Akin Community Highlights: Hands of Fire at Akin Waterfront

Every Saturday afternoon in the Akin Waterfront Flex Room, Hands of Fire busts out the clay to create beautiful, original artwork. 

Hands of Fire is a sculpture group working out of our Akin Waterfront location. They offer creative services for blind and visually impaired individuals. Founded in 2013, and an official chapter of the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) since 2016, they provide opportunities for folks to express their creativity through sculpting in a safe and welcoming environment. 

“We pride ourselves on our thriving sense of community, encouraging confidence in our members’ artistic abilities and social lives.”

— Hands of Fire

Organised by Chapter President Alicia Modeste and secretary/treasurer Noora Mahmoud,  Hands of Fire is a vibrant group, filled with laughter and kindness. We’re so glad Hands of Fire decided to join us at Akin Waterfront this past year! We were able to drop by and visit the group recently, and met with Hands of Fire artists’ Rohan, Karen and Michael, as they worked on their creations. 

Image Description: Karen, a sculptor with gray hair and a purple sweater sits at a table, working on a clay sculpture of a key. They are facing Noora, standing in a white shirt and blue jeans, standing beside them, laughing. On the table in front of them sits sculpting equipment, a spray bottle, a block of clay and wooden sculpting tools

Image Description: Rohan, a sculptor wearing a black and gray sweater, with short brown hair sits at a bright teal table, rolling a tube of clay in their hands. On the table in front of them sits several other pieces of clay, a spray bottle, and a rolling pin.

“Hands of Fire is a great way to meet new people, express yourself creatively, build confidence, and most importantly - have fun! As part of our sculpture group, you will receive hands-on instruction from our talented instructors and you can enjoy a great social environment with our diverse and dynamic members. We focus not only on artistic excellence and skill building but community wellbeing and ensuring members cultivate a sense of confidence in themselves and their creative spirits.” 

People with any level of vision loss are welcome to join, no sculpting experience is necessary!

Find more information about Hands of Fire here 

#AkinCommunityHighlights

Goodbye Akin Ossington

After 5 years of creation, community building, and holding space for artists, most recently, through an ongoing pandemic, Akin has said goodbye to Akin Ossington. Our studios closed permanently on September 30, 2021.

Located at 888 Dupont St, Akin Ossington contained our first studio dedicated to providing workspace for light industrial art making. With over 70 studio workspaces in total, ranging from 20 square feet to 250 square feet, this space allowed for both shared and private studios for artists as well as thoughtful creative programming to complement its creative members. 

This century-old historic building, used by many artists over the years was significant in many ways for the city, but also for Akin, from being one of Akin's most populated and active spaces, to holding Akin’s very first Community fridge, Akin Ossington created space for artists to gather, create, and connect with one another. Like many other spaces, Akin Ossington was heavily affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. With the support of TAS, the owner of the property, Akin was able to mitigate the rent costs and allow our artists some financial relief towards their studio spaces during a period during which artists and creatives were hit the hardest.

“It’s so disheartening to let go of a space that we’ve loved for so long. Having conversations about losing one of our studios in the middle of a pandemic showcases how much organizations like Akin need long-term spaces in the city.” - Oliver Pauk, Akin’s Founder and Director 

Since opening its first modest space in West Queen West 13 years ago, Akin has endeavoured to make being an artist an affordable and viable vocation in our city. Now more than ever, we feel Akin’s role is an important one for Toronto's cultural community and artists, as we ensure that there is always space to create, to build, and to work.

A space filled with people standing in the background. In the foreground are two people holding guitars and playing. One is wearing a blue jacket and the other is wearing a lilac sweater. Around them are speakers and guitar cases.

Instead of mourning however, Akin chose to celebrate the memories created together. TAS, Manual Arts, and Akin partnered together to bring the Akin Community a goodbye party featuring drinks, friends, and live music. Moreno Zulu, MOMxW¥FE, and Bingo Day were some of the local artists that brought their talents to 888 Dupont one last time.

