The Art of Healing - Akin Projects at Ronald Macdonald House Charities

The Art of Healing is a collaboration between Akin Projects and Ronald McDonald House Charities Toronto. Local artists graciously gave their time and creativity to craft pieces of art with children staying at the House. The pieces they produced are colourful, unique and beautiful expressions of the pairings that produced them. Families are there during a stressful and often chaotic time in their lives. Creating art gives kids a chance to take their mind off of things and encourages them to pursue their creativity in new ways.

The one-of-a-kind works of art were auctioned off at a special donor and volunteer appreciation event. Click here to see images of the artwork and auction event.

The Art of Healing was also featured on City News. Click here to see the video.

Click here to read the official program from The Art of Healing.

Participating Artists
Rachel Butler, Jason Deary, Suzanne Dennis, Scott Everingham, Matt Greenwood, Nadia Gurkova, Chris Harms, Justyna Janik, Sarah Letovsky, Erin Loree, Sean Martindale, Alex McLeod, Juliana Neufeld, Oliver Pauk, Sara Pearson, Derrick Piens, Jen Pilles, Claire Scherzinger, Broadbent Sisters, Diana VanderMeulen, & Michael Vickers

About Ronald McDonald House Charities Toronto
Ronald McDonald House Charities Toronto is a “home away from home” for seriously ill children and their families to heal better together. The House is “home” to 81 out-of-town families who have had to travel to Toronto for specialized treatment.

Akin Projects at YIMBY Toronto this Saturday!

On Sept 24 join Akin Projects and 100 other community and grassroots organizations at YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) Toronto where we will gather; exchange ideas, skills and strategies; and collectively imagine our future city. This year?s theme is Massively Open ? exploring how inclusivity & accessibility, and sharing connections, vulnerability, expertise, data, and more can strengthen our work. Come through to check out the work of these amazing grassroots/community groups and enjoy some free workshops!

12:30-2pm - Make Your Own Documentary workshop

1-2pm - Steps to Inclusion presented by HARMONY MOVEMENT

1-2pm - Your Genius Needed: social enterprise in Toronto presented by SOCIAL ENTERPRISE TORONTO

1-2pm - Cut to the Chase: How to Figure out if a Consultation is Legit and What You Can Do About It presented by META STRATEGIES, THINKFRESH GROUP, & SWERHUN FACILITATION

2-3pm - Disrupting the Fossil Fuel Status Quo in Toronto presented by OUR HORIZON

2-3pm - Mock-Living Room Salon with Live Music and Conversation, presented by TORONTO HOUSE CULTURE - featuring ZooShare and the Institute for a Resource Based Economy (IRBE)

Click here to reserve your spot in the workshops.

Click here to RSVP to the event.

CONTEMPORARY TEXTILE STUDIO CO-OP Fall 2016 Programming

The Contemporary Textile Studio offers a range of public programming, from ongoing textile classes taught by studio members suitable for first time enthusiasts, to specialized workshops led by well known artists and designers. Click here for a full listing of the fall programs.

About Contemporary Textile Studio
The Contemporary Textile Studio Co-operative was developed in 2006 by a group of textile artists and craftspersons in Toronto to provide access to affordable and properly equipped studio space. Through their studio at 401 Richmond, members and associates work, teach, learn, interact and innovate with other designers and artists, and the community.

Celia Moase // North American Meditations

Join Celia Moase of Akin Dupont on September 29 at Hashtag Gallery, 830 Dundas Street West, for the opening of her exhibition, North American Meditations.

About North American Meditations
Always trying to figure out what this life is about, Celia Moase and Dason Johnson went on a journey throughout Canada and the United States, documenting along the way. What commenced as a road trip to visit friends and family, with camping in some green spots on the map in between, became very nature-focused and was driven by freedom, inspiration, intention and a sense of discovery. Join them on opening night September 29 to view Celia’s large Hasselblad film photographs in print, paired with meditational life lessons and video and sound footage by Dason of their continuous journey.

