Gardiner Museum

Pottery and ceramics focused museum with clay (wheel and handbuilding) classes for children, teenagers, and adults. Besides multi-week classes, they also offer one-off drop-in sessions that you need to sign up for in advance. Great museum to spend an afternoon walking around and would definitely recommend the pottery sessions.

I loved this museum, it has a lot of information about the origins of many cultures. The personnel is very friendly. It is a very clean place. Everything very well organized. In a very good location, it is opposite the Rom museum. In general it is a very good museum, we really liked getting to know it

Unfortunately, drop-in classes are not as organized as they should be!
30min in my second session and no one helped me find my piece! I had to ask someone at the reception to help me, while the instructor kept telling me to work on new piece and forget about the previous one!
Even though I lost 40min finding the piece, I did not get compensated for that and I had to finish my work like others.
I was told I should have received an email indicating my piece is ready for pick up. Nothing.
And when I showed up, they told me I have to come in certain hours (no one at the reception said anything about that)
Also, no wrapping paper we’re provided!
Definitely wouldn’t recommend drop-in sessions based on my experience

I really like the clay sculpture activities in summer, and I just happened to participate for free when I passed by. A small museum, mainly porcelain, it is better to visit.

Title: A Captivating Journey into Ceramic Art: Exploring the Gardiner Museum

Rating: (4 out of 5)

The Gardiner Museum, nestled in the heart of Toronto, is an exquisite destination that celebrates the beauty and craftsmanship of ceramic art. As a lover of art and culture, I recently had the pleasure of visiting this hidden gem, and I must say it left a lasting impression on me.

Upon entering the museum, I was immediately struck by its sleek and modern design. The spacious galleries, adorned with minimalist aesthetics, create a perfect backdrop for the stunning ceramic masterpieces housed within. The lighting is expertly curated, highlighting the intricate details and vibrant colors of each exhibit. It's evident that the museum's layout was carefully planned to offer visitors a seamless and immersive experience.

The Gardiner Museum boasts an extensive collection that spans centuries and cultures. From ancient artifacts to contemporary works, there is something to captivate every artistic taste. I was particularly enamored with the diversity of styles and techniques showcased, demonstrating the versatility of ceramics as an art form.

The museum's curatorial team has done an exceptional job of organizing the exhibits, offering a well-balanced blend of historical context and artistic interpretation. The informative signage accompanying each display provided insightful narratives, enhancing my understanding and appreciation of the pieces. It was enlightening to learn about the cultural significance of ceramics across different civilizations, and how they serve as vessels of storytelling and heritage.

One highlight of my visit was the opportunity to witness live demonstrations by skilled artisans in the museum's pottery studio. Observing the delicate craftsmanship and witnessing the transformation of clay into art was a truly mesmerizing experience. The interactive nature of these demonstrations allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of ceramic creation and the immense skill required to achieve mastery.

The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions that further enrich the visitor experience. These displays showcase contemporary artists pushing the boundaries of ceramic art, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the medium. The constantly changing exhibits ensure that each visit to the Gardiner Museum offers a unique encounter, enticing visitors to return and explore new artistic horizons.

While the Gardiner Museum is undoubtedly a haven for ceramic enthusiasts, I believe it has the potential to engage a wider audience. In that regard, the museum could benefit from incorporating more interactive elements, such as touchscreens or multimedia installations, to enhance visitor engagement and create a more immersive experience for all ages.

In conclusion, the Gardiner Museum is a true testament to the beauty and artistry of ceramics. Its well-curated collection, informative displays, and engaging programs make it a worthwhile destination for art lovers and history buffs alike. Whether you're seeking inspiration, knowledge, or simply a serene environment to appreciate art, the Gardiner Museum is a must-visit destination that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the intricacies of ceramic art.

I have been to this museum many times. There are many exhibits inside. It takes half a day to get a full harvest. The restaurant on the top floor has an elegant environment and is worth a visit.

My sister and I went to this museum last week and what a lovely find it was!

The displays are simply a joy to behold and the descriptions and information sheets make this a real educational opportunity.

The restaurant is bright and airy, has excellent items and a great environment. We were lucky enough to get a table on the deck.

