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My Safe Place – Creative Minds

My Safe Place – Creative Minds

Creative Minds – My Safe Place

This mixed media painting workshop is called “My Safe Place”. In every session, participants start by learning how to make imaginary houses using basic perspective tricks.

Once they’ve got that down, they start painting the houses using watercolour/acrylic paints. Then, they add cool patterns and nature designs to their paintings with markers.

Picture this: colourful houses with cool designs and touches of nature, like flowers or trees. Each house becomes a unique story waiting to be told, turning a blank surface into a lively, imaginative safe place. It’s all about having a blast while creating your own special piece of art!

Dates: Tuesdays Mar 5, Mar 12, Mar 19, Mar 26, & Apr 2, Apr 9, Apr 16

Time: 5:30PM-7:00PM

Where: Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge Street, North York. The lobbies of Meridian Arts Centre are barrier free for patrons using wheelchairs or similar assistive devices, with the upper lobby accessible via elevators on the main floor. Accessible washrooms are located on all levels.

Price: Free

Due to overwhelming demand, registrations are now closed.  Thank you to all who have registered. Stay tuned for the next Creative Minds Workshop!

Program Lead: Yasaman Mehrsa

Yasaman Mehrsa is a Toronto-based visual artist with a focus on public art. Born and raised in Tehran/Iran, she was exposed to art from a young age. She completed her studies with a Bachelor of Visual Communication in Iran and later achieved a Bachelor with honours in Visual Arts from Canada. 

Yasaman’s work is illustrative in style with a focus on storytelling and exploring all facets of life and being human in a natural environment. Her work is often representative of awareness of the human-nature relationship. She uses both digital and traditional mediums.

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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

Creating through Curiosity – Creative Minds

Creating through Curiosity – Creative Minds

Creative Minds – Creating through Curiosity

This virtual workshop is an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and create from a place of curated curiosity. Whatever medium you wish to express yourself in (writing, painting, sketching, etc).

Sessions will be structured towards creating from curiosity – a conscious method towards unconscious points of inspiration. We’ll facilitate processes and share exercises that work against perfectionism, and towards encouraging a practice of honing and recognizing your artistic voice.

Through facilitated exercises and group sharings – participants will experience new tools, resources and tips tailored to their artistic practice. Join award winning artists Pierre Poussin and Jeff Ho as we dive into the messiness of artistic creation, and to the detailed process of revising. Join us each week as we create, laugh, share, and connect over the curiosities that spur us to create.

Dates: Tuesdays Feb 13th, Feb 20th, and Feb 27th 2024

Time: 5:30PM-7:30PM

Where: Online via Zoom. Please note that we will have closed captioning and transcriptions available to send to participants. 

Price: Free

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Program Leads: Pierre Poussin & Jeff Ho

Pierre Poussin (he/him) is a Mauritian-Canadian large-scale sculptor. His most recent work includes: Brick Obelisk, for The City of Toronto, Cascades, for The City of Ottawa, Esprit, for The City of Edmonton, and Ursa, for North American Development’s One Water Street Tower, Kelowna, British-Columbia. Over the past 15 years, he has worked with various clients including: The 2010 Winter Olympics Games, The City of Vancouver, Sheridan College, Princeton University, McMaster University, Nienkämper Furniture, Concord Adex Developments’ Panorama, Quartz & Lumen Condominiums, Pinnacle International Developments’ Uptown Mississauga Complex, Diamante Development’s Florian Tower.  Pierre studied Biochemistry (Ottawa University) and Furniture Design (Sheridan College).

Jeff Ho (he/him) is a theatre artist, originally from Hong Kong. As an actor, he has toured as Ophelia in Why Not Theatre’s Prince Hamlet across the country and the US over the last five years. As a playwright, his works include: cockroach, the LAMBDA Award winning and Governor General’s Literary Award Finalist Iphigenia and the Furies (on Taurian Land) and Antigone, and trace. You can find his plays published by Playwrights Canada Press. He is currently the Associate Artistic Director of Tarragon Theatre.

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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

Memoria: Photography and Digital Scrapbooking – Creative Minds

Memoria: Photography and Digital Scrapbooking – Creative Minds

Memoria: Photography and Digital Scrapbooking – Creative Minds

Memoria: Photography & Digital Scrapbooking is a virtual course happening via Zoom with Workman Arts and  North York Arts. Registration will be open during the duration of the course. Please note there is a 15-person limit on participants. 

What would it feel like to be nostalgic for our present, not just our past? Memoria is a beginner-friendly digital media program for those with no formal training in photography.

