Newcomer Artists Receive Space Awards at Akin

Congratulations are in order to a wonderful group of talented artists! Last week 20 artists took the stage at MOCA Toronto during a cheerful awards evening to highlight newcomer talent in the city. Community partners from RBC, The Artists Network, and Toronto Arts Foundation, as well as Akin Co-Director Michael Vickers, were all on hand to celebrate the winners.

Administered by Toronto Arts Foundation’s Neighbourhood Arts Network and generously sponsored by RBC, the RBC Arts Access Fund provides micro-awards of up to $1500 to professional newcomer artists to support the creation of new work. The RBC Space Award, a new partnership with arts organization Akin Collective, provides six recipients (who must be a past RBC Arts Access Award recipient) with $500 cash to support their art practice and $1,000 in studio credit to be used for shared studio or exhibition space. The initiative was spearheaded by Akin, and launched in the past year. (Akin has a similar space award with OCAD University for graduating artists in the painting and drawing faculty.)

“Akin is thrilled to partner with Neighbourhood Arts Network on the creation of this unique new award, offering space to newcomer artists to make work, sustain their artistic practice and exhibit across Toronto – a city facing an affordability crisis that we are working to address in a creative way,” said Michael Vickers, Co-Director, Akin Collective.

RECIPIENTS OF THE RBC SPACE AWARDS:

Sahar Abdallah | Award-winning illustrator originally from Egypt whose work has appeared in several children’s books, four solo exhibits and several international group shows.

Andrea Vela Alarcón | Peruvian community artist and self-taught illustrator whose work centres under-represented communities and is inspired by folk culture, femininity, and nature.

Tenzin Desel | Visual artist originally from Tibet. Born into a family of political refugees, she was invited by the Dalai Lama to study religious painting in India, spending nearly 30 years studying Buddhist paintings, philosophy, architecture and language.

Banafsheh Erfanian Painter, illustrator and educator born in Tehran, Iran, whose illustrations grace 30 books and magazines. Her work has been exhibited in 45 shows around the world and won international awards.

Tarek Ghriri Musician originally from Damascus, Syria, whose music is inspired by classical and Flamenco music, which he now blends with traditional Arabic melodies for a sound all his own. Also a founding member of local trio Diar.

Melika Saeeda Illustrator from Tehran, Iran, who has illustratedmore than 30 children’s books in Turkey and Iran. Her work, inspired by the narratives in Persian miniatures, has been exhibited at book fairs around the world.

Members and friends of Akin can look forward to seeing (and hearing!) from several of the 2019 Space Award recipients in the upcoming months at Akin’s downtown space REMOTE Gallery - Remote is available for exhibition and space rental to all Akin artists and the public at large.

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Well done! Akin also salutes all the winners of the Art Access Awards:

Volodymyr 'Volo' Bedzvin | Musician originally from Ukraine whose sound is a unique combination of cello and vocals treated with sound effects pedals. Volo has performed across Europe and North America, including at the Luminato Festival.

Banafsheh Erfanian | Painter, illustrator and educator born in Tehran, Iran, whose illustrations grace 30 books and magazines. Her work has been exhibited in 45 shows around the world and won international awards.

Tarek Ghriri | Musician originally from Damascus, Syria, whose music is inspired by classical and Flamenco music, which he now blends with traditional Arabic melodies for a sound all his own. Also a founding member of local trio Diar.

Leen Hamo | Professional singer, violinist and visual artist from Aleppo, Syria, who is a violinist and choir member with the Canadian Arabic Orchestra of Mississauga and founding member of local band Diar.

Xuefei Ji | Chinese-born painter interested in capturing body language and the human figure, inspired by the pioneering Western painters of the early 19th century.

Siavash Kavehmaryan | Iranian electronic-music composer/performer who blends computer-assisted sounds with Iranian traditional music.

Nour Kaadan | Musician from Damascus, Syria, who is a core member of local Syrian-Flamenco band Diar and the collective Music from Hope, a creative outlet where children can communicate through art to overcome trauma.

