Thank you for coming to the Remote Gallery Winter Art Market!
Thank you to everyone who joined us on December 7th for the Remote Gallery Winter Art Market & Exhibition.
Read MoreJoin us at the Remote Gallery Winter Art Market & Exhibition!
Just in time for the holiday season, we’re excited to invite you to the Remote Gallery Winter Art Market & Exhibition. Come support local artists and grab the perfect handmade gifts for your loved ones. Akin artists from across the city will be selling ceramics, paintings, jewellry, illustrations, crafts and more!
DATE: Sunday December 7, 2025
TIME: 1 - 6pm
LOCATION: Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W
Free to attend, everyone welcome!
Featuring 15 Artists and Makers:
Amos Marsters @aquariustheghost
Atelier Cassis @cassisechoes
Beyond Arts www.beyondarts.ca
Pauline Douady @pauline_douady
Eddie Chong
EvanK @evank_paints
I Spin Clay @ispinclay
ink & anchor studio @inkandanchor_
Studios Galuppo @StudiosGaluppo
Katryna Shreyer @katryna35mm
Tai’s Art @jayutai
Leila Refahi @leilarefahi.art
Studio Lü @studio.lu.yyz
Jessica O’Lear @jessica_olear
Olivier Forgues @olivierforguesart
We can’t wait to see you there. Follow @akinprojects on Instagram for artist highlights and event updates!
Accessibility information: Remote Gallery is located at street level and has a step-free entrance, with step-free access throughout the gallery space and in both gender-neutral washrooms. The entrance doors are 37" wide and operated by a push button system.
The washroom doors are not automated and have round door knobs. Each washroom provides a 5' turning radius, and the toilets are not raised. For more details about accessibility at Remote Gallery click here.
Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W
Two of Toronto’s biggest craft shows are featuring Akin members this year!
December is a big month for craft lovers in Toronto! Two of Toronto’s biggest craft shows, City of Craft and the One of a Kind show, and will be happening, and Akin Members are taking part. To celebrate, we’re highlighting these four amazing artists.
City of Craft
City of Craft is one of the city’s most beloved holiday markets, with over 60 vendors from across Ontario and beyond.
December 5-7th, Sensory sensitive hour 11am-12pm
The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen Street West
——— Check out the Akin Members Participating in The City of Craft ———
Amita Sen Gupta from Akin Niagara
Amita will be selling prints and cards of “My Neighborhood Memento” series, which includes a variety of greeting cards and high quality prints of original oil painted Toronto neighbourhood building mementos that are architecturally cherished and imbue the lives, stories, and history of our city.
Amita Sen Gupta is a Toronto based artist behind ‘My Neighbourhood Memento’. Her oil paintings of old historic and neighbourhood buildings have been exhibited at Gallery 1313, Preservation House, and local fairs & markets. To Amita these architectural buildings have lives, stories and history that are revered. “In our ever changing city one never knows when a place becomes another, vacant, or removed”. Her drawing and painting of a historic house in Parkdale, Toronto, titled “Yuletide In Muddy York” was awarded and selected by ‘Parkdale Liberty Economic Development Centre’ for a Toronto Holiday Ornament in 2007 and her painting is part of their collection. Some of her neighbourhood prints can be purchased at Soho Art Framing in Toronto.
Connect with Amita:
@my_neighborhood_memento
amitasengupta.com/neighborhood-series
Detail of Skyline Restaurant painting, Amita sitting in her Akin Niagara studio and detail of Revue Cinema painting.
Prints, detail of The Abbott painting and Cards from “My Neighbourhood Memento”.
Bettina Westwood Ceramics, from Akin Dupont
Bettina Westwood creates both wheel thrown domestic items and sculpture from her Akin Dupont studio. Inspired by the meeting of form and colour, she makes carefully considered objects meant to bring happiness. Bettina will be bringing a selection of mugs with two-tone slip colours—some adorned with flowers—as well as tumblers with wool sleeves, vases, pedestal bowls, and smaller gifts such as bud vases and ornaments. A self-taught ceramicist, Bettina has developed and continues to refine her craft with the support and encouragement of the ceramics community. She shares her home with her two perfect cats, Loralie and Flannery.
