In the Middle, a celebration of Canadian-Middle Eastern and North African Artists

July 15, 12pm-10pm
July 16, 9am-6pm

Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W

Opening Reception: July 15, 6pm-10pm

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In the Middle is a celebration of the unique perspectives of Canadian-Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) artists as well as those geographically adjacent. It is an opportunity to recognize the importance of MENA and MENA-adjacent artists in the Toronto art scene and to highlight an underrepresented vision as well as recognize the diversity of MENA culture and celebrate the beauty of its art.

Eleven artists will be sharing their stories and unique experiences with the world. It’s a chance to create a dialogue about the importance of representation and inclusion in the art world and to create a space where MENA and MENA-adjacent artists can be seen, heard, and respected.

Artist Participating: 
Amina Boufennara 
Amnna Attia 
Ayan Melikli 
Christina Hajjar 
Edriss Sydeqi 
Özge Dilan Arslan
Pamela Andonian (Ch!K P)
Qudsia Hussain 
Rabiyah Sagheer
Sara Abulkarim
Sara Ghaben

The Exhibition Is Curated By: 
Amina Boufennara 
Habiba Raouf
Sara Abulkarim

Sara Abulkarim is the 2022 recipient of the Akin x OCADU Career Launcher Award. Born in Iraq, she immigrated to Montreal in 2002, where she studied Interior Design. Following her passion, in 2017 she decided to study Fine Arts at OCAD University. Sara’s art often stems from memory and feelings. She paints moments and fragments of her life, meaningful spaces and moments that sculpted her into the person she is today. Intrigued by abstract, she loves to try new techniques and mediums to mimic her emotions through colours and gestures. Her work is characterized by vibrant colours and animated movement. Website: www.saraabulkarim.com

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

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Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W, Toronto

 

“Catch and Release” by Yannis Lobaina at Remote Gallery

July 6-13
Akin’s Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W

Gallery Hours: 1-7pm
Free Interactive Workshops: July 8 & 9 at 2pm

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Akin’s Remote Gallery is thrilled to welcome space award winner Yannis Lobaina to the Remote Gallery for a new photo exhibition, Catch and Release. 

Yannis’ work captures the fleeting moments and sacred geometry of Mother Nature. In Catch and Release, a series of twelve minimalist photographic narratives, Yannis explores patterns, pareidolias (faces), spirals, clouds, textures and their spiritual significance. 

Throughout the exhibition, Yannis Lobaina will be hosting a series of 2 free art-making photography workshops on Saturday, July 8 and Sunday July 9 at 2:00pm. The workshops will be a family friendly experience to explore Yannis’ artworks, and to get inspired to create their own piece of art. All the artwork produced during the workshop will become part of the online exhibit on Yannis’ website.

Yannis Lobaina is a Cuban artist, author, filmmaker, photographer and community arts facilitator. Currently, she lives in Toronto. In her work, Yannis explores themes of immigration, diaspora, language, and motherhood. As a photographer, she focuses on minimalist storytelling photography, landscapes, patterns, sacred geometry, and pareidolias in Mother Nature. She has been recognized with several awards and grants by the TAC and OAC, which has funded her ongoing series Alive, Upside Down. Yannis has twice received the Newcomer Space Award (2020, 2022) and has been showcased at Remote Gallery (2021) and at public Library Oakwood Village Library and Arts Centre(February 2023).

Thank you to the Toronto Arts Foundation, and the Neighbourhood Arts Foundation for their support. 

Find more information about Yannis’ work here.

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

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Image Description: Yannis Lobania’s photograph, Fibonacci Spiral, a macro, black and white shot of a sunflower against a black background. Surrounding the image is text which reads “Fibonacci Spiral, Yannis Lobaina, digital photographs, metal wall art, landscape, 11 x 14”, 2023.” 

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Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W, Toronto

 

Resonance of a Deep Ground, Gizem Candan

June 29 - July 2
Akin’s Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W

Opening Reception:
Thursday June 29, 6-10pm

Gallery Hours:
Friday - Sunday: 12-6pm

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Akin’s Remote Gallery is proud to introduce a showcase of brand new work from Newcomer Space Award Winner Gizem Candan. Resonance of a Deep Ground features Candan’s most recent paintings of earthworms and their enigmatic habitat. 

Fresh from a painting residency at Artscape Gibraltar Point earlier in June, Candan hosted earth worm composting workshops as part of her residency. Her contemplation of earthworm ecology has resulted in a beautiful display of abstract oil paintings which draws their inspiration from our crawling friends underground and their miraculous regenerative abilities. 

Gizem Candan is a visual artist and researcher based in Toronto. She graduated with two BFAs, one in Plastic Arts and Painting and one in Graphic Design from Yeditepe University in Istanbul. She is in the process of completing her master’s in Criticism and Curatorial Practice at OCAD University. She is represented by Sivarulrasa Gallery in Almonte, ON. Her works have been exhibited in Canada and Turkey, and are held in many private collections and the Special Collections of the Toronto Reference Library. She also works at Cooper Cole Gallery as a research assistant. Her artistic practice explores the tensions and depressions between humans and their surroundings in the Anthropocene. She employs a variety of approaches in her work to emphasize "figure" as both human and more-than-human, as well as the landscape-centered scenes around it. Her main area of focus is on narrating that examines the modern human and its enigmatic potential relationship through the lens of nature. "Structure" in her paintings is visible in two distinct ways: composition and colour palette. 

