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.