Akin Ossington members were supported during the studio closure by Akin staff and team. Many of the artists have relocated their studio to our existing other Akin locations, or have been added to waiting lists for Akin’s two upcoming new studio locations in the East End.

Akin wants to thank the Akin Ossington studio members from the last five years for their creativity, collaborative spirit, patience and for contributing to the vibrant artist community in the building, and in the city. We also want to thank Berat OĞUR for capturing and putting together our Akin Ossington tribute video.

Although it is sad to say goodbye to Akin Ossington, it is exciting to look forward to the future and Akin is excited to be opening new studio locations in 2022. 

For more information, waiting list inquiries,  or to share ideas, please get in touch with info@akincollective.com. Please note that all our studios are at capacity at this time, but we are happy to share info with you and to add you to one of our waiting lists. 

Happy National Philanthropy Day!

It’s National Philanthropy Day and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank our donors, supporters, and community for another year of uplifting Akin! As we recover from the last 18 months of a global pandemic, we are thankful to be surrounded by a community that comes together to ease the burdens of artists and art workers in the city of Toronto.

During this time, we began our Akin Rent Relief Fund which has raised over $23,000 and supported over 100 artists and counting. 66% of all funds raised came directly from artists, designers, writers, and creatives within the Akin community. We were supported through forgiveness of property rents by our partners Castlepoint Numa, Kultura, Percy Ellis, QuadReal, Toronto Arts Council, and TAS, allowing us to reduce our studio membership fees for four months in 2020 and to sustain ourselves through these difficult times.

These donations and relief also helped us maintain an important connection with our communities through our programming initiatives such as Taxes for Artists, Work in Progress Show & Tell, Card Making Party, and our Indigenous Community Consultation.

These past couple of years have provided us with more evidence than ever that there is a need for organizations like Akin to advocate for artists and the need for artist spaces in our city. We’re so grateful you believe in us and the mission we continue to carry each day.

Thank you for donating to us, sharing our news, volunteering with us, and even cheering us on from the sidelines. We could not be doing any of this without you!

Akin is coming to Regent Park!

Toronto, ON - November 11, 2021. Akin is thrilled to announce that we are opening a brand new studio location, Akin Regent Park. We are looking forward to creating a space for our artists in Canada’s largest and oldest public housing neighbourhood.

Akin Regent Park studio members will have access to the space for a minimum of 3 years. There will be approximately 6 Shared Memberships available for $71/month, which includes access to shared working areas, shared storage, kitchen, and bathroom. There will also be approximately 16 Dedicated Memberships available (your own studio) with studios ranging from 30sf for $191 / month - 112sf for $485 / month. There are no completely private studios at this location, or studios over 112sf. 

Located at Akin Regent Park at 658 Dundas Street East which is on the Dundas 505 streetcar or Dundas 505 bus route and near  the 501 Queen streetcar route, 65 Parliament bus route, 365 Parliament Night bus and the 301 Queen Blue Light Night Route. 

The closest wheelchair accessible stop is Dundas St East at Regent Park Blvd, Stop ID: 15873, which is 210m  from the studio and the closest Dundas St East at River St, Stop ID: 2126 which is 110m from the studio.

You can view a map of the location at this link: 658 Dundas Street East, Toronto, ON

After years of planning, Akin Regent Park will be opening in the heart of a community that is known for its creativity and its resilience. While Akin’s nomadic nature has served it for many years, we are excited to occupy a new space where Akin artists are at the forefront of the planning process from the space’s very conception. 

A Toronto map of Akin studios in grey lines in the background. In the foreground is text that reads in black, "Deadline: Nov 25, 2021" In red text it reads, "Community Survey." with a large dot leading to a cylinder shape with a black outline and text that reads, "Akin Regent Park." On the bottom right is Akin's logo; a decagram star shape with the word akin in its centre.

In efforts to create a space that compliments the community that will occupy it, we’ve created an Akin Regent Park Community Survey to inform us of the needs of the artists that this space will be serving. We want to hear artists’ thoughts about spaces, programming, and other essentials: What do YOU want to see? What kind of programming will enrich your future community and excite you into building this new creative studio? Please fill out our Akin Regent Park Community Survey by November 25 to help us create the best space possible! 

