LUCIDMEDIA

Ways to Beat the Winter Boredom: Part One: Art and Artefacts Don’t Fear the Cold … and Neither Should You.

Written by Nadine Bachan Monday, 19 January 2009 14:28

While retreating to the warmth of house and home is a good idea, that’s no excuse to miss out on the events, venues, and activities this lively and bustling city has to offer. Regardless of the season, Toronto is always brimming with things to see and do. This week, why not brave the cold and snow to visit two of this city’s finest institutions of history and culture.

The great thing about the Royal Ontario Museum is that there is always something new to see. This winter, as part of the museum’s repertoire A Season of Gems, the ROM will house ‘The Nature of Diamonds’ exhibition, a stunning collection and history of the precious, coveted stone. The ‘Mysteries of Ancient Ukraine’, an intriguing display of European history and culture, will also be presented. Both exhibitions will close on March 22nd.
Permanent fixtures at the ROM include extensive specimens of World Cultures, Natural History, Conservation, and Research, all impressive collections that can be viewed and studied at any time.

If you haven’t seen it yet, visit the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. The architectural addition is quite a sight to behold, inside and out. Feelings concerning the modern, crystalline-shaped expansion to the Neo-Romanesque building have been a generous mixture of love, hate, and “who cares?” Check it out and make your own opinion. The crystal currently houses the ROM’s wide collection of fossils and dinosaur skeletons.

The Art Gallery of Ontario is revamped and re-opened to the public. The transformation and redesign of the building originated from the mind of Frank Gehry, a Toronto-born, prize-winning architect.  Over the past year, the AGO had closes its doors to accommodate the completion of the expansion project. The venue finally reopened to the public on November 14th. Take the opportunity now to see everything all shiny and new as the AGO begins a new chapter in its history. 
Several galleries are on display now, including Recent Toronto Art and Transformation AGO, a photographic documentation of the renovation. There are also several collected works to peruse, including Canadian, African, Oceanic, and European collections. 
While you’re there, you might be interested in checking out the art education programs, which includes a variety of courses, lectures, and tours on everything art. If you’re feeling a bit peckish after an afternoon of culture, there are several dining options: FRANK Restaurant, The AGO Café, and an espresso bar, where you can eat, drink, and talk art.

Minding your budget:
Visiting the museum and the art gallery can be a bit pricey. If you would like to soak up a little culture without emptying your pockets, there are ways to enjoy the arts and still save.
At the ROM, free admission is offered every Wednesday between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. While prices are still in effect for special exhibitions, you can still enjoy the wonders of most of the venue. Half-priced admissions are offered every Friday between 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
The AGO is also free to enter, without restrictions, on Wednesday evenings between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

To learn more about various events and exhibitions, visit the ROM website at http://www.rom.on.ca/ and the AGO website at http://www.ago.net/home.