Summer 2025 at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham

Z’otz* Collective, Rope of Thought, 2025 mixed media on paper, 38 × 56 cm. Courtesy of the artists.

Between the Current and the Echo
Z’otz* Collective

May 24 to September 1, 2025
Curated by Anik Glaude

This summer, the Varley Art Gallery presents the Z’otz* Collective, a multidisciplinary trio composed of Nahúm Flores, Erik Jerezano, and Ilyana Martínez.

Of Latin American heritage, they merge drawing, painting, ceramics, and animation to create playful, storytelling-driven works that blend tradition with contemporary experimentation. Their art features bold lines, surreal imagery, and hybrid creatures inspired by mythologies, fables, and Pre-Hispanic art forms. Since 2004, the Collective has developed a unique communal process, passing works between members to build layered, evolving compositions.

Between the Current and the Echo foregrounds the Z’otz* Collective’s commitment to co-creation, rejecting the notion of the solitary artist in favour of a collaborative, ever-evolving process rooted in spontaneity and exchange.

Learn more

Images (left to right): Z’otz* Collective, The Vegetarian Poet, 2025 mixed media on paper, 38 × 56 cm. Courtesy of the artists. Z’otz* Collective, The Season has Arrived, 2025 mixed media on paper, 38 × 56 cm. Courtesy of the artists.

Associated Programs

Summer Exhibitions Opening Reception
Saturday, May 24 | 2 to 4pm
Free | Registration not required

Be among the first to experience our 2025 Summer Exhibitions. Explore vibrant artworks by the Z’otz* Collective while enjoying live Latin music, light refreshments, along with engaging hands-on activities for all ages. Connect with the artists during an insightful gallery talk as they share the inspiration behind their work. It’s an afternoon of creativity, connection, and celebration.

Lunch and Learn with Z’otz* Collective
Wednesday, June 11 | 12:30 to 1:30pm
Free | Online | Registration required

Join us for a virtual artist’s talk with the Z’otz* Collective. Learn about their collaborative creative process, cultural inspirations, and dynamic storytelling through drawing, sculpture, and mixed media.

Make Your Mark: Artist Workshop with Z’otz* Collective
Saturday, June 28 | 2pm
Free | Registration required

Take part in this collaborative workshop. Using crayons, markers, and collage materials, participants will create whimsical creatures and scenes through fast-paced, imaginative exercises. As drawings are passed around the table, each person adds a fun twist. Open to all skill levels.

Chai & Write: Summer Joys with Sheniz Janmohamed
Sunday, July 13 | 2 to 4pm
Free | Online | Registration required

Join local arts educator and poet for a summer edition of Chai & Write. This reflective workshop invites participants to explore the season’s warmth through creative prompts and poetic expression. Enjoy a guided tour of the Varley’s latest exhibitions, write list poems inspired by summer memories, and take a colour walk through Toogood Pond to create your own nature art. No writing experience required.

Art Bus: Tour with Z’otz* Collective
Sunday, August 3 | 1 to 4pm
Free | Registration required

Hop on the Art Bus for a trip from Toronto to the Varley to explore the works of the Z’otz* Collective! Enjoy a comfortable ride, a guided tour led by the exhibiting artists, and a return trip downtown—all in one afternoon. The bus will depart from the Royal Ontario Museum at 1pm sharp, and will leave the Varley Art Gallery at 3:30pm to return downtown.

About the Varley Art Gallery of Markham

The Varley Art Gallery of Markham is a vital cultural hub for artists and diverse communities. A municipal gallery, we create meaningful conversations about Canadian art and society. We inspire local and regional audiences to engage with art through outstanding exhibitions and rich public and educational programs relevant to the communities we serve. We support artists from York region and seek to broaden access to the arts for diverse artists and cultural groups. We also share and celebrate the life and work of F. H. Varley, a founding member of the Group of Seven.

The Varley Art Gallery is situated on the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe. We are committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding.

Varley Art Gallery of Markham
216 Main Street Unionville
Markham, ON, L3R 2H1
varley@markham.ca
905.477.7000 ext. 3261

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Public Hours
Monday | Closed
Tuesday to Friday | 12pm to 4pm
Saturday and Sunday | 10am to 5pm
Monday | Closed

Summer Hours
Monday (July 7 to September 1) | 12pm to 4pm
Tuesday to Thursday | 12pm to 4pm
Friday (June 6 to August 29) | 12pm to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday | 10am to 5pm

Admission:
Free

Accessibility:
Our venue is accessible, with automatic door openers to enter the building and exhibition spaces. One accessible washroom is available.

For more information, please contact:
Jessica Li, Communications
jessicali@markham.ca