Spring 2025 Exhibitions at the Aurora Cultural Centre

The Aurora Cultural Centre opens our Spring exhibitions in Aurora Town Square with an eclectic mix of works from local and visiting creatives. With the eclipse of #MCOYA25, we start with the unveiling of our hallway exhibitions on May 1: Said Through Silence, a group show spotlighting four local emerging and professional artists, and When Aurora Thaws, a visual soliloquy by Jianming Chen, our Winter Artist-in-residence. Re-join us on May 8 for a second opening, celebrating the work of Montréal-based Laurence Vallières, whose playful, life-sized cardboard sculptures reside in Homeroom Galleries until July 22.

Jianming Chen

When Aurora Thaws – A Visual Soliloquy by Jianming Chen

May 1 – July 13, 2025
Lower Hall Gallery

Newmarket-based painter Jianming Chen has documented settings of York Region through captivating oils over the last decade. A plein air painter, Chen has become a recognizable figure in the community, setting up his easel at recreational trails, residential streets, and farmer’s markets to paint for hours on end. Only rarely is he deterred by the natural elements.

This winter, Chen was selected as the Aurora Cultural Centre’s first artist-in-residence. He dedicated his residency period from February 1 to April 20 to test the limits of his plein air practice, painting in conditions as low –13 Degrees Celsius though the spring thaw.

This exhibition is a culminative celebration of his work completed during the residency, as well as a testament to his multi-year practice for the community to recognize. Learn more >

Opening Night
Thursday, May 1, 6:30 – 8:30pm

Spring Artist-Poet Gathering
Saturday, May 10, 11am – 1pm *Free, RSVP required

In Plain Sight – Artist talk + Plein Air Walk
Wednesday, June 11, 6 – 8pm *Free, RSVP required

Karim Abed, Tasting Peace, 2024

Said Through Silence

Karim Abed, Rollex Austin, Jing Fu, William Lottering
May 1 – July 27, 2025
Great Hall Gallery

Group exhibition sharing generational perspectives of home, the natural world, and human connection within the context of the digital age. Learn more >

Opening Night
Thursday, May 1, 6:30 – 8:30pm

Laurence Vallières

Laurence Vallières – A Solo Exhibition

May 8 – July 22, 2025
Homeroom Galleries

The Aurora Cultural Centre is excited to introduce Montréal-based sculptor Laurence Vallières to the community through a one-of-a-kind 2D and 3D exhibition in Homeroom Galleries.

Environmental concerns and sustainability lie at the core of Vallières’s practice, which she expresses through depictions of animals and references to cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse and Tweety Bird. Reflecting on her ties with urban art, where work is often created in response to pressing cultural, social, and political issues, her dedication to cardboard serves as a call for sustainability—a commentary on consumer culture, advocating for the movement of reuse over consumption and waste.

Come witness unimaginable feats of cardboard art through the renowned lens of Laurence Vallières in this special visiting artist showcase. Learn more >

Opening Night
Thursday, May 8, 6:30 – 8:30pm

Gallery Yoga + Sound Bath (various dates)
May 12, 6:30pm & 7:30pm
June 2, 6:30pm & 7:30pm

Closing Artist Talk
Tuesday, July 22, 7pm start *Free, RSVP required

Spring Sale: The Estate of Helen Lucas

Online: May 22 – June 5, 2025
In-person: May 29 – June 2, 2025
Location: Helen Lucas’ Home Studio (Address TBA)

The Aurora Cultural Centre is honoured to work with the family of the late Helen Lucas to steward an online and in-person sale of remaining works in her King studio. Proceeds from the sale go to her estate, with a portion supporting Aurora Cultural Centre programs. Learn more >

Artist Opportunities

Apply at: AuroraCulturalCentre.ca/open-calls

Call for Submissions: Themed Youth Art Show – Friendship (ages 13 – 17)
Deadline to Apply: June 30, 2025

We are seeking artworks to be exhibited in our Underground Gallery, a hallway space for displaying work by youth artists exclusively.

The theme for this youth art show is friendship. Submit artworks that reflect this theme of appreciation for your friends, family, pet, or even objects that bring a sense of support and joy. Interpretation of this theme can be both literal and abstract.

Underground Gallery is a branch of Youth Artists on the Rise (YAR), a space for arts-impassioned youth to develop their skills in the arts, make connections, and build a community for collaboration and growth.

In displaying work in the Underground Gallery, youth artists are involved in the curation of the exhibition by making creative display choices and installing their own and others’ work with the assistance of our staff.

Accepted artworks will be on display from July 3 – October 18

Aurora Cultural Centre
Aurora Town Square
50 Victoria Street, Aurora, ON
This is an accessible venue.
auroraculturalcentre.ca

Gallery Hours:
Homeroom Galleries
Monday – Tuesday, 9am – 4pm
Wednesday, 9am – 7pm
Thursday – Saturday, 9am – 4pm

Lower & Great Hall Galleries
Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 9pm
Saturday, 8:30am – 6pm
Sunday, 8:30am – 4:00pm

*Galleries closed on all statutory holidays.

Contact Us
Tel: 905-713-1818
Email: info@auroraculturalcentre.ca
Social: @auroraculturalcentre