Connect with Bettina:
@bettinawestwood
bettinawestwood.com
Photo of Bettina at Akin Dupont, Tumblers with Wool Sleeves and Bettina’s Akin Dupont Studio.
Flowers painted with slip, Pedestal Bowls and Two-toned Mugs.
One of A Kind Show
The One of A Kind Show is Canada’s largest Craft Show. The One of A Kind Christmas Show includes a wide variety of Canadian made high quality items, from Fashion, Art, Flavours, and Toys, to Jewellery, Home Decor, Stationery and so much more.
November 27-Dec 7th
Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place
100 Princes' Blvd, Toronto
——— Check out the Akin Members Participating in One of a Kind ———
Alison Cooley, from Akin St Clair
Booth B-28 - (Full Show) November 27-Dec 7
imp in a sweater is Alison Cooley. She specializes in ceramics that harness her interest in illustration and surface decoration, resulting in unique objects that play with imagery from multiple modes of genre storytelling (including science fiction, horror, and fantasy).
Connect with Alison:
@impinasweater
impinasweater.com
A portrait of Allison (by Sam Mazilli), space themed Mug and her Akin St Clair Studio.
Bud vases, a unicorn Plate and Vases with detailed handles and all coming to One of a Kind.
MP Guillot, from Akin Dupont
Booth S-45 - (6 Days) Dec 2-7
MP Guillot is a multidisciplinary artist from Québec, based in Toronto. Her work is influenced by what is often overlooked－an entire world of delightfulness that is right under our nose, waiting to be noticed. She finds herself exhilarated by the trashy things beautifully thrown on the streets and everything that finds itself where it shouldn’t be. She is drawn to what lies on the edges of ugly and pretty, that which ignites a feeling of uncertainty where one can only rely on their senses and intuition to decide if something is beautiful. MP believes the best way to find the essence of who we are is to practice discovering what vibrates within us, without social conditioning influencing our preferences.
Ceramics has become MP’s playground to be in relationship with her creative intuition.
She loves to dream up otherworldly forms, bake colour, and explore the secret language of objects. Her work lives in the space between knowing and letting go—where intuition meets experimentation. With a background that weaves through design, fashion, and photography, she brings a sense of childlike playfulness to everything she makes.
Connect with MP:
@mp__guillot
www.mpguillot.com
Portrait of MP beside one of her “Wonky Vases”, a Wonky Vase in “Twist” and MP’s Akin Dupont Studio.
A variety of MP’s painterly Cups and Mugs coming to One of a Kind.
The holiday season is a time to celebrate all the fantastic local artists and artisans in Toronto, so spread the love by shopping local! Happy shopping!
Thank You for being part of Akin Richmond-Bathurst's Open Studio
Collaborative creative experience hosted by Dimitra Aristea (@di.composing). Photo by Yue (Jessie) Yang (@y.jiexij)
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday at Akin Richmond-Bathurst for our Open Studio as part of Ontario Culture Days. Our members worked hard to create an exciting day of live painting demonstrations, creative collaborations, a variety of artwork for sale and beautiful displays of art. A huge thank you to everyone who came by and special thanks to our talented artists, our volunteers and our staff.
Here are some photos from the event. Enjoy!
Left: Akin Member Vicky Vyas posing with the Akin banner (@vickyvyasinsta).
Middle: Olivier Forgues painting in his studio (@olivierforguesart). Photo credit: Vera Truong (@thecreativehybrid).
Right: Akin Studio Manager Theresa Hopkins posing at the Akin welcome table (@thopkinsart).
Left: Emily Simek working in her studio (@emilysimekart).
Middle: Dimitra Aristea posing in her studio (@di.composing).
Right: Amos Marsters posing in front of their studio (@amosmarsters).
