Akin Member Highlight: Liliana Botero Rey

Liliana working in her studio at Akin St Clair. She is wearing headphones, glasses, and an apron over her blue shirt. Her dog, a miniature schnauzer, sits on her lap and leans her head on an open drawer.

What is Akin without our fantastic artists? There’s no other way we’d rather celebrate our 15th anniversary than by showing off our amazing members.

We’ve reached out to some of our longest-serving members  to hear their Akin stories, starting with Liliana Botero Rey who has been an Akin member as well as a member of the Akin Team for ten years. 

Since 2013, Liliana has been a big part of our studios. She’s made a lasting impact on our community, and has created some beautiful work during her time at Akin!

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Liliana Botero Rey

Liliana Botero is a glass artist who studied and trained in Colombia, the United States and Canada, to specialise in different techniques to expand her knowledge in glass handling such as: stained glass, fused glass, mosaic, lampwork jewellery, and and more techniques. At the same time she studied Graphic Design. She owned and operated a glass art studio in Bogota-Colombia for 12 years before she moved to Canada in 2011 where she opened a glass studio in 2013.

Liliana has been enjoying working with glass since she was a student when she wished to become a professional glass artist and work with it all her life. Glass is her passion!

She feels satisfaction when she creates, but more when the people are attracted to the pieces she makes and pays to keep them. She loves living the life of an artist,  working with her hands, creating through inspiration.  

You can find more of Lili’s work on Etsy or on her instagram, @destellosglassart and keep reading below for our interview with Liliana to learn more about her long history with Akin and her creative work.

What brought you to Akin?

At the end of 2013, almost newly arrived in Canada, I came across this fabulous idea: Akin Collective, an affordable shared and dedicated spaces, as the home of my small business. After tirelessly searching in Toronto, for where I could land my ideas as a glass artist.

Can you give us a timeline of your Akin Journey? Where did it start? Which studios have you been a member at?

My first studio in 2013 was super small. I asked for the space they offered me to be partitioned because it was out of my budget. This was in the Lansdowne location, where I shared beautiful moments and made my first friends in this beautiful country, Canada. One of the coolest things is the exchange of ideas and techniques that you can share and at the same time receive from my studio mates.

Currently, the studio where I work is Akin St.Clair, my space is larger and more comfortable, "My Happy Place" where I work with all the equipment and tools that I have acquired over these 10 years, expanding the techniques with which I work with Destellos-Glass Art, my business.

Do you have any special memories associated with your time at Akin?

The programs and events that I have participated in with Akin have helped to promote and give recognition to my brand and at the same time promote the products that I make in this wonderful place.

Also, I can bring my furry baby Lara every day, she is my partner in crime. 

Liliana is sitting in her studio at Akin St Clair. She is wearing a blue baseball cap, an apron, and her dog, a miniature schnauzer, is sitting on her  lap. The walls of her studio are lined with work tables filled with a wide array of tools, beads, lighting equipment, and brushes. A framed photo of another schnauzer is mounted on the wall. A dream catcher is hanging from the ceiling.

A couple of years ago, my husband thought about leaving our condo and moving into a house. Where I would get "The whole basement" for my studio. The truth is, I'm not interested in staying isolated at home, I change having my workplace surrounded by the artistic environment, sharing with other artists and being able to expand my network? No way!!

What was your favorite Akin studio to work out of, and why?

I miss Lansdowne studios, it was a cozy and warm place with a lot of friends I could connect with during my first years with Akin, from there I made my first friends in Canada.

I like my current studio at St. Clair West. It is more comfortable. From here I also expanded my business.

An image of Liliana’s former studio in 2014. A table with a white tablecloth holds an elaborate display of her colourful glass work: picture frames, coasters, sculptures, jewellery. Necklaces and earrings are mounted to the wall in frames. In the corner is a desk with a rolling chair. 

Do you have a routine for art making at the studio? Any special rituals to get your creativity flowing?

The earlier, the better. For me, it is so important to take advantage of the momentum that your body lets you bring. The best time is from morning till afternoon, sometimes late at night too, depending on the inspiration and/or the orders you can extend the work hours. Sometimes 8, 10, 12 or when I get crazy (in a good way) 14 work hours.

You've been creating art for a long time! What do you think is the key to keeping the practice going, long term? 

Consistency and belief in what you make with love. People get attracted by them. It is all the emotions and energy you input into your work that makes the pieces so special and people feel this and pay for it.

A picture of Liliana Botero, Oliver Pauk, and Michael Vickers at Akin’s 10th Anniversary party in 2018. Behind them are large golden balloons which spell “Akin”. Oliver and Michael are wearing button up shirts and shorts, Liliana wears a pink dress with a jean jacket.

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A huge thank you to Liliana for taking the time for this interview. We also thank you for your hard work in the studios every single week for the last 10 years keeping our spaces beautiful and safe for our members - and thank you for being a part of this community for ten years! We will be highlighting more Akin members this month as we continue to celebrate our 15 year anniversary!  

Stay tuned throughout the month of November as we celebrate our anniversary on the Akin blog with more member highlights!  

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Want to celebrate in-person?

Akin will be hosting a 15th Anniversary drop-in celebration at Akin’s Remote Gallery on December 5 from 4-8pm for an evening filled with Akin memorabilia and nostalgia. 

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You can help Akin Projects continue to support arts in Toronto for another fifteen years! You can donate to Akin Projects here. Your contributions directly impact artists in ways that are meaningful to arts and culture in our city, as well as to the communities in which we work. We can’t thank you enough for your support.

