Extraordinary handcrafts through the ages

Orillia Museum of Art and History hosts unique new exhibit of women's art. Mon. April 20, 2026. PHOTO: COURTESY OF OMAH

A new exhibition of women’s industrious work throughout our regional history is now on display at the Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH).

Featuring works such as quilts, embroidery, and beadwork, the ‘From Hand to Heirloom: the Art of Craft ’ exhibit shows that the art not only possesses not beauty, but deep personal, cultural, and intergenerational meaning.

The exhibition also features work by local and Indigenous makers, emphasizing the diversity and continued relevance of these practices.

“This exhibition invites visitors to look more closely at objects they may think they already understand,” says Hannah Arndt, curator of the exhibition and OMAH’s history programming coordinator. “Quilts, beadwork, and embroidery are not only technically skilled forms of making, but they also hold stories of identity, resilience, and connection.

“From Hand to Heirloom is about recognizing craft as both art and lived experience,” Arndt said.”

OMAH extends its sincere thanks to the exhibition sponsors: Home Hardware, Tiffany’s Hair Salon, The Kitchen Shop, and Studio 11, whose support made this exhibition possible.

From Hand to Heirloom: The Art of Craft is now on view at OMAH at 30 Peter Street South. Admission is $5 per person, free for museum members and those under the age of 25. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 4pm.