoy fortune cookies and chocolate!
• March 14: In conjunction with the exhibition, Family Matters: Love, Marriage and Maiolica in the Italian Renaissance, children can learn how to make their own paper and pipe-cleaner family trees of life!
• April 4: Easter Sunday chocolate egg-hunt through the Museum. Paper crafts and music!
• May 9: Make special presents for mothers and grandmothers on Mother’s Day. Create and decorate a frame for a photo taken on the spot.

Also, on January 23 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the Gardiner Museum welcomes guests to The Kaleidoscope of Tea at the Isabel Bader Theatre (93 Charles Street West). The Orient Dance Company will perform traditional Chinese dances at the Isabel Bader Theatre followed by a light buffet dinner at the Gardiner Museum’s Terrace Room. This special family event will cost $30 for adults, $15 for children under 12.

The Gardiner Museum continues to host its Drop-in Clay Studio, Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Suitable for clay enthusiasts of all levels, this drop-in clay studio allows you to try various techniques in a studio setting. Two professional ceramic artists are on hand to guide you. Costs are: $10 for adults / $8 for Gardiner Members, seniors and full-time students / $5 for children 12 & under / $5 firing fee (per piece). Studio enrolment is limited to 40 participants per class.

Registration for all Gardiner Museum events can be done online (www.gardinermuseum.com) or by telephoning the Gardiner Museum at 416.586.8080.

Finally, post-secondary students receive free admission every Tuesday (with valid ID).

ABOUT THE GARDINER MUSEUM
The Gardiner Museum offers an intimate look at one of the world’s oldest and most universal art forms -- ceramics. The collection spans continents and time, giving a glimpse into the development of ceramic processes, decoration and form. Year-round the Museum mounts special exhibitions, events, lectures and clay classes to complement its permanent collection.

The Museum also features a café that serves delicious local fare prepared by Jamie Kennedy Kitchens as its executive chef, and the Gardiner Shop, which specializes in artist-designed, artist-made merchandise. More information about the museum and its exhibitions can be found online at www.gardinermuseum.com

Members of the media can register to access the Gardiner Museum’s online media room (www.gardinermuseum.com/mediaroom) where they may review and download images and additional media materials.

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For more information, contact:

Mary-Margaret Jones
PUNCH
416.360.6522 ext. 241
marymargaret@punchcanada.com

Danna Barak
PUNCH
416.360.6522 ext. 240
danna@punchcanada.com