Candan is a 2022 recipient of the 2022 Newcomer Space Award. Created by Akin, the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Neighbourhood Arts Network, the Newcomer Space Award provides newcomers credit for an Akin studio membership and to Akin’s Remote Gallery. This award not only provides funding and space essential for professional artists to grow their practice, but also supports artists in growing their network through the shared studio space model.

Learn more about Gizem Candan’s work at her website and on instagram.

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

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Image Description: Above is a painting by Candan, an abstract oil painting of earthworms, filled with light and dark browns and rust reds. Underneath it, over a white panel, black text reads “Resonance of a Deep Ground, Gizem Candan, June 29-July 2, 2023, Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON.”

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Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W, Toronto

 

Art Exhibition by Artist Naghmeh Ghasemzadeh

June 17 - 25  
Akin’s Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W

Opening Reception:
Saturday June 17: 5-7pm

Remote Gallery Hours:
Monday to Friday: 2-8pm
Saturday and Sunday: 11am-6pm

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Remote Gallery is thrilled to show a new and exciting exhibition by Naghmeh Ghasemzadeh, a multi-disciplinary artist and the winner of the 2022 Space Award, presented by Akin in partnership with the Neighbourhood Arts Network. Naghmeh Ghasemzadeh, a.k.a NAG, is an Iranian born, French-Canadian artist. 

Naghmeh’s work examines her own stories of immigration, cultural assimilation and uprootedness. These ideas intersect with women’s rights, gender equality and resilience. She expresses such subjects through fragmented materials and narratives that depict her endeavor to find an imaginary link between events, beings, belongings and destinies, by assembling materials that don’t usually fit together. She questions frantic consumption, accumulation and purpose by giving new life to outdated and broken things. Organic drawings and materials, medical or industrial waste are assembled in mixed media and installations, creating strange living organisms that reflect her quest to find a place and community to which she’ll finally belong.

To learn more about NAG’s work, visit www.nag-artist.com, or on instagram @nag_artist

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Special thanks to Toronto Arts Foundation, Neighbourhood Arts Network and Ontario Arts Council. 

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

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Image Description: A poster advertising Naghmeh Ghasemzadeh’s Upcoming Exhibition.  A white background shows brown text reading “Art Exhibition, June 17-25 2023,” The left hand side shows the artist’s logo, which reads ‘NAG’, and brown text below which reads ‘Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W, Hours Monday-Friday 2-8 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11-6 pm, Opening Saturday June 17th, 2023 5-7pm. With the kind support of the Ontario Arts Council. Special thanks to the Toronto Arts Foundation, Neighbourhood Arts Network, Akin Projects and Ontario Arts Council.” The Ontario Arts Council Logo is at the bottom right corner on the poster.  Above it is a multimedia image. In the center is a print-style black and white image of a person, covering their eyes and mouth with each hand. They are wearing a black shirt and have dark curly hair. Above them is the photograph of an eye, below them are collaged green leaves and dried flowers atop the image.

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Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W, Toronto

 

Narcissus, an installation by Renato Baldin with photographs by Filipe Paulo - Coming Soon to Remote Gallery!

The Greek myth of Narcissus tells the story of a perfect child, a gift from the gods, fated to live into old age as long as he never saw his own reflection. One day, Narcissus walked to a lake to drink, the water was perfectly still. He leaned over and saw his own reflection. Instantly, he fell in love with himself, leaned into his reflection, fell into the water and drowned. 

Brazilian Artist, Curator Renato Baldin contemplates self reflection, beauty and celebrates body positivity in his newest show, Narcissus, an interactive installation set to take place as part of Pride Toronto, at Akin’s Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond Street West from May 25th to June 10th.

Baldin was taken by the myth of Narcissus, the way it introduces reflection and self admiration as a negative construct. A queer activist, Baldin knows that self love plays an essential role in the health and vitality of the queer,  gender non-conforming community. 

“Fighting against an oppressive environment imposed by the binary gender system, we, as queer people, forget to love ourselves as we are,” Baldin says. “We all have beauty, we are all connected, we can be stronger if we stand together as a cohesive body, working as a community.”

The result will be an interactive photo mosaic of non-conforming bodies; wrinkles, muscle, skin tone, gender nonconformity, all united together in one brilliant image. Participants will be able to take photos with their phones and use a printer within the gallery to add to the installation.  Viewers are also encouraged to participate before the show on Instagram, (@renato.baldin) where he’ll bring questions, themes and reflections, inviting people to interact. 

Narcissus reflects on toxic masculinity, homophobia, fragility and freedom in the form of a broken mirror whose shards reveal the diversity of queer bodies. The exhibit will include images by Filipe Paulo, an acclaimed Toronto based photographer and filmmaker.

Renato Baldin is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist, curator, and activist from Brazil. His work focuses on immersive art installations, influenced by his background in Architecture and Human Rights.  His art installations include visual statements inspired by Queer studies, Anthropology, Psychology, and Social reflections. They are experiential and invite people to reflect on our world together.

He has curated and designed over 15 exhibitions; has worked for high-tech museums like the Football Museum and Portuguese Language Museum; and is a co-founder and key organizer of the Sao Paulo LGBT Pride Parade, the largest pride event in the world with over 3.5 million participants.