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

2023 Space Award Winners

The Newcomer Space Award is a partnership between Toronto Arts Foundation’s Neighbourhood Arts Network and Akin. This award focuses on providing affordable shared studio and/or exhibition space to newcomer professional artists who are past recipients of our Newcomer Arts Access Award (formerly known as RBC Arts Access Award). This award not only provides funding and space essential for professional artists to grow their practice, but also supports artists in growing their network through the shared studio space model.

The six recipients will receive:
$500 cash to support their arts practice
$2,000 in Akin credit to be used for shared studio or exhibition space

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The Newcomer Space Award is made possible with the support of RBC.

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Azadeh Pirazimian

Azadeh Pirazimian is a multidisciplinary artist, art educator based in Toronto and former lecturer in Iran. With a passion for exploring themes of self-expression, communication, daily resistance, through diverse media, including drawing, painting, photography, performance, and sculpture. Her methodology has been consistent throughout her career, resulting in her own distinctive visual language.

Over the years, Azadeh has showcased her works at multiple exhibitions in Iran, Canada, and the Netherlands. Her art in Canada has received recognition through the Newcomer Artists Mentorship Grant and RBC Space Awards.

Azadeh holds a bachelor's degree in painting and a master's in visual communication. In the fall of 2023, Azadeh will pursue her MFA at  University of Waterloo, where she can develop her artistic skills further.

Website: https://www.azadehpirazimian.com/

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Chico Togni

Chico Togni holds a B.F.A. in Sculpture from the São Paulo University in Brazil and was an Artist Research Fellow at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. His works have been exhibited internationally, most recently at Kunsthaus Dresden and Museum der Bildenden Kunst Leipzig. He moved to Toronto in 2022.

Website: https://chicotogni.partial.gallery/

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Helio Eudoro

Helio Eudoro is a Brazilian-Canadian multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto. He holds a BFA (Hons.) in Sculpture and Installation from OCAD University (2022). His work explores the intersection of identity, gender, sexuality, diaspora, and aging. Eudoro's art investigates themes of possessions, waste, and the cycle of mindless ownership, seeking to spark dialogues that challenge our understanding of body and identities, as well as material systems and their impact on consumption and disposal habits. He has received several grants and awards, including the 2022 OCADU Carmen Lamanna Award and the 2020 RBC Newcomer Arts Award. Eudoro's artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums across Canada and Brazil, including the Art Museum at the University of Toronto in 2023 and ArtworxTO in 2022. His art is featured in collections such as the Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia and the Museu de Arte Contemporânea of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.

Website: https://helio-eudoro.format.com/

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Irina Lerman

Irina Lerman graduated from Vaganova Ballet Academy as a professional ballet artist in 2011 and 2016 with a Master's Degree in Choreography. She presented her first choreographic production, Mind Games (music by Max Richter), on The Mariinsky Theatre stage and performed classic and contemporary productions during her seven years at the Mariinsky Theatre, working with international choreographers like Sasha Waltz and William Forsythe. She won a Silver Medal at the International Competition in Riga, Latvia, produced independent ballet projects, and collaborated with artists, composers, filmmakers, and designers. Early in her career Irina taught as a Guest Teacher and Choreographer at Ballet Intensives in Europe and the USA and participated in the Netherlands Dance Theatre SI and workshops by renowned choreographers Wayne McGregor and Edward Clug. In 2019 Irina joined the Atlantic Ballet of Canada as a Lead Soloist. She is a recipient of the 2022 Newcomer Arts Award.

Website: https://www.irinalerman.com/

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Kseniya Tsoy

Kseniya Tsoy is a new Canadian community-engaged artist originally from Uzbekistan. Whether it's community murals, illustration or cultural production, Kseniya’s work has a distinct social purpose and focuses on diversity and inclusion. As a visual artist, her work is inspired by folk motifs and legends of different cultures that influenced her throughout her life. As a person of mixed heritage, Kseniya’s art is a visual expression of her never-ending exploration of identity and belonging.

Website: https://www.ktsoy.art/

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Lana Yuan

Lana Yuan is an artist living and working in Toronto. She has exhibited at the Art Museum at U of T, YYZ Artists' Outlet, Stackt Market Gallery Box, Center 3 Gallery, Ignite Gallery and Red Head Gallery. Between 2022 and 2023, she was awarded the 401 Career Launcher Prize.

Website: https://www.lanajyuan.work/

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

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Akin’s 2023 Career Launcher Winners Announced!

Akin is excited to announce Damon Couto-Hill and Veerta Kumar as our OCADU Career Launcher award recipients for 2023-24. We’re excited to welcome them into the community! 

These talented graduating OCAD students will be awarded $2,000 in credits to go towards a studio space at one of Akin’s studio locations for 2023-2024. In addition to the $2,000 studio credit, each recipient will receive $450 exhibition credit for use at Akin’s Remote Gallery. 

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Damon Couto-Hill

Image Description: Damon Couto-Hill looks directly to the camera in this close up shot of his face and shoulders. Damon has short brown hair, and brown eyes. Damon is wearing a red, blue, white and black striped collared shirt. Behind Damon is a room with white walls, out of focus. 