All photos taken by Vera Truong (@thecreativehybrid).
Left: Pauline Douady in their studio (@pauline_douady).
Middle: Lotus Che studio (@lotusleafxyz).
Right: Sarah Conway offering pastel portrait commissions in their studio (@sarahterra.art). Photo credit: Vera Truong (@thecreativehybrid)
Left: Quinn Hopkins presenting work on a projector (@noodinstudio).
Middle: Collaborative creative experience hosted by Dimitra Aristea (@di.composing).
Right: Andres Dominguez live painting demonstration (@andresdominguez.artist).
Image Descriptions: Photos from the open studio showing various Akin Richmond-Bathurst artists in their studios posing or working on artwork, visitors participating in collaborative drawing and painting at a large table covered in paper and art materials, an Akin member posing in front of the Akin banner, and an Akin staff sitting at a welcome table.
Akin Richmond-Bathurst Open Studio for Culture Days 2025!
We’re happy to invite you to the Akin Richmond-Bathurst Open Studio taking place on Saturday, September 27th from 12-5pm as a part of Ontario Culture Days, a province-wide celebration of art and culture.
Located at 579 Richmond Street West, Akin Richmond-Bathurst is home to a diverse group of emerging and established artists working in painting, illustration, textile art, sculpture, mixed media, and more. During this event we will open our studio doors to the public to get a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work and community inside. Guests are invited to tour the studios, meet the artists, and learn about their creative practices through informal talks, demos, and in-studio displays.
Several of our members will be showcasing their practices through special activations during the day. Sarah Conway (@sarahterra.art) will be offering oil pastel portrait commisions for guests to take home, while Andrés Domínguez (@andresdominguez.artist) will offer a live hyperrealist painting demonstration alongside a mini showcase of his completed works. Dimitra Roussakis (@di.composing) invites everyone to take part in a collaborative drawing and mixed media activity, and Natalie Peck will share her process through a doll painting demonstration drawn from her studio practice. Rounding out the activations, Sofia Berger (@sofiaberger) will present an artist talk exploring her work, colour, and materiality. Join us to connect with these artists and experience the studio as it transforms into a lively, interactive space for one day only.
Admission is free and all are welcome!
Accessibility Info: There is a step on the street level leading into the main foyer. Once inside, there are 9 steps leading up to the elevator. The elevator takes you up to the third and fourth floor where the studios are located. The private, gender neutral bathrooms are inside the studios with a 1” high transition leading into each bathroom. For more accessibility information click here.
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Akin Richmond-Bathurst, 579 Richmond St W
Meet some of the Akin Richmond-Bathurst artists who will be participating in the Open Studio.
Vicky Vyas
Vicky Vyas (@vickyvyasart) is a Canadian painter whose work explores themes of identity, tradition, and cultural belonging through bold use of colour and texture. One of the early Canadian-Indian artists to address the Indian diaspora in her practice, she earned recognition with an Award of Excellence for her contributions to the arts and the South Asian community. Her first solo exhibition in New York City’s Soho district earned her the title “South Asian Frida Kahlo”—a comparison that has echoed throughout her life.
In 2001, a life-altering accident left Vyas with serious injuries and a long recovery. After years away from the canvas, she returned to painting as both an act of resilience and a source of healing.
”My work reflects the intersection of East and West, modern and traditional, personal and universal. I use cultural symbolism not as religious commentary but as a way to compare narrative and experience. Each piece evolves with my life—capturing resilience, identity, and the search for belonging.”
Jordan Laura MacLachlan
Jordan Laura MacLachlan (@jordanlauramaclachlan) is a Toronto artist working in clay and mixed media. Her works are in public collections in Canada and abroad, most recently with an inaugural exhibition of her works in the permanent collection of the American Visionary Art Museum. She has received funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Toronto Arts Council, and the Ontario Arts Council.
Jordan states, "The art I make reflects my life in a figurative manner, and is always of great meaning to me."
