North York Arts' Second Act: ESL Theatre Program

Looking for a creative way to practice your English?

Second Act is a series of 8 FREE theatre-focused workshops for youth ages 14 to 19 to feel more comfortable and confident in their speaking abilities. You'll practice through storytelling, improv, public speaking, and more!

The program will be held on the following upcoming dates from 5:00pm-7:30pm:
October 7, 21 and 28
November 4, 11 and 18

We strongly recommend that you attend all of the workshops to get the most out of the program. Plus, you will receive a participation certificate if you attend a minimum of 7 workshops!

Second Act is led in English and is ideal for those with basic to intermediate English communication skills. TTC fare and snack will be provided.

Sign up now as spots are limited!

WORKSHOPS:

October 7 and 21
Improv with Isaac Luy

Improv is a great way to take risks and to improve interpersonal and speaking skills. During these workshops, we'll focus on some physical comedy games that get your body moving and your creative juices flowing. We will do exercises that aim to get you feeling confident and into a state of play. Come learn how fun improv can be!

October 28 and November 4
Public Speaking with Stephan Dyer and Juan Cajiao

Are you looking to overcome your fear of public speaking? Join us and let's have fun with Improvisation and Stand Up Comedy. We will use humor as the primary tool in order to become persuasive speakers, improve stage presence, and develop self-confidence. We will also talk about how to embrace your accents and roots through the 'mistakes are opportunities' mentality.

November 11

TBD

November 18
Conversation with Maria Montejo

A conversation with Maria Montejo (Deer clan) about the land that we stand on and our responsibilities as newcomers to the land and to the original keepers of this land.

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.

On View Now: Kin Collective's Constructing Liminal Space

In Constructing Liminal Space, KIN portrays the personal dilemma of being an immigrant and the impact of relocation on individual identity. Jieun June Kim of Akin MOCA and Marina’s immigration experiences have forced them to straddle the boundary between their homes in Korea and Russia (respectively), and their new home in Canada. Their work reflects the duality of the “in-between” space where their identities collide such as realities and dreams, and past and present life.

KIN Collective will also be hosting a FREE family-friendly collaborative art installation, “The Place of Belonging,” on May 4.

Date: April 25 – May 13
Opening Reception: April 25

Opening Reception: 6pm – 9pm

Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Friday 1pm to 6pm
Thursday, May 2 the Gallery will be open until 8pm

Place: Toronto Centre for the Arts, Lower Gallery

In Between Land an Exhibition by Jieun June Kim

Opening tomorrow, Friday, January 4th at 6PM, the latest collection of work by Akin MOCA member Jieun June Kim will be on display at North York Central Library for the month of January.

In her work, Jieun creates fantasy worlds where strangers live. This imaginary world is a peaceful and safe place for everyone. Take a sneak peak at the new collection in the video below.

Exhibition: In Between Land

Location: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto

Opening: January 4th at 6PM

Exhibition Dates: January 4-18th 2019.

Jieun June Kim (b. Seoul, Korea) is a painter and muralist who lives and works in Toronto. She studied at the Washington University in St. Louis, graduating in 2012. In her painting Kim explores different ideas of “home” using colorful patterns and dynamic natural forms. Jieun June Kim has exhibited her work at numerous art galleries in North America and S. Korea. Since moving to Canada in 2016, her works has been shown at multiple art galleries in Toronto. Also Kim has been commissioned to paint a mural for Dundas West BIA(2017).

THIS SATURDAY! Akin & North York Arts: Newcomer Exhibition & Artist Talk

Artist Talk- Saturday, August 19, 1-3pm at Akin Sunrise
 100 Sunrise Ave, Studio 106A

Presented by North York Arts and Akin, 'Cursory' is an exhibition that displays new and recently created artworks by emerging artists residing in Toronto, Hussain Al Ismail, Pradeep Anurag Reddy and Victor Vazquez.

Seeking to celebrate community, 'Cursory' brings to attention an incisive look at the creative work explored by three personal narratives who fleetingly inhabit a space. Informed by their individual experiences as immigrants, the artists' multi-faceted practice is presented as an inventive quest for a thorough glance at the quotidian. Multiple art formats such as paintings, sculptures, digital art, and sketches are displayed together interpreted in the uniqueness of each artist to represent their identities.

Meet the artists and tour Akins Collective's new studio and programming space at 100 Sunrise Ave in North York. From 1-3pm August 19th.