REVEALING THE RAM: GIFT SHOP REVIEW

Beyond Tradition | Elizabeth Cytko

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The Royal Alberta Museum is in the foreground with Edmonton City Hall to the left.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

Welcome to a special holiday edition, Alberta style!

This Christmas break I had the privilege of returning home to Edmonton and finally getting to visit the newly opened Royal Alberta Museum (RAM). While this is technically a gift shop review, I do want to briefly touch upon the museum itself. The audience of the RAM is made by Albertans for Albertans, with the assumption that the audience will visit the other major museums within the province. The new location is ideally placed downtown next to other major tourist attractions such as the Art Gallery of Alberta, City Hall, and the Stanley A. Milner library.

Historic shoes are presented as part of the shoe cubbies for children.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

I was very impressed with how the RAM incorporates Alberta identity throughout the institution. For example, the Children's Gallery features science alongside everyday prairie life, where through various activities, they can learn about where they live.

First Nations are front and center in the Human History Hall. There are iPads that tell stories which change with the seasons in respect to cultural tradition. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

What I was particularly impressed by was the Human History Hall. Entering the space, the visitor is greeted with large beautiful landscape images of the province. One of the first things a visitor sees is a sacred buffalo rock. What excited me the most is how the First Nations are incorporated throughout the entire gallery, laced together with settler history, where the various peoples of Alberta grow and thrive together. I spent most of my time in this gallery looking at all the cool historic artifacts; my favourite part was the old post from Fort Edmonton!

A post from Fort Edmonton is featured. Behind there is a flying canoe, detailing the early history of the city as a trading fort.
I suggest you visit this museum post-haste! :) Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

If you get the chance to visit the museum, I strongly recommend it, you won’t be disappointed.

Loved the word play of these coffee names.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

I am also going to give a special mention to the Café, which is right beside the gift shop. The Café is consistent in keeping their products themed with the RAM such as Bison and Alberta craft beer chili with fry bread to the Albertosaurus cheeseburger. They even have their own specialty coffee. I ended up buying Rocky Mountain High, which is a nice light bodied medium coffee. These coffee blends are exclusive to the RAM. Seeing this had me excited to see what the gift shop has to offer.

A large entryway into the shop accommodates mobility devices.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

Entering the wide aisles of the shop, it was obvious to me that there was some thought put into accessibility. One of the downsides is that there were tall shelves, so someone in a wheelchair or using another mobility aid may not be able to reach those items. However, there were quite a few attendants in the store, so if there was need, help would easily be provided. I loved the friendly and welcoming colour scheme in the shop.

Amazing handcrafted jewellery. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

The age demographic of the store is all ages. There were products to please everyone, from the smallest baby to the ritziest of grandmas. When it comes to affordability, there were things with a lower price point (so poor students like me can buy things), ranging to high quality products with a higher price point (for future successful non-student me to buy).

It took every inch of willpower not to buy this book.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

A warning to parents: If you appear here with your kid, you will spend money.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

The children’s selection includes locally themed picture books, stuffed animals, science sets, cool rocks, and other items that will be sure to thrill any child.

Edmonton is known for their magpies. If you are lucky you might be able to see a 'ghost' magpie - where the black colouring is grey! I once saw one and it was amazing. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

How cute are these tiny Alberta pins? Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

Items are neatly displayed in the gift shop. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

Nice to see some local civic pride. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

What got my attention is the emphasis on local artists. It was refreshing to walk around the store and see various Alberta themed items, from hats, to bumper stickers, and postcards.  Since this museum is based in Edmonton, there were also quite a few Edmonton themed items. Recently Edmonton has undergone a civic identity renaissance, with local artists producing amazing locally themed items, such as a patch with the ever present magpie or pins shaped like the province.

For all your tiny Mammoth needs. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

Show your love for the RAM by wearing this snuggly hoodie. Sock monkey not included.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

There were also specific RAM themed items, most of them featuring the Mammoth Mascot Moe.

A fun sticker! Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

Overall, the gift shop was chock-full of fun stuff relevant to the museum's mandate. The gift shop products show that the RAM's audience is diverse and values supporting local.

I rate this museum gift shop 4.5/5 with the .5 taken off for accessibility concerns.

MAKING THE MUSEUM: AT THE MCCORD GIFT SHOP

Beyond Tradition | Elizabeth Cytko

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Today we are stepping out of Toronto to take a trip over to Montreal.

A sign outside of the museum advertises the shop.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

The McCord Museum sits on the edge of McGill campus, in the bustling heart of the city. The vision of the museum is to promote Montreal's social history of the past and present.