Damon Couto-Hill is a Portuguese/Mohawk man and an interdisciplinary visual artist. He is a Six Nations of the Grand River member who grew up in Scarborough and currently lives and works in Toronto, Canada. He works with digital collages to entangle his body with images of Canada, nature, the Western art canon, and the internet to visualize the dysfunctions of Western collective consciousness through an intuitive, dream-like lens. He then translates the digital collage into physical form as fragmented wood panels painted in acrylic and oil, making the image again upon the scattered shards of a slanted mosaic. 

Instagram: @damond.liver

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Veerta Kumar

Image Description: Veerta Kumar is smiling beside a large artwork. Veerta has curly black hair and wears a black, shirt with an asymmetrical neckline. The artwork, to Veerta’s left, are bright, colourful circles mounted on a black background. Each circle contains  are backlit, translucent photographs . The circles contain photographs

Veerta Kumar was born in India in 1999 and lives and works in Toronto. She considers the flux, chaos, and fragments of our perceptions to decolonize modes of re-presentation and re-creation. In the past year, she observed the interaction of paint and light and engaged in various modes of making and materials, including ornamentation, textiles, found materials, family album photos, personal photography,  and digital manipulation.

Kumar completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting in 2023 from OCAD University. She received the John Madott Fine Art Award for her recent body of work Tedhi Nazar exhibited at Grad Ex 108.

Website:  www.veertakumar.ca
Instagram: @_veertakumar

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

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Narcissus, an installation by Renato Baldin with photographs by Filipe Paulo - Coming Soon to Remote Gallery!

The Greek myth of Narcissus tells the story of a perfect child, a gift from the gods, fated to live into old age as long as he never saw his own reflection. One day, Narcissus walked to a lake to drink, the water was perfectly still. He leaned over and saw his own reflection. Instantly, he fell in love with himself, leaned into his reflection, fell into the water and drowned. 

Brazilian Artist, Curator Renato Baldin contemplates self reflection, beauty and celebrates body positivity in his newest show, Narcissus, an interactive installation set to take place as part of Pride Toronto, at Akin’s Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond Street West from May 25th to June 10th.

Baldin was taken by the myth of Narcissus, the way it introduces reflection and self admiration as a negative construct. A queer activist, Baldin knows that self love plays an essential role in the health and vitality of the queer,  gender non-conforming community. 

“Fighting against an oppressive environment imposed by the binary gender system, we, as queer people, forget to love ourselves as we are,” Baldin says. “We all have beauty, we are all connected, we can be stronger if we stand together as a cohesive body, working as a community.”

The result will be an interactive photo mosaic of non-conforming bodies; wrinkles, muscle, skin tone, gender nonconformity, all united together in one brilliant image. Participants will be able to take photos with their phones and use a printer within the gallery to add to the installation.  Viewers are also encouraged to participate before the show on Instagram, (@renato.baldin) where he’ll bring questions, themes and reflections, inviting people to interact. 

Narcissus reflects on toxic masculinity, homophobia, fragility and freedom in the form of a broken mirror whose shards reveal the diversity of queer bodies. The exhibit will include images by Filipe Paulo, an acclaimed Toronto based photographer and filmmaker.

Renato Baldin is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist, curator, and activist from Brazil. His work focuses on immersive art installations, influenced by his background in Architecture and Human Rights.  His art installations include visual statements inspired by Queer studies, Anthropology, Psychology, and Social reflections. They are experiential and invite people to reflect on our world together.

He has curated and designed over 15 exhibitions; has worked for high-tech museums like the Football Museum and Portuguese Language Museum; and is a co-founder and key organizer of the Sao Paulo LGBT Pride Parade, the largest pride event in the world with over 3.5 million participants.

Filipe Paulo is a photographer based in Toronto. His work blurs the lines of queer boudoir by exploring themes of repressed identity, sensuality, isolation and the search for the tangible in a digital world. Taking gay stereotypes, adding a wink and a bit of tenderness Filipe aims to titillate but more importantly to make the viewer feel something.

Filipe's instagram account @inappropriate.touching was started in 2019 as a venue to display his work and has grown to over 5,000 followers. He has a bachelors degree in Film Studies from Toronto Metro University and his final year queer themed short film, Porcaria, premiered at the 1994 Toronto International Film Festival and has played in numerous film festivals around the world.

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

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Exhibition Details:

Dates: May 25 – Jun 10

Times: 
Wed - Fri from 3pm - 7pm
Sat - Sun from 1pm -6pm

Location: 
Remote Gallery (568 Richmond St West), Toronto

Narcissus at Remote Gallery is an
Official Affiliate Event of Pride Toronto 2023! 

Akin at The Artist Project - April 13 to 16

Get ready for the highly-anticipated return of The Artist Project at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, from April 13th to 16th! Featuring over 250 independent artists, including several Akin members, this event promises to be a celebration of creativity, inspiration, and connection.

The Opening Night Preview is on April 13th from 6-10pm, it will include a fashion show from  Fashion Art Toronto, Aura photography, Tarot Card reading, and a live DJ set. Experience a stimulating environment designed to ignite enriching conversations and foster a personal connection with art.

The Akin booth will be showcasing the talented works of members of the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG: Amada Estabillo, Jason Bomers, Tiana Robinson, Erin McCluskey, Emily MacClennan, Mel Hayes, Felicia Cirstea, Maren Boedeker, Hamid Mohammadi, Linds Miyo and Chico Togni. Find us at booth 1009 near the Untapped Emerging Artist section (featuring Akin’s very own, Sabrina Pinksen)!

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Another interesting exhibit will be the OCAD U Career Launcher Initiative, where Vladimir Kanic, the recipient of the Artist Project 2023 Career Launcher, will present Garden of Waves, as part of his ongoing body of work with algae for the 2023 fair.