Participants learn referencing and the basics of dissecting art direction, and with journal prompts and discussion reflect on what themes resonate with them based on the images they are intuitively drawn to. Using this as a framework, participants will document elements of their environment via photos, videos, and/or soundscape recordings and leave with an assembled digital scrapbook memorializing a period of being.

Dates: Tuesdays Oct 17, 24, 31

Time: 6:00PM to 8:00PM

Where: Online via Zoom. Please note that we will have closed captioning and transcriptions available to send to participants. 

Price: Free

Due to overwhelming demand, registrations are now closed.  Thank you to all who have registered. Stay tuned for the next Creative Minds Workshop!

Program Lead: Pam Lau

Pam Lau is a photographer, director and educator. Recipient of the Applied Arts Young Blood Photography Award and named a photographer to watch in a 500px spotlight on Asian Heritage Month. Co-founder of Ecru; a grassroots educational initiative for those facing cultural, financial, and institutional barriers to entering creative industries. Past clients include PUMA, American Express, General Motors, Microsoft, Shopify, Refinery29. Ambassador for Canon Canada.

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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

Introduction to Needle Felting – Creative Minds

Introduction to Needle Felting – Creative Minds

Introduction to Needle Felting – Creative Minds

Introduction to Needle Felting is an in-person course happening at the Meridian Arts Centre in partnership with North York Arts and Workman Arts and TO Live. Registration will be open from Sept 11 to Oct 3, at which point accepted registrants will be contacted. Please note there is a 15-person limit of participants.

Felting is a process of mechanically bonding fibres to create garments and household objects that predates knitting. Through exploring felting together, we will discover ways to soothe the nervous system while learning the forgiving medium of fibre art. Kat encourages learners to connect to the materials they are using as well as each other, listen to their bodies, and approach creative challenges with curiosity and compassion.

In this class, you will:

– learn about felting tools, materials & safety practices for 2D and 3D design & embellishment
– harness focus, planning, and creative problem solving skills
– develop a soothing arts practice with repetitive hand movements and quiet tactile sounds.

Dates: Tuesdays Oct 10, 17, 24, 31 & Nov 7, 14, 21.

Time: 5:30pm to 7:00pm

Where: Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge Street, North York. The lobbies of Meridian Arts Centre are barrier free for patrons using wheelchairs or similar assistive devices, with the upper lobby accessible via elevators on the main floor. Accessible washrooms are located on all levels.

Price: Free

Due to overwhelming demand, registrations are now closed.  Thank you to all who have registered. Stay tuned for the next Creative Minds Workshop!

Program Lead: Kat Singer 

Kat Singer (they/them) is a multimedia artist and educator living and working in Toronto. They are passionate about social justice and equity, maker culture, and sustainability. They are a textile enthusiast with a passion for felting. For Kat, the softness of the material, the repetitive motion of the needle, and the gentle rhythmic sound this activity produces combine to induce a relaxed, mindful state.

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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

Dibaajimowin – Indigenous Storytelling Workshop

Dibaajimowin – Indigenous Storytelling Workshop

An image of the mural created in partnership with Lindsey Lickers, with 4 icons on the sides, and a translucent image of a strawberry heart and a willow tree.

Art Connects – Dibaajimowin

(Deh-bah-je-mo-win)

Dibaajimowin is an Indigenous Knowledge and Zine making workshop series where participants will have the opportunity to learn about the art of Indigenous Storytelling through various art forms, such as dance, visual arts and oral storytelling. Participants will get the chance to participate in a talking/sharing circle and have the opportunity to share stories through their art by creating a collective zine.  Over the course of  3 weeks, participants will have created a mixed media piece of artwork. Participants will be able to take home a copy of the collective Zine they created with their peers.

Audience:

Groups of 20 to 30 participants that meet in North York

*This workshop can be tailored to various age ranges as well as accommodate varying abilities. 

Delivery Method: Option of either an in person session or a  virtual session over zoom to accommodate accessibility needs

 

What will participants gain from this program:

  • Participants will gain knowledge about Global Indigenous histories, decolonization and the various contemporary art forms that are used today to transmit oral history.
  • Participants will also gain new knowledge of traditional Indigenous stories that are shared in many communities today
  • Participants will learn how to make their own Zine.

 

Art Connects is an ongoing initiative that started in 2019 to address North York Arts’ role in Truth and Reconciliation. As North York Arts builds programs, partnerships, and relationships, we continue to ask ourselves “As a non-Indigenous organization, what can we do to support the process of decolonization and build the right relations with Indigenous communities?”

Through the Art Connects program NYA has presented a series of workshops, art installations, talks and tours that aims to connect the local North York Community with both the environment and the history of the land that we live, work and play on. Our free public programs in 2023 will have a focus on environmentalism and building positive relationships with the Indigenous community.

