Published twice a year, Ornamentum is the only magazine devoted to exploring the large spectrum of decorative arts, material culture and design in Canada. From furniture and furnishings, ceramics, glass, metalwork, graphics, and textiles through to aspects of architecture, industrial, interior and landscape design, the decorative arts encompass craft and the aesthetics of the everyday.

Within this expansive umbrella, Ornamentum provides a forum for discussion of the creative context and talent through which the decorative arts are born, and critically addresses the aesthetics and meanings of objects in terms of historic precedent, tradition and innovation.

Written for a broad readership and extensively illustrated, Ornamentum celebrates material culture in all its forms and expressions.

Ask for a copy of the magazine by name at a retailer, museum or gallery near you! 

The call for submissions for the John Fleming Award is now open.

To subscribe today or read sample articles:

ornamentum.ca

“[Ornamentum] explores the decorative arts beyond their static façade”

Current issue on the newsstands:

Spring/Summer 2025 (Until November 2025)

THE CRAFT OF CRAFT

The Spring/Summer 2025 issue highlights the training, processes, and circumstances of handicraft—the craft of craft. 

Articles explore how traditional crafts often emerge from necessity and evolve into cultural symbols—such as Canadian hooked rugs—and offer a rich look at how process shapes both objects and their makers. 

Ornamentum  Editorial Advisory Committee

Dr. Sarah Alford, Assistant Professor, Liberal Studies, University of Arts (Alberta) Chair

Maegen Black, Associate Dean - New Brunswick College of Craft & Design (New Brunswick)

Dr. Keith Bresnahan, Associate Professor - OCAD University (Ontario)

Janet Carlile, Independent appraiser (Ontario)

Dr. Janna Eggebeen, Editor - Ornamentum (Ontario)

Peter Flannery, Curator - The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery (Ontario)  

Janna Hiemstra, Executive Director - Craft Ontario (Ontario)

Dr. Michele Hardy, Curator - Nickle Galleries, University of Calgary (Alberta)

Dr. Julia Krueger, Registrar - SK Arts (Saskatchewan)

Guislaine Lemay, Curator, Material Culture - McCord Museum (Quebec)

John Leroux, Manager, of Collections & Exhibitions - Beaverbrook Art Gallery (New Brunswick)

José Niaison, Independent Arts Administrator (Ontario)

Julia Brucculieri, Online Editor - Ornamentum.ca (Ontario)

Dr. Laura Sanchini, Curator, Craft, Design & Popular Culture - Canadian Museum of History (Ontario)