Walk With Art
Walk With Art is a free community program by Markham Arts Council, designed for older adults 55+ who want to stay active, connected, and inspired.
Brought to life in partnership with local arts and community organizations, each session combines gentle movement with a guided exploration of public art, creating a welcoming space where seniors can engage with their surroundings, discover the stories behind local artwork, and build meaningful connections with fellow participants.
Every walk is more than a stroll, it's an opportunity to see your community through a new lens, guided by knowledgeable facilitators, enriched by art, and shared with great company.
Sessions include warm-up exercises, a recreational group walk, an up-close introduction to local artwork, and light refreshments to close the afternoon.
Walk 1
It all began on May 1st at Cornell Community Centre — seniors warming up, walking together, then stopping to really see Douglas Walker’s stunning ceramic mural up close (turns out photos don’t do it justice!).
Walk With Art blends movement, community, and a fresh appreciation for the art hiding in plain sight.
Because sometimes all you need is someone to show you where to look.
Walk 2
Rain couldn’t dampen this one!
On May 23rd, seniors gathered at the Varley Art Gallery for session two, light movement, warm connection, and an afternoon exploring Vicky Talvar’s spirituality-inspired artwork.
The grand finale?
A mesmerizing live sound performance by Lama Jam that turned the gallery into pure calm.
Art has the power to move us, sometimes through footsteps, sometimes through sound.
Walk 3
Session three took us outside on June 14th, gathering seniors at Markham Civic Centre from 11 AM for a walk with real meaning.
The spotlight was on Agongos (Chipmunk), a vibrant public artwork by Indigenous artist Donald Chrétien (Nipissing First Nation), created through the York Region Arts Council’s Experience Trail Marker Project.
Participants learned how this small but mighty creature symbolizes seed dispersal, forest stewardship, and the deep interconnectedness at the heart of Indigenous teachings, proof that even the smallest stories can leave the biggest impression.