Yannis Lobaina | Cuban writer, filmmaker and storyteller who explores themes of immigration, diaspora and motherhood through storytelling. She also works at the International School of Cinema, Radio, and TV as a director, script consultant and still photographer.

Ahmed Moneka | Actor and musician from Iraq who is the co-founder of Toronto bands Moskitto Bar (a harmonious blend of Celtic, Balkan and Arabic music) and Moneka Arabic Jazz (rooted in jazz and blues as well as Afro rhythms and the Iraqi maqam style of singing).

Parisa Pajoohandeh | Filmmaker and academic from Iran interested in sociopolitical issues and the struggles of human life, such as identity, migration, war, solitude and women's stories.

Melika Saeeda | Illustrator from Tehran, Iran, who has illustrated more than 30 children’s books in Turkey and Iran. Her work, inspired by the narratives in Persian miniatures, has been exhibited at book fairs around the world.

Omid Shakib | Filmmaker originally from Iran with 20 years’ experience working in the film industry in Iran, Iraq, the UK, and now in Canada. He has directed and produced over 25 documentaries, docudramas, and experimental films.

Alice Il Shin | Korean filmmaker trained at Nihon University in Japan. Since then, she has worked in Japan, Korea, the U.S., and Canada as a director, producer, and editor.

Rouvan Silogix | Pakistani-Tanzanian director, writer, actor, producer and classical pianist. Artistic Director for Theatre ARTaud and a member of the Mammalian Diving Reflex collective, he was Writer in Residence at Theatre Passe Muraille in 2018 and a finalist for the Emerging Director Residency Award from Crow's Theatre.

Megha Subramanian | Storyteller in dance, writing and film inspired by her Indian roots who aims to modernize the traditional Bharatanatyam dance form through teaching and performance. She also draws on writing and filmmaking to support this artistic vision.

Salbhi Sumaiya |Visual artist from Dhaka, Bangladesh. As a hard of hearing (HOH) individual, she was drawn to painting due to its accessibility to her as a visual art form. Her work focuses on raising awareness of contemporary issues, including animal extinction and Myanmar’s atrocities against the Rohingya population.

Namie Ueno | Painter from Arashiyama, Japan who began studying art as a teenager. Beyond their decorative beauty, her artworks look for a balance between fear and longing away from the materialist culture of today, a truce between the often duelling aspects of our own selves.

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About Toronto Arts Foundation

Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that sparks creative connections, spotlights artistic excellence, and supports vibrant cultural growth throughout our diverse city through private-sector investment. To learn more or to make a donation, visit torontoartsfoundation.org.

About Neighbourhood Arts Network

Neighbourhood Arts Network, a network of over 1,900 members, is a strategic initiative of the Toronto Arts Foundation, offering accessible arts programming, awards, and partnership opportunities to local artists, arts workers, and arts organizations working throughout the City of Toronto. To learn more, visit neighbourhoodartsnetwork.org.

Upcoming events from Akin!

We have many interesting events coming up in November, we hope you can attend some or all of them! You can always visit our online calendar to see what events are coming up or sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Instagram or Facebook to get updated programming announcements!

Akin Lakeshore Studio Launch and Potluck - TONIGHT!

October 24 (tonight!) / 5-7pm / Akin Lakeshore (2970 Lakeshore Blvd W, 3rd Floor) / FREE

Akin invites fellow artists, friends and family members to celebrate the opening of our newest location Akin Lakeshore in Etobicoke! Please join us on the 3rd floor on Thursday, October 24th for food and drinks and some spooky, pre-Halloween fun. Let's get to know each other and the space! Potluck: Eat Drink & Be Merry!! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring some snacks or your favourite dish to the party for us to enjoy a meal together. Click here for more details.

Akin DIY Comics School November Meeting

November 4 / 7:30PM - 9:30PM / Akin St Clair, 1747 St Clair Ave West / FREE / No RSVP Necessary but you can join the Facebook Group or join the mailing list or find out more at www.akin.art/comics

The Akin Collective D.I.Y. Comics School is a group that meets the first Monday of every month with the goal of working together to provide our own continuing comics education. Everyone is welcome regardless of experience!