We cannot wait to hear your thoughts and needs in our survey and we are looking forward to sharing this space with you soon! 

You can share our survey on our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. 

For any questions please contact info@akincollective.com for more information.

Ceramics Community Needs Assessment Survey - deadline to reply is June 15

Calling ceramics artists and businesses in the GTA! Akin is inviting you to help us improve our services for ceramic artists in the city by filling out a short survey. This survey is intended for Toronto and GTA-based groups or individuals of all experience levels who work with ceramics. This includes creatives who do not currently work with ceramics but want/plan to, emerging artists, hobbyists and those who only use ceramics occasionally as a part of their practice as well as established artists and professional craftspeople. Please share widely! Click the link below to fill out the survey.

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE SURVEY

The survey is anonymous and voluntary and all the questions are optional, so you can skip any questions that don't apply to you. It should only take you about 5-10 minutes to fill out the survey. We appreciate your time and ask that you consider sharing the survey link with other ceramic artists and groups in your network so that we may reach a diverse and broad range of practitioners at every stage to get comprehensive results. 

The intention for this survey is not to compete with other ceramic studios, services and workspaces that are operating in Toronto but to compliment them by serving needs that may not be currently met in the city and surrounding area. Currently, ceramic artists comprise approximately 15% of Akin’s new inquiries and that percentage seems to be increasing gradually over time. It has become clear to us that there is a need for ceramics workspace, ceramics community space, kiln firing services, and more in the GTA at this time. With this survey we endeavor to gather more specific data on that need. 

The deadline to fill out the survey is July 15, 2021.

Here is the link to the survey if you would like to share it with others: https://forms.gle/v2yxPcHJfvw98dzo7

• Here is a Twitter post is you would like to retweet

• Here is an Instagram post if you would like to repost

Thank you! If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch! email ceramics@akincollective.com

Akin would like to thank our advisors Janet Hinkle and Natalie Waddell for guiding our work in developing this survey. 

Image description: photograph of Janet Hinkle

Janet Hinkle is a multidisciplinary artist with a practice rooted in both contemporary fine art and craft. Hinkle has a fondness for mixing juxtaposing materials to create work that frequently explores shared histories through visual narratives. She is driven to explore concepts around identity, pulling inspiration from both mid-century forms and futuristic design. In addition to her creative practice, Hinkle coordinates communications plans, art projects, and artist capacity-building programs. She is an arts administrator and creative facilitator passionate about placemaking and community building. 

Janet was an active Akin studio member from 2015-2020. Starting her ceramics practice at Akin Dufferin, she eventually moved onto Akin Ossington and Akin Richmond where she founded and managed a full-time ceramics brand for many years.

Image description: photograph of Natalie Waddell

Natalie Waddell is a Toronto based ceramic artist. A student of the Sheridan College Ceramic Craft and Design program (2003) she has continued her studies by attending workshops led by local and international ceramic artists and educators.

Since establishing her studio practice Natalie has continuously explored and developed new bodies of functional and sculptural work as well as teaches classes and workshops. She is an active member of the Toronto Potters Association, the Potters Guild of Hamilton and Region, FUSION: Ontario Clay and Glass Association and NCECA – the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts and Craft Ontario and former member of the Akin Artist Collective. 

THE BIG DRAW Create-a-Thon this weekend at The Distillery District

Calling all creatives! Do you write, sketch, paint, draw, or sculpt? Make your way down to The Distillery District for THE BIG DRAW Create-A-Thon this weekend.

This is free, all ages, family event welcoming both amateur and professional artists. Join fellow creatives June 15th & 16th in capturing the charm of The Distillery District, or anything else your heart tells you to in your sketch, painting, drawing, or  creative writing.

Rules and Guidelines:

1. Bring your creativity
2. Bring your materials
3. Bring your friends and family
4. HAVE FUN!

All artist participants will receive a FREE BBQ lunch!  

