Akin 15th Anniversary celebration: Former Akin Members, Where Are They Now?
Clockwise from top left: Stephanie Avery, Natalie Waddell, Michael Vickers, Miles Tsang and Shanna Van Maurik and the Akin log with the words “Former Members Highlight!”
Akin studios have played a part in the creative journeys of hundreds of artists in Toronto. For fifteen years, makers across the creative spectrum have gathered in Akin studios to work alongside one another, to use these spaces to grow and nourish and grow their practices.
As Akin’s 15th Anniversary celebrations continue, we reached out to some of Akin’s former members, artists who have once called Akin Studios their home, to see what they’re up to now, and to hear how Akin Studios influenced their creative journeys.
Stephanie Avery
Former Akin Studios: Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG (formerly “The Akin Studio Program at MOCA" and Akin Ossington
Stephanie Avery’s CV is packed with murals and exhibitions and creative projects internationally, Find more of Stephanie’s work through her website www.stephanieavery.com and instagram @stephvonawesome
“I am a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist who explores and subverts our collective relationships to public space. Even though I went to school for art and have never stopped practicing, being at Akin MOCA was the first time I fully dedicated myself to my art and considered it as a viable full-time job. Now, five years later, I'm a full-time artist.”
Steph Avery lays across a white workbench inside the light therapy room inside the Museum of Contemporary Art. Steph wears a white coat, red print tights and blue printed socks. Beyond the bench is a white table with a laptop open, in a room with white walls and windows.
“I was with the first group of artists at Akin MOCA, when it was a one year studio residency, and we really bonded as a group. It's hard to choose just one memory because we made so many. But I'm going with the light therapy room. The winter we were there, MOCA had a light therapy room installed on the same floor as our studio, so we had access to it at any time. All through the season, after gallery hours, we would gather there to relax, converse, goof around and soak up as much light as we could.”
Miles Tsang
Former Member at: Akin Ossington
Miles Tsang illustrates for major clients in the music industry such as Metallica, Dave Matthews Band, and the Avett Brothers Find more work on Miles’ website www.milestsang.com and instagram @milestsang
“I currently operate out of a shared office studio where I produce intricate commercial illustrations for screen printing applications, mostly in the music industry. Recently I've begun to prioritize personal work and intend to create a curated body of it for release sometime in the future.”
Miles Tsang stands in his studio, working at a silkscreen press. He is wearing a gray shirt and black pants, and wears a black mask. The studio is filled with shelves and drying racks.
“I have many pleasant memories that all blend together consisting of long nights cleaning, setting up and printing large runs of posters. It’s hard to be specific as I often lost myself in the process and basically loved the entirety of my time there.”
Michael Vickers
Former Member at: Akin Dufferin, and Lansdowne. Former Akin Staff member serving as Studio Manager, and then Co-Director for Akin Projects.
Michael Vickers, the former co-director of Akin, has continued on with a fantastic career both as an artist, and with the Brampton Arts Organization. Find more of Michael’s work on his website www.michaelvickers.org and on instagram @michaeljohnvickers
An image taken from a high angle of Michael Vickers and Oliver Pauk in the Akin Dufferin Studio in 2017. Michael, on the left, wears a black jacket, black pants and brown boots, he has brown hair. Oliver Pauk wears a checkered shirt, grey pants and a green toque. Around them are the work tables and white divider walls which separate each studio, which are filled with art supplies. One person in the background sits at one of the desks with a laptop open, and another walks down the hall. Photo Credit: Vince Talotta / Toronto Star
Michael Vickers is a community activator, cultural leader and practicing artist focused on providing meaningful advocacy, support and growth for the arts sector at the local level and across Canada. He is currently the Senior Program Lead for Brampton Arts Organization and was previously Co-Director of Akin, having also held roles with the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto and Ottawa Art Gallery. Vickers holds an MA in Art History from the University of Toronto and an Honours BA in Visual Arts & Communications. His work has been exhibited locally and internationally, including presentations at Volta Basel, Mercer Union, Dutch Design Week, Art Toronto and Design TO and has been supported by the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts.
“I was involved with every Akin studio from 2011 to 2021! A decade of different spaces.”
An image of Michael Vickers leading a gallery crawl event. He stands in a gallery with white walls and a concrete floor, art on the walls, facing a crowd of about thirty people, who are standing or sitting, facing him in a circle and listening to him speak.
“There are so many special memories from my time with Akin- from walking into Akin Dufferin and meeting Oliver as I looked for a studio space in a new City to the excitement of new locations opening or securing opportunities for the folks we served. What has always stood out is the immense sense of community Akin can cultivate. In moments of doubt or difficulty (studio evictions, various worries) it was the encouragement of our collective group- a collaborative spirit that propelled us forward. No artist stands alone. Our organization grew from a small space with a few friends to hundreds of creatives and my time as Co-Director will always be one of the most meaningful and special eras of my career (and life as an artist). Akin is testament to the transformative power of the arts—a sanctuary where creativity thrives and people can be themselves in a safe, artistic way.”
Natalie Waddell
Former member at: Akin Dufferin, Akin King
Natalie Waddell will be a judge of a new CBC television series, Canadian Pottery Show! Find more of Natalie’s work on her website www.ClayGirl.ca and instagram @claygirlceramics
Natalie Waddell working on clay on a pottery wheel. Natalie is wearing a blue shirt, has dark brown hair pulled into a bun with blonde highlights. Behind her, a shelf holds a vast amount of art supplies.
“I create unique and precious ceramic objects handcrafted to enhance your life and environment. With emphasis on functional forms I love to know the pieces I make can be used in regular day to day life. Each item I make is designed and decorated to connect function and art. I believe using handmade objects in our daily lives brings a sense of connection, grounding and appreciation for work, art and nature.”
Natalie Waddell’s studio, with her sign “Clay Girl” hanging on a wall above a work table. Shelves mounted to the brick wall and work table hold stacks of pottery.
“The impact of practicing my art and growing creatively within the Akin spaces was transformative to my ceramic career. Forming connections and relationships with artists across multiple mediums is some of my best take away from that time.”
Shanna Van Maurik
Former member at: Akin Dupont
Shanna Van Murik continues to create breathtaking work, with an ever growing online following, Find more of Shanna’s work on her website shannavanmaurik.com and instagram @nogobed
Shanna Van Maurik stands inside her studio at Akin Dupont. Shanna has shoulder length pink hair, and wears a colorful, tie dye shirt and black boots. Colorful portraits are mounted against white walls. A large window in the foreground is surrounded by bright green plants, and a pink work table holds notebooks. Photo Credit: Spencer Robertson
“Looking back, the little moments at Akin DuPont mean the most to me, talking with friends made there and building a community. There was a great sense of openness and sharing among members that created a great energy. Not to mention, the sunsets in my space were really special!”
An image of Shanna Van Maurik’s studio at Akin Dupont. A yellow-green velvet chair sits against a white wall, behind which stands a tall shelf filled with art supplies. Beside the shelf is a large window showing a vibrant sunset of pinks and purples.
A huge thank you to these talented artists for their participation, we’re so proud of them, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll do next!
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.
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.
