VARLEY ART GALLERY
It is an honour to serve the community as a Board member of the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham. We work year-round to support the Varley Art Gallery of Markham, an award-winning cultural jewel in the heart of our community. For example, the Foundation is supporting a new dynamic Varley website to launch in 2024 that will enhance the visitor experience, including an interactive floor map, audio tours, expanded exhibition content, and easy program registration and rental bookings.
There is always something exciting and engaging happening at the Varley and below are some of the other ways you can enjoy and support the Gallery. For more information, please visit:
1) VISIT THE WINTER EXHIBITIONS FROM JANUARY 27 to MAY 5, 2024
Lost and Found A public art project that formalizes a visual language, framing individual experiences along the Rouge River Trail in 2023 as “artworks” in an interactive installation.
A butterfly flaps it wings Named for chaos theory’s “butterfly effect” metaphor, this exhibition delves into the
idea that artists are not isolated creators but are deeply influenced by the multifaceted environments surrounding them—be they ecological, cultural, political, and beyond.
2) REGISTER FOR WINTER 2024 PROGRAMS
Registration is now open for a diverse range of activities, events, art classes, camps, and workshops at the Varley Art Gallery. Program offerings include:
• Adult and Children’s Art Classes
• One-day Workshops
• March Break Camps
• P. A. Day Extravaganza!
3) PURCHASE A MEMBERSHIP OR ATTEND A FUNDRAISER
Support from the community contributes to programming and exhibition research at the Varley and there are many benefits offered by a membership:
· 10% discount on art classes and workshop
· Free admission to 70+ galleries under the GOG Reciprocal Admission Program
· 10% discount on March Break, Summer and Winter Break camps at the Varley
· 10% discount on selected items at DeSerres and access to the Creative Club perks
· Invitations to exhibition openings and special events
· And much more!
4) RENT SPACE AT THE VARLEY
Celebrate at the Varley with options for flexible indoor and outdoor venues. The premier space is the 1,000 square foot Deacon Room, boasting cathedral ceilings and large windows overlooking historic Main Street Unionville. It can easily be set up for wedding ceremonies, bridal and baby showers, corporate and private events.
5) APPLY FOR THE FOUNDATION’S JOYCE WALLACE SCHOLARSHIP OR WILLIAM J. WITHROW SCHOOL VISITS BURSARY
The scholarship is open to any graduating York Region High School student who is pursuing their studies in an art related field at a post-secondary level. The Bursary subsidizes the cost of bus transportation to enable more students to participate in an educational field trip to the Varley.
COMMIT TO FIT! SPECIAL OFFER TO JOIN MARKHAM FITNESS CENTRES
On sale until February 14, 2024, join Markham’s fitness family and get 3 months for the price of 2, which is only $125 tax included. Restrictions apply. Membership access include activities such as:
· 5 fitness centres
· 3 walk/run tracks
· 5 squash courts
· Drop-in and full season group fitness classes
· Rec & lane swims
· Aquafit
· Skating
WINTER IS HERE!
Enjoy the season!
You can find a list of all outdoor community skating rinks on the City of Markham’s website at markham.ca/skating. Please be advised that skating on ponds, stormwater ponds and waterways is strictly prohibited. Skating on these surfaces is dangerous due to multiple variables that contribute towards thin ice. For your safety, only skate on community skating rinks within the City of Markham.
If you prefer to go on a winter wonderland walk with family and friends, the Winter Parks Pathway Maintenance Program totals 25.3 km city-wide maintained within 24 to 48 hours following the end of a winter event. To check locations by ward, please visit:
Winter Season Parking Rules
In the winter season from November 15 to April 14 and during snow clearing operations, ALL parking on City streets is prohibited. When snow clearing operations are not in effect, parking is permitted ONLY on the odd-numbered side of City streets to allow for greater vehicular access in both directions and make streets safe for all. Existing parking permits and overnight exemptions held by residents are not valid during snow clearing operations. Vehicles parked on a city street during snow clearing operations will be ticketed and/or towed.
Winter Maintenance App
The City of Markham has created an app that shares up-to-date snow clearing operations allowing residents to plan for parking accordingly. It also includes information of what road conditions are expected before snow clearing operations would commence for each service area. For more information on winter road services and this App, please visit:
Stay Updated During a Storm or Emergency
· Listen to Markham’s local radio station 105.9 The Region – http://1059theregion.com/
· Follow the City of Markham on Facebook and Twitter
· Call the Contact Centre for live updates during an emergency or severe weather conditions at 905-477-7000.
Snow Windrow Removal Assistance Program
This program is designed to help disabled and elderly residents maintain road access from their driveways during the winter season. To qualify, all individuals residing in the household must be 60 years or older or younger than 12 years of age (proof of age is required). If any members of the household are between the ages of 12 years and 60 years, a current and valid doctor’s certificate confirming they are physically unable to clear snow must be provided.
Crews will be dispatched to clear the right side of snow windrows facing the road (one car width only) on all roads following a 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) snow fall. Windrows will be cleared within 8 hours after crews plow the road. The City reserves the right to decide when snow windrow service will take place. Also note that the windrow left from the sidewalk plow is not included in this service.
For more information, please call 905-477-7000 or visit
MARKHAM COLLECTION SCHEDULES
2024 Recycling and Garbage Collection Schedule – Now Online
View, download or print your schedule and remember to sign up for weekly reminders and service alerts! Please visit:
Christmas Tree Pickup
Curbside collection for real Christmas trees has been extended to January 19, 2024. Please remove plastic bags, decorations, tinsel and stand. Do not place on top of snowbanks and set out by 7 AM.
PARTICIPATE IN YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Markham is a very busy, dynamic city and, as your voice on City and Regional Council, it is an honour to participate in a variety of meetings that include:
I have also been appointed to the following Committees/Boards:
My fellow Councillors and I accomplish a great deal in our meetings but that wouldn’t be possible without the support of an incredibly hard-working municipal staff force and the many residents from whom we hear on a wide range of issues that they care deeply about.
To learn about upcoming Markham and York Region Council and Committee meetings and how to participate, including livestreaming, written submissions and requests to speak, please visit:
MARKHAM:
YORK REGION:
Markham Announces New 2023-2027 Economic Development and Culture Strategy
This past year, the City of Markham has been hard at work researching, collecting data, and engaging with stakeholders to craft recommendations and action items that will help guide the future of Markham’s economic and cultural landscape. By creating a strategy that merges economic development and culture together, the City of Markham strive to recognize the interdependent role that arts and culture play in creating the quality of life that is necessary to attract talent to a community.
To learn more, visit
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