Jordan will have an exhibition joining the permanent collection of the American Visionary Art Museum, opening on October 3rd. The Baltimore-based museum is a national institution and educational center dedicated to intuitive artists, creatives, and visionaries.
Darrel Smith
Darrel Smith (@dsmith5880) enjoys creating art but not creating artist statements. He works in mixed media: acrylic, ink, oil pastel, markers, prints, collage—whatever comes to hand. Perhaps he can't make up his mind, or he enjoys experimenting with all of them.
Darrel's first love is portraiture. The human face and the emotion one can portray never get old. Whatever the subject matter or medium, he loves exploring colour. He does so on a wide variety of surfaces, from paper to mylar, wood and canvas.
Portraying the natural world and its mysteries is another area of ongoing interest. He creates monoprints of plants and insects, illustrating a small, sometimes overlooked world with close-up looks at these subjects. Darrel is currently exploring landscapes, especially the placement of people in the urban nature found in our parks, and the mystery nature offers even in the city.
Please contact Darrel if any of his work interests you! You can DM him on Instagram or you can talk to him at the open house - he will be there much of the afternoon.
Andrés Domínguez
Andrés Domínguez (@andresdominguez.artist) is a Canadian visual artist with more than two decades of professional experience, working primarily in oil painting from a contemporary perspective. Raised in Santiago de Chile, he studied architecture, industrial design, and visual arts—a multidisciplinary background that shaped the structural rigor and spatial sensitivity present in his work.
His practice stands as an act of resistance against digital immediacy: a gesture that reclaims slowness, contemplation, and materiality in a world dominated by algorithms and visual simulacra. Through portraiture and urban scenes, his paintings explore the tension between the human and the technological, offering images that restore a sense of dignity—not as instant consumption but as a space of presence.
Domínguez has developed an international career with exhibitions across North America, Europe, and Latin America, and has taken part in residencies in Miami, Toronto, Florence, and São Paulo. He currently lives and works in Toronto.
Pauline Douady
Pauline Douady (@pauline_douady) is a French visual artist whose practice spans drawing, printmaking, and large-scale painting. Her tactile, sensory-driven approach explores themes of memory, emotion, and transformation. Largely self-taught, her trajectory was shaped by formative years in Buenos Aires under the guidance of painter Jorge Demirjian, where she honed a sensitivity to form, balance, and the invisible structures beneath the visible.
Her engagement with printmaking—first through xylography at the Beaux-Arts in Buenos Aires, then lithography at the Beaux-Arts in Angers—marked a turning point, leading her to create unique, limited-edition prints rooted in material experimentation.
Since relocating to Toulon in 2017, the Mediterranean landscape has enriched her visual lexicon. In 2019, she co-founded the city’s first printmaking festival.
Douady’s work has been exhibited in local galleries, artist-run initiatives, and unconventional spaces, reflecting her commitment to open, dynamic modes of artistic exchange and a strong engagement with local artistic communities.
Emily Simek
Emily Simek’s (@emilysimekart) work explores deeply personal experiences through visual narratives that move between the familiar and the uncanny. Surreal, dreamlike elements punctuate her compositions, informed by found imagery and free association, generating ideas that are arranged compositionally through repeated patterns and motifs.
Coline Casse
Newly arrived in Canada, Coline Casse (@coline.casse) is a French artist who studied painting at the École des Beaux-Arts in Marseille and cinematography at INSAS in Brussels. After working on film sets, she returned definitively to painting, developing a distinctive body of work filled with contrasts and dualities, where imagery draws as much from cinematic framing and lighting as from painterly gestures.
Her main practice is large-scale oil painting, which she values above all for its sensuality and depth. More recently, she has turned to black-and-white media—charcoal and monotypes—to capture traces of environmental and societal concerns.