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Image Description: Miles Ingrassia at the Artist Project 2022. Miles is standing in front of his paintings which are displayed on a white wall surrounding him. Miles has a tshirt on and a hat and glasses and is smiling slightly at the camera.

While you are there, don’t forget to look for Akin members and alumni at their very own booths and say hello! Akin members exhibiting include Miles Ingrassia (booth 122), Carolina Reis (booth 108), Jen Arron (booth I6), Natalie Plociennik (booth 236) and Zoe Bridgeman (booth 926) and many Akin alumni will be among the exhibiting artists as well!  

Click here to get your tickets. See you there!  

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Accessibility Information:

The Better Living Centre has step-free access to the building and is level throughout. A limited number of assisted devices are available onsite at the information desk for those who need them. Service animals are allowed into all areas of the event that are open to the public. The Artist Project is happy to offer a complimentary admission pass for the support person of a person with a disability.

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

#BringingTheArtsToLife @CanadaCouncil 

Upcoming: Four Exhibitions Featuring Akin Members

Calling all art lovers and Akin community supporters! Be sure not to miss these upcoming exhibitions from our beloved Akin-folk as they showcase exciting new work.

These shows are featuring Akin Members Erin Candela, Jason Bomers, Kyle Yip, Rosemary Miguez, Cath Turl & Jeanette McLachlin as well as Akin Board of Directors member Kristina McMullin.

Image description: Mosaic tiles showing a tiger with wide eyes, biting into the neck of a sheep against a background of black tile. On the far left side of the mosaic, a tree with white buds lays in the background behind the tiger’s tail.

Other Tigers - group show and Grand Opening of The Lost and Found Project Space - featuring Akin Members and Akin alumni.

Opening of a brand new gallery and community space, The Lost & Found, run by Ceramicist Nurielle Stern. This new project space is now accepting submissions from independent curators, artist-curators, and organizations, educational institutions, and commercial galleries. They aim to provide exhibition opportunities for emerging and established contemporary artists working in any medium.

This inaugural exhibition is featuring Akin studio artists Erin Candela and Jason Bomers, along with former Akin members David Salazar and Helen Liene Dreifelds, and many more!

Opening reception: April 15, 7:00 to 11:00 pm

Exhibition dates: April 15 - May 7, 2023

Exhibition hours: Except for the opening, the exhibtion will be open by appointment.

Location: The Lost and Found, 420 Queen St E Toronto

More details about the show including a full list of partcipating artists here 

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Image description: grey banner with black geometric shapes on it and the exhibition details which are included in this blog post written in a wavy font.

RENAISSANCE SHOW - a solo exhibition by Akin Waterfront member Kyle Yip

Image description: A photograph of Kyle Yip standing in front of a pink, geometric backdrop. Kyle is wearing a black t-shirt splattered with paint and green pants. His arms are folded, he has short black hair and a slight smile. 

Kyle Yip's trans-disciplinary practice integrates eastern and western recovery-based approaches derived from gnosis and neuroscience. It plays with the new fixities of identity politics drawn from the colour-field of pop physics, combining euclidean and sacred geometry with vexillology. Some of these practices include art therapy, dreamwork, as well as meditation, reiki, and esoteric cosmological rituals that unsettle mainstream norms in contemporary art. His work addresses an urgent need in the art industry to merge explorations between personal development and avant-gardist aesthetics. This exhibition is generously supported by Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival.

Opening Reception: April 22, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Exhibition dates: April 18 - May 12, 2023 

Exhibition Hours:
Tue - Fri, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sat, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: Collision Gallery, 30 Wellington St W Unit G114, Toronto

Special event - Sound Bath Meditation: with The SoundBody Collective on April 29, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Get tickets here.

More details about the show here

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Cripping Masculinity: Designing Fashion Utopias

Image Description: A graphic icon featuring black and white photographs of four items of clothing. The clothing is surrounded by a sulfur coloured graphic brush stroke. The background of the graphic is hot pink.

Cripping Masculinity: Designing Fashion Utopias is a journey into the fashion worldbuilding of Disabled, Deaf, and Mad-identified men and masculine people. This exhibition showcases a selection of the everyday clothing and re-made garments from participants in Cripping Masculinity. The clothing and stories highlight the fashion imagination and wisdom that comes from the experiences of disabled masculinities, demonstrating how closing off access to prevailing systems of fashion and masculinity opens up alternatives that foster belonging, creativity, and desire for disability.

The Cripping Masculinity team is made up of researchers, designers, and activists based at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto, the University of Alberta in Edmonton and Parsons School of Design in New York. The team includes Akin’s Board of Directors member Kristina McMullin.

Exhibition dates: On now until May 12, 2023

Exhibition hours: Wed - Sat, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location: Tangled Art + Disability, 401 Richmond St W S-124, Toronto

Special event - FAT Fashion Show: April 29, 2023, Urban Space Gallery, Urban Space Gallery 401 Richmond St W S-124, Toronto

More details about the show here

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Visually Speaking, a group exhibition - featuring Akin members Rosemary Miguez, Cath Turl & Jeanette McLachlin

Official Opening: April 5 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Exhibition dates: April 4 - 9, 2023

Exhibition hours:
Tues & Sun: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm,
Wed - Sat: 12:00 pm - 8:00pm,
Artist talks daily at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

Location: Show Gallery, 978 Queen St W. Toronto

Special Event - Poetry Workshops: Friday & Saturday at 2:00 pm.
Sign up by texting 1-204-299-3904

More details about the show here

Image Description: an event poster listing the event title, artist names, and exhibition details which are all included in this blog post. The background of the poster is a light purpole colour and there are photographs on the poster showing different artworks including paintings and sculptures.