A display case exhibits some of the local goods to be found inside.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

The gift shop is located near the front entrance of the museum with attractive display cases which summons the eager visitor inside.

A small sampling of their book selection.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

The overall layout of the store is compact. It is a well-lit space with shelves and tables full of goodies which draw the eye in all directions. The store is laid out by theme, with a section on Expo 67, another on local Montreal art, another on Canada books, and another on special and permanent exhibition themed items. It has a corner full of books about the history of Canada and Montreal. There is a diverse array of books suited to readers of all levels. I was heartened to see the graphic novel Louis Riel by Chester Brown included amongst them.

The tongue in cheek references to eternal construction is embraced in these local items.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

Browsing the products, it was pleasant to see how local artists are included. It gives the shop a unique identity, where not only the museum’s collection is promoted, but the items act as a conduit for the living city. They are an entry point for the traveling tourist to get a taste of the talent and interests of the place. Local products include pencil cases, jewelry, art prints, and other items that have a local flavour.

This soap cheekily comments on Quebec language laws
which tried to outlaw the Montreal 'Bonjour Hi' greeting in shops.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

I was impressed by the hand crafted products included. I got a kick out of the Mile End Soap by Saved by the Box, which had cleverly named soaps relating to current political issues.

A mixture of local places and the collection pieces viewed on various products.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

A super cool aspect is that the online shop has something called “Design Your Own Product.” This is where you can browse the online collections of the museum and select which image you want on a mug, shirt, or print! Instead of hoping that your favourite photo will be on something, you can make your dream a reality. They also do online shopping, where they have their special exhibition items under a separate tab so you can find them immediately. The webshop only has a few of the products that are contained in the store so I recommend that you visit the physical shop.

Some items featuring the current special exhibition.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

A major draw back of the shop was physical navigation. It was designed without accessibility in mind, which means persons who use accessibility devices may have issues navigating the space. When I talked to the staff member on duty, they told me that they are aware of this issue and that they are working to finding a solution to it. The museum works hard to reach out to all communities so the gift shop wants to be able to also accommodate them to have a full experience.

Overall the store was pleasant to browse, with pleasant helpful staff. The stock was diverse enough to cater to adults and children alike.

I rate the museum a 4/5 with a point removed for lack of accessibility.

My rating scale is included in this post.

CRACKING CERAMICS AT THE GARDINER GIFT SHOP

Beyond Tradition | Elizabeth Cytko

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Front view of the Gardiner Museum.
Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

The Gardiner Museum is a smaller museum dedicated to ceramics. Entering the museum, the main part of the gift shop is to the left. Another part of the shop spills out into the lobby, a glass case featuring larger works of pottery which do not fit on the smaller gift shop shelves. The main aisle is wide and easily accessible within the store, except there is a smallish corner where there could be some issues if using a larger mobility device. The atmosphere is a relaxed browse, with an attendant nearby to help if necessary. The lighting is interesting because a lot of it is focused upon the objects themselves, where each piece is literally shown in the best light possible. How the objects are arranged also indicated there is care in representation. The gift shop works with the local community, such as the Toronto Potters, to promote high end ceramics.

The main part of the gift shop.
Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

The ceramics range from mugs, Christmas decorations, and wall pieces, to larger more abstract pieces. Due to copyright, I was unable to take photos of the various amazing ceramic pieces in the store; however if interested you can visit the online store which does contain images. The price range for the ceramics usually starts at $15 - $1000+ depending on what you are buying.

One of a kind tea towels.
Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

The few non-ceramic items include handmade jewelry, a few books, houseware, the ever-present kitschy wine pourer, and other smaller items like postcards. One of my favourite discoveries is the special edition tea towels featuring designs from their own collection. This meant that this specific series could only be found at the gift shop, a unique item which serves as a direct reminder of a visit to the museum.

Books relevant to the special exhibition.
Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

When it comes to special exhibition items, there are some ceramic pieces from Yoko Ono,who had an exhibition there earlier this year. For the Gardiner’s current exhibition, Obsession, the shop has a guide book describing the history of the collection as well as books on Japanese ceramics for people who desire  more information than what the exhibition provides.

Large sale case in the main museum lobby.
Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

The gift shop is a wonderful microcosm of the museum itself. This is the section where you, as a visitor, can finally purchase a fine pottery piece for your own collection. The range of items and price within the shop indicates that the main clientele of the museum are adults who value unique quality over generic quantities. While the Gardiner does host some excellent programming for families and children, the gift shop overall is not catered to lower age demographics.

Overall, I would rate the gift shop 4/5, taking a point off in regards to the minor accessibility issues.