Making a Living Making Art - Free Project Development Consultation on June 15

Neighborhood Arts Network presents ‘Making A Living Making Art’, a free professional development workshop series for creative entrepreneurs. The series provides opportunities for artists to gain valuable information, skills and insights on creating and sustaining a creative practice. The next workshop in the series is on Project Development  and is happening Saturday, June 15th, 2019 from  10 AM-4 P at East End Arts, 450 Broadview Ave

Participants will get a 30 minute 1-on-1 session with 1 of 3 experienced project development consultants. Make sure to sign up ahead of time to guarantee your 1-on-1 session, as spots are limited and given on a first come, first serve basis. Please bring a project you've already begun working on to maximize your time with the consultant. The more specific the project, the better! Refreshments will be provided while you wait. Consultations with consultant Chris Gehman and an ASL Interpreter are provided from 10-11AM and 11AM-12PM. 

About the Consultants:

Melissa Foster, North York Arts

Melissa has over 10 years working in various roles throughout the public sector. In her career, she has collaborated on several community arts projects and facilitated arts programs both abroad and within Toronto. Melissa is the Program and Outreach Director for North York Art where she oversees the programming vision and creative design, as well as the management and administration of both on-going and special projects. Her primary focus is on the development and implementation of professional support services for artists; looking towards creating sector-wide collaborations and community-driven, participatory arts-based programming. Outside of her role at North York Arts Melissa continues to create and facilitate community programs that incorporate her experiences in both the social service sector and the arts. Most recently, she co-facilitated a workshop, Reclaiming Tkaronto/Toronto: Transforming Lenses Around Mental Wellness for the Myseum Intersections Festival. Melissa holds a BA (hons) in Theatre Studies as well as a Community Arts Practice Certificate from York University. She also holds a post-degree diploma in Arts Management from Western University. 

Julian Carvajal, Art Starts

Julian is a colourful Colombo-Canadian Media Artist, Arts Manager, Producer and Arts & Culture Promoter. He has over 15 years of experience in managing and delivering large scale arts festivals, coordinating personnel, producing shows, marketing, budgeting, managing staff, and building community and media relations. 

Chris Gehman, VTape

Chris Gehman is a filmmaker, curator, educator and critic. He is familiar with many funding systems for individual artists and arts organizations, particularly in media and visual arts. His films have screened at festivals and other venues around world; his film Dark Adaptation (2016) premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and screened at the 2017 Berlinale. Chris was Artistic Director of the Images Festival from 2000 to 2004, and has also worked as a programmer for Cinematheque Ontario and TIFF. Currently, he is Finance Manager at Vtape, Canada's leading non-profit distributor of artists' videos. As an independent programmer, he has organized screenings for venues including Experimenta (Bangalore), Image Forum (Tokyo), Lago Film Fest (Italy), and the Ann Arbor Film Festival (USA). Chris was editor of Explosion in the Movie Machine: Essays and Documents on Toronto Artists’ Film and Video (LIFT & Images Festival, 2013) and co-editor, with Steve Reinke, of The Sharpest Point: Animation at the End of Cinema (YYZ Books, 2005); his writings on experimental media have appeared in critical anthologies, and in periodicals such as Millennium Film Journal, Cinema Scope and Take One. He has served on the boards of directors of a number of arts organizations including the Hand Eye Society (2015-19); Images Festival (2006-09); Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre (President, 1999-2001); and Pleasure Dome (1994-97).

Free family fun on June 15 at "On Sterling Bingo"

Believe the hype, folks: Sterling Road is jam-packed with tons of cool stuff - artist's spaces, yoga studios, bookstores, restaurants, a brewery, clothing stores, galleries, and a lot more! Come join us on Saturday June 15th for the 3rd instalment of ON STERLING BINGO for your chance to check them all out, and get special, behind-the-scenes looks at all of them!

Here's how:
1. Come to any one of our participating locations on Sterling Rd. on Saturday June 15th anytime between 1 and 5pm, and pick up your BINGO card (and your first stamp) to get started!

