&co 2024 – Summer at North York Arts

&co 2024 – Summer at North York Arts

Introducing &co! A summer series of art activations bringing the creativity of North York artists to existing public programming. We bring NYA flare, everywhere. 

Catch us in the community to meet new local North York artists, participate in fun arts activities, and get to know your local neighbourhood arts organization!

Scroll below to see where we’ll be this summer!

Do you have an event you’d love to add an arts activity to? Reach out to jay-marie@northyorkarts.org to see if we might be a good fit.

 

&co and the 6 north york wards

See you soon!

Click on each event to learn more

 

   Willowdale Concert Series 

    Don’t Mess With the Don

    Play on the Runway

Willowdale Concert Series – Instrument Petting Zoo

July 18 – 5pm to 7pm

Lee Lifeson Park 

North York Arts
Stop by the NYA tent to test your talents with our instruments including a djembe drum, steel pan, electric guitar, and more! 

Willowdale Concerts in the Park – willowdalecentral.org/concert-series-2024
Back by popular demand, the Willowdale Concerts in the Park Series features live style performances where emerging and established Canadian artists showcase their talent. Come join us every Thursday evening (7-9pm for the months of June & July) at the Lee Lifeson Art Park, for a free outdoor concert.

Pre-concert park activities happening from 5-7pm.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and take in the show or have a seat at the Amphitheatre. These outdoor events are a great opportunity to enjoy the park as it was meant to be!

willowdale concerts in the park

Meet your Artists – Jay-Marie Phillips and Declan David

Born in Scarborough, Raised in Trinidad, Jay-Marie Phillips is a community programmer, event organizer and producer living in North York, working extensively in collaboration with others to create more diverse spaces through inclusive programming. Outside of her artistic contributions, she works with vulnerable sector youth as part of the Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Network In the Dundas West Neighbourhood.

Declan David is an Afro-Caribbean-Canadian visual artist specializing in animation, illustration, and painting. He graduated from OCAD in 2023 with a BFA in Fine Art, focusing on digital painting and expanded animation. He has a background in event planning working with various university of Toronto affiliated organizations. He is super excited to be able to share his skills with the arts community here at North York arts.

Don’t Mess with the Don – Saturdays at the Container

July 27 – 10am – 1pm

11 Redway Road 

North York Arts
Stay tuned for exciting programming!

Saturdays at the Container – dontmesswiththedon.ca/saturdays-at-the-container
Every second Saturday, Don’t Mess with the Don hosts kids and families for Arts & Crafts, a history/nature walk through the Don Valley and our stewardship site, and a free BBQ for all. Everyone will have an opportunity to be creative, doing easy and fun art projects related to the Don Valley. Decorate real birdhouses you can take home or paint your very own butterfly for your pollinator garden.

Led by a teacher and creative volunteers with everything provided, this is a great way to spend your Saturdays. If you missed a craft we always have extras from previous weeks and all the paint, markers, tissue paper, etc. to decorate. The crafts have a learning component and each project is tied to a specific aspect of the Don Valley.

Held at our Container Hub, 11 Redway Road, there is no cost and drop-ins are welcome.

dont mess with the don

Stay tuned to Meet your Artist!

Play on the Runway

Aug 17 & 18  

3 Hanover Road 

North York Arts
Stay tuned for exciting arts programming!

Play on the Runway – northcrestdev.ca/whats-on
You asked, and we answered! Play on the Runway is returning this year, and this time, it promises to be better than ever. Stay tuned for more! 

Life is a Journey promo graphic

Stay tuned to Meet your Artists!

The Slaight Family Foundation

About Us

North York Arts (NYA)  collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities

Contact us 

North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8

info@northyorkarts.org

647-477-6059

Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Join Our Network

Hangar Skate

Hangar Skate

Hangar Skate – March Break Programming

Hangar Skate is returning for weekends this winter!

Join Northcrest and North York Arts for this free outdoor ice skating in the soon-to-be reimagined Hangar District and skate right outside the expansive 80,000-square-foot airplane hangar.

This year, we’re offering more programming for the community to enjoy. Whether you’re a music-lover planning a unique date night, a beginner keen to find a new hobby, or a parent searching for kid-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone. 

No skates? No problem. Skates are available for rental again this year: $5 for adults and free for children under 12 years old. We look forward to seeing you on the ice!

The Hangar District in Downsview

Across from 95 Garratt Blvd

From January 19 – March 17, there will be open skating on Saturdays and Sundays:

    • 2pm – 5pm (free skating lessons available, details below)
    • 6pm – 9pm (with an immersive light show on the ice in front of airplane Hangars)

    New to skating? H2 OM (formerly Your Peak Performance) is offering free learn to skate programs for all ages on the ice. The two instructors will be on the ice, on Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm – 5pm.

    In collaboration with JustBGraphic and supported by VIBE FM, enjoy Friday DJ Skate Nights under a musical light show from 6pm – 9pm on:

    • January 19 and 26
    • February 2, 9, 16, 23
    • March 1, 8, 15

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the event located and how do I get there by car or transit? Is there Parking available?
From Wilson Station: Board the 118 bus towards Thistle Down via Tandridge. Get off when you get to Wilson Ave at Garratt Blvd. From the bus stop, head east on Wilson Ave toward Thistle Down Blvd. You’ll need to walk for about 11 minutes (approximately 800 meters).
 
Do I need to bring anything to participate?
Skates are available to rent for $5, while supplies last. To avoid the potential wait, we recommend bringing your own skates and helmets.
 