Filipe Paulo is a photographer based in Toronto. His work blurs the lines of queer boudoir by exploring themes of repressed identity, sensuality, isolation and the search for the tangible in a digital world. Taking gay stereotypes, adding a wink and a bit of tenderness Filipe aims to titillate but more importantly to make the viewer feel something.

Filipe's instagram account @inappropriate.touching was started in 2019 as a venue to display his work and has grown to over 5,000 followers. He has a bachelors degree in Film Studies from Toronto Metro University and his final year queer themed short film, Porcaria, premiered at the 1994 Toronto International Film Festival and has played in numerous film festivals around the world.

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

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Exhibition Details:

Dates: May 25 – Jun 10

Times: 
Wed - Fri from 3pm - 7pm
Sat - Sun from 1pm -6pm

Location: 
Remote Gallery (568 Richmond St West), Toronto

Narcissus at Remote Gallery is an
Official Affiliate Event of Pride Toronto 2023! 

Akin at The Artist Project - April 13 to 16

Get ready for the highly-anticipated return of The Artist Project at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, from April 13th to 16th! Featuring over 250 independent artists, including several Akin members, this event promises to be a celebration of creativity, inspiration, and connection.

The Opening Night Preview is on April 13th from 6-10pm, it will include a fashion show from  Fashion Art Toronto, Aura photography, Tarot Card reading, and a live DJ set. Experience a stimulating environment designed to ignite enriching conversations and foster a personal connection with art.

The Akin booth will be showcasing the talented works of members of the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG: Amada Estabillo, Jason Bomers, Tiana Robinson, Erin McCluskey, Emily MacClennan, Mel Hayes, Felicia Cirstea, Maren Boedeker, Hamid Mohammadi, Linds Miyo and Chico Togni. Find us at booth 1009 near the Untapped Emerging Artist section (featuring Akin’s very own, Sabrina Pinksen)!

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Another interesting exhibit will be the OCAD U Career Launcher Initiative, where Vladimir Kanic, the recipient of the Artist Project 2023 Career Launcher, will present Garden of Waves, as part of his ongoing body of work with algae for the 2023 fair.

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Image Description: Miles Ingrassia at the Artist Project 2022. Miles is standing in front of his paintings which are displayed on a white wall surrounding him. Miles has a tshirt on and a hat and glasses and is smiling slightly at the camera.

While you are there, don’t forget to look for Akin members and alumni at their very own booths and say hello! Akin members exhibiting include Miles Ingrassia (booth 122), Carolina Reis (booth 108), Jen Arron (booth I6), Natalie Plociennik (booth 236) and Zoe Bridgeman (booth 926) and many Akin alumni will be among the exhibiting artists as well!  

Click here to get your tickets. See you there!  

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Accessibility Information:

The Better Living Centre has step-free access to the building and is level throughout. A limited number of assisted devices are available onsite at the information desk for those who need them. Service animals are allowed into all areas of the event that are open to the public. The Artist Project is happy to offer a complimentary admission pass for the support person of a person with a disability.

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

#BringingTheArtsToLife @CanadaCouncil 

Upcoming: Four Exhibitions Featuring Akin Members

Calling all art lovers and Akin community supporters! Be sure not to miss these upcoming exhibitions from our beloved Akin-folk as they showcase exciting new work.

These shows are featuring Akin Members Erin Candela, Jason Bomers, Kyle Yip, Rosemary Miguez, Cath Turl & Jeanette McLachlin as well as Akin Board of Directors member Kristina McMullin.

Image description: Mosaic tiles showing a tiger with wide eyes, biting into the neck of a sheep against a background of black tile. On the far left side of the mosaic, a tree with white buds lays in the background behind the tiger’s tail.

Other Tigers - group show and Grand Opening of The Lost and Found Project Space - featuring Akin Members and Akin alumni.

Opening of a brand new gallery and community space, The Lost & Found, run by Ceramicist Nurielle Stern. This new project space is now accepting submissions from independent curators, artist-curators, and organizations, educational institutions, and commercial galleries. They aim to provide exhibition opportunities for emerging and established contemporary artists working in any medium.

This inaugural exhibition is featuring Akin studio artists Erin Candela and Jason Bomers, along with former Akin members David Salazar and Helen Liene Dreifelds, and many more!

Opening reception: April 15, 7:00 to 11:00 pm

Exhibition dates: April 15 - May 7, 2023

Exhibition hours: Except for the opening, the exhibtion will be open by appointment.

Location: The Lost and Found, 420 Queen St E Toronto

More details about the show including a full list of partcipating artists here 

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Image description: grey banner with black geometric shapes on it and the exhibition details which are included in this blog post written in a wavy font.

RENAISSANCE SHOW - a solo exhibition by Akin Waterfront member Kyle Yip

Image description: A photograph of Kyle Yip standing in front of a pink, geometric backdrop. Kyle is wearing a black t-shirt splattered with paint and green pants. His arms are folded, he has short black hair and a slight smile. 

Kyle Yip's trans-disciplinary practice integrates eastern and western recovery-based approaches derived from gnosis and neuroscience. It plays with the new fixities of identity politics drawn from the colour-field of pop physics, combining euclidean and sacred geometry with vexillology. Some of these practices include art therapy, dreamwork, as well as meditation, reiki, and esoteric cosmological rituals that unsettle mainstream norms in contemporary art. His work addresses an urgent need in the art industry to merge explorations between personal development and avant-gardist aesthetics. This exhibition is generously supported by Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival.

Opening Reception: April 22, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Exhibition dates: April 18 - May 12, 2023 

Exhibition Hours:
Tue - Fri, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sat, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: Collision Gallery, 30 Wellington St W Unit G114, Toronto

Special event - Sound Bath Meditation: with The SoundBody Collective on April 29, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Get tickets here.

More details about the show here

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Cripping Masculinity: Designing Fashion Utopias

Image Description: A graphic icon featuring black and white photographs of four items of clothing. The clothing is surrounded by a sulfur coloured graphic brush stroke. The background of the graphic is hot pink.

Cripping Masculinity: Designing Fashion Utopias is a journey into the fashion worldbuilding of Disabled, Deaf, and Mad-identified men and masculine people. This exhibition showcases a selection of the everyday clothing and re-made garments from participants in Cripping Masculinity. The clothing and stories highlight the fashion imagination and wisdom that comes from the experiences of disabled masculinities, demonstrating how closing off access to prevailing systems of fashion and masculinity opens up alternatives that foster belonging, creativity, and desire for disability.

The Cripping Masculinity team is made up of researchers, designers, and activists based at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto, the University of Alberta in Edmonton and Parsons School of Design in New York. The team includes Akin’s Board of Directors member Kristina McMullin.

Exhibition dates: On now until May 12, 2023

Exhibition hours: Wed - Sat, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location: Tangled Art + Disability, 401 Richmond St W S-124, Toronto

Special event - FAT Fashion Show: April 29, 2023, Urban Space Gallery, Urban Space Gallery 401 Richmond St W S-124, Toronto

More details about the show here

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Visually Speaking, a group exhibition - featuring Akin members Rosemary Miguez, Cath Turl & Jeanette McLachlin

Official Opening: April 5 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Exhibition dates: April 4 - 9, 2023

Exhibition hours:
Tues & Sun: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm,
Wed - Sat: 12:00 pm - 8:00pm,
Artist talks daily at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

Location: Show Gallery, 978 Queen St W. Toronto

Special Event - Poetry Workshops: Friday & Saturday at 2:00 pm.
Sign up by texting 1-204-299-3904

More details about the show here

Image Description: an event poster listing the event title, artist names, and exhibition details which are all included in this blog post. The background of the poster is a light purpole colour and there are photographs on the poster showing different artworks including paintings and sculptures.

Artist Opportunities Round-Up: Residencies, Exhibitions, Art Crawls & More!

As the spring approaches, we’ve rounded up some fresh new opportunities for artists. These opportunities come with deadlines in April through August. Best of luck! 

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MOTHRA: Artist-Parent Project

Deadline: April 10th, 2023 (to apply for the July 4-17th residency) 

Description: In 2023 MOTHRA will be offering four artist-parent, child-inclusive, artist residencies at Artscape Gibraltar Point. 

Find more details about the MOTHRA: Artist-Parent Project here

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Image Description: A concrete alleyway facing a white building with a painted mural on it. The mural has a black background, with white clouds moving across the center, and a portrait of a woman with long black hair looking off into the distance. On the left side of the mural, words written in stylized cursive read “looking towards a better future”. On the right side, the text continues, saying “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” 

Call for Mural Proposals: “Just Us” Art Project 2023

Deadline: August 15th, 2023

This call invites concepts from street, mural and graffiti artists and artist collectives committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and inspiring positive change through who they are and the work they create. Project proposals should speak to historic and current social issues and movements within Black and Indigenous communities and equity deserving groups and the importance, benefits, and opportunities to build a better future through inclusion, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

Find more details about the Call for Mural Proposals here

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The Salt Spring National Art Prize 

Deadline: May 31st, 2023

The Salt Spring National Art Prize (SSNAP) is a biennial juried open competition focused on Canadian contemporary visual arts. Approximately fifty finalists are selected for the exhibition by an independent national jury. We invite all Canadian artists whose work exemplifies originality, quality, integrity, and creativity to submit work for consideration.

Find more details about the The Salt Spring National Art Prize here

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Image description: A busy crowd of people stand in a laneway lined with white tents at the outdoor Queen West Art Crawl. There are bright green trees in the background. Some artwork can be seen on display inside the tents.

Call for Artists and Artisans: 2023 Queen West Art Crawl Festival

Deadline: May 31st, 2023 

The Queen West Art Crawl (QWAC) is a charitable corporation that drives a number of initiatives publicly benefiting artists and residents of Toronto through art, music, and multiculturalism, including a two-day multidisciplinary arts festival stretching along Queen Street West from Bathurst to Roncesvalles in Trinity Bellwoods Park in September of each year. With attendance at 20-25k, the Queen West Art Crawl has developed over the years into an inclusive arts and multicultural festival, while staying centered around its annual outdoor art exhibition. 

Find more details about the 2023 Queen West Art Crawl Festival here

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2023 Annual International Mail-In Art Exhibition 

Deadline: April 30th 2023 

The Federation of Canadian Artists is providing this opportunity for artists from all over the world to exhibit for minimal cost and a chance to win prizes for their art. This year’s theme is ‘Recovery’ Submissions must be no bigger than 8" x 10" or 10" x 8" and must be unframed. Substrates can be no deeper than 4mm deep. We frame successfully juried pieces at our gallery.

Find more details about the 2023 Annual International Mail-In Art Exhibition here

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14th Annual Contemporary Juried Art Exhibition
2023 Kirkland Lake Contemporary Art 

Deadline: June 1st , 2023

The Museum of Northern History and the Contemporary Art Committee will host the 14th Annual Contemporary Art Exhibition. Artists at all stages in their career are eligible and all disciplines are welcome. Theme: “Mystique & Reality”

Find more details about the Kirkland Lake Contemporary Art Juried Art Exhibition here

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Image Description: In the foreground a person watches another, smiling in a black hoodie, pins a paper drawing to a white wall, alongside a series of drawings already pinned side by side. One of the drawings reads “Freedom”, while another contains stylized figure sketches. 

Call for Facilitators of Creative Content: Nia Centre 

Deadline: June 6, 2023

Interested in facilitating art-based workshops for youth and young creatives?

The Nia Centre is looking for enthusiastic Art Facilitators to facilitate art-based workshops for our Beyond the Books: School Engagement Program. Looking for facilitators that can lead workshops across the following art mediums:

• Film

• Animation

• Mural Design

• Photography

• Creative Writing

• Dance (with a focus on Afro Caribbean and hip hop dance)

• Theatre, Acting and Performance

As workshops will be held in person at the physical location of the school, facilitators must be available to commute to schools across the Greater Toronto Area. Short-listed applicants will be contacted for a brief virtual Facilitator Show & Share.

Find more details about the Call for Facilitators of Creative Content at the Nia Centre here

Fire Over Water: Catherine Tàmmaro at Remote Gallery - Opening Feb 18, 1-4pm

Catherine Tàmmaro . Fire Over Water 

Feb. 18 - Mar. 17. | VIEWINGS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Opening Day: Sat. Feb. 18th 1-4pm

Remote Gallery: 568 Richmond St West, Toronto

Updated on March 3: Fire Over Water: viewings by appointment only. Take the opportunity to sit with the artist to view the work. Available throughout the week. Please call Catherine Tammaro at 647 222 5548 to book an appointment or email catherine.tammaro@gmail.com. Thank you! 

Catherine Taǫmęˀšreˀ Tàmmaro is a multimedia artist and seated Wyandot FaithKeeper. Since 2019, Catherine has been Akin’s Elder Artist In Residence. We’re so excited Elder Catherine’s work will be coming to the Remote Gallery for her installation entitled FIRE OVER WATER. Fire Over Water involves sound, video, paintings, vitrines and more - inspired by Dr. Kathryn Magee Labelle’s book, Daughters of Aataentsic: Life Stories From Seven Generations, in conjunction with the Wendat Wyandot Women's Advisory Council. 

Focused on Wendat/Wyandot women and their connection to their Ancestors, the land and waters; the Great Mystery and our Kin in the Natural World, Fire Over Water offers insight into Wendat/Wyandot placemaking, placekeeping, our Narratives, Motherwork as well as our precious relationships to each other across time, within the Wendat Confederacy.

Catherine Tàmmaro, Huronia: Sky World View, 2023, Acrylic on Canvas, 30 x 30"
Image Description: Abstract painting with undulating shapes in earthtones on canvas.

Catherine embarked on this project ten years ago with Dr. Labelle and the Council. These works are her reflections on this deeply felt spiritual connection through time and space.

Catherine is active throughout the City of Toronto and beyond, in many organisations as Elder in Residence, Mentor, Teacher and Cultural Advisor. She is an alumna of OCA and has had a diverse career, multiple exhibits and installations, published written works and more. She served on the Board of the TAC, TAC’s Income Precarity Working Group and was the Chair of the Toronto Arts Council’s Indigenous Advisory Committee in 2020/21. Catherine is the Indigenous Arts Program Manager at Toronto Arts Council and continues teaching, learning and exploring her creativity and that of others. 

Learn more about Catherine and her projects through her website, twitter, or instagram. You can listen to Catherine’s music project subductionCurrent,  here

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Image Description: Image with five logos. The logos are: Akin, Remote Gallery, Toronto Arts Council, Conservation Halton and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada 

This project was supported by the Canada Council of the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, Conservation Halton, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Dr. Labelle, the Wendat/Wyandot Women’s Advisory Council, Akin and the Remote Gallery.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. @CanadaCouncil  #BringingTheArtsToLife

Introducing the 2023 Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG Members!

Image description: Six photographs of Akin Studio Program artists, their art and their studios. More information and descriptions of each image can be found at the end of this blog post.

We are excited to introduce the 2023 artists in the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG! The current artist cohort includes students, emerging and professional art practitioners and curators living in Toronto. The Akin Studio Program runs from January - December annually. Selected artists moved their studio into the building for a term of one year and will share their practices with visitors through programs such as open studio events.

We invite you to click on the names of each of the artists below to visit their websites and learn more about them and their work:

Afifa Bari 

Alison Kruse 

Amada Estabillo 

Anne Hamilton 

Chico Togni 

Emerald Repard-Denniston 

Emily MacLennan 

Emma White 

Erin McCluskey 

Felicia Cirstae 

FRANKIE

Hamid Mohammadi 

Ivetta Kang 

James Laforet 

Jason Bomers 

Jo SiMalaya Alcampo  

Kate Gorman 

Linds Miyo 

Maddalena Fuller 

Maren Boedeker 

Mel Hayes 

Sadie Yorath 

Tiana Robinson 

Torin Craig 

Yani Gellman

Below we are including highlights from some of the artists recent news and accomplishments. We look forward to sharing more about this group throughout the year as they explore their creativity and expand their practice in their studios at the Auto BLDG. 

Jo SiMalaya Alcampo is a collaborative partner in Kwentong Bayan Collective, they make komiks/comics and create art projects in collaboration with migrant care workers and other communities. They have exhibited and published internationally, their work is taught in elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, and has been integrated into the Ontario school curriculum. 

Tiana Robinson will be showcasing a selection of artwork on February 25 starting at 7pm at RAW Toronto Presents PROTOTYPE at The McCormack Warehouse. 

Emily MacLennan was awarded the 2022 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair Mayor’s Purchase Award. Her work, ‘Bread Factory’, is now part of the City of Toronto's permanent art collection. 

Artwork by Mel Hayes titled ‘Reconstruction of the Future’ has been featured as a part of the Concept of the Year project by YummyColours on the theme “Dear Future”, a project which meditates on the coming year. 

Yani Gellman is an actor, writer and director. His film ‘Greetings, from the Planet Krog!’ won the 2020 Spirit of Slamdance Award. He most recently starred in the Queensberry Pictures thriller Departing Seniors, slated for release in 2023.

You can find public artwork by Erin McCluskey inside the BMO Weston Rd & HWY 7 Branch. The mural is titled ‘The Humber River Flows Through Here’ and is a part of the BMO National Mural Series, a collaboration with STEPS Public Art and BMO Bank of Montreal. 

Stay tuned for more! Keep following the Akin blog for more Member news & highlghts!

Image descriptions (continued): 1. Artist Linds Miyo is sitting on a stool in her studio and working on a painting. She is holding a paintbrush, behind her are many large paintings. 2. Artist Jo SiMalaya Alcampo is facing the camera. They have their arms crossed are are smiling. Photo credit: Dhalia Katz 3. The studio of Anne Hamilton. There is a desk against the wall with a green chair in front of it. In the foreground is some furniture with a potted plant on it. The plant is flowering. 4. Artist Hamid Mohammadi is sitting on the floor in between his paintings which are leaning against a wall. He is smiling at the camera with his arm resting on his knee. 5. A black and white photo of Mel Hayes. She is standing in her studio surrounded by paintings and art supplies. Light is coming through an unseen window. Her hands are folded in front of her and she is smiling. 6. Artist Erin McCluskey is standing in front of a large colourful mural. She is smiling at the camera and gesturing towards the mural which shows people enjoying the outdoors.

On now: Three exhibitions featuring Akin Members Jen Arron, Marcia Bianchi & Hana Elmasry

Are you feeling the winter blues? Need some inspiration? Try going out to see some art! These three exhibitions are happening right now, featuring Akin Studio members Jen Arron, Marcia Bianchi & Hana Elmasry.

Image Description: Three large textile weavings hand on a white wall. The weavings have a variety of textures and materials and are blue, white and black in colour. Artwork by Jen Arron.

Jen Arron: Selected Works and Studies

On until: March 8th, 2023
Where: The Lobby by Heaps Estrin, 1120 Yonge Street, Toronto
Gallery hours: Mon-Wed 10am-6pm / Thu-Fri: 10am-7pm / Sat: 10am-6pm / Sun: 11am-5pm

Jen Arron is a studio-based textile artist in Toronto. She works with globally sourced fibers to create works that have scale & presence. Weaving entirely by hand, in a freestyle approach, Jen’s large-scale woven pieces explore our connection through time, geography, and materials. There is an ecosystem of life in each of Jen Arron’s pieces. Jen’s process embodies her search for the unique feeling of discovering what she would like to come upon in her work. www.jenarron.com

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Image Description: The background shows a close-up of a painting by Marcia Bianchi in swirling shapes and brown and cream colours. ON the left side of the image is white text with the exhibition information.

Marcia Bianchi: Emotive Distance

On until: January 29th, 2023
Where: Gallery 1313 in the Cell Gallery, 1313 Queen St West, Toronto
Gallery hours: Wed-Sat 1pm-5pm, Sun 1pm-4pm

Emotive Distance is a group of oil paintings that focuses on the female form, drawing from various influences including contemporary photography and ancient European sculpture. This series invites the viewer to mimic the stillness present in each painting, and contemplate their own inner state, starting with where they find discomfort. The intention is to enter the void through recognizing that which stands out to us about the work, and following it. Click here to learn more about the exhibition.

Marcia Bianchi is a contemporary figurative artist based in Toronto, Canada. Her work has evolved since pursuing a career in graphic design, when she began fusing the design principles with canvas. Heavily influenced by psychology and the exploration  of the mind, her intention is to create pieces that will allow the viewer to experience a moment of ease.  Her practice continues to evolve as she explores mediums and muses. marciabianchi.ca

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Image above: An abstoract Painting by Hana Elmasry with a variety of shapes and colours

Hana Elmasry: To be conceived, group exhibition

On until: February 18th, 2023
Where: Corkin Gallery, 7 Tank House Lane
Gallery hours: Tue-Sat 10am-6pm

From memories of cityscapes or the openness of the universe to the intimacy of floral motifs, To be conceived  brings  together the work Corkin Gallery’s represented artists. The exhibition commemorates recent creations in conversation with iconic bodies of work that continue enriching aesthetic dialogues. Click here to learn more about the exhibition.

Hana Elmasry investigates identity, visual expression and therapy. Through memories, the artist focuses on creating a visual cosmos, making reference at times to a connection with her Egyptian heritage. Creating a constellation of small-scale canvases, each work is also a universe unto itself. Each piece is wholly unique, often integrating collage and diverse materials within a peaceful palette; some works explore the limits of the canvas by deconstructing the traditional frame. Elmasry frequently adds materials that become a pleasure to the senses, like oils and reptile skin, achieving a multisensory experience of reflection. Hana Elmasry is represented by Corkin Gallery.

Over 70 artists featured at Akin winter art event!

Written by Charlotte Van Ryn

Image above: A view of the Clark Centre from the outside. The night sky is dark blue and black, and the Clark Centre is brightly lit inside. A person on the street walks towards the building.

This December, Akin is host to a Winter Arts Market and Exhibition at the Clark Centre in Scarborough, nestled in the beautiful, historic Guildwood Park. It’s the perfect place to pick up one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones this holiday season, and view three floors of artwork on display by participating artists!

The event is highlighting Akin artists among artists from Scarborough and the surrounding area. Theresa Hopkins’ self reflective, whimsical portrait and Wandy Cheng’s floral, playful paintings were selected as featured Scarborough Artists. 

Image description: Jennie Town sits at her booth at the Winter and Arts Market. Her hair is in braids and she’s wearing a black hat and glasses. Jennie is sewing into a piece of birch bark. On her table is a large display of jewelry, dreamcatchers and handmade crafts. 

The event kicked off last weekend; upstairs, the market was in full swing. Prints, ceramics, even holiday decorations were on full display. Jennie Town, pictured above, had a beautiful selection of birch bark earrings, dream catchers, handmade deer hide drums and willowwork.  A multidisciplinary indigenous artist, and a Scarboroughlocal, Jennie is passionate about Guildwood park and the Clarke Centre, for which she attended the local planning meetings before it was built. 

Image Description: A long white wall inside the Clark Centre displays a series of hanged paintings. Two people stand in front of a large painting at the end of the hal

Paintings and sculpture cover the walls on all three floors of the Clark Centre. Notably, the exhibition Through A Hundred Windows features work from artists who were given the same base material, a wooden “window”,  but styled their own way.  Hung side by side, they create a unified, yet singularly unique look. Through a Hundred Windows will be up all month - all works are for sale directly through the artist and 100% of the proceeds from every sale go direct to the artist. Interested in purchasing work from the exhibition? Click here to see a list of participating artists. 

If you missed last weekend’s market, fear not! There’s another weekend market coming up, December 10 and 11 from 11-6 to pick up holiday gifts for friends and family. The exhibition will be up until December 18th, and can be visited any day of the week. Click here to find out more about the event and the participating artists. 

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
@CanadaCouncil  #BringingTheArtsToLife

Akin Winter Arts Market and Exhibition - Opening Reception on Saturday December 3!

Image above: a slideshow of images showing work by participants of the Akin Winter Arts Market

Akin invites you to join us on Saturday December 3 from 1-3pm for the opening reception of the Akin Winter Arts Market and Exhibition at the Clark Centre for the Arts, 191 Guildwood Pkwy, Scarborough.  

Drop in for live music and shop for a variety of beautiful gifts at the Arts Market for our opening day! You can also enjoy browsing the exhibition ‘Through 100 Windows’ featuring members of Akin’s studios as well as local creatives from Scarborough and surrounding neighborhoods.

In conjunction with this event, a selection of art work by studio members belonging to the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG will be featured on the 3rd floor of the Clark galleries, as well as work by Special Highlights Scarborough artists Wandy Cheng and Theresa Hopkins.

From paintings and prints, to ceramics and textiles, we hope to present a gorgeous and colorfully integrated expression of artistic talent to warm hearts as we head into the winter months.

The Akin Winter Arts Market and Exhibition is happening from December 3-18. Click here for full details including a list of partcipating artists.

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
@CanadaCouncil  #BringingTheArtsToLife

The Akin Winter Arts Market and Exhibition at the Clark Centre For the Arts! December 3-18

Akin is very pleased to invite art-lovers, artists, and the public at large to an exciting new initiative and collaboration with the Clark Centre for the Arts in Scarborough!

• When; December 3-18, 2022

• Opening Reception: December 3, 2022 from 1-3pm

• Where: Clark Centre for the Arts, 191 Guildwood Pkwy, Scarborough

• What: Arts Market (December 3, 4, 10 and 11) and Group Exhibition (December 3-18)

• Hours, Exhibition: ‘Through 100 Windows’ December 3-18th from 9am-4pm

• Hours, Market Days: December 3 and 4 & 10 and 11 from 11am-6pm

• Admission: FREE!

Akin will be hosting a public arts event at the Clark Centre for the Arts in Scarborough, featuring art by local artists around the GTA. Artists of all levels of experience and expression will be exhibiting and selling work through the Winter Arts Market and Group Exhibition. We hope that you will join us in celebrating their achievement!

Featuring members of Akin’s studios as well as local creatives from Scarborough and surrounding neighborhoods, artists and creatives of all mediums will be participating in an interdisciplinary wall installation of art panel hangings on the walls of a professional gallery, and at the market offering handmade crafts, art and objects to the public over 2 weekends. From paintings and prints, to ceramics and textiles, we hope to present a gorgeous and colorfully integrated expression of artistic talent to warm hearts as we head into the winter months.

‘Through 100 Windows’ is a collaborative art project, aimed to highlight the harmony, beauty and hope of a community of artists who continue to share and exchange their ideas; collectively resilient and active. Taken on their own, each work is a window into an individual experience. Seen together, we are a vision of combined colour, strength and power. 

In conjunction with this event, a selection of art work by  studio members belonging to the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG will be featured on the 3rd floor of the Clark galleries, as well as work by Special Highlights Scarborough artists Wandy Cheng and Theresa Hopkins  

Join us for the opening reception on December 3rd 2022 1-3pm, and drop in for live music and a variety of beautiful gifts at the Arts Market on the weekends of December 3/4th and 10/11th, from 11-6pm! The exhibition will be open during regular Clark Centre hours (9am-4pm) during the week as well as weekends (11am-6pm).

Accessibility & Site Address: 
The Clarke Centre has elevators to all three floors, barrier free washrooms on each floor and automatic doors on the bathrooms and the front entrance. Located at 191 Guildwood Pkwy, The Clark Centre for the arts has free but limited parking. By TTC: from Kennedy Station, take the 116 bus to Guildwood Pkwy at the Guild Inn stop.

Thank You:
Thank you to all of our community partners and the many artists and supporters who’ve come together to share this beautiful event, including local musicians Rudy Ray’s Duo and Aaron Ridge, and participating vendors.  Particularly, we are grateful to the talented and friendly staff at the Clark Centre for the Arts, who have contributed a great deal and offer a wealth of experience and grace.

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. @CanadaCouncil  #BringingTheArtsToLife

AACT & Asian Heritage Month!

We’re so excited to be in partnership with AACT and their month long programming to celebrate Asian Heritage Month!

To celebrate the 20th Asian Heritage Month in Canada, in May 2022, AACT has an exciting lineup of upcoming exhibitions, workshops, and events. Mark your calendars for a month of free public programming this May for the following dates:

• May 7: Community Care Art Workshop at Tam Cafe

• May 7-30: Gentle Care Exhibition at the Akin Vitrine Gallery

• May 13-22 Travelling Through: Conversation with Elders Exhibition at TIFF Bell Lightbox

• May 14 as Community Mosaic Art Workshop

• May 27-29 as Nostalgia: In Search of Familiarity at Akin Remote Gallery

Stay tuned for the more details on our social media or learn more at their website link.

Call for Submissions: Local Art for New Residential Community

Daniels HR Corporation, on behalf of The Daniels Corporation, invites artists from the Regent Park and downtown East area to submit proposals in consideration for the residential areas at Artworks Tower and Artsy Boutique Condominiums in Regent Park. The installation of the various artworks will take place in phases between late 2022 to early 2023. The proposal process will involve consulting with Daniels HR Corporation on the design and fabrication of the work to arrive at a final concept, as well as the installation of the piece.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

For The Daniels Corporation (Daniels) each new home community is a work of art - literally. From conception through to completion, every Daniels neighbourhood is designed to enhance its surroundings, the community and to make a statement about its unique character. Daniels has pioneered a new approach to décor and art focused on sourcing local art for each of our new buildings. Within each community Daniels looks to source a wide range of art forms from paintings to photography to sculptures and beyond. This addition of striking local art through community engagement has quickly become a cornerstone of the company’s design philosophy.

The community is located at the north side of Dundas Street, between Tubman Ave. and River St., consisting of the 32-storey Artworks tower on the east side and the 11-storey boutique condominium, Artsy on the west, joined by a 4-storey podium with shared amenities.

For this opportunity, priority will be given to artists who self-identify as:

• Having a connection to the Regent Park Community and downtown East area: current or former resident, or works within the specific community identified 

• Emerging and mid-career artists 

• Diverse and equity-deserving individuals including but not limited to members of visible minority groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ people

Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on May 15, 2022.
For any other questions, please contact LocalArt@danielscorp.com.

Ghostmoth by Claire Correia

Want to add some art viewing to your solstice? Check out our Vitrine Gallery featuring Ghostmoth by Claire Correia (@claire.correia)!

Correia writes, "Although giant cecropia moths still thrive in the woods of Ontario, and I look for them all the time, I’ve only ever seen one. In this artwork, a life-sized silver wire-formed cecropia moth resting on a radiant green leaf mandala forms a symbol of these reclusive and seldom-seen forest creatures.

Presenting the moth as a ghostly form both implies its elusive nature, and also suggests its vulnerability, as the important wild places where these creatures live are threatened by both climate change and blind commercial development.

I’m concerned about longevity in all of my pieces, hoping that the artwork will exist for longer than my lifespan. Many hours are spent on invisible but really important research and process experimentation, on behalf of that poor future conservator who may have to deal with the things I’ve put into the world! Making that piece was like making a magic spell; it felt as though the work was opening doors."

Check it out till January 30th!