PAMA debuts a new cameras exhibition alongside a month of cultural celebrations
BRAMPTON, ON (Sep. 29, 2026) – This October, Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) invites visitors to explore a month of creativity, culture, and community through special events celebrating Women's History Month, Latin Heritage Month, Halloween, and the opening of a new exhibition, Cameras in Focus. From hands-on art workshops and live music to family-friendly Halloween experiences and free Doors Open activities, there is something for all ages to enjoy.
Celebrate Women’s History Month
Celebrate diverse female voices and perspectives through immersive experiences that blend art, culture, and storytelling.
Poetry, paint and the female perspective: An abstract art workshop (ages 17+)
Thursday, Oct 8, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Experience a creative evening where history, poetry, and painting come together on canvas. Inspired by women's stories and perspectives, participants will explore abstract art through guided creative expression.
Cost: $25 public, $21.25 members, plus tax. Registration required.
Fashion illustration workshop (ages 15+)
Saturday, Oct 17, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Join artist Jacqueline Halstead for a hands-on workshop exploring the African influence on the global fashion industry. Participants will learn illustration techniques while celebrating diverse cultural contributions to fashion.
Cost: $15 public, $12.75 members, plus tax. Registration required.
Celebrate Latin Heritage Month
Colours and rhythm: painting to Latin sounds (ages 10+)
Saturday, Oct 10, 2 to 4 p.m.
Celebrate Latin Heritage Month through music and art. Enjoy a live performance by guitarist Nelson Maragoto and percussionist Greg Noguera of Latintrain before creating your own abstract painting with artist Carla Gonzalez-Casanova. Let rhythm, colour, and movement inspire a one-of-a-kind artistic creation.
Cost: $15 public, $12.75 members, plus tax. Registration required.
Halloween at PAMA
Discover a different side of Halloween where art, history, and spooky fun come together through engaging experiences for all ages.
Spooktacular monster marbling (families)
Saturday, Oct 17, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Drop in and create a unique creature using abstract art techniques in this family-friendly Halloween activity.
Cost: Included with PAMA admission and free for members.
Halloween at the Boo-seum (families)
Saturday, Oct 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Experience a day of mystery, messy fun, and creative exploration. Make a ghostly craft, enjoy a family-friendly spooky gallery tour, and test your courage with mystery boxes.
Cost: Included with PAMA admission and free for members.
Featured throughout the day:
10:30 to 11:30 a.m., 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., and 3 to 4 p.m.
Cost: for this workshop is an additional $5 per child for public and free for members.
Registration is suggested as spots can fill up quickly.
An evening of ghost stories with Margo MacDonald (ages 16+)
Thursday, Oct 29, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Hear eerie tales from across the GTA and Ontario, including stories connected to PAMA itself. Blending local history, mystery, and the supernatural, this evening offers a chilling look at the legends hidden throughout the province. Registration is required.
Cost: Included with PAMA admission and free for members.
New exhibition
Cameras in Focus, opening Saturday, Oct 3
Opening during Doors Open Brampton, Cameras in Focus explores more than 160 years of photography in Peel Region. Through historic cameras, photographs, and artifacts from PAMA's collections, visitors will discover how photography has captured moments of meaning and documented community life across generations.
Free events
Saturday, Oct 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visitors are invited behind the scenes at PAMA for a day of free exploration, learning, and creativity.
Highlights include:
- Behind-the-scenes tours of museum and archives storage spaces.
- First access to the new Cameras in Focus exhibition and hands-on collection experiences.
- Creative activities in the Creator Studio.
- National Film Board screenings of The Nest, written and directed by Chase Joynt and Julietta Singh, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., followed by a zine-making activity.
Music Without Borders: Orontes Guitarists
Sunday, Oct 11, 1:30 p.m.
Presented as part of Music Without Borders Festival 2026, this free concert features instrumental works inspired by Middle Eastern musical traditions alongside reimagined classical repertoire.
PAMA admission is pay-what-you-can for registered attendees. Registration is required.
About PAMA
PAMA is a place to explore and learn about Peel region’s diverse culture and heritage, highlighting important local, Canadian, and global narratives. Art, artifact, and archival collections, exhibitions, and programs help visitors make new and fascinating connections to the surrounding communities. Join us throughout the year for tours, events, workshops, and programs for all ages. Operated by Peel Region, PAMA is located at 9 Wellington Street East in Brampton. Visit pama.peelregion.ca to learn more.
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PAMA
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Peel Region