On October 1, Nuit Blanche, Celia and Dason open the space for all in an immersive jam. Dason’s musical talents will guide the evening, and everyone is welcome to add to the recording and atmosphere. Celia will be present to help you be present by enlightening your senses with various foods, scents and tangibles. Think you aren’t creative or musical? They’re here to show you just the opposite. Come slow down and immerse yourself in their oasis from dusk to late.

North American Meditations runs from September 29-October 9

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Last chance to apply to The Artist Project

Visual artists of all mediums are invited to submit an application for the Artist Project 2017. Apply today and be a part of our 10th anniversary show. We look forward to the most exciting fair yet, celebrating 10 years of showcasing the top contemporary artists from Canada and abroad in this exclusive juried art fair.

Application deadline extended until Friday, September 23, 2016. Apply today!

Michael Vickers // FOMO Exhibition at Drake One Fifty

Come out and celebrate the launch of FOMO Exhibition at Drake One Fifty, featuring new work from local and international artists including Michael Vickers of Akin Lansdowne. FOMO will run from September 18, 2016 - September 15, 2017.

OPENING RECEPTION SEPT. 18, 2016 // DRAKE ONE FIFTY // 150 YORK ST. TORONTO
ARTIST TALK: 5PM- 6PM - DJ + LIVE VIDEO ART PROJECTIONS TO FOLLOW!

FOMO

Featured artists include:

Wendy White
Kristen Schiele
Michael Vickers
Shaun Gladwell
Jen Mann
Nicole Beno

Curated by Mia Nielsen

About Drake One Fifty
Drake One Fifty is a space that is rooted in the design traditions of the 20th century, our 4th annual exhibition will propel the space into the future, putting a millennial spin on the environment. With fluorescent abstract sculptures, gradients, GIFs + selfies, it is an exhibition that will electrify The Drake’s downtown outpost.

FORGE: Surrealist Collage Workshop with Danielle Cole

October 13 from 6:30-9:00pm at Akin Lansdowne: 87 Wade Avenue
$25 (includes materials). Limited tickets available, get yours at www.universe.com/collageworkshop

What will we cover?

• We will begin with collage based on the Surrealist activity Corpse Bizarre

• Techniques for seamlessly cutting material to be used in collage

• Going beyond the glue stick – techniques for gluing fine and large pieces of collage without causing the material to bubble or tear

• How to source and combine collage materials in order to create a unique piece of art

What’s it all about?
Michelangelo said of his art ‘every block of stone has a statue inside and it is the task of the sculpture to discover it.’ This quote holds true for the construction of the collages. Sorting through hundreds of images, from magazines and books both new and old, until the magical moment when all the pieces come together to create a perfect piece of art. Collage is the perfect medium for creative thinkers, artists and crafty people. This is a hands-on workshop where you will be shown strategies for creating collages that are seamlessly built and helped towards creating a unique piece of art to take home at the end of the evening. All materials will be provided.

Who will be teaching?
The collage workshop will be taught by Danielle Cole, a Toronto-based collage artist and teacher. Her college work has most recently been featured at the Timeraiser show at the Powerplant and can currently be found in several restaurant bathrooms in Toronto and across Canada thanks to winning a New Ad competition back in March. She believes that everyone is capable of making a truly great collage but few people are capable of spending years gathering the materials and know how to make it happen. You can view her work at: www.daniellecole.ca Danielle has her BFA from York University, a degree in Advertising and Graphic Design from George Brown, and 13 years experience teaching art to high school students in the TDSB.

anahita azrahimi // Subtle fragments // exhibition at Propeller Gallery

Congratulations to anahita azrahimi of Akin Lansdowne on your upcoming exhibition Subtle fragments with fellow artist helen liene dreifelds.

Opening reception Saturday, September 24th 2:00pm-5:00pm
September 19 - 25, 2016 at Propeller Gallery, 30 Abell St, Toronto

Textiles are coded material, a living language and archive. Subtle fragments, shared crinkles brings together the work of two emerging artists working with and referencing textiles. A mutual preoccupation with draping and folds is explored through a range of processes: assembling, collage, layering, weaving and drawing. The result is a series of meticulous records that appear to be in various states of beginning, unraveling.