2. Wander the neighbourhood, and pop in and out of all kinds of cool studios, shops, and galleries.

(Fun fact: Your BINGO card is also a handy map of the 'hood! AND it was screen-printed by hand Jesse from Repetitive Press and it's yours to keep as a souvenir!)

3. Get your card stamped at all 10 spaces (aka a FULL CARD) and head on over to Henderson Brewing Co. to redeem it for a complimentary pint of beer (or, for anyone under 19 who's playing along, a free house-made soda!) anytime on Saturday til 9pm!

4. If you have a Full Card, you are eligible to enter the now-legendary OnSterling Raffle, which includes the following prizes:
- an Anansi tote bag full of books
- a one-of-a-kind Mud Makers handcrafted ceramic piece
- a gift card to the Drake Commissary
- a free 4-day dress rental from Fitzroy
- a 5 day yoga pass to Mosaic
- a VIP brewery tour & beer tasting at Henderson for 10 ppl
- an individual one-year membership to MOCA
- a private circus lesson - for tight wire or aerial, from Lookup Theatre
- a complimentary Sewing Fundamentals Class from The Make Den
Just show your full card at Henderson before 9pm on Saturday!

5. Don't forget to take photos along the way and post them to Instagram, using the tag #OnSterlingBingo to enter to win a special Sterling Rd. prize pack!

ON Sterling Bingo Participants:

- House of Anansi Press 128 Sterling Road Lower Level
Visit the Anansi Bookshop to received 20% off of your Groundwood and House of Anansi book purchases! House of Anansi & Groundwood Books.

- Drake Commissary 128 Sterling Road
An eat-in restaurant and a culinary workshop. Our evolving exhibition Fast Forward draws inspiration from the Junction Triangle’s industrial roots and creative community, looking into the future and the past simultaneously.

- MOCA Toronto 158 Sterling Rd
MOCA is motivated by our belief that museums can be culturally and socially useful. We promote exceptional artistic thinking and provide a community space for discourse and creativity.
On view:
- 'The Life of a Dead Tree' by Mark Dion
- Honest Shop
- 'DEMOS - A Reconstruction' by Andreas Angelidakis

- Mud Makers Studio 163 Sterling Road, unit 12C, Entrance B, 2nd floor
Ceramics Studio offering classes for all ages taught by Ontario certified teacher and artist Amanda Wyman.

- Lookup Theatre 181 Sterling Rd
Current Project: Toronto Circus Riot
This exciting show tells the true story of an evening in 1855 when a group of clowns changed Toronto forever. Theatre, music, and circus arts all come together in an immersive performance to tell a riveting rendition of this historical tale.

- The Make Den Sewing School 163 Sterling Rd #24
We provide serious sewing skills in a beautiful, well equipped and fun studio where students connect with their creativity, learn and leave with a renewed sense of empowerment and inspiration.

- Repetitive Press // Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative
227 Sterling Rd. #103
Screen-Printing and Design studio.
See how screen-prints are made and check out the heaps of art prints, rock and political posters made on site for local and international designers.

-The Loon, Contemporary Art Gallery, 227 Sterling Road, #109a (http://www.theloon.info)
Zoma Tochi Maduekwe invites participants to try an interactive game platform in development.

- Mosaic Yoga 225 Sterling Road #23
Offerings include yoga and meditation classes for all levels, pilates, barre, qi gong, kundalini, voice practices, functional movement and rope wall yoga and more.

- The Fitzroy 225 Sterling Road
Dress Rental Magic! Canada’s dream dress rental and styling service.

- Henderson Brewing Co 128a Sterling Road
Award winning, full-scale brewery On Sterling with a tap-room and bottle shop.

This is a free event and all are welcome!! Come on out and explore!

Project Kids & Cameras After School Program - Starts April 25th!