We only saw one of the two floors of displays since there was so much to see and so much to take in.

We are looking forward to returning.

It was a very small ceramics museum with 1.2 floors. Perhaps because of the small scale, there are no various works from many countries around the world, but it was nice to have neat and pretty pottery.
Admission is free after 4pm on Wednesdays, so I recommend going at that time.

Unique and interesting museum right across the ROM! It’s not as big but it features a wide selection of pottery, ceramics, and sculpture from different regions of the world. I really enjoyed the Housewarming exhibit. Definitely worth the visit!

Worth visiting if you live in Toronto or are in Toronto for a longer period of time. Truly a pleasant experience.

I went here on Easter, a public holiday, and used Ontario's government software to get in for free.
The museum is not big, you can probably walk through it in an hour.
The main exhibits are porcelain.
The exhibits are laid out according to the region and age of production.
The second floor is the highlight area.
The emphasis here is on the human development context, rather than the Chinese habit of focusing on the five kilns of Ru, Guan, Ke, Ding and Jun during the heyday of the Song Dynasty.
Porcelain from China is presented as a common product from the Ming Dynasty or later, from Jingdezhen, a famous Chinese porcelain producer.
The focus here is more on the value of porcelain as an art object.

I decided to visit the museum since there is free admission for students. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of artefacts there were.

Fun museum! I love the drop in, no- committment pottery classes. Great way to try out a new hobby at a reasonable cost. Tickets sell out really fast so you'll have to watch the website like a hawk when sales open up.

The Gardiner museum is a great free museum with a lot of contemporary Arts and cultural historical crafts in the mix! There are multiple floors, split by geographic, timeline and such. My favourite was the arts on the top floor, that involved unconventional arts and themes that let you read into the theme (I.e COVID, hoarding of toilet paper, homeless crisis to name a few). The highest floor has a theme that alternates from what I believe was run by a University. There are free coat hangers and lockers to use when you arrive, as you just need to get a key signed out. There are also free small crafts that happen on the main floor, which is separate from the paid workshops from the basement floor. My partner and I got to enjoy some clay making before our self-guided tour around the museum. A lot of the antiques have an info board included, and the overall area was clean and tidy. I would recommend anyone who's a museum fanatic like me, and looking to explore on a budget to visit this place.

Everything about the Gardiner Museum is so special and authentic. It meaningfully connects people of all ages and cultures through the incredibly genuine values of wonder and artistic beauty. The rich heritage on display left me speechless indeed. Highly recommended!

The exhibits are so exquisite and lovely. Really worth spending a wonderful afternoon there.

Remarkable collection of ceramics from various eras and countries. A must for anyone who's ever tried to make a bowl.

Tbh I don’t think this museum worth paying to go for out of town travellers, unless you have time to spare or you are really into these things.

Take the chance for free entrance on special festivals like Doors Open.

Note: don’t eat at their restaurant.: (

Why do you even bother having the drop in class open to public, when tickets are basically sold out before they go online? Went online at 10 am and all tickets sold out already.
It is literally IMPOSSIBLE to get a ticket

This system is unfair

Why not open future dates for reservation instead of having people compete internet connection speed at 10 am waste time refreshing webpage

One of the best places that have’s the best pieces of art from centuries and with upcoming new exhibitions by marvellous artist from Canada a good place that has good food upstairs as well

Very nice museum with variety of ceramic collection. Enjoyed the exhibit on the third floor by Karine Giboulo. New ideas and highly recommended if you like modern art.

Being in the busy center of the city it is a very lovely quiet place to visit or spend couple of hours in the afternoon. The contents is not too wide but informative. I did not see activities for young children. If you are thinking of bring them I would call and ask.

A wonderful place to have a quiet exploration of the practicality and beauty of pottery. The latest artistic display is beautiful and thought provoking.

A very diverse collection from different time periods and cultures. Modern and ancient. A great place to have a quick visit.

The Gardiner Museum is a hidden gem in the city of Toronto. It has a collection of pottery, sculptures and other ceramics, spanning different places and times. It's not as big as the ROM across the street, but it is very interesting and definitely worth a visit.

This place was awesome. Beautiful porcelain & ceramics collections. Great experience. Atmosphere was good.