New art exhibition curated with Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor
Archives News
New art exhibition curated with Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor
October 24, 2025
Together: a visual exploration of Ontario’s art collection
This past summer, the Archives was honoured to take part in the successful opening of Together: Visual Exploration, a new exhibition of works from the Government of Ontario Art Collection at the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite in the Ontario Legislative Building in Toronto.
Dating back to 1853 and managed by the Archives of Ontario, the Government of Ontario Art Collection is the oldest public art collection in Canada. It consists of approximately 2,800 artworks including paintings, murals, sculpture, portraits, works on paper and public art.
Curator Lani Kopczinski reflects on the collaborative process of curating the new exhibit at the launch.
This exhibition, which is an exciting collaboration between the office of the Honourable Edith Dumont and Government of Ontario Art Collection curator Lani Kopczinski, features 32 pieces by 26 different artists, many of whom were in attendance for the opening gala. The selected pieces explore a range of themes, techniques, and perspectives. They highlight artists from diverse backgrounds who collectively present a panoramic view of Ontario’s artistic landscape. The title of the exhibition, “Together”, evokes the encounter between people, art, and ideas.
“Art brings us together when words sometimes fail – it unites us across our differences and illuminates the richness of our shared humanity.”
The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
View more GOAC artworks at the Legislative Building
“Together: Visual Explorations” is open to the public during events like Doors Open Toronto and the New Year’s Levee. Her Honour intends to maintain the exhibition for the entirety of her tenure and expand it to include Government of Ontario Art Collection works on the second floor of the Suite.
Daily tours of the Legislative Building provide access to more works in the Government of Ontario Art Collection and specific art and architecture tours provide even more detail.
The Archives of Ontario thanks Chantal Gustaw for the use of these photos and story text, which originally ran in MPBSDP Connects, a news service for employees of the Ontario Public Service.
