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. 

Toronto Potters Annual Winter Sale at the Botanical Gardens - Last day today!

Today is the last day to visit the 2018 Toronto Potters Annual Winter Show and Sale at the Toronto Botanical Gardens. The show runs until 4pm TODAY! Check it out while you can!

Bringing together a diverse and talented group of ceramic artists from across the city for this special annual event, there is a spectacular selection of one of a kind handmade pottery, sculpture, ceramic art and accessories for sale by local artists including Akin King studio members Natalie Waddell and Erin Candela.

Toronto Potters was founded in 1979 as a non- profit, volunteer-run association, with a member base that expands beyond the city of Toronto. For almost four decades the association has been committed to the organising and sponsorship of clay-related activities that contribute to the artistic growth of its members.

Membership is open to all ages, experience levels and ceramic styles. Click here for more info.

Akin Creative Workshop: Intro to Pysanky Egg Decorating

Saturday March 24 / 1pm-4pm / Akin St Clair - 1747 St Clair Ave West
$25/person - all materials included / limited seating: get your ticket at  www.universe.com/pysanky2018

Learn traditional techniques to decorate your own festive egg! Eggs are decorated with designs in the technique known as "wax resist". Traditional symbols, designs and patterns are applied with melted beeswax using a tool called a kistka. Eggs are then dipped into successively darker dye baths. At the end of the process the beeswax is melted off to reveal a dazzling display of colour.

Most popularly known as a Ukrainian tradition this is actually common across many Eastern European countries and the practice has been around for thousands of years in celebration of Spring and fertility.

All materials are included. Please note that we will be working with: indelible dyes, raw eggs, and a candle flame.

About the instructor:
Natalie Waddell is a Toronto ceramic artist and a passionate 'Maker of Things'. Always exploring different materials and techniques she saw a photo of Pysanky eggs 7 years ago and has been making them ever since.

Akin Creative: Card Making Party at Farside Studio

Wednesday December 6 / 6-9pm drop-in / Ages 19+ / Farside Studio (enter through Farside) 600 Gerrard St East / Pay-What-You-Can (suggested $5 per card)

Akin Projects and Farside Studio are excited to present this casual, drop-in crafting party! Join us in the studio and make a card for your best friend, neighbour, significant other, worst enemy or a complete stranger! All materials are provided. 

You will be provided with one card per PWYC donation (donations go to Akin Projects, registered not-for-profit arts organization). The cards are made of heavy-duty hemp card stock, cut and scored to make a 4”x6” card. Each card comes with a brightly-colored 4”x6” envelope. You can decorate the card and envelope however you wish!

Decorating supplies will be provided including:

- a variety of coloured and patterned paper
- pencil crayons, markers and pens
- watercolour paints and brushes
- spirograph
- stamps and ink
- stickers
- stencils
- scissors
- glue
- glitter, beads, ribbon and more!

Feel free to bring additional supplies!

After you make your card, you are invited to write a letter in it at Farside’s monthly letter-writing event: ‘Post Box’ taking place in the main space. Supplies are provided by donation and include stamps, stickers, inks, scissors, glue,and embellishments.

Feel free to drop in anytime between 6-9pm and enjoy both events!

Accessibility
Farside is on the ground floor. It has step free access through main entrance. The walkway through the bar is narrow and can be crowded. The doors are not automated. There are two ground level accessible gender-neutral washroom. There are no grab bars in the washroom and the toilets are not raised. The floor is at ground level throughout the bar and studio. 

Getting There
Farside is located at 600 Gerrard St E. There are 3 streetcar routes that have stops at the closest major intersection. The 505 the 504 and the 506, at Broadview Ave and Gerrard St E. There are bike lanes on some of the major roads in the area. However cycling on Gerrard St. E. can be unpleasant due to narrow lanes. We ask that you exercise caution and do not drink and drive. Please walk, take the TTC or take a taxi/uber if you plan to drink.

About Akin Projects
Akin Projects is an arts programming organization and registered nonprofit established for the purpose of providing both creative and professional development opportunities to members of Toronto’s artistic and cultural community. Akin Creative is an initiative of Akin Projects that offers creative workshops and events for everyone to enjoy regardless of their artistic experience or abilities. Programming includes a monthly Show & Tell event for artist, free gallery and museum tours, hands-on workshops and educational experiences.

www.akinprojects.org

About Farside and Farside Studio
Farside is a cozy living-room style bar in East Chinatown that makes space for creativity, engages community and encourage communication between neighbours. 

Farside Studio is an art studio and shared workspace that hosts workshops and community events. The Farside Artist in Residence program is a self-directed program which provides free short-term studio space for artists and creative types who want to focus on their work, or explore new ideas with a focus on community engagement. 

www.farsideto.com

Akin Visits the Textile Museum of Canada - October 7

Saturday, October 7 / 1pm / Textile Museum of Canada - 55 Centre Avenue, Toronto / $10 per person (includes admission to the museum and guided tour) - attendance is limited, please register at www.universe.com/textiles

Akin invites you to join us for a special visit to the Textile Museum of Canada (TMC). Participants will go on a guided tour of current exhibitions: ‘Diligence and Elegance: The Nature of Japanese Textiles’ and ‘Tied, Dyed and Woven: Ikat Textiles from Latin America’, both from TMC’s permanent collection. These two exhibitions demonstrate the strength of the Textile Museum of Canada’s exhibition programming with a focus on both traditional techniques and contemporary practice. 

