We welcome back the annual celebration of Culture Days! This national celebration of arts and culture, scheduled to take place from September 22 to October 15, seeks to eliminate barriers, while encouraging appreciation and participation in our communities. During this month long event, the City invites the community to participate in FREE “behind the scenes,” activities to discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, and designers at work.
What is Culture Days?
Culture Days is celebrated in hundreds of cities and towns across Canada. During this month-long event, participants explore and discover cultural awareness in their local communities through visual arts, music, dance, theatre, architecture, heritage, film and video, literature, culinary arts and new media.
Culture Days 2023 Event Schedule
September 22 to October 15
|
ArtWalk and Studio Tour
|
|
In-Person
Indoor and outdoor art show around the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts and select home studio locations throughout Richmond Hill, featuring over 50 artists and artisans.
Date and Time: Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts and Individual Studios across Richmond Hill.
View this year's list of artists and studio locations
|
|
Boynton House Exhibitions
|
|
Boynton House Art Exhibition Space, located at Richmond Green Park - 1300 Elgin Mills Road East
| Marissa Sweet Group Exhibition |
|
In-Person
A group show and sale featuring the work of ten visual artists.
Running: September 12 – 24
|
| James Kane Photography Exhibition |
|
In-Person
Exhibition featuring limited edition nature and wildlife prints by renowned artists, including Robert Bateman, Marc Barrie, John Petrella, Mark Wyen, Liz Lesperance, Glen Loates, Ron Parker, and Carl Brenders, with proceeds from sales being donated to Coyote Watch Canada, The Ontario Turtle Conservation Center, Bearswithus, and Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge.
Running: September 25 – 29
|
| Artists’ Co-Op Richmond Hill Group Art Exhibition |
|
In-Person
Eleven local artists working together to showcase two and three dimensional art, including woodworking, knitwear, ceramics, jewelry, fused glass, textile and fine art.
Running: October 2 – December 31
|
Learn more about Boynton House Exhibitions
|
|
Heritage Services
|
| Tour the RHDDO |
|
In-Person
Enjoy free self-guided tours of the David Dunlap Observatory, Richmond Hill's very own national historic site. Visit the Administration Building and the Observatory Dome that houses Canada's largest telescope. While there, visit our gift shop and purchase a souvenir from your visit.
Dates and Times: Saturdays and Sundays: September 22 - October 15, from 1 - 5 p.m.
Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory - 123 Hillsview Dr.
Learn more about the RHDDO.
|
| Gallery Hours at the Heritage Centre |
|
In-Person
Explore the Galleries at the Heritage Centre, showcasing the rich heritage and history of Richmond Hill. New for 2023, Collecting Time – 150 Years of Memories, this exhibit features a behind the scenes look at time capsules and treasures from Richmond Hill’s past. Gallery exhibits are suitable for all ages.
Gallery Hours:
Tuesdays 1 – 4 p.m.
Thursdays 4 – 8 p.m.
Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Richmond Hill Heritage Centre - 19 Church St. N
Learn more about the Heritage Centre
|
| Tour the City’s Museum of the Streets |
|
In-Person
Take this free self-guided tour of some of our community's most interesting heritage sites. Green and tan signs will guide you through the streets of Old Richmond Hill. You can choose how many stops you visit and how much time you spend at each one.
Dates and Times: September 22 -October 15, 2023 - Open all Hours
Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, Amos Wright Park - 19 Church St. N
Visit RichmondHill.ca/HeritageCentre for your free Museum of the Streets Map to start planning your tour!
|
|
| Library - Culture Days Hub on October 15 |
| Library Culture Days Hub:
“Yes, at the Library!”
Drop by for a whirlwind of music, dance, and visual arts; try your hand at basket weaving or Taiwanese paper art, sing with a choir or polish your Bollywood dance move skills, as we transform the Central Library into a lively Culture Days Hub.
| Weave with Burr House Spinners and Weavers |
|
In-Person
Come and try your hand at weaving, spinning, and other fibre related hands-on activities, for all ages!
The Burr House Spinners and Weavers Guild, a fibre arts guild of creative artisans, has been a part of Richmond Hill for more than 40 years.
Date and Time: Sunday October 15, 12-4 p.m.
Location: Events Room, Central Branch (Richmond Hill Public Library)
|
| Basketry with Michelle Zikovitz |
|
In-Person
Come and meet Michelle Zikovitz and learn about the ancient artistry of basket weaving!
Michelle has been weaving baskets for over 20 years, and teaching for the past 15 years, throughout Southern Ontario.
Date and Time: Sunday, October 15, 12-4 p.m.
Location: Events Room, Central Branch (Richmond Hill Public Library)
|
| Taiwanese Paper Weaving Art |
|
In-Person
Drop in to learn about Taiwanese grass and paper weaving art. Try your hand at using strip paper to make paper snails, glasses and hearts!
Three's Company for Culture is a group of Chinese language, culture, and folk art teachers who promote Chinese/Taiwanese culture and participate in multi-cultural events.
Date and Time: Sunday, October 15, 12-4 p.m.