To bring this workshop to your organization, email cecilia@northyorkarts.org.

Cara smiles at the camera in a pink dress on a white background.

Cara McArthur - Workshop Facilitator

Cara McArthur was born and raised in Downtown T’karonto. She is of Trinidadian, Nehiyawak (neh-HEE-oh-wuk), Nakoda descent and is an enrolled member of the White Bear First Nation on Treaty 4 territory. 

Cara is an Interdisciplinary Artist, Public Speaker,  Land Based Educator, Community Development & Engagement Specialist who is passionate about public art and its power to positively impact communities; She has also developed and facilitated traditional knowledge workshops and programming that is rooted in Indigenous Cosmology and Indiginization.

This workshop was designed by Cara for NYA during her tenure as NYA’s Indigenous Program Coordinator & Arts Facilitator. 

To learn more about Art Connects click here!
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The Animation Project

The Animation Project

The Animation Project for Seniors

Explore the art of storytelling through stop-motion animation!

North York Arts and the Toronto Animated Image Society have teamed up to present The Animation Project. Over the course of seven FREE workshop modules, participants ages 55+ will learn digital animation techniques, and uncover their own stories and creativity.

This program is a chance to connect with peers, channel your creative expression, and develop your digital literacy.

This is an incredible opportunity to delve into the world of animation, learn from expert facilitators, and connect with fellow animation enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned animator or just starting your journey, The Animation Project 2023 is the perfect platform for you to explore, learn, and create!

Individual Celebrations: We’re looking forward to celebrating your achievements at the end of each module. You’ll have the opportunity to watch your animated explorations and acknowledge the progress you’ve made. Join us for the final module,  with an in-person celebration to commemorate the end of the program.

Indigenous Elder Land Acknowledgement: We are honoured to commission an Indigenous Elder to record a meaningful land acknowledgement related to the art of storytelling. This will be an essential part of our program, fostering cultural appreciation and understanding.

Check out the final projects from our previous participants!

2023
2022
2021
2020

Meet your Instructor : Cristal Buemi

Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Canada, Cristal Buemi is a multimedia artist that holds a BA from Ryerson University and an MA from Bau, Design College of Barcelona. While multidisciplinary by nature, (animation, video, photography, collage and digital design), her work pushes frame-by-frame boundaries by exploring the materiality and inherent beauty found in the minutia.

For more information about Cristal visit her website: https://www.cristalbuemi.com/

 

Meet your Program Lead : Julian Carvajal

Julián Carvajal (he/him) is a Toronto-based award-winner creator & producer of experiences. This Queer Latinx Colombian Canadian Arts Manager/Producer has over 21 years of experience managing, curating and delivering arts festivals and cultural events. He is the Event Producer of the largest PanAmerican Food and Music Festival in Canada, Mentor in Residence at the Neighbourhood Arts Network while working at North York Arts, StreetARToronto and producing “In My Element(s) Symposia” for ArtWorkxTO.

Julián has collaborated with organizations and artists from 5 continents on multiple artistic projects. He has mentored over 400 self-identified artists for the past 10 years. He is passionate about building meaningful relationships; helping others to navigate the art sector in the city while collaborating with others to co-create an anti-oppressive and more diverse and inclusive vision of the art sector in Tkaronto.

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Around Art & Land

Around Art & Land

Around Art & Land

NYA is a proud partner of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art!

The year of Public Art has chosen the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action as the main theme for the next 10 years of art programs/exhibitions in the city. Western knowledge is based on an egocentric model while Indigenous peoples have the land as the epicentre of everything they do. After visiting Downsview Park and its hub, we realized that there are a lot of opportunities to connect to the land by curating a series of activations that will happen from April 2022 to October 2022.

We are delighted to present to you a series of intergenerational programs that respond to the needs of the Land to acknowledge it, celebrate it and also commit to it. We all as human beings play a role in the climate change crisis and as artists, we also need to be mindful of the waste we create while creating art.

North York Arts celebrates communities, artists inspire us and the land allows us to be able to share it with all! Every creation of the land is a piece of art itself, for that reason, we have called our core programs for ArtworxTO Around Art and Land.

image graphic for i-talks

We hope you can join us for any of the following programs:

   an icon of a spray can  We CAN do it

  an icon of a sketchbook   Around my Words

  an icon of two people dancing Let’s Dance!

  an icon of a branch with many leaves  What is Around is Alive

  an icon of a kite   Elevating my Dreams

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We CAN do it:

growing healthy relations with the land –

Community Interactive Art Installation

In this activation, participants will be invited to paint empty spray cans that will culminate in an exhibition taking place at the Downsview Hub.

