VISUAL ARTS

12 TREES: LET THERE BE LIGHT focuses on light as a potent symbol of hope. Art installations include a disco-ball Christmas tree, a manually-powered holiday tree light show, an animated winter dreamscape and more. Curated by artist Douglas Coupland and vice-president of Public Art Management Ben Mills. Gardiner Museum (111 Queen’s Park, 416-586-8080). Until Jan. 7, 2018. BUILT TO REMEMBER: THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUMS OF TODAY AND TOMORROW presents a sampling of Holocaust museums from around the world, exploring the various narratives and stories. Relating these Holocaust events back to the present and future, this exhibit considers the generations of students learning about the Holocaust by visits to these institutions. J. Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre (750 Spadina Ave., 416-924-6211). Until Wednesday. CHRISTIAN DIOR The House of Christian Dior is celebrating its 70th anniversary. This exhibit features more than 100 objects and reasons why its designs earned global attention and revived the Paris haute couture industry. Presented by Holt Renfrew. Drawn from the ROM’s collection from 1947 to 1957. Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen’s Park, 416-5868000). Saturday until March 18, 2018. EARTHLINGS is a group show of otherworldly, surreal and magical ceramic sculpture and works on paper, from artists with distinct cultural and geographical positions (from Kangiqliniq/Rankin Inlet, Kinngait/Cape Dorset, Qamani’tuaq/ Baker Lake and Toronto). Doris McCarthy Gallery UTSC (1265 Military Trail, 416-287-7007). Until Jan. 27, 2018. FLORINE STETTHEIMER: PAINTING POETRY includes paintings that are playful and psychologically complex. Florine Stettheimer is an early 20th-century artist (1871-1944), known as a painter, poet, designer and feminist. Don’t miss the series of Stettheimer-inspired performances today from 3-4:30 p.m. (included with admission) or the drawing and writing workshop Friday from 6-8:30 p.m. (tickets $45, bring your own supplies and register first). Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648). Until Jan. 28, 2018. GUILLERMO DEL TORO: AT HOME WITH MONSTERS From the fantastic to the frightful, don’t miss this glimpse into the world of filmmaker Guillermo del Toro or the Inspiration Is A Monster talks. There’s one Monday at 7 p.m. for $30 with Diamanda Galás (she’s performing a concert at the Danforth Music Hall the night before) as well as Wednesday at 7 p.m. with Goosebumps author R.L. Stine (also $30). Art Gallery Of Ontario (317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648). Until Jan. 7, 2018. HOT SET ARTIST TALK AND PERFORMANCE by artists and former child actors Cotey Pope and Maddy Mathews. Enjoy some new standup comedy jokes, followed by a talk about the new installation Kitchen Set, finishing with an interactive reading of their script for an upcoming film project. Xpace Cultural Centre (303 Lansdowne Ave., Unit #2, 416-8492864). Today, 6-8 p.m. INUUQATIGIITSIARNIQ: EMBASSY OF IMAGINATION The title of this show translates in Inuktitut as “respecting others, relationships and caring for people” and is also one of the core Inuit societal values. A collaboration by Inuit youth from Kinngait (Cape Dorset, Nunavut) and PA System, this exhibit explores life of the North and all of the complexities that entails, including community care, kinship, solidarity and empathy. Theatre Centre (1115 Queen St. W., 416-5380988). Until Nov 30. KINDRED is a portrait exhibition using permanent processes, comprised by a large number of Quebec artists. Photographers were asked to submit a photo of someone in their community that they look up to. The result is a rich mix of influential people who have an impact on others in the community. Connections Gallery (1840 Danforth Ave., Connectionsgallery. wordpress.com). Until Nov 29. THE LIVING CITY: SUSTAINABILITY INSPIRED ART EXHIBIT includes works with themes of water, carbon, air quality, biodiversity, land use, waste and collaboration. This is a partnership between local artists and the Living City Report Card (a progress report on environmental sustainability in Toronto). Launch party tonight 6:30-8:30 p.m. if you scooped up the free registered tickets. Evergreen Brick Works (550 Bayview Ave., 416-596-1495). Until Dec. 31.