The Textile Museum of Canada is the only museum in Canada that explores ideas and builds cultural understanding through the universally relevant media of textiles. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the Museum’s permanent collection spans nearly 2,000 years and consists of more than 13,000 artifacts. The TMC presents rotating exhibitions, changed throughout the year including the work of local, national and international contemporary artists. The TMC also hosts touring exhibitions and guest curators through various partnerships and collaborations. While objects from the TMC’s permanent collection are often featured, our full permanent collection is not always on display. www.textilemuseum.ca

The Textile Museum of Canada is a fully accessible facility.
 

Upcoming Calls for Submission

Ontario Place Winter Light Exhibition
Deadline: September 5

Ontario Place is seeking proposals for illuminated sculptures that project light, shape light, transmit light, reflect light and/or contain light. Applicants are encouraged to explore and combine unconventional materials and methods that respond to light in different ways, ensuring the piece is visually successful during the day and night in our winter environment. There is no application fee to submit; monetary compensation for proposals that are accepted in to the Exhibition. 

This project is a temporary exhibit to run from December 2017 until March 2018. Ontario Place will in no way own the piece post-exhibit unless otherwise discussed with the applicant directly. Photos of the prospective exhibit locations can be found here: http://ontarioplace.com/en/winter-light-locations/

Ontario Place is an agency of the Government of Ontario that features 155 acres of breathtaking waterfront property in Toronto. The iconic location is a venue for live music, festivals, events and more. 

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Michael Landy's DEMONSTRATION
Deadline: September 10

The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery invite the public to participate in DEMONSTRATION, a site specific installation by United Kingdom artist Michael Landy.

Anyone can participate by sending in words, texts and slogans that represent their hopes and fears, expressing what makes them happy, angry or sad—from incidental, to monumental issues. With the help of assistants, Landy will transform selections from submitted content into red and white drawings creating a wall of protest . Over the course of the exhibition, these drawings will be installed on the walls of The Power Plant's Fleck Clerestory; and as the exhibition develops, so the demonstration will grow, making visible the social conditions of a contemporary political reality. 

The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery is Canada’s leading non-collecting, public art gallery dedicated exclusively to contemporary visual art from Canada and the world. 

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2017 Craft Ontario Craft Awards
Deadline: September 5

Craft Awards recognize accomplished and dedicated practitioners in the field of craft and design. From makers that create innovative and exceptional work to curators, administrators, writers and volunteers who support the craft community, each recipient is recognized as an important contributor to contemporary craft practice. The 2017 Craft Awards Program has nineteen awards open for application and one by nomination, totalling over $22,000.

This year's Craft Awards Ceremony will take place at Craft Ontario, 1106 Queen St. W, Toronto, on Thursday, October 12, 6 - 8 pm. During the Ceremony recipients receive their awards

Craft Ontario is the province’s only not-for-profit, multidisciplinary, member-based arts service organization devoted to the support and promotion of professional craft practice. Craft Ontario exists to grow recognition and appreciation of craft and craftspeople by building a strong, talented and distinct craft community. 

CALL FOR VENDORS: Junction Art & Craft Show

Call for vendors from Junction Art Crossing for an Art & Craft Show happening on Saturday, October 22 beside Junction Craft Brewery. This event will run from 11am-5pm.

Space is limited to 60 people, so click this link to claim your spot now! https://artery.is/showcases/junction_art_crossing_inaugural_event

During the event you will also be able to check out Junction Art Crossing headquarters for Junction Craft beer and wine samples, and a tour of their awesome space where they will be hosting, Paint Nights, Workshops, and Tastings in the future

Craft Ontario '13

Calling all Craft Professional Members... The CRAFT ONTARIO '13 call for entry is open! Deadline for entry: Thursday, September 19, 2013 Taking place at the OCC Gallery, October 17 - December 21, 2013 Since 1975 the Ontario Crafts Council has supported the development of contemporary craft through a biennial juried exhibition showcasing the best of member work. Submitted entries are also considered for recognition by three cash awards that celebrate outstanding achievement: Award of Excellence, $750; Best in Show, $500; and Honorable Mention, $250. To find more information about the conditions of entry, and to download the call for entry form, please visit the Ontario Crafts Council website at: http://www.craft.on.ca/Exhibitions/Upcoming_Exhibitions For more information please contact gallery@craft.on.ca Ontario Crafts Council Gallery 990 Queen Street West, Toronto www.craft.on.ca 416-925-4222 Share Tweet Forward to Friend

Copyright © 2013 Ontario Crafts Council, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in as either a member or supporter of the Ontario Crafts Council. Our mailing address is: Ontario Crafts Council 990 Queen St. West Toronto, Ontario M6J 1H1 Canada Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

10 TIPS FOR MAKING MORE TIME TO MAKE

Brilliant little article on getting creative stuff done can be found HERE ON THE ETSY BLOG