Her paintings often depict silent, motionless figures, imbued with a restless inner intensity. They appear suspended between presence and absence, dream and reality. Shadow, chiaroscuro, and texture lie at the core of her visual language, offering scenes that feel at once intimate and universal, mysterious yet familiar—where color and night converge. Her work seeks to reconcile our deepest humanity with the paradoxical world we must strive to preserve from ourselves.
Exhibited in contemporary art galleries and artist residencies across France, Coline Casse has established herself as an artist at the crossroads of cinema and painting, whose universe invites both contemplation and imagination.
To view this event and more on the Culture Days website click here
Akin at the St Clair Gardens BIA SummerFest - July 26 from 12-6pm
You’re invited to the St Clair Gardens BIA SummerFest on Saturday, July 26th from 12 PM to 6 PM! It will be a day of community and celebration packed with music, food, family fun, and a showcase of incredible local talent.
You can stroll St Clair Ave West and browse the local vendors & sidewalk sales, including Akin Members Sam Silva Hill & Giovanna Galuppo in front of Akin St Clair (1747 St Clair Ave W) and then visit Don Panos Parkette (3 Prescott Avenue) for some live music, tasty food and refreshments, kid-friendly activities and more vendors including Akin Members Smriti Sharma & Liliana Botero.
Don’t forget to stop by the Akin table in the parkette to say hello and learn about our studios, galleries and programming!
Featured Akin Members at Akin St Clair:
Sam Silva Hill
Sam's practice is diverse and occurs across media - studio art, curation, and art educational practices are all implicated. Her painting concepts exist within the queer, feminist framework, exploring the correlations found within mental health, physical health, femininity, and queer identities which she balances against the cartoonish elements in her illustrations and sculptures.
Giovanna Galuppo
Giovanna is a multidisciplinary visual artist and designer based in Toronto. Originally from Venezuela, her work explores themes of memory, identity, social justice, and the human relationship with nature. She works primarily in painting, illustration, and mixed media, creating vibrant and expressive works that weave together figurative imagery, texture, and symbolism. Galuppo is the co-founder of Studios Galuppo, an online gallery space. Her recent work focuses on themes of healing, Indigenous solidarity, and environmental urgency.
Featured Akin Members in the parkette:
Smriti Sharma
Smriti is a Toronto-based potter creating small-batch, handmade ceramics at Akin St Clair. Their work blends form and function — each piece is made to be used, loved, and lived with every day.
Liliana Botero
Liliana is a graphic designer and a glass artist who studied and trained in Colombia and the United States. In addition to being a silversmith artist, Liliana has been working with glass for more than 20 years and produces wearable pieces of art & artistic glass home décor items with passion & love with her company Destellos Glass Art using several glass techniques such as: Lampwork, Fused Glass, Slump Glass, Mosaic, Stained Glass, Pâte de Verre, Kiln Forming and Carving, Sandblasting.
@destellosglassartt | www.etsy.com/ca/shop/DestellosGlassArt
Hope to see you there! Bring your family, friends, and neighbours! Let’s come together to celebrate summer, support local businesses, and make summer memories.
Many thanks to the St Clair Gardens BIA and all of the event sponsors!
Akin Members participating at TOAF in 2025
Summer is here, and that means the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) is happening again! From July 11th-13th, Nathan Philips Square will be filled with incredible art, including work from talented artists within our very own Akin community. While you’re there browsing the creativity within the iconic white tents of the TOAF, be sure to check out the booths of our beloved Akin members and alumni.
Congratulations and best of luck to you all!
With love,
Akin
Participating Akin Members:
Madeleine Baird - Booth 59
Akin Richmond-Bathurst Madeleine (Maddy) Baird is an emerging artist from Pembroke, ON, currently based in Toronto. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Art Honours at Queen’s University, graduating in 2024. Her practice consists of oil painting and serigraphy, with a focus on portraiture. Her work has been exhibited in Kingston, Toronto and Vienna. Madeleine was a recipient of the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant in 2024.