In partnership with Juan Cajiao, participants will paint images on each spray can with the theme of environment in mind, and will consider ways to recycle and repurpose some of the daily objects around us that directly harm the environment. Each can will also have a message for Mother Earth and a personal commitment to the environment from each participant. 

Once all cans are painted and all messages are written, the empty spray cans will be exhibited in a tree formation at the Downsview Hub, where visitors will be encouraged to see the cans and to consider their own commitments and wishes for the environment. 

an icon of a spray can

Schedule

Painting Cans Activation
Saturday, July 9 from 10 am to 4 pm

Exhibition Launch
Thursday, August 11th from 5 pm to 6:30 pm

Exhibition Hours Thursday August 11th to Sunday October 2nd: 

Wednesday to Friday: 11 am to 7 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 12 pm to 5 pm

Location

Painting Cans: Downsview Hub – 70 Canuck Ave

Exhibition: Downsview Hub – 70 Canuck Ave

Meet your Artist:

Juan Cajiao

Born in Colombia, raised in the US and now living in Canada, Juan has been an artist from the day he was born. He grew up painting and drawing, took his passion to the next level by studying Industrial Design and Architecture, he then applied his creativity in the advertising world for many years, he then quit his corporate job to pursue his dream of being a stand up comedian.

Juan now has done over 500 shows in 12 countries and co-founded MalPensando, a bi-lingual comedy club and school that empowers people to become confident and funny speakers.

Parallel to his comedy business, Juan is also an artist who’s done commissioned work (paintings & drawings) that are currently exhibited in 5 countries. Juan also started a new art brand called @ArtedByJuan which aims to make any object (chairs, shows, jackets, teapots… anything) into a unique art piece.

Juan has a variety of workshops, from public speaking & comedy, to free-hand drawing & painting.

Juan will always combine art and comedy in everything he does.

Connect:

@juan_cajiao | @artedbyjuan | @malpensando

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Around my Words

During this activation, participants will have the opportunity to work in collaboration with spoken word poet Patrick Walters to create a series of poems around the theme of nature and their commitment to the land. Then they will collaborate with visual artist Paddy Leung to embed those poems into wooden crates. Participants will be provided with individual crates they can take home while collaborating on the creation of one of the installation components of the Community Interactive Art Exhibition, We CAN do it!

DATES

COHORT I

Spokenword Component led by Patrick Walters

● Tuesday, August 2, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
● Tuesday, August 9, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Visual Component led by Paddy Leung
● Wednesday, August 17, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
● Wednesday, August 24, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

COHORT II
Spokenword Component led by Patrick Walters
● Thursday, August 4, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
● Thursday, August 11, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Visual Component led by Paddy Leung
● Thursday, August 18, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
● Thursday, August 25, 2022 | 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Deadline to apply: Sunday, July 31st, 2022
Spots Available: 24 (12 participants per cohort)
Venue: Downsview Park (70 Canuck Ave.)

NOTE:
Lunch, snacks, and light refreshments will be provided.
Community and volunteer hours are also available upon request.
TTC will be available for participants.
Certifications of participation will be also given to participants.

For any questions or if you need assistance to fill out this application please email Julián Carvajal, julian@northyorkarts.org 

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Let’s Dance!

Get ready to move your body! During this program, Mafa Dance Village (@mafadancevillage.ca) and Capoeira Bamba Toronto, (@bamabtoronto)  will teach participants the basic fundamentals of South African Beats and Capoeira! These sessions will be fun, interactive, and high-energy as you’ll learn some new moves, kicks, and escapes to music.

While these workshops are open to all, some movements in the Capoeira workshop may be challenging to those with limited mobility.  This program is for ALL ages. 

an icon of two people dancing

Schedule

Sundays, May 15 & 22

11:00 am to 12:00 pm | South-African Beats

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | Capoeira Dance

Location

Downview Park Orchard Location HERE

Thank you for joining us!

Meet your Instructors:

Mafa Makhubalo

Movement poet trained in folk forms from the Regions of African tradition, African contemporary, and Western-Contemporary. Mafa Dance Village is influenced by an understanding of dance as an accumulation of memory and the history of my culture. Dance is an invisible evolution that becomes visible through movement, music, and singing.

Connect: To learn more about Mafa, visit mafadancevillage.ca

Capoeira Bamba

Capoeira Bamba is Toronto’s 7X award winning Capoeira School. Capoeira is an Afro Brazilian Martial Art that incorporates Martial Arts, Acrobatics, Music, Dance and Culture all in one! From Kicks to Flips, this Martial Art has it all!
We take great pride in educating our community about the Afro-Brazilian culture and Martial Art. We are Toronto’s only full time Capoeira Academy hosting classes for Minis, Kids and Adults of all ages. We are also a performance team, performing Capoeira, and other Afro-Brazilian cultural dances for audiences and events of all sizes all over the GTA.

