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Don’t miss today’s Artist Studio Visit with @darlenekulig on Instagram Live. Today at 2:00 pm, Darlene will be taking us through a tour of her home studio, answering your questions, and telling us about these lovely beer steins from her father’s collection. You can let us know what objects hold cultural significance for you by posting with the hashtag #EtobicokeCreates to be included on our website as part of our Exploring Community Arts and Culture in Etobicoke initiative.

“I chose this because it represents family tradition, my heritage and cultural rituals that have been passed along for generations. The ritual of pouring a drink, of clinking glasses and savouring a favourite local beverage. You can toast in whatever language you choose - perhaps while singing a song and doing a simple dance with friends and family. Pure effervescent joy! And it starts with an empty vessel that you can choose to fill up.”

Darlene is also a featured artist on our recently launched Storefront Gallery Online. You can check out original artworks for sale by Darlene and other local artists by visiting the link in our bio or come see Darlene’s window installation at the Storefront Gallery at 4893A Dundas Street West.

To view the studio tour, follow @artsetobicoke on Instagram and tune in today at 2:00 pm. Just find the Arts Etobicoke account (@artsetobicoke) and then click on the AE icon in the top left corner, it will have a purple/pink circle around it and the word “Live.” Enjoy!

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Calling all BIPOC and newcomer artists! Arts Etobicoke is inviting artists from the community to work on a community place-making art project called Sites of Significance. We are seeking three BIPOC or newcomer artists to each identify and animate one site of historical or cultural importance to marginalized and equity-seeking community groups in Etobicoke. Artists will interpret, re-imagine, and highlight the cultural importance of their chosen sites by digitally animating them through a location-based Augmented Reality app. You do not need previous digital experience to participate in the project. This is a paid opportunity and artists will be compensated in accordance with CARFAC rates. For more information and to apply please see link in bio. Deadline to apply is Sunday, January 17. Sites of Significance is presented in partnership with @lakeshorearts and Albedo Informatics as part of ArtWorxTO.

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Don’t miss tomorrow’s Artist Studio Visit with @sonyaphoto7! Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 pm, Sonya will be taking us through a tour of her home studio and answering your questions on Instagram Live.

“My name is Sonya and I am a photographer and mixed media artist. I am interested in memories and the shapes that our perceptions give them. I’ve taken photos since I was a child—my father taught me. Recently I learned how to use encaustic wax to create mixed media collages with my photographs. I use art paper and my photographs as a mix of memory and texture to yield insights and connections. My greatest influence was my father, Stanley Carl Young, a photographer and inventor. “

To view the studio tour, follow @artsetobicoke on Instagram and tune in tomorrow at 2:00 pm. You will need an Instagram account to view the workshop, once you are logged in, find the Arts Etobicoke account (@artsetobicoke) and then click on the AE icon in the top left corner, it will have a purple/pink circle around it and the word “Live.” Enjoy!

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Don’t miss today’s Artist Studio Visit with @sea.chi.art! This afternoon at 2:00 pm, Ola will be taking us through a tour of her home studio and answering your questions on Instagram Live.

Ola Cichy is a multidisciplinary artist and a certified specialist of Neurographica - neuroscience based method of working with subconscious mind through drawing. Ola was born in Russia, had lived and worked in 7 different countries, currently is based in Toronto. A daughter of a professional fine artist and an inventor, she started learning art at a very young age. She loves experimenting with different forms of art. Having a background in psychology it’s no surprise that many of her works show fascination with human nature, facial features and emotion. She mostly draws and paints contemporary portraits in pencil, acrylic, watercolor oil, and digital media. She illustrates children’s books, produces videos for music and poetry, while working on her own music album. Her works are in numerous private collections all over the world.

To view the studio tour, follow @artsetobicoke on Instagram and tune in today at 2:00 pm. Simply find the Arts Etobicoke account (@artsetobicoke) and then click on the AE icon in the top left corner, it will have a purple/pink circle around it and the word “Live.” Enjoy!