Kids ages 7 to 12 are invited to join Project Kids & Cameras at East End Arts for an After school Photo Club Program! Once a week for five weeks, join us at St. Matthew's Clubhouse for this photo-activity packed program! We'll go on a photo scavenger hunt, find faces in places, make photo action flip books, create friendship triptychs, learn about composition, vantage points, elements of design, scale and perspective, and so much more! Digital cameras and portable printers provided for use during the program. 

Cost: $155, register online
Date: Thursdays from April 25 to May 23, 2019
Time: 3:45 - 5:15pm
Location: East End Arts, St. Matthew's Clubhouse - 450 Broadview Ave

Project Kids & Cameras is a social enterprise empowering kids ages 5-13 to explore their voice and the world around them through photography, literacy, visual thinking skills, and social action. 

Support Our Friends at Walnut Studios →

In the early morning of May 19, 2018, Walnut studios, nestled between Niagara street and Walnut Ave in Toronto experienced a devastating fire. The devastating fire in the north end of the studio, affected 22 artists who lost not only their artwork but also all of their art supplies. 

Founded in 2008, Walnut Studios is a community of 45 artists in a large warehouse studio in Toronto's King West Village. It is home to Painters, Sculptors, Fashion Designers, Jewellery Makers, Photographers, and Installation Artists.

As the friends, family and community of those artists affected by the Walnut studio fire, let's give back to our creative community during their time of great loss. All funds raised through the GoFundMe campaign will be distributed so that the artists can purchase new equipment and art supplies to get making again. This money will also go towards helping these artists relocate temporarily while the major repairs are being completed on their Walnut studio spaces.

Art Ignite Presents 'Metamorphic Reflections' - Free Portrait & Glass Painting Workshops

Art Ignite is a non-profit community arts organization that provides free or low-cost visual art workshops and exhibitions catering mainly to the Flemingdon Park community in Toronto. Many of Flemingdon Park’s residents are new immigrants living in low-income households with limited access to art activities. Led by professional artists, these activities aim to transform community spaces into creative hubs where residents can unleash their imaginations, connect with their community, gain skills, and become leaders of change.

You are invited to participate in a series of workshops on Portrait and Glass Painting from April 10-May 15, 2018 at the Flemingdon Park Library. 

The workshops will begin with an introduction to portraiture and glass painting. Participants will then engage in one-on-one discussion with they photograph each other. These photographs will then be used to paint each other's portraits on mirrors. We hope to the conversations and paintings that result from this project will change the way we view our community members and break through the socially constructed biases we have about others.

This workshop is open to all LGBTQ+ and allies. All levels are welcome, especially beginners. To find out more or register, email Tasneem@artignite.ca.

Date: Every Tuesdays from April 10 to May 15, 2018
Time: 4-7pm
Place: Flemingdon Park Library’s Glass Room (main floor)  29 St Dennis Drive

This project is funded by Ontario Arts Council.

'Whose Community?' a drop-in event at Xpace Cultural Centre on Saturday March 17

Saturday, March 17 at 1 PM - 6 PM / Xpace Cultural Centre 2-303 Lansdowne Avenue Unit 2, Main Floor / Drop-in / FREE

“Whose Community?” is a drop-in event that aims to debunk existing tensions in the word “community” while fostering an environment wherein the language of social justice and communal change is accessible to individuals of various backgrounds (including education, class, and ethnicity). 

We invite residents from the Junction Triangle, Parkdale and Bloordale to share the wealth of resources available in their neighbourhood by participating in an ongoing community map-making session. This activity will be facilitated by community members from the following local institutions:

Melody Grant & Erin Howley (Sistering: A Woman's Place)
Mercedes S. Zayas (Parkdale People's Economy)
Althea Balmes (Akin Collective Lansdowne Studios) 
Sheila Sampath (The Public)

Additionally, please join us for an art workshop hosted by Sistering. This activity is open to people of all-ages and all-skills. 

Food catered by neighbouring establishments will be provided. 

Participants can drop in at any time. 

"Whose Community?” is part of Myseum of Toronto Intersections, an annual festival of exhibits exploring different perspectives on the city’s natural, cultural, and historical diversity. We would like to thank Myseum for their generous support.

