Varley Art Gallery of Markham Proudly Presents its 2026 Winter Exhibitions

MARKHAM, ON – February 13, 2026 – The Varley Art Gallery of Markham proudly presents its 2026 Winter Exhibitions, “Sameer Farooq: The Fairest Order in the World,” featuring works by Sameer Farooq, and “Sketching the Past,” featuring works by F. H. Varley.

“The Varley Art Gallery plays an important role in connecting Markham residents to regional and national conversations through art,” says Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Sameer Farooq’s exhibition offers a powerful and reflective lens through which to examine museum histories and their lasting impact. By bringing this touring exhibition to Markham, the City continues to support accessible, thought-provoking cultural experiences that enrich our community. It also underscores the Varley’s role as a civic platform for contemporary ideas that resonate well beyond the gallery walls.”

“In 2025, we welcomed 67,000 visitors, marking another record-breaking year for the Gallery,” says Niamh O’Laoghaire, Director of the Varley Art Gallery of Markham. “This milestone reflects the strength of our exhibitions and programs, as well as the trust our community and partners place in the work we do. Looking ahead to 2026, we are focused on building on this momentum, delivering ambitious exhibitions, expanding accessibility, and engaging audiences across the city in more meaningful ways. Sameer Farooq’s upcoming exhibition is an important part of this vision, a new body of work that allows us to explore timely ideas while welcoming both new and returning audiences into the gallery.”

About Sameer Farooq: The Fairest Order in the World

(Curated by Mona Filip. Organized and circulated by Dalhousie Art Gallery. On view at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham from February 7 to May 3, 2026).

Cape Breton born, Toronto based artist Sameer Farooq presents a solo exhibition that offers a deeply poetic space to reflect on the fraught and violent histories of art and anthropological museums, including their colonial origins and the systems and impulses that shaped them.

With The Fairest Order in the World, Farooq probes questions of where museum objects come from, whether they should be returned, and how institutions might begin to repair past harms. Through a series of new and recent sculptures and images, he articulates unique ideas for repurposing the emptied spaces of museums devoid of their spoils. Mining the possibilities offered by sustained engagement, Farooq invites us to envision what the museum might become through acts of restitution, what it may shift to collect and document, and what kind of experiences it could nurture.

About F.H. Varley: Sketching the Past

(Curated by Anik Glaude. Organized the Varley Art Gallery of Markham. On view at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham from February 7 to May 3, 2026).

In the 1950s, Frederick Varley wandered the halls of Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) with pencil in hand. Sketching the Past invites visitors to share his careful observations and consider why we visit museums. Varley sketched in the Natural History and Art and Culture galleries, drawn especially to the Chinese collection and to visitors in the dinosaur halls. His studies capture fossils, sculptures, and cultural artefacts with the same precision as his portraits, revealing both artistic skill and curiosity. Through Varley's drawings and historical photographs, we glimpse how the ROM displayed its collections, and are invited to reflect on how museum collection practices, display methods, and storytelling have evolved, shaping the ways we remember and imagine our shared cultural heritage.

Associated programs:

Lunch and Learn with Sameer Farooq

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 12:30 to 1:30 PM | Free | Online | Registration required

Take your lunch break with us and join a free online talk with Sameer Farooq, featured artist from the Varley Art Gallery’s Winter Exhibition Sameer Farooq: The Fairest Order in the World. This session offers insight into Farooq’s creative process and current work.

Curator’s Corner

Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 2 PM | Free | In-person | Registration is encouraged

Step into our Collections Gallery and explore the Varley Art Gallery’s historical works with a guided curator tour by Anik Glaude. Hear the fascinating stories behind the artworks, learn about Fred Varley, his drawings, and the history of the collection.  

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office:
mayorscarpitti@markham.ca.

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media@markham.ca. 

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