Akin Community Highlights: Hands of Fire at Akin Waterfront

Every Saturday afternoon in the Akin Waterfront Flex Room, Hands of Fire busts out the clay to create beautiful, original artwork. 

Hands of Fire is a sculpture group working out of our Akin Waterfront location. They offer creative services for blind and visually impaired individuals. Founded in 2013, and an official chapter of the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) since 2016, they provide opportunities for folks to express their creativity through sculpting in a safe and welcoming environment. 

“We pride ourselves on our thriving sense of community, encouraging confidence in our members’ artistic abilities and social lives.”

— Hands of Fire

Organised by Chapter President Alicia Modeste and secretary/treasurer Noora Mahmoud,  Hands of Fire is a vibrant group, filled with laughter and kindness. We’re so glad Hands of Fire decided to join us at Akin Waterfront this past year! We were able to drop by and visit the group recently, and met with Hands of Fire artists’ Rohan, Karen and Michael, as they worked on their creations. 

Image Description: Karen, a sculptor with gray hair and a purple sweater sits at a table, working on a clay sculpture of a key. They are facing Noora, standing in a white shirt and blue jeans, standing beside them, laughing. On the table in front of them sits sculpting equipment, a spray bottle, a block of clay and wooden sculpting tools

Image Description: Rohan, a sculptor wearing a black and gray sweater, with short brown hair sits at a bright teal table, rolling a tube of clay in their hands. On the table in front of them sits several other pieces of clay, a spray bottle, and a rolling pin.

“Hands of Fire is a great way to meet new people, express yourself creatively, build confidence, and most importantly - have fun! As part of our sculpture group, you will receive hands-on instruction from our talented instructors and you can enjoy a great social environment with our diverse and dynamic members. We focus not only on artistic excellence and skill building but community wellbeing and ensuring members cultivate a sense of confidence in themselves and their creative spirits.” 

People with any level of vision loss are welcome to join, no sculpting experience is necessary!

Find more information about Hands of Fire here 

#AkinCommunityHighlights

Artist Faisal Karadsheh featured this Saturday at the Deep Wireless Festival of Radio & Transmission Art

This Saturday, March 4th, artist (and Akin Member) Faisal Karadsheh will be presenting his work ‘to be heard (soundwalk’in_2021)’ as part of New Adventures in Sound Art (NAISA)’s annual Deep Wireless festival.

This work includes all three audio pieces from Faisal’s soundwalk project which were produced in 2021 using personal recordings of street protests in Toronto, each responding to national and/or international events. By visiting each of the three locations in the sound walk, the listener may consider how bodies connect, congregate and organize themselves together.

In the soundwalk project the process of concentrating or suppressing “voices of protest”, as suggested by Hito Steyerl, is being explored formally. The site is composed of three distinct locations within a very specific region in Toronto. The three protests transpired at varying times during 2021, yet seem to align across a section of the city. The abstracted sound works examine the process of documenting and formally articulating protests, in connection to its position within the urban fabric and sonic landscape of the city.

Image Description: The Deep Wireless logo which includes a cartoon drawing of a radio and the words ‘DEEP Wireless”

Deep Wireless Festival of Radio and Transmission Art

The 22nd annual edition of the Deep Wireless Festival of Radio & Transmission Art is presented on the theme Remote Connections with and exhibitions, performances, artist talks, an online compilation and radio programs being transmitted from and hosted at the NAISA North Media Arts Centre in South River.

Three works from the Deep Wireless 17 Radio Art Compilation Album will be included in this in-person and online hybrid event on the theme Remote Connections. Join in person for multichannel listening or connect online with your headphones.

What: Remote Connections Concert
When: Saturday March 4, 2023, 7:00 pm
Where: Online, and/or in-person at NAISA North Media Arts Centre in South River, Ontario
To register: click here the cost is $12 per person

“Radio over its history has built societal connections across multiple and remote locations. Radio Art evolved by way of artists and writers across many disciplines adding their diverse approaches to the way time, space and content could be re-imagined over the airwaves and later over digital streaming formats. The content in this year’s festival adds to that tradition with stories told through digital interactivity, round table discussions, documentaries, interactive art, poetry and sound art on the theme Remote Connections.”

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About the artist

Faisal Karadsheh is an Akin staff member and an Akin Studio member. He is an emerging Jordanian-Palestinian multidisciplinary artist, who has exhibited work in Jordan, Lebanon and Canada. Although his work does not necessarily depict a personal narrative, lived experiences emerge as thematic starting points throughout the art-making process. Once completed, these individualized fragments in time may instigate a wider dialogue within disparate communities about tradition, the body, ecologies, and how we define ourselves as moving beings. His oeuvre continually explores in-between spaces, where interior and exterior modalities can exist as one. By attempting to search for this mode of hybridized representation, different mediums unravel interrelated narratives, or imagined histories, revolving around the self and its ties to the body. As a result, these formal investigations into spatial possibilities always seem to be contingent on a somatic subject's perceptions, as the producer or constructor of reality. Choosing a medium to express these sentiments requires openness, which leads to a myriad of forms. Learn more about Faisal and his work at faisalkaradsheh.myportfolio.com

Introducing the 2023 Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG Members!