Location: Children’s Department, Central Branch (Richmond Hill Public Library)
|
| Family Dance Party with Libby Avalos |
|
In-Person
Join this feel-good class known to inspire positivity, build community, and get all ages and abilities moving and grooving! We'll join together in some simple moves and make our own creative choices with each movement - celebrating our unity AND individuality! The 45 minute playlist will include a variety of dance styles, and finish with a self-guided stretch and peaceful stillness. Put on through the Dance Together Project.
Date and Time: Sunday, October 15, 12-12:45 p.m.
Location: Outside, Central Branch (Richmond Hill Public Library) – Rain location: Meeting Rooms A/B
|
| Bollywood 101 with Karishma Mansingani |
|
In-Person
It is energetic, expressive and so much fun! Open for all ages and abilities. Bollywood dancing comes from the Indian film industry and incorporates traditional Indian and Bhangra folk dance with hip hop, jazz, Latin and belly dance styles. Put on through the Dance Together Project.
Date and Time: Sunday, October 15, 1-1:45 p.m.
Location: Outside, Central Branch (Richmond Hill Public Library) – Rain location: Meeting Rooms A/B
|
| Salsa 101 with Katya Kuznetsova |
|
In-Person
Learn the basics of Salsa in this fun and engaging class. No prior experience necessary, bring all your left feet! We will warm to get in the groove and then learn some basics of dancing together Cuban style - called Casino de Rueda.
Date and Time: Sunday, October 15, 2-2:45 p.m.
Location: Outside, Central Branch (Richmond Hill Public Library) – Rain location: Meeting Rooms A/B
|
| Balfolk (French Folk Dance) |
|
In-Person
Join Emilyn Stam and John Williams in learning some fun social folk dances with live music! Balfolk dancing is a recent revival of traditional, mostly French, folk dances that also includes modern tunes. They are all fun and easy to learn, you don’t need any partners or prior experience. Emilyn and John will show you how and play live music as well! Put on through the Dance Together Project.
Date and Time: Sunday, October 15, 3-3:45 p.m.
Location: Outside, Central Branch (Richmond Hill Public Library) – Rain location: Meeting Rooms A/B
|
|
Come Sing with Us!
|
|
In-Person
Listen to a brief choral demonstration by Chorus York, then join in and learn a short song and sing it with the choir.
Led by Jennifer Min-Young Lee, Artistic Director, Chorus York is a mixed-voice performance choir that sings a wide range of music, classical to popular.
Date and Time: Sunday, October 15, 2-3 p.m.
Location: Cafe, Central Branch (Richmond Hill Public Library)
|
|
Paint on Wood
|
|
In-Person
Come and meet artist Vera Samarkina and try your hand at painting and creating collages on wood.
Vera is a visual artist who works with mixed media. She creates visual narratives loaded with symbolism and inspirational words that may ignite both joy and philosophical contemplation. Vera is a member of Richmond Hill Group of Artists.
Date and Time: Sunday, October 15, 12-4 p.m.
Location: Lobby, Central Branch (Richmond Hill Public Library)
|
|
Stitch with York Chatelaines
|
|
Chicken scratch or cross stitch? Come and meet York Chatelaines Guild and try out! Members of the York Chatelaines Guild of the Embroiderers Association of Canada will also show off some of their work and demonstrate stitches on their current works in progress.
|
Learn more about the Library Culture Days
|
| RH150 Murals Self-Guided Walking Tour |
|
In-Person
Visit the 13 mural sites across the City dedicated to Richmond Hill’s 150th anniversary. Murals include the Sports Centre exterior wall at Richmond Green, as well as Bell Boxes and City Park Storage Bunkers across all six wards.
Sports Centre located at Richmond Green Park and various sites across Richmond Hill.
View the mural locations
|
| Visual Art Gallery @ RHCPA Exhibitions |
| Visual Art Gallery located at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts - 10268 Yonge St.
Come experience the joy of original art in its various forms at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts Visual Art Gallery.
| Art Walk Preview Exhibition |
| In-Person
The annual Art Walk Preview Exhibition is an exhibition highlighting the artwork of many of the participating 2023 ArtWalk artists and artisans. This year’s ArtWalk takes place on September 23, 2023.
Running: September 1 – 30, during Theatre hours
|
| Kate Greenway Exhibition |
|
In-Person
Kate Greenway’s work combines watercolour with various forms of glass, frequently combining mixed media and photo-transfer elements to create unique one of a kind art pieces.
Running: October 1 – 31, during Theatre hours
|
Learn more about the Visual Art Gallery
|
| York Region - Dance Together Festival |
|
In-Person
Celebrate community through Dance. Enjoy free dance workshops and open studio events.
Running:
- September 29 - October 1, Assembly Park, 80 Interchange Way
- October 15, Richmond Hill Public Library, 1 Atkinson St.
View the event schedule
|
Why should we celebrate culture?
Culture is everywhere and is a part of every moment of our lives. We celebrate Culture Days to recognize the special place that arts and culture occupies in our lives, much like you would celebrate a birthday or an anniversary.
How do I participate as a Culture Days activity organizer?
If you are interested in learning how you can participate in Culture Days contact the Cultural Services team at culturalplan@richmondhill.ca.
How can I find Culture Days activities in my community?
Visit culturedays.ca and you can search by neighbourhood, municipality or region.