Taxes 101 Workshop for Artists and Creatives

November 6 / 6:00PM - 8:00PM / Toronto City Hall - Council Chambers / PWYC (suggested donation of $5 per person). Space is limited, you must register to attend: https://bit.ly/2kxmInC

This workshop will help you to be prepared for next year! Atbooks Senior Tax Preparer Tova Epp will touch on some of the most important tax topics for artists including: tax preparation, deductions, tax deadlines, HST, how to handle grants, T4s and more. The session is suitable for artists who are new to filing taxes or those who are looking for a refresher. More info here.

Xpace x Akin: Tenants' Rights Workshop

November 9 / 1:00 AM - 3:00 pm / Xpace Cultural Centre, 2-303 Lansdowne Ave, Unit 2 / FREE - you must RSVP here: https://bit.ly/2P8oOHo

Please join us for a workshop about the basics of tenant rights and affordable housing in Toronto, facilitated by lawyer Ryan Martin. Ryan will give a presentation about some general questions and inquiries regarding tenant rights, as well as advice about housing rights through his experiences as a lawyer. There will also be an opportunity for a Q&A.

Anti-Black Racism Workshop

November 20 / 6:00PM - 9:00PM / 918 Bathurst St / $45 or PWYC Option (Suggested Donation $15-$30) / Please RSVP at https://bit.ly/33RzdeF

*All proceeds from this event will be put towards the development of the Akin Studio Rent Relief Fund, providing artists short term financial aid towards their studio rent in unexpected situations or times of financial instability.

This session uses the anti-oppressive framework and an intersectional approach to explore anti-Black racism within a Canadian cultural context. Internalized, interpersonal and institutional manifestations of anti-Black racism are contextualized through the lens of intergenerational trauma, systemic barriers and monolithic narratives. The impact of anti-Black racism, as it interacts with other sites of oppression is explored through case studies, personal reflections, quantitative and qualitative data. Systemic power structures and their impact on the spiritual, emotional, physical, financial and mental well being of Black communities as well as profound institutional inequities will be introduced and contextualized. Participants will critique and problematize current models for allyship and community engagement as well as explore interpersonal interventions and systemic transformations that cultivate liberation.

Design Thinkers Toronto 2019 featuring Akin artist David Nuff

Akin artist David Nuff will be speaking at Design Thinkers Toronto 2019, presented by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD). The event is happening on October 24 & 25, 2019 at Meridian Hall and features a full program intended to connect design professionals from around the world to explore the ideas, trends, strategies and processes driving design communications. Nuff’s talk will be among many stimulating discussions about design’s impact on business, culture and social innovation.

Design Thinkers Toronto offers in-depth analyses of trends and best practices in branding, design thinking, design management, communications technologies and user experience with a range of opportunities to exchange ideas with colleagues, new and old. Attendees leave with a reconsidered and refined design or creative process, feeling inspired, refreshed and connected to the creative communications community. Early bird registration ends October 7, 2019.

About David Nuff
David Nuff RGD has a hard time colouring inside the lines. His work blurs the lines between commerce and culture, art and design. For clients, he works on brand identities, digital products, murals and publications. Independently and as part of a collective, he designs interactive installations like 2017’s Shard, a giant, icy light crystal that responds to sound and motion. He is exploring spatial design and interaction paradigms at Ryerson University’s Design Fabrication Zone and developing his artistic practice as part of the 2018–19 Akin Studio Program at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Toronto.

Gardiner Museum: Request for Proposals for the Community Arts Space 2018

Application Deadline: December 1, 2017 at 5 pm
Exhibition Dates: Summer 2018
Information Session: November 15, 2017 from 2 - 4 pm

Since the summer of 2016, the Gardiner Museum’s Community Arts Space has acted as an incubator for arts-based community projects. Inspired by the transformative aspects of ceramics, both real and metaphorical, the Community Arts Space initiates dialogue and the hands-on creation of equitable and inclusive cultural initiatives that engage and give voice to local communities.