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Don’t miss today’s Artist Studio Visit with @katsignature! This afternoon at 2:00 pm, Katherine will be taking us through a tour of her home studio and answering your questions on Instagram Live.

Kat Signature was founded by the big Kat and her muse, the little cat. Together these two felines create original art which is reproduced on eco-friendly stationery and lifestyle products. Currently these include greeting cards, mini cards, bookmarks. art prints and face coverings.

To view the studio tour, follow @artsetobicoke on Instagram and tune in today at 2:00 pm. Simply find the Arts Etobicoke account (@artsetobicoke) and then click on the AE icon in the top left corner, it will have a purple/pink circle around it and the word “Live.” Enjoy!

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Today is #GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to giving, volunteering, and a chance to bring about real change in your community.

Today we are thrilled to announce an exciting new way for you to give back and support local artists with the launch of our new online gallery and sales platform, The Storefront Gallery Online! This holiday season, give the gift of art while supporting local Etobicoke artists.

By purchasing art through our online gallery, you are not only supporting local artists but also helping Arts Etobicoke to continue to offer accessible arts and culture programming and experiences for all Etobians. Visit www.artsetobicoke.com/meet-the-artist/ and be the first to experience our new store!

Help Arts Etobicoke program in a pandemic by shopping at the Storefront Gallery Online. You can also help out by making a donation today. Any amount helps and every donation goes towards creating accessible arts-based learning opportunities and high-quality arts and cultural experiences during this time of uncertainty and isolation. For more information and to make a donation please see link in bio.

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Sign up today for our Wednesday night Artist Professional Development Workshop with Raji Aujla. Join Raji Aujla, a Toronto culture builder, curator, creative director and arts advocate, to transform your art practice into a viable and dynamic business! She will help you take the next steps to overcome barriers, create meaningful plans and strategize for future success. For more information and to register, please visit the link in our bio.

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#GivingTuesday is December 1st, and is a day for giving back. This year you can win a $5,000 donation from @canadahelps for the charity of your choice! You can help support Arts Etobicoke as we continue to provide innovative and accessible arts programming and cultural experiences across Etobicoke. To enter, please visit the link in our bio and make the pledge to donate, volunteer, or spread the word this #GivingTuesday.

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Today is #ThankfulThursday and we are so grateful for our dedicated and supportive Board of Directors. We asked our board members to answer a few questions about themselves so that our community could get to know them. Today we would like to introduce you to Mark Zadorozny.

How long have you served on the board?
8 years

What is the first arts experience that you remember?
Visiting my grandfather's art studio, where I read art books and learned how to paint as a child.

Why do you believe community arts are important?
It fosters creativity and belief in oneself, thus exercising independence and confidence. It is very important to go to a place where you can get support and guidance for a life building experience.

What is your most memorable arts experience?
Post-graduate degree in Art History, life changing.

What are three words that you think describe the impact of arts and culture?
Confidence, Belief, Repaying

Get to know everyone on Arts Etobicoke’s Board of Directors on our website at www.artsetobicoke.com/board-of-directors

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Be sure to check out today’s Artist Studio Visit with @ashleybeerdatart at 2:00 pm on Instagram Live! Ashley will be taking us through a tour of her home studio, answering your questions, and introducing our Exploring Community Arts and Culture in Etobicoke initiative.

In order to get to know our community better, and develop programming that better reflects the communities we serve, we are inviting you to share with us images of objects that hold cultural significance to you. This could be a tool used to make art, a musical instrument, an article of clothing, or even your grandmother’s cooking! Let us know what is culturally important to you by posting your images with the hashtag #EtobicokeCreates and we will share them on our website. You can also email your images to ian@artsetobicoke.com or text them to (647) 913-8731.

