2024 exhibitions

Taking Pride in Our Communities

2SLGBTQIA+ communities and identities are a vital part of Kingston’s heritage. This exhibit focused on the often-overlooked histories of Kingston’s 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Despite their historical exclusion and erasure, these groups and spaces have shown remarkable resilience.

Building on the efforts of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and community groups, Taking Pride in Our Communities celebrated moments of struggle, advocacy, connection and hope. It featured sources from the Kingston Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, 2-Spirit+ Archival Collection which included clippings from local newspapers and newsletters, informational booklets and pamphlets, images of protests and gatherings, and symbolic items like the 2-Spirit intersex-inclusive Pride flag and swag from past Pride celebrations.

Photo by Tim Forbes.

Rooted in History and Still Blooming

Gardening Kingston has been beautifying Kingston’s greenspaces since 1899. Originally called the Kingston Horticultural Society, the organization has been active in the Kingston community by fostering gardening, civic improvement and beautification efforts.

Today, Gardening Kingston maintains two public gardens and hosts monthly meetings, special activities, flower and cultural shows and an annual plant sale.

This exhibit explored Gardening Kingston’s history, combining a timeline of key milestones spanning over a century with media coverage, photographs and commemorative items. Garden displays and a doll dressed in clothing from the group’s inception added a visual storytelling element, bringing Gardening Kingston’s rich heritage to life.

Photo by Tim Forbes.

Pakistan: A Land of Rich Culture and Heritage

For more than half a century, the Pakistan Canada Association of Kingston (PCA) has dedicated itself to promoting Pakistani culture and fostering a sense of unity, understanding and appreciation for Pakistani heritage in Kingston.

With a strong focus on cultural tradition, PCA strives to strengthen the bond between the Pakistani and the broader Kingston communities by participating in community events and celebrating Pakistan’s unique culture and traditions.

This exhibit displayed traditional Pakistani handicrafts, reflecting the diverse culture, history and artistic heritage of artisans skilled in embroidery, pottery, rug weaving, woodworking, metalwork and jewelry, using methods and techniques passed down through generations.

Photo by Tim Forbes.

Emancipation Day

Emancipation has been officially recognized and celebrated on Aug. 1 by the City of Kingston since 2022. Working in collaboration with the City of Kingston Emancipation Day Working Group, this case featured the history of Emancipation in Canada and how celebrations often foster and encourage education and self determination to continue promoting freedom and equality for a brighter future.

The exhibition displayed the Pan-African flag, which has been a symbol for Emancipation Day; a copy of the book Emancipation Day: Celebrating Freedom in Canada, written by Natasha L. Henry-Dixon; a copy of the Act to Prevent the Further Introduction of Slaves and to Limit the Term for Contracts for Servitude 9 July 1793; and pictures from the 2024 Emancipation Day celebrations.

Photo by Tim Forbes.