Connect: To learn more about Capoeira Bamba, visit bambatoronto.com

Capoeira Bamba - Mississauga

Join us on Sunday May 20th to dance with Mike Pulga of @bambamississauga!

Capoeira Bamba is Toronto’s 7X award winning Capoeira School. Capoeira is an Afro Brazilian Martial Art that incorporates Martial Arts, Acrobatics, Music, Dance and Culture all in one! From Kicks to Flips, this Martial Art has it all!
We take great pride in educating our community about the Afro-Brazilian culture and Martial Art. We are Toronto’s only full time Capoeira Academy hosting classes for Minis, Kids and Adults of all ages. We are also a performance team, performing Capoeira, and other Afro-Brazilian cultural dances for audiences and events of all sizes all over the GTA.

Connect: To learn more about Capoeira Bamba, visit bambatoronto.com

 

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What is Around is Alive

In this two-part activation, participants will first be invited to tour Downsview Park by foot with Alan Colley of Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tours, then will create inspired illustrations and photographs from the walk. Together with Alan Colley, participants will discover and observe the local flora and fauna, and leave with a newfound understanding for all that is alive around us. Art pieces created during the session will be displayed publicly in the Downsview Hub, unless participants would prefer to take them home to display there instead!

Schedule

Saturday, June 4 | 10 am to 1 pm

Saturday, June 18 | 10 am to 1 pm & 3 pm to 6 pm

Location

Walking Tour: Downsview Park – Meet at the Orchard Pavillion

Art Creation: Downsview Hub – 70 Canuck Ave

 

Meet your Instructor:

 

 

Alan Colley - Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tours

Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tours has been a passion and dream of mine for a long time.

I have designed a company which honors our traditional way of life – but also allows for mainstream concepts of tourism and experiential learning.

I believe we are at the point in history where we are able to teach and share with the next generations how to have a sustainable relationship with the environment. This is the focus of Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tours.

My goal is to bring together our beautiful community in a way that allows elders, adults, youth and children to connect and make a difference with actions based on the ground principles of the 7 Grandfather Teachings, 13 Grandmother Moon Teachings and Medicine Wheel Teachings.

I am looking forward to sharing information regarding history, the plants, the animals, the fish and the insects so that we can start looking at a healthy future that we are planting seeds for in the present.

Every time a participant resonates with a teaching provided on our tours, the Indigenous knowledge of my ancestors and the ancestors of all Aboriginal peoples is honored because it has a chance to expand into future generations.

Those who had no idea of the sustainable lifestyles and understanding that the First Peoples of what is now Toronto had, can carry with them a new connection to the natural world they live in – even if it is surrounded by a concrete jungle.

I hope to meet and share cultural understandings and environmental respect while also learning something new from each and every participant of a Toronto Aboriginal Eco Tour!

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Elevating my Dreams

In this activation, participants will create kites with messages that they would like to share with all flying creatures. By incorporating different upcycled materials, and applying the R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) each participant will create an environmentally friendly artwork that can fly through the sky.  Participants will be encouraged to fly their kites at home after the activation and share photos and videos on social media!

Schedule

Saturdays, July 9, 16, 23 | 11 am to 12:30 pm

Location

Downsview Hub – 70 Canuck Ave

Meet your Instructor:

Orfelina Millán

I am an environmental artist and creator/facilitator of an eco-friendly community art program for children, Orfe Eco Art Program. My passion for art, environmentalism, and community engagement, along with my arts 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.

Connect:

Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website

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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

Nuit North 2022

Nuit North 2022

Nuit North – Artist Residency

Join us in the development of a community-informed installation for the inaugural expansion of Nuit Blanche to North York! 

Local filmmakers Simeon Taole and Danielle Ungara, of CINEMATOSCAPE, are completing a Nuit North Residency with North York Arts. Hear about their project The Space Between and its current evolution Interspace for Nuit on October 1st, 2022!

If you are a North York resident, we want your perspective. If you have a story to share, we want to hear your voice. Join us to share your story on August 19 from 1-5pm.

Please note that spots are limited and will be offered to participants based on their applications by email after August 5, 2022.

Eligibility:

  • To participate you must be a current North York resident
  • 18 years or older
  • Available to meet in person on August 19th from 1-5pm
  • Comfortable with your voice being audio-recorded

We will be discussing the space between: 

How have you experienced space between yourself and others – whether emotional distance, cultural gap, geographical or physical space?