The Gardiner Museum announces 2018 Community Art Space Partners!

Since the summer of 2016, the Gardiner Museum’s Community Arts Space program has acted as an incubator for arts-based community projects. Inspired by the transformative aspects of ceramics, both real and metaphorical, the Community Arts Space initiates both dialogue, and the hands-on creation of equitable and inclusive cultural initiatives that engage and give voice to local communities.

The Community Arts Space project will be running for the summer of 2018 from July 3 to August 31. This year’s theme, Recent Histories, is inspired the Gardiner’s mission to be an active force in the community, and to truly reflect the histories, lived experiences, and traditions of its publics. Through five different project streams, our partners will transform the Museum according to this theme, activating our 307-square-metre third-floor Exhibition Hall as well as our Outdoor Plaza.

Akin is pleased to be a community partner on this project and will be providing studio space for Louis Esmé, one of the 2018 Community Art Space project partners.

Louis Esmé (Mi’kmaq-Acadian, Irish) is an artist, writer, and illustrator whose social art practice spans over 20 years working within grassroots, artist-run, and academic spaces. A co-founder of Titiesg Wîcinímintôwak // Bluejays Dancing Together Collective, which has gathered knowledge, stories, and desires for re-urbanized Two-Spirit people and their relations since 2012, Esmé’s work is granny craft/old media with social commentary akin to Statler & Waldorf from Sesame Street. For the Gardiner’s Intervention Project, which will evoke participation and educational potential within the expanded field of ceram­ics, Esmé will make seven clay districts representing the Mi’kmaq Seven Directions in the Gardiner’s Exhibition Hall, lobby, and permanent collection galleries. Vessels referencing Woodland pottery forms will reckon with ongoing colonialisms, while offering witness to Indigenous survivance on the Dish with One Spoon Territory. You can see Esmé’s work on display at the Gardiner Museum from August 21-31, 2018. 

Find out more about the Gardiner Museum's Community Art Space Partners by clicking the link below: 

Town Hall on indigenous Reconciliation this Thursday

Arif Virani, Member of Pariliament for the Parkdale-High Park community in Toronto has invited the public to attend a Town Hall this Thursday January 18 at Roncesvalles United Church, 214 Wright Ave in Toronto, On from 7-9pm. 

Arif will be joined by a panel of guests to discuss an array of issues that are vital to reconciliation. Confirmed expert guest speakers include: Stacey Laforme, Chief of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation; Margaret Froh, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario; Max Fineday, Co-Executive Director of Canadian Roots and nêhiyaw (Cree) activist of the Sweetgrass First Nation; and Dr. Anna Banerji, Faculty Lead, Indigenous and Refugee Health, and  Associate Professor Pediatrics and Dalla Lana School of Public Health.

Akin Show and Tell 2018 Schedule

Every month Akin host’s a relaxed and fun ‘Show and Tell for Artists’ at one of the Akin Collective studios or at one of our partner organizations. This is a time for Akin members and other Toronto artists to show completed works or works in progress and get friendly feedback and answers from their peers in a casual studio setting. Our first Show and Tell of the year is a special ceramics edition happening at the Gardiner Museum on January 20 from 2-4pm.

We hope to see you at one or more of our Show and Tell events in 2018. Here is the schedule so far:

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 27 / 7-9pm / Akin Lansdowne - 87 Wade Ave, Studio 101
The February edition of the Show and Tell is happening at Akin Lansdowne in studio 101 and will hosted by Akin Studio Manager Jen Pilles. Click here to RSVP. 

THURSDAY MARCH 15 / 7-9pm / Location to be announced
This is a special Show and Tell for artist's who create merchandise! Show and share your packaging, products and displays and participate in a lively conversation about the adventure of selling your creative products in Toronto! More details to be announced. 

TUESDAY APRIL 24 / 7-9pm / Akin Sunrise - 100 Sunrise Ave, studio 106A
The April edition of the Show and Tell is happening at Akin Sunrise in studio 106A and will hosted by Akin Studio Manager Jeff Tallon. More info including guest speakers to be announced. Stay tuned! 