About anahita:
anahita azrahimi is a Toronto based visual artist and arts manager. She divides her time between her art practice and as Executive Director of Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition.
She is fascinated by essence and complexities of clothing and folds and their relationship to body and emotions. She cuts out shapes and patterns of folds and draperies found in fashion editorials and create bodily motion and drama in abstract from or imaginary landscapes without directly referencing the body. Since December 2015, she has put herself on a rigorous, year-long #collagediet and research. She has created over 200 pieces of collage on paper since. anahita’s works are held in private collections across Europe and North America.
 

Akin Projects at 1/Edition: Toronto's Art Book Fair

Akin Projects is thrilled to announce that we will be participating in the inaugural 1/Edition: Toronto's Art Book Fair. Join us on October 28 - 31 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre!

Edition Toronto is dedicated to the promotion of art book publishing in all forms, while building an appreciation for artworks produced in editions of more than one.

October 28–31, 2016 will mark the first Edition art book fair in Toronto. Running concurrently with Art Toronto, Canada’s international art fair (which had over 21,000 visitors last year) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the Edition fair shares a focus on contemporary art practices. Edition will welcome book publishers, commercial galleries, artist-run centres, and independent artists, collectives, book-makers and dealers from around the world. Visitors will have their eyes and minds opened to alternative ways of looking at and collecting art as they browse a wide range of contemporary and historical editions, multiples, publications and collectible art-related ephemera.

Edition Toronto is also pleased to be collaborating with Art Metropole, an organization that has been dedicated to the promotion, distribution and conservation of artist’s books and multiples since 1974, in the development of the fair’s programming. Throughout the weekend, workshops and panel discussions by local, national and international artists, curators, collectors, critics, performers and other visionaries will educate, enlighten and engage visitors to the fair.

Admission to the Edition fair is free.

www.editiontoronto.com

Akin at Yes in My Backyard

September 24, 2016, 12-4pm at Metro Hall / 55 John Street, Toronto

Join Akin Projects, and many other awesome Toronto Grassroots and community-based organizations who are actively working to build a better Toronto at the Yes in My Backyard Festival.

The YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) Festival is an event for people and groups involved – or looking to become involved – in grassroots, locally driven community development in Toronto. The Festival is an opportunity for people to gather, spread the word about their work, exchange ideas to effect change and strengthen their networks. It’s a chance to celebrate achievements and identify new challenges and opportunities, in an atmosphere focused on listening, learning and engaging. This one-day event invites community groups from across Toronto to turn the tables on politicians and policy makers, educating them about the issues that face our city’s communities, as experienced by the community. YIMBY provides an opportunity for neighbours to meet neighbours, residents to meet politicians and politicians to meet community groups in the spirit of people coming together for positive change.

The annual YIMBY Festival features over 100 community-based groups, free, interactive workshops and activities, and more!

This year’s theme is Massively Open – exploring how inclusivity & accessibility, and sharing connections, vulnerability, expertise, data, and more can strengthen our work. Through the festival, we will explore how various forms of openness can support us in realizing our collective hopes for a better Toronto – and what that looks like.

YIMBY is about empowering and educating ourselves and each other about the various issues facing our communities.

It is a chance to celebrate achievements and identify new challenges and opportunities in an atmosphere focused on listening, learning and engaging.

#YIMBY2016 is presented by Shape My City, in collaboration with ThinkFresh Group.

Akin Projects at Word on the Street Toronto

Sunday, September 25, 2016/ Harbourfront Centre | 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Come visit the Akin Projects booth at Word on the Street Toronto. We will be in the Fringe Beat Zone (Between The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery and Boxcar Social Coffee Shop) at table #FB4. We will have awesome books, zines, and other creations from the talented members of Akin Collective.

