Welcome to Part 2 of our series “Ceramic Cities”, where we take you on a grand ceramic tour of some of the world’s most visited urban centers. If you’re a ceramic artist who has a passion for travel, we know you’re eager to add some ceramic destinations to your itinerary, and we’re here to help!

Today, we’re heading to Canada’s multicultural and vibrant metropolis, Toronto. Located in Canada’s most populated province and in close proximity to the US border, Toronto is an accessible destination with a wealth of sightseeing spots for the clay enthusiast. So, top up your favorite ceramic mug with some Tim Horton’s coffee, and join us on this cross-city tour! 

1. The Gardiner Museum

Queen’s Park
Admission: $15 CAD  (~$11 USD) for adults, $11 CAD (~$8.20 USD)  for Seniors, 18 or under are free

The Gardiner Museum is the first stop for any ceramic traveler to Toronto, showcasing the best known ceramics collection in the country. The permanent collection covers a wide breadth of ceramic history up to the present day, and the their ongoing exhibitions host the finest of contemporary ceramics, such as Shery Boyle’s recent Outside the Palace of Me, Sharif Bey’s Colonial Ruptures, and Dame Magdalene Odundo’s premier Canadian exhibition A Dialogue with Objects. The Gardiner also features a fantastic community clay studio with regular workshops, an artist residency program, and plays host to the International Ceramic Art Fair. This museum is a definite must-see!

2. The Royal Ontario Museum

Queen’s Park
Admission: $26 CAD (~$19.50 USD), Tuesdays are free for post-secondary students

Just a short walk from the Gardiner Museum is Canada’s largest museum, the ROM, easily identified by its contemporary geometric facade designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. While perhaps primarily thought of as a natural history museum, the ROM’s cultural collections feature a wealth of ceramic works from around the globe, with the Chinese, Korean, and Japanese collections being particularly rich. And for the glaze enthusiast, an unexpected highlight may be the fascinating and extensive minerals collection, where you’ll find many examples of our favorite ingredients in their raw form. 

3. Harbourfront Centre and The Power Plant

Queens Quay West
Free entry to the craft studios

Harbourfront is an international center for contemporary arts, culture and ideas, operating a 10-acre campus on Toronto’s central waterfront. They provide year-round programming that supports a wide range of artists and communities, an important part of which is a long term residency for emerging craft artists. The craft studios are open to the public, and you’re invited to watch and converse with the artists as they work. The studios include a fully equipped ceramic studio, as well as spaces for jewelry making and glasswork. Also on site is The Power Plant, one of Canada’s leading public galleries devoted exclusively to contemporary visual art, which regularly hosts exhibitions by the artists in residence as well as by the broader contemporary arts community. If you are keen to see some of Canada’s rising ceramic stars, be sure to make a visit to Harbourfront!

4. The Aga Khan Museum

North York
Admission: $20 CAD for Adults, $10 CAD for Children

Opening its doors in 2014, the Aga Khan Museum is a relatively new addition to the Toronto cultural scene, and one well worth the short drive to North York. With a stunning new building designed by award winning architect Fumihiko Maki, the museum’s aim is to highlight the artistic diversity of Islamic civilizations, from the Arab Near East, to North Africa, and to China. With a focus on islamic art, it should come as no surprise that this museum is a ceramic lover’s dream, with a rich array of ceramics permeating virtually every one of the museum’s many collections. While they do boast a ceramic-focused collection, the real pleasure is in tracing the evolving ceramic designs as you wander through the larger museum. If you are interested in a ceramics journey across the east, then this museum is for you!

5. The Toronto Outdoor Art Fair

Nathan Phillips Square

Started in 1961, The Toronto Outdoor Art fair is one of the leading contemporary art fairs in the country, and is the place to go to see Canada’s up and coming artists as they are launching their careers. Taking place each July, it’s an annual highlight of the local art scene and features plenty of fine craft artists, including a wealth of ceramicists. This year’s hosted roughly 400 artists! If you find yourself in the city this Summer, be sure to check out the amazing ceramic talent from across the country!

‘Arboreal’ at Craft Ontario. Photo by Jocelyn Reynolds.

6. Craft Ontario Shop and Gallery

Queen Street West

No ceramic-inspired trip to Toronto is complete without a visit to the Craft Ontario Shop and Gallery. Formerly the Ontario Crafts Council, Craft Ontario is a not-for-profit organization that works to have craft recognized as a valuable part of life. The shop and gallery showcase the superb craftsmanship of their member makers, and always features a wealth of ceramic works alongside a rich array of other media. And of course, if you’d like to take a piece of Canadian ceramics home with you, this is the place to go!

Toronto, a vibrant city for ceramic enthusiasts and artists alike, offers a rich array of clay-centric experiences waiting to be explored. Hopefully we’ve given you a glimpse into some of the noteworthy pottery destinations for planning your next visit to the Ontario capital.

As with our tour of London, there’s an abundance of other locations and events that we haven’t covered, spanning galleries, studios, and markets. If you have a must-see ceramic spot in Toronto that holds a special place in your heart, share it with us in the comments below!

Also be sure to search Toronto in our Ceramics Directory for more Toronto highlights and to connect with local artists. Stay tuned for the upcoming Part 3 of our series, as we venture to the ever dynamic New York City!