The Gardiner’s 307-square-metre third-floor special exhibition hall and outdoor plaza are open to proposals for the summer of 2018 from July 3 to August 31. We’re inviting applications from cultural and community organizations, collectives, presenters, artists, curators, designers, makers, architects, organizers, and producers that outline what they would do in the space that relates to our Community Arts Space theme over a two-week period.

The possibilities are endless—dance, music or theatre performances, workshops, community arts outreach, installations, performance art—our space is yours for the taking!

Theme: Recent Histories
Ceramics have played an important role in our understanding of cultures throughout history. From a ritual Maya plate to a souvenir coffee mug, these domestic clay objects reveal both our public and private daily rituals: how we eat, drink, celebrate, and experience place. As a public institution, the Gardiner is keenly aware of our responsibility to be an active force in the community and truly reflect the histories, lived experiences, and traditions of our publics. What then is the role of a museum in cultivating the so-called lived and living memory? How is cultural knowledge passed on or performed? Within certain marginalized communities, how are these histories preserved and communicated across generations?

The Gardiner has a podium and we want you to use it.

Community Partners:
This year, we have partnered with The 519 and Akin Collective, who will be involved in the selection process and will offer off-site workspace, free studio time, and other resources toward the shaping and delivery of specific projects.

About the Gardiner Museum:
The Gardiner Museum is a vital cultural institution and an innovator within Toronto’s cultural landscape. The Gardiner celebrates the creativity of clay and the beauty that ceramics bring into our lives in so many ways. Clay is real, remarkable, and relevant in today’s society.

The Museum has collections of international importance, including but not limited to objects from the Ancient Americas, eighteenth-century European porcelain, and contemporary ceramics, particularly the work of great Canadian artists.

The Gardiner is an institution rooted in its community, which helps artists take risks and inspires diverse audiences through clay.

2017 Thesis Award Show: 'Accumulations' new work by Jill Smith at ARTiculations

JILL SMITH
Accumulations
June 3rd-13th
Reception: Wednesday, June 7th, 6-8pm
Location: ARTiculations, 2928 Dundas St West / Mon-Fri: 11-6, Sat: 11-5, Sun: 12-5

Jill Smith’s recent body of work, Accumulations, explores the construction and decoration of environments, and how we engage with spaces both real and otherwise- often nonsensical, curious places. Smith not only explores the relationship between various objects in a scene, often rooted in domesticity or referencing still lives, but what it also means to provide a window into another setting through a practice involving sculpture, screen printing and more. Bodily, charming, playful and whimsical the artist takes us to another place- one that is strange yet somehow personal and familiar, odd yet somehow comforting.

The Thesis Award Show is a collaboration between ARTiculations, Graven Feather Studio and Akin Collective in support of graduating post secondary students. In spring 2017 a call was sent out across the Province for applications in search of students demonstrating a coherent body of work unique in both concept and execution. Overwhelmed by the response, we extend a huge thank you to all of the applicants and congratulate this year’s winners, Jill Smith and Kimberly Danielson for their achievements. In addition to solo exhibitions, Smith and Danielson each received a one week print residency with Graven Feather, and a studio credit with Akin Collective as part of the award.

Call for Submission: Never Real & Always True

Never Real & Always True will run from March 9th - 21st.

Artists are asked to illustrate how their individual experiences with mental illness have been impacted by social stigma. All artists are welcome regardless of location. Painting, drawing, mixed media, and sculpture are all acceptable mediums.

The event will be held at Northern Contemporary Gallery. A percentage of all profits made by Northern Contemporary Gallery will be donated to the Toronto Distress Centre. Northern Contemporary Gallery will collect a $20 hanging fee for works accepted (one time fee, NOT per piece). As well, we will take a 40% commission on all sales.

The Toronto Distress Centre is a volunteer based organization that provides 24-hour telephone support, 365 days a year, to those experiencing emotional distress or in need of crisis intervention and suicide prevention. The goal is to raise  $1000 for the Toronto Distress Centre.