Image description: Six photographs of Akin Studio Program artists, their art and their studios. More information and descriptions of each image can be found at the end of this blog post.

We are excited to introduce the 2023 artists in the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG! The current artist cohort includes students, emerging and professional art practitioners and curators living in Toronto. The Akin Studio Program runs from January - December annually. Selected artists moved their studio into the building for a term of one year and will share their practices with visitors through programs such as open studio events.

We invite you to click on the names of each of the artists below to visit their websites and learn more about them and their work:

Afifa Bari 

Alison Kruse 

Amada Estabillo 

Anne Hamilton 

Chico Togni 

Emerald Repard-Denniston 

Emily MacLennan 

Emma White 

Erin McCluskey 

Felicia Cirstae 

FRANKIE

Hamid Mohammadi 

Ivetta Kang 

James Laforet 

Jason Bomers 

Jo SiMalaya Alcampo  

Kate Gorman 

Linds Miyo 

Maddalena Fuller 

Maren Boedeker 

Mel Hayes 

Sadie Yorath 

Tiana Robinson 

Torin Craig 

Yani Gellman

Below we are including highlights from some of the artists recent news and accomplishments. We look forward to sharing more about this group throughout the year as they explore their creativity and expand their practice in their studios at the Auto BLDG. 

Jo SiMalaya Alcampo is a collaborative partner in Kwentong Bayan Collective, they make komiks/comics and create art projects in collaboration with migrant care workers and other communities. They have exhibited and published internationally, their work is taught in elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, and has been integrated into the Ontario school curriculum. 

Tiana Robinson will be showcasing a selection of artwork on February 25 starting at 7pm at RAW Toronto Presents PROTOTYPE at The McCormack Warehouse. 

Emily MacLennan was awarded the 2022 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair Mayor’s Purchase Award. Her work, ‘Bread Factory’, is now part of the City of Toronto's permanent art collection. 

Artwork by Mel Hayes titled ‘Reconstruction of the Future’ has been featured as a part of the Concept of the Year project by YummyColours on the theme “Dear Future”, a project which meditates on the coming year. 

Yani Gellman is an actor, writer and director. His film ‘Greetings, from the Planet Krog!’ won the 2020 Spirit of Slamdance Award. He most recently starred in the Queensberry Pictures thriller Departing Seniors, slated for release in 2023.

You can find public artwork by Erin McCluskey inside the BMO Weston Rd & HWY 7 Branch. The mural is titled ‘The Humber River Flows Through Here’ and is a part of the BMO National Mural Series, a collaboration with STEPS Public Art and BMO Bank of Montreal. 

Stay tuned for more! Keep following the Akin blog for more Member news & highlghts!

Image descriptions (continued): 1. Artist Linds Miyo is sitting on a stool in her studio and working on a painting. She is holding a paintbrush, behind her are many large paintings. 2. Artist Jo SiMalaya Alcampo is facing the camera. They have their arms crossed are are smiling. Photo credit: Dhalia Katz 3. The studio of Anne Hamilton. There is a desk against the wall with a green chair in front of it. In the foreground is some furniture with a potted plant on it. The plant is flowering. 4. Artist Hamid Mohammadi is sitting on the floor in between his paintings which are leaning against a wall. He is smiling at the camera with his arm resting on his knee. 5. A black and white photo of Mel Hayes. She is standing in her studio surrounded by paintings and art supplies. Light is coming through an unseen window. Her hands are folded in front of her and she is smiling. 6. Artist Erin McCluskey is standing in front of a large colourful mural. She is smiling at the camera and gesturing towards the mural which shows people enjoying the outdoors.

Tonight! Artist Q&A with Wandy Cheng, Theresa Hopkins & Jennie Town!

Our Scarborough Highlights artist Art Talk is tonight (Feb 6) at 6pm on Instagram Live.

Learn more about the three artists below, and join them online this evening for the conversation! Questions and thoughts are welcome during the event through the live "chat" option, and by messaging erin@akincollective.com in advance. This event will take place through Akin's @akinprojects Instagram Feed. To join, please follow @akinprojects and be on Instagram at 6pm!


Jennie Town is a Scarborough-based Canadian multi media artist and Indigenous Knowledge Keeper living and working in the Guildwood community for over 56 years and counting. Drawing from her experience and learnings as an Afro-Indigenous creator and teacher, Jennie's practice has covered a wealth of mediums from ceramics, jewelry and painting to beading, leatherwork, drum-making, and a variety of craft techniques that frequently use gathered and naturally-sourced materials. A great believer in sharing the creative process and nourishing the experiences of others Jennie's role as an artist extends into community engagement through workshops, guided walks and local events. Follow Jennie on Instagram at @foreverjenniedesigns


Wandy Cheng (she/her) is a multidisciplinary illustrator from Hong Kong whose work embodies contrasting textures and repeated patterns through various creative outputs, including ceramics, paper-cut and public art. She helps local businesses create a memorable presence in their communities by simplifying conceptual ideas into vibrant visuals — an illustrator illustrating illustrations. Her work is inspired by memories of lived experiences, architectures, and environments. In recent years, her illustration can be seen both on the streets of the city and within the pages of international publications. Follow Wandy on Instagram @wandy_cheng