How have you found ways to bridge the space between?

Why join the community forum:

We invite you to join the community forum in August 19 and participate in discussions and audio recordings sharing your ideas with us and the community for the Nuit installation. This is a paid opportunity ($100) to network and build community as we welcome a diverse group of individuals to join the community forum. 

 

Brought to you by:

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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

Art Connects

Art Connects

An image of the mural created in partnership with Lindsey Lickers, with 4 icons on the sides, and a translucent image of a strawberry heart and a willow tree.

Art Connects

Art Connects is an ongoing initiative that started in 2019 to address North York Arts’ role in Truth and Reconciliation. As North York Arts builds programs, partnerships, and relationships, we continue to ask ourselves “As a non-Indigenous organization, what can we do to support the process of decolonization and build the right relations with Indigenous communities?”

Art Connects has consisted of multiple components and phases, all of which center Indigenous experience and teachings.

  1. 2019NYA received funds from the Government of Canada’s Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anit-Rascism Initatives Program, and have their first consultations with Elder Joanne and Indigenous Leaders Veronica and Aqua to discuss action items and next steps. 
  2. 2020
  3. NYA board meets with Elder Joanne to discuss the role of the board in making change, and NYA hosts community consultations and staff participate in Medicine Wheel teachings. 
  4. 2021 NYA hosts four Indigenous talks (I-talks). The Spirit World with Lindsey Lickers, Moon and Water Teachings with Grandmother Reneé Thomas-Hill, Healing with the Land with Veronica Johnny, Sacred Medicines in Times of Healing with Elizabeth Akiwenzie
  5. May 2022NYA hosts seven Indigenous talks. Introduction to the Series led by Lindsey Lickers, Understanding Treaty Part 1&2 led by Jason Mercredi, Understanding North York led by Chyler Sewell & Daniel Rotsztain, Our Responsibilities to Water & Land: Part 1 led by Carolyn King, Our Responsibilities to Water & Land: Part 2 led by James Carpenter & Raiden Levesque, Indigenous Stewardship, Symbolism & Art led by Lindsey Lickers
  6. June 2022Community members and program participants come together to create a collaborative mural led and designed by Lindsey Lickers. Each participant adds uses their teachings to add a “bead” to the Two-Row Wampum Belt.
  7. Fall 2022Art Connects Everyone, Everywhere is launched. Three Indigenous artists will lead workshops in North York to bring Indigenous teachings to non-Indigenous community members and North York Residents. 
Watch the Mini-Documentary

North York Arts is committed to continue working along Indigenous peoples to deepen our understanding and to bring truth to our programs.

Stay tuned for our upcoming activations this fall.

Art Connects Everyone, Everywhere!

Workshops led by Indigenous Artists and Performers in Treaty 13

We will be hosting three pop-up workshops led by Indigenous Artists and Performers from Treaty 13. These workshops will share knowledge and teachings at pop-up educational Indigenous programs at the Gibson House and other North York locations. Workshops will feature Indigenous teachings from all mediums and will incorporate Indigenous knowledge into the creation of public art and performance. 

 

I-talks, Ideation, Art Creation 2022

Click to learn more about our 2022 Artists

The motivation for I-Talks is to foster spaces of deep conversation; where we can discuss our relationships to the land, and water, the body, legacies of colonialism, while connecting to one another.

I-talks 1: Introduction to the series

Facilitated by Lindsey Lickers, the introduction of I-Talks will introduce the intentions of the space and the aims of the project. Lindsey will lead a discussion on the significance of relationships in relation to land stewardship. This workshop will focus on the impacts of colonialism on relationships, leaving participants with the question: How do we centre truth-telling in rebuilding our connections?

Watch Video Now
Lindsey Lickers

Lead Artist of Art Connects 2021-22

I-talks 2: Understanding Treaty: Part 1

Understanding Treaty: Part 1 is the first step of a deep dive into the meaning of treaties & Indigenous lawmaking. Facilitated by Jason Mercredi, will focus on treaties covering North York and surrounding areas. He will discuss how treaties can, and do or don’t, guide communities, caretaking, and natural law. Participants will be invited to reflect on what the Dish with One Spoon treaty means beyond a simple, or standard, land acknowledgment.

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Jason Mercredi

Misipawistik Cree Nation, Ininnu descent

I-talks 3: Understanding Treaty: Part 2

Jason Mercredi is continuing the deep dive established in Part 1, with his facilitation of Understanding Treaty: Part 2. This workshop broadens and deepens the conversation on the meaning of treaties and Indigenous law-making. Participants will be invited to continue their reflection with the question: How can the lessons from treaties guide the ability to caretake for our land and community? 

