


NYA Colours
NYA Colours
Six feet apart, but more together than ever!
North York got a pop of colour in August 2020 when local artist Jieun June Kim (@junekima.rt) transformed Mel Lastman Square’s amphitheatre with her vibrant artwork. Jieun used spray chalk with custom stencils to mark safe seating areas and bring beautiful rainbow colours to the square.
We hope you had a chance to see the #NYAColours social distancing artwork.Check out this video for a fun behind-the-scenes glimpse of the project.
Thanks to our partners at Art of Festivals and Cinematoscape for helping to make this posssible!


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
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Toronto Mycelial Network
Toronto Mycelial Network
#InvisibleNetworkTO
An art project to participate in at home
Follow along here: @torontomycelialnetwork

The Toronto Mycelial Network is a city-wide art project to remind us that while we are physically distant – we remain connected as individuals, as communities, and as a city!
We invite all Torontonians to spend this time making any interpretation of a mushroom and post it on social media using the hashtag #InvisibleNetworkTO and tagging @torontomycelialnetwork.
Why a mushroom? Mushrooms can be a great distance apart but are connected to the same invisible network. So, like a mushroom, let’s connect while we remain physically apart!
See below for more information on the Mycelial Network and how to participate.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
- Make a mushroom of any size, shape, or dimension! If you want, document your process!
- Post on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter with the hashtag #InvisibleNetworkTO and tag @torontomycelialnetwork
- Follow @torontomycelialnetwork to watch the invisible network grow!
- Sign up for our NYA Newsletter to be notified about more Toronto Mycelial Network-related news.
What is a Mycelial Network?
“Underneath the soil a vast and interconnected network of life that links the trees and other plants through their root system. This network is made up of fungi (mushrooms) with massive and far-reaching threads called Mycelium”
Want to learn more? Check out the 3 minute video:
How should I make my mushroom?
Mushrooms can be made from anything you’d like! It can be made from felt, papier-mache, origami or whatever art supplies (or non-art supplies!) you find in your cupboards. This is a chance to channel your creativity!
How do I share my mushroom?
Share your mushrooms on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #InvisibleNetworkTO
and tag @torontomycelialnetwork It’s that simple!
Don’t have social media? Send your mushroom by email to info@northyorkarts.org – please include your name.
Check out the NYA staff creations!
The Toronto Mycelial Network was created and initiated by East End Arts, and has been supported by our family of LASOs to expand and grow the network to all corners of Toronto! Members from any community in the city of Toronto and beyond are invited to join all of us in making a mushroom at home, and being connected in times of social distancing. the other LASOs: North York Arts, Arts Etobicoke, Lakeshore Arts, Scarborough Arts and Urban Arts.
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
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Northbound: Who is Lady York, Anyway?


Who is Lady York, Anyway?
By: Alessandra Pozzuoli
Who is Lady York, Anyway? is a multi-media exhibition that uses Lady York Foods (an 60 year old Italian grocery store in North York) as a focal point to discuss larger daily rituals surrounding family, the individual, consumerism, food, and home in Italian culture. Alessandra uses the grocery store to analyze the long history of Italian immigration to Toronto, and namely, how different generations come to understand each other.
About the Artist
Alessandra Pozzuoli is an interdisciplinary artist. As a Canadian of Italian heritage, her work is influenced by notions of ethnic identity, gender, rituals stemming from popular religion, folk culture, and the importance of grandmothers. Through repetitious work using paint, stencils, fabric, and found materials, Pozzuoli creates patterned scenes and curated collections that disrupt perceptions of sacred and secular within the context of the (Italian Catholic) home.
Date: February 27 – April 14
ART ALLEY WILL BE CLOSED MARCH 8 AND 9
Time: Tuesday to Friday 1pm to 6pm
Place: Toronto Centre for the Arts, Art Alley
Address: 5040 Yonge St. North York, ON
Program Partners
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
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Northbound: Patria Potestas


Patria Potestas
by: Michelle Peraza
Patria Potestas a series of portrait paintings of the men in Michelle’s father’s family from Costa Rica. The work reflects family lineage, hierarchy, succession, authoritative heads of family, and Latino male identity and ethos. Through painting the complexities and subtleties of skin of her family, Michelle hopes the viewer can see the uniqueness of the Latino as interestingly varied in appearances because of history; a consideration often ignored.
About the Artist
Date: March 28 – April 14
Opening Reception: March 28
THE GALLERY WILL BE CLOSED APRIL 2 AND APRIL 12
Opening Reception: 6pm – 9pm
Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Friday 1pm to 6pm
Program Partners
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
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Legacy Collective Art Exhibition and Craft Sale