Theresa Hopkins is a black multidisciplinary artist and arts organizer living and working in Toronto. Her work focuses on themes surrounding identity, emotion and her interactions with the world as a black woman. Using colourful, tactile materials and subject matter, her work draws on nostalgia juxtaposed with heavy, mature themes. She has shown her work at 8-11 gallery, The Whitehouse Studio Project, Whippersnapper, The Plumb gallery and most recently a solo exhibition at The Remote Gallery. Follow Theresa on Instagram @thopkinsart



Image Descriptions: 1. Beaded earrings made by Jennie Town are hanging on the edge of a clear glass jar in front of a purple background. The earrings feature many beads with angular patterns with beaded tassels hanging from the ends. 2. A mural painted by Wandy Cheng using blue, green, white and pink colors depicting an environment centered around a waterfall leading to a lake, with plants and animals in the surroundings. 3. A painting by Theresa Hopkins hanging on a wall and brightly lit. In the painting the artist sits at a poker table in a luxury casino. She is surrounded by cartoon characters. In front of her are a stack of chips and 3 tarot cards.

On now: Three exhibitions featuring Akin Members Jen Arron, Marcia Bianchi & Hana Elmasry

Are you feeling the winter blues? Need some inspiration? Try going out to see some art! These three exhibitions are happening right now, featuring Akin Studio members Jen Arron, Marcia Bianchi & Hana Elmasry.

Image Description: Three large textile weavings hand on a white wall. The weavings have a variety of textures and materials and are blue, white and black in colour. Artwork by Jen Arron.

Jen Arron: Selected Works and Studies

On until: March 8th, 2023
Where: The Lobby by Heaps Estrin, 1120 Yonge Street, Toronto
Gallery hours: Mon-Wed 10am-6pm / Thu-Fri: 10am-7pm / Sat: 10am-6pm / Sun: 11am-5pm

Jen Arron is a studio-based textile artist in Toronto. She works with globally sourced fibers to create works that have scale & presence. Weaving entirely by hand, in a freestyle approach, Jen’s large-scale woven pieces explore our connection through time, geography, and materials. There is an ecosystem of life in each of Jen Arron’s pieces. Jen’s process embodies her search for the unique feeling of discovering what she would like to come upon in her work. www.jenarron.com

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Image Description: The background shows a close-up of a painting by Marcia Bianchi in swirling shapes and brown and cream colours. ON the left side of the image is white text with the exhibition information.

Marcia Bianchi: Emotive Distance

On until: January 29th, 2023
Where: Gallery 1313 in the Cell Gallery, 1313 Queen St West, Toronto
Gallery hours: Wed-Sat 1pm-5pm, Sun 1pm-4pm

Emotive Distance is a group of oil paintings that focuses on the female form, drawing from various influences including contemporary photography and ancient European sculpture. This series invites the viewer to mimic the stillness present in each painting, and contemplate their own inner state, starting with where they find discomfort. The intention is to enter the void through recognizing that which stands out to us about the work, and following it. Click here to learn more about the exhibition.

Marcia Bianchi is a contemporary figurative artist based in Toronto, Canada. Her work has evolved since pursuing a career in graphic design, when she began fusing the design principles with canvas. Heavily influenced by psychology and the exploration  of the mind, her intention is to create pieces that will allow the viewer to experience a moment of ease.  Her practice continues to evolve as she explores mediums and muses. marciabianchi.ca

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Image above: An abstoract Painting by Hana Elmasry with a variety of shapes and colours

Hana Elmasry: To be conceived, group exhibition

On until: February 18th, 2023
Where: Corkin Gallery, 7 Tank House Lane
Gallery hours: Tue-Sat 10am-6pm

From memories of cityscapes or the openness of the universe to the intimacy of floral motifs, To be conceived  brings  together the work Corkin Gallery’s represented artists. The exhibition commemorates recent creations in conversation with iconic bodies of work that continue enriching aesthetic dialogues. Click here to learn more about the exhibition.

Hana Elmasry investigates identity, visual expression and therapy. Through memories, the artist focuses on creating a visual cosmos, making reference at times to a connection with her Egyptian heritage. Creating a constellation of small-scale canvases, each work is also a universe unto itself. Each piece is wholly unique, often integrating collage and diverse materials within a peaceful palette; some works explore the limits of the canvas by deconstructing the traditional frame. Elmasry frequently adds materials that become a pleasure to the senses, like oils and reptile skin, achieving a multisensory experience of reflection. Hana Elmasry is represented by Corkin Gallery.

Akin 2022 Year at a Glance

As the year comes to a close, we’re looking back to what turned out to be an exciting year for Akin. We opened three studio locations, expanded our Team with the addition of 7 new staff members and 4 new studio assistants, hosted dozens of events and exhibitions at Remote Gallery, supported artists in need with over $5000 from the Akin Studio Rent Relief Fund, and were thrilled to offer a variety of programming including more in-person events (while still maintaining lots of virtual programming options as well). We’ve got lots in store for 2023, but first, we thought we’d take a moment to recap all that’s happened in 2022.

Three New Studios Opened in 2022!

Images above: Five photographs of various artist studios at Akin Stockyards, Akin Bloor-Yonge, and Akin Waterfront. The photographs show artist workspaces and works in progress.

Akin Stockyards

Akin Stockyards is currently our largest studio space, host to over sixty artists. Since its opening, Akin Stockyards has shaped into such a wonderful and vibrant community. Highlights include the huge opening party with live music, games and food. Looking for a studio in the new year? Akin Stockyards still has some Dedicated and Shared Memberships available space left, email info@akincollective.com for more details.

