Varley Art Gallery

The gallery sits at the north end of Main Street Unionville and is listed by the City of Markham as a wedding reception facility.

About the venue

Rentals include wedding ceremonies and receptions, showers, recitals, cocktail hours and corporate events. The Deacon Room has cathedral ceilings and large windows facing Main Street. The Lobby is rented only after hours, has a baby grand piano, and fire code does not allow seated events with dinner tables there. Staffing, insurance and music licensing fees may apply on top of room rental.

On EventPlans.ca it is listed as a museum or gallery in Markham, at 216 Main Street Unionville, Markham, ON L3R 2H1.

Event spaces

The venue lists these spaces. Capacities are the venue’s own figures and change with the layout you choose.

• Florence and Donald Deacon Room: about 1,000 sq ft, 146 standing, 70 seated without tables, 54 seated with tables
• Lobby (after hours only): 150 standing, 100 seated without tables
• Courtyard (outdoor, 38 ft by 38 ft): 150 standing
• Paint Studio: 45 seated without tables, 23 with tables

Capacity

The venue publishes a maximum of 54 seated, 150 standing reception, 100 theatre style. Those are top figures for an empty room. A dance floor, a stage, a buffet or a photo booth each take space, so plan on fewer guests than the maximum once your layout is drawn.

A useful rule: a seated dinner at rounds of ten needs about 1 to 1.2 square metres per guest, a standing reception about 0.7, and theatre seating about 0.6, before you add a stage or dance floor. The venue capacity calculator does the arithmetic for your room.

Events it hosts

According to its own event pages, the venue hosts weddings, corporate events and private social events.

For timelines, budgets and checklists, start with the wedding planning hub, corporate holiday party hub.

Questions to ask on your site visit

Bring these to your walk-through. Get the answers in writing before you sign.

• Which galleries are open to guests during the event, and which must stay closed?
• Are there rules on food, red wine, candles or flowers near the collection?
• What is the earliest set-up time after the public closes?
• Must you use the in-house caterer, and is security staffing included?
• Are there height, haze or fog restrictions near the artwork?
• Can guests take photos in all spaces?

Planning entertainment here

Museums often limit haze, open flame and anything that could touch the collection. Close-up magic, string players and roaming performers usually fit easily; ask before booking anything with fire or confetti.

Send every performer’s technical needs to the venue before you book: floor space, ceiling height, power, sound and changing room.

Getting there

The venue states that its event spaces are accessible. Check the venue website for directions, parking rates and accessible entrances, and send the details to guests with the invitation.

Official website: varleyartgallery.ca/renting-space

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