The Art Gallery of Burlington’s Living Classroom
Artists and community members are invited to participate in a series of artist- and Elder-led workshops exploring natural materials, Indigenous knowledge, and sustainable artmaking practices in the AGB's Community and Medicine Garden.
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- Entry fee
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- Location
- Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A9
- Exhibition window
- May 1, 2026
About
Overview
The Art Gallery of Burlington's Community and Medicine Garden, supported by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, has transformed the Gallery's waterfront grounds into a living classroom where art, ecology, and community come together. Developed in partnership with BurlingtonGreen and Grow Native Halton, and in collaboration with Elder Michele Dent, the initiative increases biodiversity while creating opportunities for creative learning, environmental stewardship, and hands-on artistic practice.
Upcoming Workshops
Visitors are invited to experience the gardens through a series of artist- and Elder-led workshops that explore natural materials, Indigenous knowledge, and sustainable artmaking.
Workshop Schedule
- Light, Speed, Landscapes – August 8, 2026 | 12:00–4:00pm. Artist Oriana Confente will lead participants on a photo walk to identify weeds near Lake Ontario, which will be turned into biodegradable photochemistry used to develop film. Learn about the lake's historical connection to film manufacturing, safe foraging techniques, and developing black & white 35mm film with plant-based developers.
- Eco Printing with Flowers – August 15, 2026 | 1:00–3:30pm. Artist Carly Franklin guides participants through eco-printing, using flowers harvested from the Community Garden to create silk scarves while discovering the rich colours and botanical impressions of locally grown plants.
- Tobacco Harvesting Workshop – September 2, 2026 | 6:00–7:30pm. Join Elder Michele Dent to learn how tobacco is respectfully harvested and dried, explore teachings connected to this sacred medicine, and create clay seed pods for future planting.
- From Garden to Painting: Indigo Pigment – September 19, 2026 | 12:00–4:00pm. Artist Kamaldeep Kaur guides participants through transforming indigo grown in the garden into natural paint, revealing the journey from plant to pigment and its creative possibilities.
About the Garden
The AGB's Community and Medicine Garden provides opportunities to learn about native plants and their applications in natural dyeing, textile arts, and sustainable craft practices. The gardens provide environmentally conscious materials that inspire creativity and deepen connections between art and the natural world. Supported by Backed By Bees, on-site beehives contribute to pollination, ecological education, and a thriving habitat for local wildlife.
Location & Accessibility
The AGB is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available for loan within the Gallery space. The Lakeshore and Brock Lobby entrances are equipped with automatic doors. Ramps facilitate access throughout the Gallery, and an elevator is available for access to the second level studios. Service animals are permitted in the Gallery. The Gallery has gender-neutral washrooms.
Contact
- Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A9
- Phone: 905-632-7796 x 325
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.agb.life
- Theme
- The workshops explore natural materials, Indigenous knowledge, and sustainable artmaking practices, including natural dyes, eco-printing, textile arts, photography using plant-based developers, and traditional tobacco harvesting teachings.
- Audience
- Open to all
- Contact
- [email protected]
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