TUESDAY MAY 29 / 7-9pm / Akin Dupont - 1485 Dupont St, studio 204
The May edition of the Show and Tell is happening at Akin Dupont in studio 204 and will hosted by Akin Studio Manager Sara Pearson. More info to be announced. Stay tuned! 

TUESDAY JUNE 26 / 7-9pm / Akin St Clair - 1747 St Clair Ave West
The June edition of the Show and Tell is happening at Akin St Clair and will hosted by Akin Studio Manager Rachel Butler. More info to be announced. Stay tuned! 

TUESDAY JULY 31 / 7-9pm /  Akin Ossington - 888 Dupont St, studio 204
The July edition of the Show and Tell is happening at Akin Ossington in studio 204 (or weather permitting, in the backyard courtyard!) and will hosted by Akin Studio Manager Janet Hinkle. More info  to be announced. Stay tuned! 

More dates and information will be announced. For up to date details visitwww.akinprojects.org/showandtell 

Akin Show & Tell #58: Ossington

Wednesday July 26 / 7-9pm / Akin Ossington - 888 Dupont St, studio 204

On the last Wednesday of every month Akin host’s a relaxed and fun ‘Show and Tell for Artists’ at one of the Akin Collective studios. This is a time for Akin members and other Toronto artists to show completed works or works in progress and get friendly feedback and answers from their peers in a casual studio setting.

Feel free to bring art to share, bring a friend or two, bring snacks or drinks or just bring yourself! Come for the conversation or just to meet other artists and makers.

This month we are meeting at our newest studios - Akin Ossington! Come see the new studios. Located at Ossington and Dupont - 888 Dupont St - Studio 204.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch! See you there!

Give and Get: Making good ideas happen

Sheila Goldgrab & Joel Kumove in partnership with the School for Social Entrepreneurs Ontario invite you to Give and Get: making good ideas happen, a free monthly house event for people with projects.

Give and Get is a place to meet new people, eat a meal together,  and seek and offer ideas and support and make new connections in a fun and friendly environment. The event is suitable for anyone with an idea or project that would benefit from multiple perspectives or resources.

It could be a business project, a personal project, an art project, a charitable cause or a community project. Free and open to anyone who registers. The evening will be facilitated by a leadership career coach and mentors who want to help make your great ideas happen!

Here's what Give and Get believes in:
- An unexpected mix of great people can propel your project forward.
- Everyone has something to offer.

You will have an opportunity to tell the event coordinators about your project and your 'ask' of the group when you register. There are two upcoming summer dates for the event, July 18 and August 23. Click the links below to find out more or register:

July 18: http://bit.ly/2pY8EE2
August 23: http://bit.ly/2pYbh8T

Akin Show & Tell #55 at Akin Dupont - Wednesday April 26

Join us next Wednesday for a relaxed and fun ‘Show and Tell for Artists’ at Akin Dupont. This is a time for Akin members and other Toronto artists to show completed works or works in progress and get friendly feedback and answers from their peers in a casual studio setting.

Feel free to bring art to share, bring a friend or two, bring snacks or drinks or just bring yourself! Come for the conversation or just to meet people and hang out.

Akin Dupont - 1485 Dupont St - Studio 204 (entrance on Campbell Ave)
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch! Email michael@akincollective.com See you there!

FORGE Workshop Series: Reworking the Common Knowledge

Tomorrow!

Free!

Pre-register by email: reworkthecommon@gmail.com

Join us for a free performance/workshop to share stories, make new connections, learn from each other, have an art chat, and rethink ideas around 'common knowledge' and community.

Forge connections. Fuel your practice. Shape your creative process. FORGE is a creative incubator
for practicing artists and designers.

Akin Collective, Unit # 101, 87 Wade Avenue
Just north of Bloor & Lansdowne

Facilitators: Sona Safaei & Janna Brown
Wednesday May 14, 2014
7-10 pm

This project is supported by the Ontario Arts Council.