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Jason Mercredi

Misipawistik Cree Nation, Ininnu descent

I-talks 4: Understanding North York

Chyler Sewell and Daniel Rotsztain will facilitate their workshop, Understanding North York, in the form of a conversation. Chyler and Daniel will share stories about the various walks they took together in North York and surrounding areas. Focusing the history of land usage in this area, and how it has changed since contact, Chyler and Daniel explore personal reflections on the waterway’s significant landmarks and role in the community.

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Chyler Sewell

Anishinaabekwe Youth

Daniel Rotsztain

Urban Geographer, artist, writer and cartographer

I-talks 5: Our Responsibilities to Water & Land: Part 1

Facilitator Carolyn King will discuss traditional perspectives on the importance of land caretaking, original instructions, and the importance of the ceremony. Carolyn will share with participants how women’s roles, rites, and responsibilities are intertwined with land and water.

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Carolyn King

Former elected Chief of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation

I-talks 6: Our Responsibilities to Water & Land: Part 2

A continuation of Our Responsibilities to Water & Land: Part 1, facilitators GREY CLOUD and Raiden Levesque will lead participants through Our Responsibilities to Water & Land: Part 2. Building off of Carolyn’s facilitation, this workshop will deepen and expand the discussion of traditional perspectives on the importance of land caretaking, original instructions, and the importance of ceremony. GREY CLOUD and Raiden will invite participants to explore the question: How are the roles, rights, and responsibilities of myself and my community intertwined with land and water? 

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GREY CLOUD

Indigenous Traditional Healer and Oshkabewis (Helper)

Raiden Levesque

Oshkabewis (helper), Traditional Knowledge keeper, and Fire Keeper

I-talks 7: Indigenous Stewardship, Symbolism & Art

During Indigenous Stewardship, Symbolism & Art, Facilitator Lindsey Lickers, will recap the previous workshops, exploring how the knowledge generated during I-talks impacts our ideas of placemaking. Lindsey will move participants through an overview of Indigenous visual storytelling, leaving participants with the question: How do we tell stories today?

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Lindsey Lickers

Multi-media Artist, Arts Facilitator and Program Developer

I-talks 2021

The Spirit World

Lindsey Lickers is a Haudenosaunee/ Anishinaabe multi-media artist, arts facilitator, and program developer originally from Six Nations of the Grand River with ancestral roots to the Mississaugas of the Credit. Her traditional name is ‘Mushkiiki Nibi Kwe’, which translates to ‘Medicine Water Woman’ and she is of the turtle clan. Recently, she was awarded a commission to create a permanent public installation for the Region of Waterloo’s light rail transit system that will speak to the historical stewardship of the land base of Waterloo and the importance of agriculture from a First Nations perspective.

Lindsey Lickers

Multi-media Artist, Arts Facilitator and Program Developer

Moon and Water Teachings

Grandmother Renee was born into the Haudenosaunee Confederacy of the Grand River Territory; She honours her lineage, Mother- Cayuga Bear & that of her Father Mohawk Turtle; As a Haudenosaunee woman, her role in life is a Carrier of our Heritage; Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother & auntie to many; Educator, Historian, Lecturer/Teacher, Wisdom Keeper; Cultural Consultant

Grandmother Reneé Thomas-Hill

Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory

Healing with the Land

North York Arts & IndigenEd (Indigenous Education for all) present Connect to Nature – an Eco-Art Workshop with Veronica Johnny.

Veronica Johnny is a Cree-Métis, multidisciplinary, two-spirit artist from the Northwest Territories. A hand drummer and rock singer, she’s also a songwriter, visual artist and writer. Veronica facilitates culturally-informed arts-education workshops, with a matriarchal lens, and focuses her creative energies on natural healing modalities.

This workshop includes talking about the land we are on; connecting with the earth and water; an eco-art activity and a drum song performance

Veronica Johnny

Workshop Facilitator, Indigenous Woman Entrepreneur, @IndigenEd

Sacred Medicines in Times of Healing

Nististange we (understanding women)
Anishabek moswin. Her Oneida name is Dayyayutdoladoe – Haudenosaunee from turtle clan from her mother’s Nation.

Liz Akiwenzie
Cultural Educator/ Knowledge Keeper
Ojibway and Oneida

She has been working in the helping field for almost 40 years. She has a Social worker background, she is a ceremonial person, Lodge conductor, cultural Educator for educators and caregivers, Cultural knowledge keeper for Native Communities, Healer and medicine person.