About Word on the Street:
The Word On The Street is a non-profit organization that celebrates Canadian reading, writing, and champions literacy primarily through a free, annual outdoor festival. Each September, in communities from coast-to-coast, we invite everyone to participate in hundreds of author events, presentations and workshops, and to browse a marketplace that boasts the best selection of Canadian books and magazines you’ll find anywhere. And it’s free!

Katie Sadie // Streets and Stories at Glassbox

Tiger Beer Presents: Streets & Stories.

Tiger was born on the streets of Asia and brewed using the tropical heat. Come celebrate the end of an amazing and tropical summer in Toronto with a collection of street photos from Will Jivcoff and Katie Sadie of Akin Dufferin.

Zines from Katie & Will for sale.

About Katie S

 

ARTIFACTS: Akin X Project Group Show

Opening Reception: Sat Sept 10, 6-9pm
Exhibition Dates: Sept 10 - Oct 2, 2016

Group show featuring work of Akin members:

Ghazaleh Avarzamani
Atanas Bozdarov
Jen Collins
Chris Harms
Rebecca Houston
Laura Kay Keeling
Nicole Krstin
Adria Mirabelli

Curated and presented by Project Gallery, at Project Gallery Studios (184 Munro st - back entrance)

Sights & Sounds Art Show & Silent Auction

NIXON & GOTSTYLE would like to invite you to an evening of art, music, style, and heart in support of Akin Projects for CAMH.

Featuring work by:
+ Justin Broadbent
+ Jeff Blackburn
+ Mike Echlin (Spazz)
+ Lauren Hurley
+ Joel Macleod
+ Cassandra Moy
+ Oliver Pauk
+ Jacqueline Poirier “The Crazy Plate Lady”
+ Lauren Pirie
+ Callen Schaub
+ Daniel St –Amant
+ Samara Shuter
+ Tony Taylor
+ Jon Todd
+ Michael Vickers
+ Natalie Waddell

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 8th 2016
6PM-9PM @ Gotstyle in the Distillery District, Toronto.
21 Trinity St, Toronto, (416) 260-9696

Proceeds from this event will support Akin Projects' artist-led workshops and activities for Youth Addiction & Concurrent Disorders Services at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

PLEASE RSVP by Tuesday September 6th to andrea.ciccone@nixon.com or to charlotte@gotstyle.ca

Nixon & Gotstyle would like to thank all the artists who have donated their time and talent to SIGHTS & SOUNDS art show and silent auction. For more information on all artists involved, please visit our event page on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1643355222622166/

Thank you for your interest in the NIXON X GOTSTYLE SIGHTS & SOUNDS exhibit and silent auction, and for your help in spreading the love of art and culture in our local community. We hope to see you on Thursday September 8th

FORGE: Grant Writing 101 with the Ontario Arts Council

September 19, 6:30pm / Committee Room 2, Second Floor East Side, Toronto City Hall - 100 Queen Street West.

Free! Must reserve a ticket - please RSVP here: https://www.universe.com/grantwriting101

Join us again to learn how to get grants ($$$) from the people that give them.

Writing grants is a significant part of many artist's careers- so let's learn how to do it properly! This interactive workshop will explore the process of planning, writing and submitting grant proposals to different governing bodies. As a major funder themselves, the Ontario Arts Council provide clear examples of the grant writing process and the various the dos and don'ts of everything from creating your budget to organizing your support material and work plan. Following this, there will be an extensive Q&A period.

Bio:
Janice Lambrakos is the Information Services Coordinator with the Ontario Arts Council. Janice takes pride in having worked for the Ontario Arts Council for the past 25 years. She has provided administrative support in a number of program offices, including Community Arts, Film, Photography and Video (now Media Arts), and Literature, giving her an in-depth knowledge of many of the OAC’s granting programs.

Akin Projects - Skillshare: Documenting and Archiving your work

Tuesday September 13, 2016 / 7pm-9pm / Akin Collective Lansdowne Studios - 87 Wade Ave, Studio 203 / FREE / Open to the public / Space is limited. Please RSVP by signing up here: https://www.universe.com/skillshare3

This will be the third Akin Projects Skillshare event focusing on how and why we document and archive our creative work.

