PROGRAMS & EVENT POLICIES

Payments

Class size is limited, so register early to avoid disappointment. Registrations are accepted in person, by mail, phone or online. Full payment must accompany your registration. Post-dated cheques and electronic transfer of money cannot be accepted. Official receipts are issued at the time of registration.

Registration

Registrations are accepted in person and online. Full payment must accompany your registration. Post-dated cheques cannot be accepted. Registration and attendance are subject to the condition that the City of Kitchener, Homer Watson House Foundation, officers, and employees, are released from all responsibilities for injury, loss or damage, however, caused, that may be sustained by any person attending a class.

Refunds

There will be no refunds when canceling 10 business days or less before the first class or the event. We do not arrange refunds for missed classes or drop-outs, camp days, events or transfers. Official receipts are issued at the time of registration. If you need to cancel due to illness or unsatisfactory health screening you will receive a refund for missed classes.

• Refunds are approved on a case-by-case basis.
• Refund requests must be submitted 10 business days before the program’s start date or event date.
• HWHG reserves the right to deny a refund request or give a partial refund.

Refund Requests

Refunds Requests are to be submitted in writing via email to programs@homerwatson.on.ca

Refund Requests are to be processed only by the Graphic Designer & Retail Coordinator or Education & Public Programs Coordinator, after being approved Director Curator.

Bring a Friend Discount

Bring a Friend promotion and receive an extra 10% off your HWHG (minimum 2 people) program registration!

• Offer valid on HWHG program registrations from Jan 1 through Dec 31, 2025.
• Includes Children’s Art Programs, Adult Art Programs, Family Programs, Day School and Art Camps.
• Excludes birthday party bookings, field trip bookings, open studio program, and memberships.
• No adjustments on previous purchases. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent.
• Both registrations must be done through one account and one transaction for the discount to be applied.

Cancellations

HWHG reserves the right to cancel any class, workshop or event which does not receive sufficient enrollment. If HWHG cancels a program, registrants will be notified up to three (3) days prior to the start date of the program. A full refund will be issued for classes or events cancelled by the Gallery. Instructors and content may change without notice.

Age Requirements

Registrants must meet the HWHG’s age requirements for any given program. Exceptions will be made at the discretion of the Education & Public Programs Coordinator.

Code of Conduct

At HWHG, safety is of the utmost importance and our goal is to provide a caring, respectful and supportive environment for every individual. Behaviour, actions, and language of patrons should contribute to a positive & safe environment at all times. HWHG reserves the right to remove a patron from a program permanently and without a refund if the patron’s behaviour is deemed in breach of the HWHG behaviour policy.

• Patrons will be respectful to both themselves and others at all times. This includes being respectful of individual differences, respect for the property owned by other patrons and Homer Watson House & Gallery.
• Patrons will stay within the boundaries of the set activities.
• Patrons are responsible for their actions & the consequences of their behaviour.

Sketching in the Gallery

We encourage sketching and drawing of objects with graphite and coloured pencils.

• Please do not use charcoal, crayons, coloured chalks, watercolours, spray paints, adhesives, fixatives and other wet materials as they may be a risk to our collections and visitors.
• Please also note that scissors cannot be used.
• We want you to be comfortable when you sketch and draw. Feel free to sit on any of the stools and benches within the galleries.
• Please remember to respect the objects, cases and plinths, and do not use them as drawing boards or make any marks on them.
• On the rare occasion that sketching is prohibited within an exhibition or specific parts of the museum, please respect those conditions of access.

Clay Projects Policy

Due to the nature of working with clay, pieces may crack or break during drying and firing. While we will do our very best to prevent this from happening, HWHG cannot guarantee that the finished work will be free of issues. Breakages and glaze misfires are part of the process of working clay, even for experienced and professional potters. Each workshop is a chance to build and practice skills. If your piece cracks or breaks, we hope you will come back and try again.

Please note that there are no refunds for pieces that are damaged during clay programs.