Using directional brushstrokes and incorporating vivid colours into the skin, she creates a sense of vibrancy and life in the subjects she paints. Her practice is fueled by an interest in exploring themes of self-reflection, vulnerability, connection, and queer life experiences. Integrating narrative-based elements into her work allows her to engage with viewers by creating a sense of curiosity and exploration. By centering these concepts, she aspires to connect with viewers and hopes that those who are represented in her artwork can feel uplifted by this representation.
To view more of their work available at TOAF click here
Mykah Czarina Dela Cruz - Booth 327
Akin Davisville member Mykah draws upon personal history and narratives of interconnectedness with nature and community through a diasporic lens. Fostering bold colours and visceral works in varying mediums is in effort of diversity, healing and acceptance. Their work spans media, commercial, and cultural spaces—appearing in print, in public, and in practice.
To view more of their work available at TOAF click here
Olivier Forgues - Booth 354
Akin Richmond-Bathurst member Olivier Forgues is a Canadian painter. Originally from Montreal, he is now based in Toronto.
To view more of their work available at TOAF click here
Haley Meyer - Booth 1-2
Akin Queen East member and 2025 Akin Career Launcher recipient, Haley Meyer is an artist specializing in oil painting and etching. Her practice draws upon her experience with memory loss; how it has reshaped and impacted her life. Her work serves as mnemonic tools to help her remember her lived experiences, in turn acting as a resistance to memory loss. Haley graduated from OCAD University in 2025 with a BFA (Hons) in Drawing and Painting and a minor In Printmaking and Publications.
To view more of their work available at TOAF click here
Sadaf Pourghorbani - Booth 356
Akin Davisville member Sadaf Pourghorbani Solei is an Iranian-Canadian multimedia artist based in Toronto whose work explores self-discovery, cultural connection, and emotional resonance through intuitive and project-specific mediums. Working across photography, illustration, and sculpture, Sadaf’s practice draws from memory, personal history, and subconscious imagery. She holds a BFA from NSCAD University and an MFA from Toronto Metropolitan University. Her work has been presented in solo exhibitions at Anna Leonowens Gallery (Halifax) and Gladstone Gallery (Toronto).
To view more of their work available at TOAF click here
Firouzeh Saremi Far - Exclusively Online
2025 Akin Career Launcher recipient, Firouzeh Saremi Far is a visual artist based in Toronto, Canada. Her artistic practice is an ongoing exploration of the intersections between human experience and environmental influences, reflecting different themes of identity, transformation, and resilience. Drawing inspiration from the emotional intensity of Expressionism and the limitless forms of Abstract Art, her works seek to invoke a dialogue on human matters.
Firouzeh's work has been exhibited in galleries and art fairs nationally and internationally, she has also participated in art residencies such as the Gibraltar Point Residency (Toronto Island, Canada) and the Cultural Immersion Residency (Mexico), which have influenced her approach to materiality and storytelling. During the 62nd Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, she received several awards, including the Best of Student Award, the Artscape Solo Exhibition and Residency Award, and the Marie Collins Memorial Award.
Her goal is to create art that not only occupies space but also serves as a catalyst for reflection and engagement, encouraging viewers to consider their connection to the world and the impact of their presence within it.
To view more of their work available at TOAF click here
Marjan Verstappen - Booth 81
Akin Queen East member Marjan Verstappen’s paintings come out of a deep engagement with materials that fulfill industrial purposes, namely; cyanotype, asphalt, and oil paint. As she works, she asks herself, ‘what kind of stories can be told about these materials?’ and, ‘what do they tell us about ourselves?’ If she were to describe these paintings in a word, it would be folding: a folding of time, place, and material. She seeks a relationship with these materials that is embodied, honest, and hopeful of repair.