Will there be food available for purchase?
This year, there will be a food truck onsite selling hot and cold beverages as well as light snacks. Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks, but note that food and drinks are not permitted on the ice.
 
Are there helmets available to rent?
A limited amount of helmets will be available for rent, while supplies last. Please note that children under the age of 12 are required to wear a CSA-approved helmet while on the ice, and must be supervised by an adult. We recommend you bring your own.
 
Will there be washrooms available?
Yes. Portable washrooms will be available on-site.
 
Will there be lockers available to rent?
Lockers will not be provided. We recommend bringing only what you need to the event. Please note that the organizers are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
 
How can I get in touch with the event organizers?
Please direct your questions, suggestions, comments or concerns to events@northcrestdev.ca

Meet the Artists

Orfe EcoArt

March 11 - Snow Elves

Meet Orfe!

Snow Elf

In this eco-friendly activity, we will create a snow elf doll using cardboard and paper. This beginner-friendly craft doll will keep us company as we skate together and welcome in the spring! 

Date & Time
Mon. March 11 @ 1:00PM-4:00PM

Artist Bio
I am an environmental artist and creator/facilitator of an eco-friendly community art program for children, Orfe EcoArt Program. My passion for art, environmentalism, and community engagement, along with my art education experience with the TCDSB and the TDSB, have strengthened my motivation to engage young people in protecting the earth through participatory community arts.

Orfe EcoArt Program is a social enterprise that aims to stimulate creativity and environmental responsibility in children and youth through its ecological art program, understanding that a creative mind and responsible attitude are key to becoming an active member of society and contributing to the health and safety of one’s community.

  • Instagram @orfeecoart
  • Website www.orfeart.com
Nailah Renuka

March 12 - Juggling 101

Meet Nailah!

Juggling 101 with Nailah

Discover the art of juggling in our Juggling 101 activity! Learn basic tosses, catches, and tricks, and take some home for you to practice. Develop coordination and balance while enjoying the thrill of mastering this timeless skill. Suitable for all skill levels, ages, and guaranteed to add a dash of excitement to your day!

Date & Time
Tue. March 12 @ 1:00PM-4:00PM

Artist Bio
Nailah Renuka (she/they) is an accomplished circus artist renowned for her dynamic performances in contortion, hand-balancing, acrobatics, Lyra, and pole, and a former dancer with Ailey II. Alongside her movement practice, Nailah is committed to inclusive teaching, drawing on eleven years of experience as a dance, gymnastics, and circus coach to provide accessible training for enthusiasts of all ages, experience levels, and backgrounds.

DasMingle

March 13 - Felt Flowers in Bloom

Meet DasMingle!

Felt Flowers In Bloom

Follow templates to construct felt flowers based on North York’s local flora or create your own beautiful felt flowers that speak to who you are

Date & Time
Wed. March 13 @ 1:00PM-4:00PM

Artist Bio
Dasmingle (Mindy) is an emerging Vietnamese-Canadian visual artist who is a lover of wacky doodles and causing creative chaos with her illustrations. Equipped with markers, fine liners and a reliable mechanical pencil, the sky’s the limit with these ideas. By mixing together bright and lively colours with whimsical line art and characters, she hopes to highlight that art can be an important source of healing, storytelling and fun.

Afsaneh

March 14 - Spring Ambassadors

Meet Afsaneh

Spring Ambassadors
Spring Ambassadors is a lively and fun workshop for skaters to create a headpiece with accessible and recyclable materials. Since March is the beginning of spring, they will decorate the prepared base of the headpiece to represent spring, and then they will have the chance to skate with their Spring headpiece as Spring Ambassadors.

Date & Time
Thu. March 14 @ 1:00PM-4:00PM

Artist Bio
Afsaneh is a puppeteer, theatre director and performer who has created numerous interactive theatre and puppetry works, focusing on rituals and folk stories. She has performed at international festivals across Asia and Europe. Since arriving in Canada, she has performed in the Tirgan festival, Concrete Cabaret, MABELLEarts, Iftar Nights, a puppet video series, Tirgan Kids Time, Jumblies; Ground for Goodness, and Old Man and the Rive”, Weefestival. She has also designed many puppetry and art therapy-based workshops for immigrants and asylum seekers.

Jasmine Vanstone

March 15 - Spring Impressions

Meet Jasmine

Spring Impressions
In this fun activity, you will etch spring motifs using printmaking techniques or use pre-designed lino blocks to create spring impressions on fabric squares for spring cleaning!  

Date & Time
Fri. March 15 @ 1:00PM-4:00PM

Artist Bio
Jasmine Vanstone is a Jamaican-Canadian multidisciplinary artist, facilitator and administrator with a passion to inspire, impact, and amplify marginalized voices through community engagement and arts education. Through her artistic practice, she experiments in various mediums -primarily collage, murals, and paper crafts- to share visual reflections of identity, wellness, and the natural environment. With vibrant lyrical abstraction and the power of mentorship, Jasmine has earned the JAYU Arts For Human Rights Award in 2022 and features her work across the city at exhibitions and events such as Nuit Blanche, Pearson Airport, Gardiner Museum, KUUMBA, DesignTO, and Finch TTC station.

In partnership with:

About Us

North York Arts (NYA)  collaborates with artists, arts organizations, and partners to develop, strengthen, and promote cultural programming and initiatives for North York communities

Contact us 

North York Arts
5040 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON, M2N 6R8

info@northyorkarts.org

647-477-6059

Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Join Our Network

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