Elizabeth Akiwenzie

Cultural Educator/ Knowledge Keeper Ojibway and Oneida

Art Connects 2021 – 2022

As a continuation of NYA’s 2019 training program, we are focusing on projects that aim to connect the local North York community with the environment and history of the land in which it lives, works, and plays on. A series of Indigenous and non-Indigenous research tools and community workshops will inform a public art installation created by Haudenosaunee/ Anishinaabe multi-media artist, Lindsey Lickers.

Lead Artist

Lindsey Lickers
‘Mushkiiki Nibi Kwe’

Art Connects 2019 – 2020

Art Connects began as a cultural competency training program for NYA staff, board, and community partners. The program addressed how North York Arts can better incorporate/adapt to some of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The program was done in two phases:

1. A series of consultations between NYA staff and board, an Elder and Indigenous leaders

2. Community conferences with other arts organizations to share NYA’s findings and discuss our role as a sector.

Program Consultants :

Elder Joanne Dellaire

Veronica Johnny

Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone

Art Connects Outcomes: 

  • An organizational commitment to authenticity, education, and balance
  • Development of a new land acknowledgment 
  • Received funds to develop our Art Connects Public Art Project
  • Plans to write an environmental policy
  • Shared knowledge and understanding within the arts sector
  1. Sep 2019NYA received funds from the Government of Canada’s Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anit-Rascism Initatives Program
  2. Oct 2019NYA staff have their first consultation with Elder Joanne and Indigenous leaders Veronica and Aqua.
  3. Dec 2019NYA staff have their second consultation to discuss action steps
  4. Jan 2020NYA board meets with Elder Joanne to discuss the role of the board in making change
  5. Jan 2020 NYA hosts a community Consultation with our sister Local Arts Service Organizations (LASO)
  6. Feb 2020NYA partners with PAONE to host a second community consultation
  7. Apr 2020NYA Staff participate in Medicine Wheel teaching
  8. May 2020Program evaluation by Maria Montejo
Funded By:
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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
Meet Julián

Julián Carvajal (he/him) is a Toronto-based award-winner creator & producer of experiences. This Queer Latinx Colombian Canadian Arts Manager/Producer has over 21 years of experience managing, curating and delivering arts festivals and cultural events. He is the Event Producer of the largest PanAmerican Food and Music Festival in Canada, Mentor in Residence at the Neighbourhood Arts Network while working at North York Arts, StreetARToronto and producing “In My Element(s) Symposia” for ArtWorkxTO.

Julián has collaborated with organizations and artists from 5 continents on multiple artistic projects. He has mentored over 400 self-identified artists for the past 10 years. He is passionate about building meaningful relationships; helping others to navigate the art sector in the city while collaborating with others to co-create an anti-oppressive and more diverse and inclusive vision of the art sector in Tkaronto.

What does art mean to you?

The Big Bang of my life

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Desire Lines

Desire Lines

VIBE Arts Desire Lines

Visual Storytelling Workshop with Serene Illustrations 2022

About Desire Lines Workshop

Before people learned how to write, they would tell each other stories. We, ourselves, are a collection of stories through our experiences, cultures, and ancestry. This course teaches you how to story-tell in your art through world-building, character design, storyboarding, and creative brainstorming. Students will learn how to incorporate inspirations from mythology and their ancestry, and learn the basic principles of art in order to create their own visual story.

Participants will learn the following:

  • Exploring taking inspiration from everyday life and your own culture
  • Hands-on learning on world-building, creature and character design
  • Explore visual storytelling through composition and colour
Desire Lines Imagery

Dates: March 22 – April 12, 2022

Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Where: Online – Zoom

Price: Free

Register Here

For this program, you need to have access to a device to use Zoom with a working camera and microphone, as well as be comfortable with having your video camera on during the workshops. These workshops will be participative and you will be asked to provide your opinions and feedback throughout the program.

Questions? Send an email to serene_chan77@hotmail.com

Click here to learn more about VIBE Arts & RBC Desire Lines.

Program Lead: Serene Illustrations (VIBE Desire Lines Artist: Visual Artist)

Serene (she/her) is a Chinese-Canadian creative and an expert daydreamer, who utilizes her passion in storytelling to produce digital and traditional imagery that provokes child-like wonder and captures nostalgia. Her work draws on her interest in mental health, East Asian history and mythology, and all things fantasy. Serene has worked as a freelance traditional painter and digital illustrator for 6 years, supporting other independent musicians, writers, and artists. She strives to create awareness in the beauty of Asian cultures and otherwise marginalized communities. When she isn’t painting, you can find Serene working with her hands- sewing, making resin crafts, and thrift flipping.

Website: sereneillustrations.com

 

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Back to Programs

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

Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Join Our Network

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