To view more of their work available at TOAF click here
Joy Zheng - Booth 99
Akin Richmond-Bathurst member Joy Zheng creats vibrant, eclectic oil and acrylic paintings. She graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, where she began developing her style and thematic focus. Her inspiration often draws from the way perceptions of the world shift at various stages of life, exploring themes of introspection, memory, and self-dialogue rooted in personal experience. Many of her works intentionally incorporate a childlike element, using paint markers and deliberately chaotic, disproportionate compositions. Through this seemingly playful lens, Joy examines social constructs and questions what aspects of human nature are inherent versus conditioned. Several of her earlier pieces also delve into themes of wealth disparity, religion, technology, and the consequences of systems designed to favor those in power, reflecting on the materialistic society in which we live. Joy’s work aspires to offer viewers a moment of peace or contemplation amidst their busy lives, encouraging them to reconnect with their inner child.
To view more of their work available at TOAF click here
Akin Alumni participating at TOAF:
Olivia Aguiar
Emily Au
Stephanie Avery
Melika Saeeda
Jamileh Salek
Ashley Snook
Visit TOAF:
Nathan Phillips Square, July 11 – 13, rain or shine
Free to attend!
Friday Jul 11, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday July 12, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Sunday July 13, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
More details: https://toaf.ca/
Thank you for coming to the Remote Gallery Art Market & Exhibition!
Thank you to everyone who joined us on June 7th for the Remote Gallery Art Market & Exhibition. This event marked the recent expansion of Remote Gallery, and it was an opportunity to come together, celebrate the space, and highlight the work of our talented Akin members.
Read MoreThank you for coming to Akin Davisville's Open Studio
Thank you to everyone who joined us on May 24 and 25 at Akin Davisville for our Open Studio as part of the City of Toronto’s Doors Open Festival. The weekend was a huge success! We had a blast meeting both our neighbours and those who came from near and far to check out the studio, and meet our members. The artists at Akin Davisville worked hard to pull together an exciting weekend filled with live painting demonstrations, a collage workshop, and booths bursting with gorgeous artwork for sale. A huge thank you to everyone who came by and special thanks to our talented artists and our volunteers.
Here are some photos from the weekend. Enjoy!
Visitors looking at Akin Davisville members Kirsten Williamson and Janet Myers (@janet_myersartist) artwork.
Akin Davisville member Tai Kim (@jayutai) and Akin’s director Oliver Pauk.
Two people discuss member Mykah Czarina’s paintings (@mykahcdc)
Pictured is Akin Davisville member Emily Joyce (@emilyjoyceartwork) standing while teaching a free collage workshop at the Open House.
Members Awuradwoa Afful (@rajieeee) and Andrea Liao (@andrealiao) sell their handmade ceramics.
Akin Davisville member Gina Han (@bearystudioto) selling her artwork in her studio.
Member David Johns (@davidopenroad) showing off his lino skills in his studio during the Open House.
Akin Studio Manager Charlotte Van Ryn (@van_ryn) and Akin’s Remote Gallery director Renato Baldin (@renato.baldin)
Remote Gallery Art Market + Exhibition - Sat. June 7, 1-6pm
Remote Gallery Art Market + Exhibition - Sat. June 7, 1-6pm
Read MoreAkin Davisville Open Studio - Doors Open Toronto 2025!
A poster featuring two images of Akin Studios: one showing a potter’s studio with a wheel and shelving, the other a painter’s studio with artwork on the walls and an easel. Both spaces have white walls and sunlit windows.The text reads: 'Akin Davisville Open Studio! Three floors of studios. All are welcome. May 24 & 25, 10 AM – 5 PM, 244 Merton St.' Below the text, the Akin and Doors Open Toronto logos are displayed."
We’re thrilled to announce that Akin Davisville will be participating in Doors Open Toronto 2025 (@doors_opento), taking place on May 24–25, 2025.
As part of this city-wide celebration of Toronto’s architectural, cultural, and creative spaces, Akin Davisville will open its studio doors to the public for the very first time. Visitors will get a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work and community inside Akin Davisville.
Located at 224 Merton Street, Akin Davisville is home to a diverse group of emerging and established artists working in painting, illustration, textile art, sculpture, mixed media, and more. During Doors Open, guests are invited to tour the studios, meet the artists, and learn about their creative practices through informal talks, demos, and in-studio displays.
