North York Arts: Beers and Brushes Fundraiser

North York Arts is holding our first fundraiser and we'd love for you to come! All proceeds from the event will go directly towards NYA's programs - ultimately helping us achieve our vision of an inclusive, engaged, and sustainable arts & culture community in North York.

When: October 24th 2019, 7-9PM

Where: Amsterdam Brewery, 45 Esandar Dr., Toronto

The night is all about coming together to showcase, celebrate, and support North York’s vast arts and culture sector. All proceeds from the event will go directly towards NYA's programs - ultimately helping us achieve our vision of an inclusive, engaged, and sustainable arts and culture community in North York.

The event will be hosted by Brant Matthews (otherwise known as FireGuy from Dispatch Talent), and will consist of DJed music by Love Music Initiative and live paintings from two of our Northbound Gallery Program artists, Jieun June Kim and Marina Nazarova. You can also look forward to finger foods, a DIY painting station, and even a chance to win some prizes.

INspirations Studio Fundraiser - June 20 from 6-9pm

On thursday June 20, please join us in celebrating 25 years of Inspirations Studio: Toronto's beloved and transformative ceramics program for women who have been impacted by poverty, mental health and/or addiction. The event, hosted by OCAD University, will include a Silent auction of contemporary ceramic sculpture by artists Shary Boyle, Lisa Cresky, Marc Egan, Heather Goodchild, Lindsay Montgomery and Julie Moon. 

A collaboration between Inspirations Studio members of the Studio and OCADU students. Inspirations Studio members have made ceramic pieces and the student will create paintings in response. The results to be revealed at the event. There will also be a paint your own ceramics area; pottery wheel demos: a few speeches celebrating the history of the program; raffles; projections; and of course, Music, food, drink and good company.

100% of all proceeds go directly to the Studio's operating costs.

More about Inspirations Studio:
Since 1994 hundreds of Women have walked through the doors of Inspirations Studio to learn how to make pottery in a safe, supportive and transformational work environment. The members of the Inspirations Studio have been impacted by poverty, trauma, homelessness, mental and physical health and/or addictions.

The studio’s core mission is to facilitate improvements in members’ lives through the making and selling of pottery. Through creative, therapeutic and skill building work, women gain a sense of self-confidence, dignity and stability, a connection with community and a new way to engage with the world as makers.

Inspirations Studio is supported by the trustee and mentorship program of St. Stephen’s Community House. The Studio and Store is located at 2480 Dundas st West in Toronto.
www.inspirationsstudio.org

Show Some Heart for UrbanArts this May

This year’s event is the biggest fundraiser yet for UrbanArts. We need your support for the I Heart Neighbourhood Charity Auction on Wednesday, May 15th, 6:30 pm Ryerson's Mattamy Athletic Centre in the old Maple Leaf Gardens at 50 Carton St.

Join host Tammie Sutherland of City TV and have an opportunity to bid on rare and unusual items in the Silent and Live Auction, including original art, signed sports memorabilia, tennis with Bob Rae and lunch with CBC comedienne Luba Goy. 

UrbanArts provides free arts programs for over 7,000 local youth, its events are attended by over 15,000, we have added an exciting new arts programming space at the new Weston Common Cultural Hub and will be offering new intergenerational programs for seniors and youth.

With less than 2 weeks to go,  to buy your tickets HERE now and show some heart for UrbanArts so we can deliver free arts programming all year round for all the residents of York South-Weston and beyond.

Support Our Friends at Walnut Studios →

In the early morning of May 19, 2018, Walnut studios, nestled between Niagara street and Walnut Ave in Toronto experienced a devastating fire. The devastating fire in the north end of the studio, affected 22 artists who lost not only their artwork but also all of their art supplies. 

Founded in 2008, Walnut Studios is a community of 45 artists in a large warehouse studio in Toronto's King West Village. It is home to Painters, Sculptors, Fashion Designers, Jewellery Makers, Photographers, and Installation Artists.

As the friends, family and community of those artists affected by the Walnut studio fire, let's give back to our creative community during their time of great loss. All funds raised through the GoFundMe campaign will be distributed so that the artists can purchase new equipment and art supplies to get making again. This money will also go towards helping these artists relocate temporarily while the major repairs are being completed on their Walnut studio spaces.

Akin Artist Designed Fundraiser T-Shirts: Available now for pre-order!

Introducing two new limited edition t-shirts designed by artists Billy Franklin of Akin Dupont and Cierra Frances Akin Sunrise. Available in five sizes and made of high Quality 100% soft spun cotton, the sale of these shirts will go to support our not-for-profit organization Akin Projects. Available for pre-order now in our online shop at www.akinprojects.bigcartel.com
 

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Akin X Billy Franklin

Focusing on hard lines, bold colours and clean typography, Billy’s work is easily recognizable. He is influenced by late 90’s skateboard graphics and cartoons from his childhood. Franklin’s work is humorous and witty, sure to draw in his audience with his clever perspective.

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Akin X Cierra Frances

Cierra Frances is an interdisciplinary, Toronto-based artist and arts administrator whose work consists of various explorations of material and techniques in painting, drawing and printmaking. Her artist practice focuses on biracial identity and "Eurasian" culture found through her Filipino ancestry. Her research is deeply rooted in Filipino History dating back to Spanish Colonialism to current days and addresses subconscious colourism in Asian culture.

These limited edition shirts will also be available for purchase or pick-up at Edition Toronto the second annual Toronto international art book fair October 27–30, 2017 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Use code EDITIONPICKUP to pick up at Edition and avoid the shipping fee.

Special requests or questions? Email michael@akincollective.com
Thank you to Peace And Cotton Inc. for their help with this special project.

Salon 44 - A fundraiser for Gallery 44

Gallery 44 is hosting their annual fundraising exhibition Salon 44 in support of their education and exhibition programs. Representing the best in Canadian photography, Salon 44 brings together an incredible collection of over 100 established and emerging artists with works priced for both new and seasoned collectors. Salon 44 will be exhibited from March 10-27, 2017.

Opening Reception: Friday, March 10, 2017, 6 – 10 pm

Akin Projects 2016 Benefit Editions

Akin Projects has invited a special group of Toronto artists to help support our non-profit and community programming initiatives with a new set of limited-edition art prints!

Six artworks were produced in archival pigment print editions of 20 to benefit Akin Projects. Each print is 11"x14". They are available now on our online store and at Edition International Art Book Fair, October 28-31 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Each print is available for a $125 contribution, or the entire collection can be purchased for a special price of $500. Akin Projects can also arrange to have your print(s) framed.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE AN EDITION AND SUPPORT AKIN PROJECTS

Or come and see the prints in person at Edition! Toronto's International Art Book fair, October 28-31 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. We are at table # 39!

For more information or to make a contribution please contact Michael Vickers at michael@akincollective.com.
 

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.