PAMA opening for Family Day event in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon

For those longing to revisit the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) in person, get excited – Brampton’s premier art gallery will be opening for a one-day-only Family Day event this month.

Family Day falls on February 21st this year, and PAMA plans to celebrate with a unique in-person exhibition centred on the good old hockey game, while still maintaining a great selection of online exhibitions and activities for families staying at home.

Here’s what PAMA visitors can look forward to on Family Day:

Power Play: Hockey in Contemporary Art, guest curated by Jaclyn Meloche
Feb. 21 – June 5, 2022

Inspired by the idea that hockey is much more diverse than the popular stereotypes have led Canadian society to believe, this exhibition questions the relationship between hockey and the Canadian identity by making the invisible bodies in the sport visible. Through 45 works of art in diverse media by 13 artists and a selection of archival objects from the Hockey Hall of Fame, timely conversations will be explored surrounding nationalism, gender and racial equity, physical and mental health, and the value of self-esteem.

Capacity will be limited, so visitors are encouraged to book their tickets ahead of time.

Marc-Antoine K. Phaneuf. Peinture canadienne (Riopelle). s2013 – present. Collected hockey cards and tape. © the Artist

Victor Romão. From left to Right: JJ, Art, Jeff, Josh, John, Eric, Scott, Kyle, TJ, Trevor, Marc, Jeff. 2014. Oil on wood panel. © the Artist

Family Fun Activity: Abstract Hockey Players
Feb. 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Visit PAMA this Family Day for your hockey and art fix! Explore Power Play: Hockey in Contemporary Art and create abstract art inspired by the new exhibition in our instructor-led activity.

This activity is free but pre-registration is required. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Click here to register for a timeslot between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Liz Pead. Saving Tom Thomson and Shut Out Canoe. 2012. Recycled hockey equipment, ink, and acrylic with staples on board, goalie pads, industrial felt, hockey pucks on wood boat armature with goalie sticks. © the Artist

François Morelli. Mauvaise conduite. 2007-2017. Sculptural installation. © the Artist

For the above events, proof of vaccination will be required for all visitors over the age of 12, and programs are subject to change due to COVID-19 community guidelines.

Those wondering when PAMA’s art gallery will reopen fully won’t have to wait too much longer – a partial re-opening is expected in Spring 2022 for the Art Gallery and Courthouse buildings.

However, the Museum and Archives buildings will reopen later in Fall/Winter 2022 once the facilities’ airflow upgrades are complete.

In the meantime, PAMA continues to host a wide range of virtual activities and exhibitions, so even from home you can experience PAMA’s unique brand of arts, culture and heritage.

Here’s what PAMA is offering virtually for the month of February:

Unearth Uncover Community Showcase

Beginning as an act of protest, Cawthra Park Secondary students worked together with students from across Peel to research and create signs featuring stories of Black community resistance, advocacy, and strength. In the summer and fall of 2021 a team of students, teachers, and family members installed the signs around Queen’s Park Circle, Front Street and Yonge Street in Toronto, and in Brampton at PAMA, Gage Park and along Main Street. This is when the partnership with PAMA and the group was born. Explore what was created and more!

Virtual Panel Discussion with the Brampton Museum of African History and Culture
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Join PAMA and the group creating The Brampton Museum of African History and Culture in conversation about the making of a museum. Co-chairs Myrna Adams and Charles Matthews will discuss the importance of building this museum to help us learn from the past, take action in the present and look to the future. We will learn about the journey thus far, the museum themes, the plans for further action and how the community can get involved.

PAMA Family Day On-line
Monday, Feb. 21

PAMA will be offering a special Family Day Escape Room Challenge and a fantastic Family Fun Activity for February! Check out the PAMA at Home Family page for all the details.

Whether in-person or online, PAMA is home to some of the best events and exhibitions all year round as Brampton’s premier centre for the arts.

For more information on these and upcoming events, visit PAMA’s website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

PAMA’s Historic Courthouse and Art Gallery entrance – Welcome back!