If you are curious about my rating guide please refer to this post.

SHOPPING THE MUSEUM

Beyond Tradition | Elizabeth Cytko

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Attractive display cases full of goodies.
Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

Often the gift shop is not at the top of mind when thinking of must-see items when visiting a museum. Usually the draw is dinosaurs, mummies, out of this world art or any other amazing items contained within the hallowed walls. I have discovered that if you want to know what the museum prioritizes in its collection, check out the gift shop. My special interest in museum gift shops grew over time after numerous frustrating experiences; seeking out the perfect purchasable item resulted  in me coming across generic tourist gimcrack. Museum gift shops ideally are a continuation of the collection, but in take-home form.

Generic Tourist Gimcrack – poorly made items found in every tourist shop with no true focus in advertising the collection or building upon the mandate of the museum.

ROM Boutique sign displaying when they are open.
Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

In considering what I thought was a good gift shop, I made my own personal rubric. Scores are out of five stars and cover the basics.

Gift Shop Rating Guide

5/5 Stars

· Includes all the main pieces + unique items you can only find at the store
· Has special exhibition goodies
· Value for money
· Good lighting
· Easy accessibility
· Relaxed place to browse

 

4/5 stars

· Has main pieces and maybe a few others
· Has some special exhibition goodies
· Fairly priced
· Good lighting
· Easy accessibility
· Relaxed place to browse

 

3/5 Stars

· Has some of the main pieces, not a diverse choice
· Might have some special exhibition goodies
· Increase in generic tourist gimcrack
· Questionable pricing
· Normal lighting
· OK accessibility

 

2/5 Stars

· Basic blockbuster items represented
· No special exhibition items
· Increase in generic tourist gimcrack
· Borderline fairly priced
· Bad lighting
· Tight corners, not easily accessible
· Escape is foremost on the mind

 

1/5 Stars

· Might have one or two postcards of the biggest draws
· No special exhibition items
· Overwhelmingly generic tourist gimcrack
· Bad pricing
· Terrible lighting 
· Terrible accessibility
· Gift shop last place anyone wants to be

A young child explores the exciting treasures laid out at her height.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

With this in mind, I set off to investigate the gift shop that lurks right by my front step – The Royal Ontario Museum! This entrance hit me over the head with the museums largest draw – dinosaurs! Overwhelmingly this shop is dedicated to the cult of the dinosaur. Adults and kids alike can fulfill their paleontologist (or perhaps Jeff Goldblum?) dreams and purchase many dinosaur-themed goods.

A shopper walks down the wide brightly lit aisles contemplating future purchases.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

The shop has a savvy design with wide aisles for easy access and low tables that beckon moth-like kids to their lamp-like goodies. As I turned the corner ahead,  I saw a see-through magical cave full of jewelry. I myself was tempted by a necklace that featured ancient Roman glass as the pendant, but immense willpower (and student debt) allowed me to pull away just in time. Much like the museum itself, the store is neatly sectioned out into themed displays dedicated to their various galleries, which is full of items that are relevant to their collection.

Book display of Modernism on the GangesPhoto courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

It is very apparent that the ROM has put much thought into the gift shop items and their display.
As mentioned in Kathleen Lew’s article, the exhibit Modernism on the Ganges is controversial  due to the artist Singh allegedly raping Jaishri Abichandani. In the gift shop, artfully displayed beside the book for Modernism are two other books, addressing ethics within museums, giving a strong voice to the difficulties facing institutions today. There is acknowledgement that while the solution may not be perfect, there are clearly efforts being made in acknowledging the conversation occurring.

Hello Kitty Mug and Keychain from the ROM.
Unfortunately most of this series seems to have sold out.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

One of the greatest geniuses of the ROM gift shop is the specially branded ROM merchandise which can only be bought there. There are fancy chocolate bars, shirts, mugs, and my favourite crossover – an entire paleontology line featuring Hello Kitty.

A display in the Spider gift shop.
Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

An interesting move by the ROM is that in the main gift shop there were no spider themed items for the temporary exhibition. When I asked, I was told there was a gift shop downstairs dedicated to that one exhibit. I visited Spiders (very good, strongly recommend), and at the very end of it there the mini gift shop lay – a small oasis of consumerism. This too had kid-friendly items, sure to inspire and catch the attention of spider loving children.

Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

Overall I found the experience enjoyable, with lots of exciting things to peruse. There are items for every age group with a very large variety. The entrance facing Bloor is currently under construction, so I look forward to see how this gift shop will continue to grow along with the rest of the museum.

 I rate the ROM a 5/5.