Deadline: March 5th, 2017

Accepted work drop-off: February 14th-March 8th, 2017

Opening Reception: March 9th, 2017

You may submit up to 10 available (for sale) works that fit the show's theme. There are no restrictions to size, though works MUST be hang- or display-ready.  Please attach images to your submission email in JPEG format (smaller files are preferred, 72 dpi and 1000 pixels on the longest edge is ideal).
Email submissions to kee.megan@gmail.com with the subject line “NEVER REAL & ALWAYS TRUE” no later than March 5th at 11:59pm (for local artists), or March 1st at 11:59pm (for artists who require shipping).  Attach clear photos of all pieces to your submission email. In the body of your email, please include, your artist bio, your website (and/or CV), and a list of all submitted files including; title, size, medium, and price.

AKIN FALL GALLERY CRAWL- THANK YOU!

A huge thank you to everyone that attended the gallery crawl on Saturday and to COOPER COLE, Angell Gallery and ESP for showing us their new gallery spaces and current exhibitions.

Please see photos below and follow AKIN Collective for upcoming programming news!

AKIN CRIT 34: LANSDOWNE

AKIN CRIT 34: LANSDOWNE STUDIO

Facebook Event- Join HERE!

Akin Collective's monthly open art critique session.

Ideas + Discussion + Brews + Food + Debate

Free for all and open to the public- bring friends!


87 Wade Avenue, Studio Unit 101.

Wednesday, June 24 7:00pm.

www.akincollective.com

Akin Spring Gallery Crawl!

THANKS!

A huge thank you to everyone that joined us for the gallery crawl on Saturday as well as the galleries that hosted us: Mercer Union, Scrap Metal, Daniel Faria Gallery, Clint Roesnisch and Division Gallery.

Thank you also to Kronenbourg 1664 for their continued support of our programming and livers.

xo
Akin Collective

AKIN SPRING GALLERY CRAWL

JOIN THE EVENT ON FACEBOOK

AKIN SPRING GALLERY CRAWL: Saturday, April 18: 1-5pm

1. MEET AT AKIN COLLECTIVE (87 WADE AVENUE- STUDIO 101) FOR FREE BEER AND TREATS.

2. VISIT ALLEN MORGAN'S STUDIO

3. HEAD TO MERCER UNION

4. HEAD TO DANIEL FARIA GALLERY

5. HEAD TO CLINT ROENISCH

6. HEAD TO DIVISION GALLERY

7. JOIN US FOR MORE FREE BEER AND TREATS


Please join us for a private tour of the current exhibitions at some of Toronto's best and brightest galleries.

Bring friends!

xo Akin Collective

Free beer courtesy of Kronenbourg 1664

AKIN WINTER GALLERY CRAWL

Thank you so much to everyone that joined us for our seasonal gallery crawl on February 7.

A huge thank you also to MOCCA, Susan Hobbs, Georgia Scherman Projects, Birch Contemporary and Diaz Contemporary.

Lastly- a big ol' thanks to Kronenbourg 1664 for their continued support of Akin Collective.

Stay up to date on all of our activities by following us on Facebook, Twitter and signing up for our newsletter.

Stay tuned for news on our Spring Gallery Crawl!

xo

Akin Collective

Haliburton School of The Arts- Studio Process Advancement

Studio Process Advancement
Graduate Certificate Program – starts in May at Haliburton School of The Arts

Is this you?
You are a working artist seeking an opportunity to focus exclusively on your work to re-invigorate your existing practice and challenge yourself intellectually.

You have a fine arts degree or arts diploma and you are looking for a creative and supportive environment to explore your talent and start your own studio practice.

Our intensive Studio Process Advancement program is designed with you in mind.