The Akin Projects Skillshare is a casual, moderated discussion for arts entrepreneurs and creative business people in a studio environment. Connect with your peers through practical experience at this collaborative event. Share your skills, resources, and ideas, and have your questions answered. Please come prepared to talk and share your thoughts and process when it comes to documenting and archiving your own creative work. A laptop and large screen will be available for digital presentations.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Scanning artwork and photographs
- Photographing your work
- Video documentation
- Websites and portfolios
- Curriculum Vitae
- Long term storage and preservation of artwork
- Documenting your process
- Titling and numberingand cataloging your work
- Digital presentation of non-digital work
- Documenting performances and installations

This event is free and open to the public. It is ideal for artists and makers of all skill levels.

Please bring any questions you have, and come prepared to talk about your relevant experiences. Attendees are encouraged to bring at least one thing to share with the group such as:
- and example of how you document your work (website, video, photograph, scanned file)
- a tool you use for archiving or documenting your work
- a resource recommendation for documenting services

BYOB / Feel free to bring snacks to share

Akin & Xpace Artist Garage Sale This Weekend!

We hope to see you at the Akin & Xpace Artist Garage Sale this Saturday at Xpace Cultural Centre! 30 artists have cleaned out their studios and will be selling art pieces and new/gently used supplies at discounted prices.

Participating artists: Akin Projects, Joshua Advincula, Lizz Aston, Tim Bettridge, Marla Buck, Seihn Cha, Caitlyn Chisamore, Victoria Day, Suzanne Dennis, Laura Elliott, Enrique Velez Gaudite, Emily Harrison, Kwentong Bayan Collective, Shelby McLeod, Adria Mirabelli, Gilda Monreal, Karen Nguyen, Sophia Oppel, PARC, Oliver Pauk, Antonio Pendones, Janet Pierre, Jen Pilles, Bryanna Reilly, jes sachse, Nyssa Sky, Tough Guy Mountain, Michael Vickers

Saturday, August 27, 12-4pm at Xpace, 2-303 Lansdowne Ave.

Danielle Cole // Clipped Wings at Graven Feather Gallery

September 7th - October 3rd, 2016
Reception: September 8th, 2016 6-9pm

Clipped Wings, explores the absurdity of extreme wealth and the compulsion to secure the most au courant objects. Overstuffed chairs too delicate to sit on, decorative dishes empty of food and vases that will never find themselves filled with water, avocado green chairs, periwinkle telephones, burnt-orange blenders all come together in a world where the inhabitants are well matched but completely indifferent to their environment. The primary inhabitants of this universe are birds. Birds that have forgotten how to fly, have never learned how to fly or couldn’t be bothered to take flight. They perch on whatever surface they find, in the finest rooms and in the strangest spaces and at the cost of the comfort of others, they are confident in their belief that they belong.

Each piece in the show is a handmade collage, the result of hours spent in thrift shops, years spent salvaging the cast-offs from high school storerooms and libraries, and offerings from helpful friends, ambitious suitors and a vintage loving landlord. Sorting through hundreds of images until the magical moment when you get to say: that bird belongs on top of that chair.

More images available on Danielle's website here
Follow Danielle on instagram

Danielle will be leading a collage workshop as apart of the Akin Projects FORGE Workshop Series on October 13. To reserve a space for the workshop send us an email.

AKIN: The Power Plant + Picnic

Sunday August 28 / 3pm / The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery / 231 Queens Quay West

Do you like The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery but it's too far to go alone? Do you enjoy a summer picnic but don't like eating solo? Boy do we have the best Sunday ever planned for you.

Join Akin Projects and tour The Power Plant's two current, brilliant exhibitions followed by a waterfront picnic in the park after ( bring snacks / blankets! )

Featured Exhibitions:

Franz Eerhard Walther // Call to Action

Ulla von Brandenburg // It Has a Golden Red Sun and an Elderly Green Moon

See you there!

xo AKIN