Immersive Van Gogh exhibition coming to Windsor this summer (2024)

You’ve probably seen the art of Vincent Van Gogh — considering he’s one of the most famous painters in the world — but have you gotten into his work, literally?

Windsor-Essex art appreciators will have a chance to do that this summer at Imagine Van Gogh, an exhibition that transforms Van Gogh’s paintings into an immersive environment that surrounds the viewer with projected imagery.

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“You’re walking into the world and the mind of Vincent Van Gogh,” said D.J. Williams, a spokesperson for Tandem Expositions, which has the rights to the show in Canada.

“The response has been amazing, from children to senior citizens. The look of joy on people’s faces. It’s a beautiful, bonding moment.”

While there have been other touring Van Gogh exhibitions in recent years, Williams said Imagine Van Gogh is the original — designed in France, and now setting up in cities across North America.

The show was in London, Ont., for a four-month run last year.

“It’s Windsor’s turn,” Williams said. “In the beginning, this was not planned. But we couldn’t believe the number of people that came to London.”

Imagine Van Gogh’s digital presentation combines more than 200 images from Van Gogh paintings with music, projected in a walkable space that visitors can spend time in at their leisure.

“We’re not interested in rushing people through,” Williams said. “We have people that stay for hours — and we welcome it.”

Finding an appropriate venue for the show in Windsor was a challenge: The room must accommodate oversized screens and more than 40 projectors, arranged in about 15,000 square feet of space.

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“It’s kind of like a circle,” Williams explained. “It’s a 360-degree room.”

Tickets are sold at the door, but attendees are encouraged to book their time in advance by ordering tickets online. The show is intended for a maximum audience of 150 visitors at a time.

“It’s like booking to go see a movie,” Williams said. “We have scheduled slots throughout the day, so when you order a ticket, you’re reserving the time you’re going to be there, so that we can pace it out.”

The immersive room is accompanied by an education room with signage offering information about Van Gogh and the show’s designers.

Asked to explain the enduring appeal of Van Gogh’s work — most of it created over a five-year period from 1885 to 1890 — Williams pointed to the artist’s story: Van Gogh barely sold any paintings during his lifetime, struggled with mental illness, and only achieved renown after his death.

“I think people are fascinated with what was going through his head when he was painting,” Williams said.

“(The show) lets you look up close and see the fine detail of the brush strokes — and imagine someone having such talent, but such unhappiness in his life.”

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Imagine Van Gogh runs in Windsor from July 7 to Sept. 8 at Central Park Athletics, 3400 Grand Marais Rd. E.

Hours of operation are Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last entry is one hour before closing. The exhibition is closed Monday.

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit imagine-vangogh.com.

Adult ticket prices for visits Tuesday to Friday are $44, Saturdays and Sundays $54.

Children (ages 5 to 12) ticket prices Tuesday to Friday are $33, Saturdays and Sundays $40.

Student (ages 13 to 18) ticket prices Tuesday to Friday are $35, Saturdays and Sundays $43.

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