The Varley Art Gallery of Markham will host an opening reception on September 20, 2025, for two new fall exhibitions: "Kejie Lin: A Garden of My Own," a solo show of meticulous Chinese ink paintings by former landscape architect Kejie Lin, and "Sights of Convergence," a group exhibition featuring Jess Riva Cooper, Gabriela García-Luna, and Stanzie Tooth that explores the entanglement of human and natural worlds. The free public event includes a guided tour by guest curator Yuluo Wei, family-friendly activities, and light refreshments, with both exhibitions running through January 11, 2026.
This opening matters because it highlights the Varley Art Gallery's commitment to showcasing diverse contemporary voices—from Lin's cross-cultural practice blending Chinese gongbi tradition with Canadian immigrant experience to the group show's urgent ecological themes. The exhibitions create a dialogue between solo and group presentations, emphasizing how art can foster community engagement and reflection on environmental issues, while the gallery's free programming ensures broad public access to visual art in the region.