Akin Bloor Yonge

Right in the heart of downtown Toronto, Akin Bloor Yonge opened to much excitement, and filled up quickly! (email us to be added to the waiting list). With Akin Bloor Younge we were happy to be able to start offering private studios again, which we have not been able to do since we closed our Akin King location.

Akin Waterfront

Nestled in Waterfront Toronto right near the lake, Akin Waterfront has become an exciting new studio location for us and our members! Akin Waterfront boasts many interesting features, like the Spray Booth, ventilated to accommodate indoor spray painting, and the large flex room for our members to book when they need some extra space to meet a client or photograph their work. We are looking forward to adding more amenities at Akin in the coming years!

Interested in an Akin studio in 2023? Click here to see what is currently available!

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Art programming for everyone! Open Studios, Exhibitions, Workshops and more!

Financial Literacy Workshops for Artists

We kicked off the year with a jam packed, sold out webinar explaining how to do taxes as an artist. The talk, given by accountant Kelly Ross, gave attendees helpful tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your returns, keep records, and write off expenses for your business. We followed that with a series of workshops with WealthSimple on subjects such as Financial Planning, and Budgeting Tips & Tricks If you missed these, don’t fear! Stay tuned in 2023 for more financial literacy workshops from Akin!

Public Open Studio Events

After two challenging yeards during the pandemic where we had to keep our spaces close to the public, we were so thrilled to be able to host visitors at our studios again in 2022! We had multiple Open Studio Events throughout the year where our artists had an opportunity to show their works, and visitors got a chance to check out the studios.

Image description: A group of people are exploring the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG. The image centres on the aisle of the studio where many people are wandering around and looking at the studios.

Artist Wellness Workshops and Talks

In March 2022, artist Yasmeen Nematt Alla hosted ‘A Love Letter to your Practice’ a virtual writing workshop and meditation to celebrate the love we have for our own art practices. Together, we took a moment to slow down and reflect on how important practice is, how it is a home for our passions, our livelihood, and our mental health. We followed that with a series of online conversations on Mental Health for Artists with artist and psychologist (and Akin member) Kim Foster Yardley. We hope to bring you more wellness workshops in the new year!

Akin Art Crawl, Toronto Biennial Edition

Akin has been hosting Gallery Crawls since the very beginning, almost fifteen years ago. In the spring of 2022 Akin went back to its roots! Friends and studio members met at the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG and headed out to view all the work on display for the Toronto Biennial. Did you miss this one? There will be more art crawls in the future!

Scarborough Winter Arts Market and Exhibition

We finished off the year with a bang, hosting a (nearly) month-long Winter Arts Market and Exhibition at the brand new Clark Centre, Scarborough. With over 60 artists participating, there was art on the walls, tables filled with handmade art, and music in the air! A huge thank you to everyone who made that event such a success.

Image: Artwork hanging in a brightly lit gallery space.

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Thank you!

We are incredibly grateful to our community; our studio members, friends, neighbors, programming and studio partners, staff, advisors, supporters and board of directors. Thank you for making this year such a fantastic one. We loved every minute of it, and can’t wait to spend 2023 with you.

Stay tuned for what we have in store in 2023. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter, follow @akinprojects on instagram, Akin Projects on Facebook, or visit our website for up-to-date information on events, updates, and studio news as it rolls out in the new year!

Over 70 artists featured at Akin winter art event!

Written by Charlotte Van Ryn

Image above: A view of the Clark Centre from the outside. The night sky is dark blue and black, and the Clark Centre is brightly lit inside. A person on the street walks towards the building.

This December, Akin is host to a Winter Arts Market and Exhibition at the Clark Centre in Scarborough, nestled in the beautiful, historic Guildwood Park. It’s the perfect place to pick up one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones this holiday season, and view three floors of artwork on display by participating artists!

The event is highlighting Akin artists among artists from Scarborough and the surrounding area. Theresa Hopkins’ self reflective, whimsical portrait and Wandy Cheng’s floral, playful paintings were selected as featured Scarborough Artists. 

Image description: Jennie Town sits at her booth at the Winter and Arts Market. Her hair is in braids and she’s wearing a black hat and glasses. Jennie is sewing into a piece of birch bark. On her table is a large display of jewelry, dreamcatchers and handmade crafts. 

The event kicked off last weekend; upstairs, the market was in full swing. Prints, ceramics, even holiday decorations were on full display. Jennie Town, pictured above, had a beautiful selection of birch bark earrings, dream catchers, handmade deer hide drums and willowwork.  A multidisciplinary indigenous artist, and a Scarboroughlocal, Jennie is passionate about Guildwood park and the Clarke Centre, for which she attended the local planning meetings before it was built. 

Image Description: A long white wall inside the Clark Centre displays a series of hanged paintings. Two people stand in front of a large painting at the end of the hal

Paintings and sculpture cover the walls on all three floors of the Clark Centre. Notably, the exhibition Through A Hundred Windows features work from artists who were given the same base material, a wooden “window”,  but styled their own way.  Hung side by side, they create a unified, yet singularly unique look. Through a Hundred Windows will be up all month - all works are for sale directly through the artist and 100% of the proceeds from every sale go direct to the artist. Interested in purchasing work from the exhibition? Click here to see a list of participating artists. 

If you missed last weekend’s market, fear not! There’s another weekend market coming up, December 10 and 11 from 11-6 to pick up holiday gifts for friends and family. The exhibition will be up until December 18th, and can be visited any day of the week. Click here to find out more about the event and the participating artists. 

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
@CanadaCouncil  #BringingTheArtsToLife