For more information, visit our website and check out our Artist Studio Visits every Tuesday as artists share their cultural objects. Today Ashley will tell us about her beautiful Guyana Gold bangles called Bayras, which were passed down to her by her mother and are a symbol of union, love, and strength.

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Artist Studio Visits are back this week with a new studio tour with artist @ashleybeerdatart! This Tuesday, November 24 at 2:00 pm, Ashley will be taking us through a tour of her home studio and answering your questions on Instagram Live. Ashley is one of 4 selected community artists working on our Augmented Reality in the Village of Islington project. She also will be introducing an exciting new initiative exploring community arts and culture in Etobicoke. Don’t miss this one!

Ashley Beerdat is a visual artist and arts instructor who primarily works in oil painting using an impasto style to narrate fantastical stories based on references from pop culture, her childhood and imagination. In her practice, she explores themes of mythology, folklore and storytelling to try and make sense of the world around her. Storytelling is an important part of Ashley's practice and stems from her culture as a Guyanese-Canadian in which she grew up listening to stories from elders to share lessons and pass down knowledge. Through her work she explores these traditional folktales in a contemporary, whimsical and playful manner.

To view the studio tour, follow @artsetobicoke on Instagram and tune in today at 2:00 pm. Simply find the Arts Etobicoke account (@artsetobicoke) and then click on the AE icon in the top left corner, it will have a purple/pink circle around it and the word “Live.” Enjoy!

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Today is #ThankfulThursday and we are so grateful for our dedicated and supportive Board of Directors. We asked our board members to answer a few questions about themselves so that our community could get to know them. Today we would like to introduce you to Assistant Treasurer Veronica Bila.

How long have you served on the board?
Over 10 years

What is the first arts experience that you remember?
Entering colouring contests as a kid at local area businesses.

Why do you believe community arts are important?
Community arts are important to provide an outlet to all people (no matter what age) to express how they are feeling and for that larger connection to the space and surroundings that they live and work in.

What is your most memorable arts experience?
Playing the cello at high-school commencements and watching my daughter’s drawing improve as she gets older and more confident.

What are three words that you think describe the impact of arts and culture?
Well-being, Community, Happiness

Get to know everyone on Arts Etobicoke’s Board of Directors on our website at www.artsetobicoke.com/board-of-directors

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Staff Directory

Wendy Rading, Executive Director:
wendy@artsetobicoke.com, 647.809.8731

Kshama Patel, Operations Manager:
kshama@artsetobicoke.com, 647.459.6342

Heather Ervin, Development & Communications Manager:
heather@artsetobicoke.com, 647.807.8731

Akshata Naik, Program & Gallery Manager:
akshata@artsetobicoke.com, 647.819.8731

John Del Rosario, Special Projects Manager:
john@artsetobicoke.com, 647.806.8731

Ian Dodds, Communications & Development Coordinator:
ian@artsetobicoke.com, 647.913.8731

Magdiel Espinal, Community Research Coordinator: magdiel@artsetobicoke.com, 416.622.8731

Sair Raut, Community Outreach Coordinator:
sair@artsetobicoke.com, 647.507.8731

The Storefront Gallery at Arts Etobicoke
4893a Dundas Street West, Etobicoke, ON, M9A 1B2

Arts Etobicoke staff from left to right: Wendy Rading, Kshama Patel, Heather Ervin, Akshata Naik, John Del Rosario, Ian Dodds, Magdiel Espinal, Sair Raut
Photos by Lisa Murzin

Board of Directors

Collette Murray

Dominique Sanguinetti – Board Chair

Elizabeth Malak

Ina Anthony

Julia Rim Shepard

Kathryn Asaro

Khalilah Brooks

Krista Parker

Marilyn Cade – Treasurer

Mark Zadorozny

Michelle Gauci – Vice Chair

Michelle Marchetti

Moira Ness

Roseta Aleksov

Veronica Bila – Assistant Treasurer

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Staff Directory

Board of Directors