Gallery Programs

We are pleased to offer online registration. To register for a program create an account in Arts + Culture Program Registration. Once you have your account set up, please browse through the available programs offered at the Thames Art Gallery. Need help registering? Please call 519-360-1998

Herbaria: Watch it Grow A

FREE Family-Friendly Drop-In Experience

While exploring Herbaria, stop by our interactive station to learn about the fascinating life cycles of plants! Grab some colouring supplies, dive into our Milk Weed Seed Life Cycle Zine, and plant your very own seed to take home and nurture.

Perfect for families and curious minds of all ages—come get your hands dirty and watch something beautiful grow!

Every Saturday and Sunday from July 5, 2025 - September 28, 2025 | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm | All Ages

Pollinators Artist Talk with Alana Bartol and Chandra Clarke

In this talk, Alana Bartol will discuss her drawing and video works in Herbaria, which respond to landscapes impacted by industrial extraction. Through research into native and invasive plant species, their site-responsive practice explores how we might learn from the intelligence of plants and their importance within local ecologies. Central to Alana's work is building relationships with plants. Courtesy of the Chatham-Kent Seed Library, native plant seeds will be available to attendees.

Chandra Clarke is a volunteer with the David Suzuki Foundation Butterflyway Project. Her talk will focus on the importance of pollinator-friendly gardens and native plants.

Saturday August 23, 2025 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Studio One & Thames Art Gallery | FREE

Film Screening: Papalotzin - The Flight of the Monarch with Chatham-Kent Museum

After viewing the Herbaria and On the Trail of the Monarch Butterfly exhibitions, the Chatham-Kent Museum invites you to a screening of Papalotzin – The Flight of the Monarch in (Studio One/Kiwanis Theatre.) This 60-minute documentary follows Mexican filmmaker and pilot, Francisco Gutiérrez, as he flies his ultralight aircraft from Montreal to Michoacán, in Mexico documenting the annual migration of the Monarch butterfly. It is an adventure full of aerial shots, animations and interesting people.

On the Trail of the Monarch Butterfly was produced by the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in collaboration with the Embassy of Mexico and is on display at the Chatham-Kent Museum until October 12, 2025. 

Saturday August 23, 2025 | 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Studio One | FREE

Herbaria Talk and Tour with Patricia Coates

Join us for a special gallery talk and tour of Herbaria. Led by one of the artists, Patricia Coates, this event offers insight into the creative process and conceptual foundations behind the works. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage directly with exhibition and gain a deeper understanding of its materials, meaning, and message.

Wednesday September 10, 2025 | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm | All Ages | FREE

Culture Days Butterfly Release

Celebrate transformation, beauty, and the spirit of Culture Days with a special Butterfly Release Event, presented by the Thames Art Gallery and the Chatham-Kent Museum. This event is held in conjunction with the exhibitions Herbaria and On the Trail of the Monarch Butterfly.

In the week leading up to the release, visitors are invited to witness the awe-inspiring metamorphosis of 50 butterflies as they grow and prepare for flight in the gallery and museum lobby. From tiny caterpillars to shimmering chrysalises, experience the wonder of nature up close.

Saturday, September 27, 2025 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm | FREE | Chatham-Kent Museum and Thames Art Gallery Lobby

Rain Date: September 28, 2025 | 11:00 am

Culture Days Butterfly Mask Activity with the Chatham-Kent Museum

Drop in for a free, creative activity where kids and families can craft their own butterfly masks before the butterfly release.

Then, gather with us at 11:00 am as we release these vibrant creatures into the sky—a powerful symbol of hope, renewal, and new beginnings. This event is perfect for families, nature lovers, and anyone who cherishes the quiet magic of the natural world.

On the Trail of the Monarch Butterfly features breathtaking photographs taken by Francisco Gutiérrez, a Mexican filmmaker and pilot. In August 2005, he took off in his ultralight aircraft from Montreal to follow the monarch butterflies on their 6,000 km migration from Canada to the mountains of central Mexico. His objective was to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the butterflies’ habitat. This exhibition was produced by the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in collaboration with the Embassy of Mexico and is on display at the Chatham-Kent Museum until October 12, 2025.

Saturday, September 27, 2025 | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm | FREE | Chatham-Kent Museum

Rain Date: September 28, 2025 | 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Art Demonstration by Jodi Edwards Wright

Experience the magic behind Jodi Edwards Wright’s embroidered animal sculptures during a live art demonstration on Saturday, October 4th from 1–2 PM. Watch as Jodi brings her creations to life using her sewing machine, sharing each step of her process. A unique opportunity for adults to see art in action!

Saturday, October 4, 2025 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm | Age: 19+ | Free

ART + WINE: Favourites from the Ontario Juried Show

Sip, snack, and chat about standout pieces from the

Ontario Juried Show—no art experience needed! Mindy

leads a relaxed, engaging discussion.

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm | Age: 19+ | Cost: $20 (includes one drink)