Legacy Collective: Art Exhibition and Craft Sale
See the Legacy Collective’s amazing work at their spring exhibition, and purchase a piece of your own at their craft sale!
Also be sure to join the group members for a free drawing class on April 7th.
About Legacy Collective:
Legacy Collective is a North York-based senior engagement initiative. Partnered with North York Arts and supported by the Government of Ontario, the group celebrates creativity and wisdom through peer-to-peer learning, storytelling, and art-making. The members, which are made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds and languages, participate in activities that seek to break down barriers of social isolation and depression by using the arts as a tool to foster a network of community support. Legacy Collective is part of North York Art’s creative leaders program.
Exhibition Dates: April 5 – 21, 2019
Craft Sale Date: April 7th | 10 am to 3pm
Drawing Class: April 7th | 1pm to 2:30pm
Exhibition Hours:
April 5 | 10am-3:30pm
April 6 | closed
April 7 – 9| 10am – 5pm
April 10 and 11| 10am-7pm
April 12 |10am-3:30pm

Northbound: KIN Collective


Constructing Liminal Space
by: KIN Collective
In Constructing Liminal Space, KIN portrays the personal dilemma of being an immigrant and the impact of relocation on individual identity. Jieun and Marina’s immigration experiences have forced them to straddle the boundary between their homes in Korea and Russia (respectively), and their new home in Canada. Their work reflects the duality of the “in-between” space where their identities collide such as realities and dreams, and past and present life.
An opening reception for Constructing will be held at the Toronto Centre for the Arts on April 25, and is FREE to the public with RSVP, in the link below.
KIN Collective will also be hosting a FREE family-friendly collaborative art installation, “The Place of Belonging,” on May 4.
About the Collective
KIN is an emerging collective that explores the dual identity of immigrants in Canada. Members Jieun June Kim and Marina Nazarova create artwork that explores unusual perspectives and abstract spaces. They invite audiences to observe the subtle alterations from familiar to unknown and to experience the shifts and uncertainties of immigrant life.
Date: April 25 – May 13
Opening Reception: April 25
Opening Reception: 6pm – 9pm
Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Friday 1pm to 6pm
Thursday, May 2 the Gallery will be open until 8pm
Place: Toronto Centre for the Arts, Lower Gallery
Address: 5040 Yonge St. North York, ON
Email: info@northyorkarts.org
Price: Free
Program Partners
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
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Northbound: Ace and In Your Face


Ace and In Your Face
by: Mika Babineau
Mika’s series Ace and In Your Face focuses on different aspects of asexuality such as coming out, belonging in the LGBTQ+ community, visibility, representation, snide comments, love, as well as self doubt and acceptance. Each of these topics is explored through self portraits. Mika’s goal is to inform the public about asexuality as well as to give a voice to those who go unheard and let them know that they are not alone.
About the Artist
RSVP to opening reception July 4 6-9pm:
Time: Tuesday – Friday 1-6pm
Place: Toronto Centre for the Arts, Art Alley
Program Partners
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
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Northbound: Shahnameh (The Epics of Iranian Kings)


Shahnameh (The Epics of Iranian Kings), a Dialogue with Persian Youth
By: Banafsheh Erfanian
The exhibition is based on Shahnameh, “The Book of Kings,” an epic poem written by Persian poet Ferdowsi between 977 and 1010 CE. The poem tells the mythical and historical past of the Persian Empire – from the creation of the world until the Islamic conquest of Persia. Banafsheh illustrated this book to showcase Persian art and culture while speaking to diverse and contemporary audiences. She hopes to give Persian youth a better understanding of their history through art.
About the Artist
RSVP to opening reception July 4 6-9pm:
Date: July 3 – July 17
Opening Reception: July 4, 6-9pm
Gallery Hours : Tuesday to Friday 1pm to 6pm
Thursday, July 11th: open until 8pm
Saturday, July 13th: open from 1:30pm to 5pm
THE GALLERY WILL CLOSE AT 5PM ON JULY 9TH
Place: Toronto Centre for the Arts, Lower Gallery
Program Partners
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
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Northbound: A Quiet Mind II


A Quiet Mind II
by: Emma Lau
A Quiet Mind II showcases Lau’s paintings from the past few years, all of which embody the artist’s meditation experience. In 2010, Lau received tutelage from Buddhist meditation masters who taught her how to meditate at a deep level. All subsequent artwork she has created explores translating her meditation practice into fine art. Art-making occurs immediately following meditation practice, and there are marked shifts in decision-making that occur after the act of meditation.
About the Artist
Emma Lau was born in 1979 and has lived in London (UK), Hong Kong, and, in 2016, relocated to Toronto. Lau worked as an art educator for 14 years and has exhibited her artwork around the world. Her artwork explores her meditation practice; specifically, how to visually convey meditation through fine art. She is influenced by Eastern philosophy, although does not subscribe to any specific religion.
Date: Aug 14 – Aug 29
Opening reception: Aug 15, 6pm – 9pm
Gallery hours: Tuesday to Friday 1-6pm
Extended gallery hours: Aug 22 5pm-8pm and Aug 24 1:30pm-5pm
Place: Toronto Centre for the Arts, Lower Gallery
Program Partners
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
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm