The Art Starts 2018 Showcase Exhibited The Inspiring And Diverse Artistic Works Of Its Community Art Programs
With a new year just around the corner, we threw an end-of-the-year bash as a way of celebrating our past accomplishments and ringing in another successful year. Our 2018 Annual Showcase celebrated all the artistic achievements of our many neighbourhoods and communities. This year’s theme was FLY, which inspired our community members to live, create, believe, inspire, share and enjoy!
This multidisciplinary exhibition featured collaborations between professional artists and community members in a variety of art forms, including: dance and spoken word performances, a fashion show and a number of art installations. The event was hosted at 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media and Education.
Doors opened at 5PM and attendees were invited to participate in a number of interactive art projects before the show began. They could contribute to the ‘Land Acknowledgment’ wall by colouring in an animal or element of nature from the water, land, or sky, or they could make their mark on the FLY ‘Wings’ interactive art installation.
Guests were also invited to explore the back rooms of the Centre, which displayed projects from our programming sites: Eglinton and Oakwood, Glendower, Villaways, Neptune, Lawrence Heights, and Chester Le (check out all our programs here). Displays included: all-natural and organic beauty products made by our Girls Mentorship Program: OWN IT, An intricate Lego sculpture constructed by the Villaways community members, customized superhero figurines designed by our ASAP Summer Program, a series of photos with over our 30+ programs, and a video of all our 2018 programming.
The Welcoming Remarks and Land Acknowledgment began at 6:30 PM by our M.C. Brooklyn, who is the lead artist at our Lawrence Heights dance program. The performances to follow included: The Element Program Fashion Show, The Villaways ‘The Power is in Our Hand’ Spoken Word Performance, The Program Without Walls Dance Recording, and The Lawrence Heights Dance Routine.
Next, Program Managers handed out certificates for all program participants. Our Program Director, Joel Reid, concluded the night by acknowledging the work of our Program Managers and Community Liaisons, and handing out awards. Lastly, Joel gave a special thanks to our community partners, our amazing funders and donors (including Ontario Trillium Foundation for 3-year funding of the Animating Impact Project, which made the Annual Showcase possible!), and 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media, and Education for hosting.
Thank you to everyone who made it out! It is the support of our vibrant communities and partnerships that keep us going. The Annual Showcase serves as a great reminder just how powerful and transformative community arts can be. We are so proud of our accomplishments from the past year and we have great expectations for the New Year ahead!
The annual showcase was organized in Partnership with Special Projects Department and emerging and newcomer artists supported by Platform A, another Ontario Trillium Foundation Initiative. FLY was curated by Julian Carvajal, and Mozhgan Abbas.
Images by Maíra Ribero
