New Year, New Studio!
Image Description: A bright pink background with two orange squiggles features the text “New Year, New Studio!” alongside two circular photos of light-filled Akin studios.
To kick off 2025, dedicate some time to yourself and your art! Akin’s studios offer more than just space to create, they offer immersive, creative communities, opportunities, resources and a peaceful atmosphere away from day-to-day distractions.
Image Description: A bright pink shape with the following quote: “Without Akin I really feel like my artistic practice would have been over before it even had a chance to begin...” — Emma Aurelia, OCADU grad and Akin Career Launcher recipient”. A large quotation mark in pink and orange at the top.
As we say hello to a new year, we thought we’d take you inside the studios to show you the community and resources our studios have to offer.
Monthly Crit Nights
Image Description: The Akin logo is in the top left hand corner followed by the words” Crit Night!, First Wednesday Every Month” There is an image of a balding man in a tropical shirt contemplating an image of a large artwork depicting a red high heeled shoe. Image credit: @akosnemes
The Crit Night is an engaging, decade-long event series designed for Akin members as well as members of the public. Join us to connect, share your creative work (complete or in progress), and receive valuable feedback within a supportive community. The Crit Nights are packed with creative projects and stimulating conversation about materials, process, inspiration and more. Because of the deep interest in these gatherings, we’ve recently moved the Crit Nights from online back to in-person, rotating between Akin’s studio locations! Keep an eye out for the next one, and be sure to join in! www.akincollective.com/critnight
Akin Community Discord Server
In 2024, we were excited to launch our Akin Community Discord server, an online community based platform for Akin members to communicate, connect and interact with the members of their own studio, as well as the members at all of the Akin studio locations. The Akin Community Discord Server is a closed server, only available to Akin members who use it to share their creative work, invite others to their exhibitions and events, post items or services for sale, share skills, ask questions, coordinate meetups and more!
Grant Writing for Artists Services
Akin’s own Charlotte Van Ryn from Akin Richmond-Bathurst offers grant writing and editing for artists looking to secure funding for their art. Services also include assistance with CVs, artist statements, and applications for residencies and prizes. Charlotte offers a discounted rate for current Akin members.
Image Description: Charlotte Van Ryn lying in the snow with her eyes closed and a smile on her face.
Art Documentation
Long time Akin Dupont member, Jessica Thalmann, is happy to offer documentation services for artists and creatives needing clear, high resolution images of their work. Thalmann has expertise in documenting 2D (paintings, works on paper) and 3D artwork (sculpture, glass, ceramics, jewelry etc). Current Akin members receive a discount on Thalmann’s art documentation services.
Image Description: A photo of Jessica Thalmann, featuring brown hair with bangs, dark eyes, dark-rimmed glasses, and a light complexion. Her gaze is directed straight at the viewer. Photo by Sarah Bodri.
Kiln Firing Services
Long time Akin St Clair member, Liliana Botero, offers kiln firing services for Akin members across all our studio locations. For members of Akin St Clair, the kiln service is in-house and for members of Akin Niagara and Akin Richmond-Bathurst, Liliana offers a delivery service, where members’ pieces can be picked up, fired at Akin St Clair, and delivered back to their studio. Members at the other studio locations can drop off their ceramic work to be fired at Akin St Clair. Learn more at www.akincollective.com/ceramics
Image Description: An image of the two kiln available for firing at Akin St Clair.
If you’re looking for kiln services in the east end, members of Akin Queen East have a 20% discount on the use of the kiln at the Lost and Found Project Space, which is 100m from the Akin Queen East Studio.
Community Events
On a regular basis community events are hosted for Akin’s studio members. Whether it's a cocktail night, valentines day card making event, life drawing session, or plein air painting excursion, our studio managers make it a priority to foster community and connection between members.
Image Description: “This studio has given me the solid foundation to continue my artistic journey beyond graduation. It’s more than just a workspace; receiving this space has been a life-changing award. It’s given me the confidence that I’m on the right path and reminds me to keep going, no matter the challenges. The opportunity to work here has been a significant turning point, motivating me to push my work further and explore new directions.” -Meera Dinh, Akin Member and Career Launcher Award Winner. A large quotation mark in pink and orange at the top.