Spend the summer creating art at Fleming College’s Haliburton School of The Arts, renowned for offering innovative arts programming for over six decades. Apply now for classes starting May, 2015


Program Highlights:

• During this four-month program, you will develop and complete one or more considered bodies of work
• The program is not medium – specific and you may work on a number of different materials conducive to a shared studio space
• Through individual and group critiques, guest lectures, exhibitions and gallery visits, you will be supported in the development of your work, portfolios, documents and submission processes for grants, exhibition preparation and applications to other institutions for advanced study programs
• Present your work during an artist talk, along with a set of artist documents and a final portfolio
• Learn from faculty who are professional artists in a dedicated, fully-equipped studio space

Minimum Admission Requirements:

A related Ontario College Diploma, or related Ontario College Advanced Diploma or a related undergraduate or graduate university degree. Artists with established practices and professionals with equivalent and related work experience will also be considered for admission on an individual basis. Successful completion of the selection process which will include both an interview and portfolio discussion.




hsta.ca for more information
or contact program coordinator, Lisa Binnie lisa.binnie@flemingcollege.ca  |  1-866-353-6464 ext. 3

AKIN CRIT 23

AKIN LANSDOWNE: 
87 WADE AVENUE, STUDIO 101

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 7PM

Crit #23- Bring friends and ideas and strangers and snacks and drinks and work to discuss at our monthly open art critique.

As always, open to the public and free for all.

FACEBOOK EVENT

AKIN CRIT 21

AKIN LANSDOWNE: 87 WADE AVENUE
STUDIO UNIT 101

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30TH, 7PM

Crit number 21- Bring friends and ideas and strangers and snacks and work to discuss!

Share what you are working on and get input from other artists and creative pals at our monthly open art critique.


As always, open to the public and free for all.

FIND IT ON FACEBOOK

RESIDENCY: DARLING FOUNDRY MONTREAL

INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCY

DETAILS

- The residency takes place at the Darling Foundry in Montréal

- The program accommodates an artist who is from outside of Canada

Dates:

- Application opens: April

- Deadline: 1 June for residency starting the following year

- Residency Dates: 1 January to 30 June

- The successful candidate will be selected by a committee composed of visual arts professionals and will be announced approximately a month after the deadline

 

The residency includes:

- a live-in studio with internet connection and access to wood and metal workshops

- a global $23,000 scholarship for travel expenses, weekly stipend, and production costs

- the organization of studio visits and artist talk for the public

- mentoring, networking, excursions etc during the residency period

 

To apply:

Send the following: a CV, portfolio, letter of intent, two letters of recommendation, and online application form (which will be available on this page when the application opens) to the Darling Foundry. 

 

Past recipients:

2014. Tris Vonna-Michell / 2013. Patty Chang and David Kelley / 2012. Dineo Seshee Bopape / 2011. Yuki Higashino / 2010. Glenda León / 2009. Luis Guerra

 

This program is funded by The Canada Council for the Arts

ALL THE INFORMATION HERE

Akin Collective: SPRING GALLERY CRAWL

FREE EVENT! Open to the public!

Saturday, April 19: 12:00-5:00pm
Akin Collective- 87 Wade Avenue, Unit 101

JOIN THE FACEBOOK EVENT

Join us for an afternoon of gallery tours, talks and beers.

We'll meet at Akin Collective Landsdowne: 87 Wade Avenue- Unit 101- at 12:00pm for a few beverages (courtesy of Kronenbourg) before heading to the following galleries and patios for art and drinks in the spring sunshine. Brings your friends! All welcome. Special talks provided by the gallerists and curators.

Akin Collective- Landsdowne- 87 Wade Avenue
Mercer Union
Stella
Daniel Faria Gallery
Scrap Metal
Division Gallery


Can't join the group until later? Call and see where we are at: 647-883-8295.

AKIN COLLECTIVE
www.akincollectivecom

FORGE: BIO-ART AT ACTION POTENTIAL LAB: MARCH 12

BUY ADVANCE TICKETS HERE

Gallery 44 Workshops

Check out some of the amazing photography workshops our friends at Gallery 44 are putting on this fall by CLICKING HERE

Photograph by Robert Frank

AKIN FALL GALLERY CRAWL: OCTOBER 12, 1PM.

JOIN FACEBOOK EVENT HERE