Akin Davisville, 224 Merton Street
The theme of this year's Door’s Open Toronto is ‘Play’. In response, will be creating a ‘Jam Wall,’ an interactive, evolving piece of artwork where artists and participants can collage, paint and draw on a collaborative art piece that will be displayed in the studio. Drop in and take part!
Event Details: Akin Davisville, 224 Merton Street
Dates: Saturday, May 24 & Sunday, May 25, 2025
Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
What to Expect: Open studios, artist meet-and-greets, artwork on display, family-friendly activities
Accessibility Info: Akin Davisville consists of three floors of studios, all of which have elevator access from the main entrance way. There are single stall gender neutral bathrooms on each floor. More accessibility detail can be found here.
Admission is free and all are welcome!
In the coming weeks, we’ll be highlighting some of the incredibly talented artists working at this studio, so stay tuned! We can’t wait to welcome you into our space.
Remote Gallery Expands: More Space, Flexibility & Opportunity for Artists
Remote Gallery Expands: More Space, Flexibility & Opportunity for Artists
Read MoreAkin Niagara – Pop-Up Exhibition | April 5th
Join us for the Akin Niagara Pop-Up Exhibition, a one-night-only event! This casual drop-in gathering will showcase the creative work of the Akin Niagara artists.
Featuring artwork by Chris Gardiner, Chloe Griffin, Bianca Guimarães de Manuel, Gabriela Laconsay, Tim Mikula, & Amita Sen Gupta.
Image description: portrait of artist Haruko Okano standing outdoors in a red winter coat. In the backgroun is trees with no leaves and a orange sunset.
Free Fermentation Workshop at the South Asian Visual Arts Centre (SAVAC) on Nov 2nd
Hello Akin Community!
We wanted to share an exciting opportunity happening at 401 Richmond W. On November 2nd, the South Asian Visual Arts Centre (SAVAC) is hosting an engaging Fermentation Workshop and Conversation with Vancouver-based artist Haruko Okano.
This event is free and open to the public, including kids. It will feature a hands-on fermentation activity, an artist talk, and will conclude with a communal meal. To participate, feel free to bring your favorite pickled or fermented foods to share. If you’d like to join the hands-on portion, please bring a mason jar with a lid and a small stone that fits inside.
In 1974, Haruko moved to the west coast traveling by foot and canoe through the northern parts of the provinces where she fell in love with the land Canada…not the government. Relationality with all living beings lies at the heart of her practice and life ethic as a third-generation diasporic person. The emphasis across all of her activities is on process, collaboration and integration. We will hear from Haruko about her unique approach to creating art, the food and medicine gardens she has tended since the 90s, and her journey to learn about and address the effects of intergenerational trauma within Japanese-Canadian communities and Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Event details:
Date: Saturday November 2nd (2pm - 6pm)
Location: SAVAC, 401 Richmond St West
RSVP by email: communications@savac.net
Accessibility: Wheelchair ramp at the east entrance of the building. There is an elevator and accessible bathrooms. Dinner will be served. Masks are encouraged and will be provided.
Learn more at savac.net/fermentation
Akin Queen Open Studio: A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Community
On October 12th, we had the pleasure of opening our doors to the community for the Akin Queen East Open Studio, and we couldn't be more grateful to everyone who came and made the event such a success!
A huge thank you to our amazing Akin members for showcasing their work and welcoming visitors with such warmth and enthusiasm. The sense of community was palpable, and it was wonderful to see so many meaningful connections made throughout the day.
We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Nurielle Stern of Lost and Found Gallery and the artists from the 1-800-INF-ERNO exhibition for collaborating with us for the day. They truly added another layer of inspiration and we’re so glad to have shared this special occasion with them.
Lastly, a big thank you to all of our guests! Whether you’re an artist, an art lover, or simply curious about our space, your presence and support mean the world to us. It was fantastic to meet so many new faces, and we look forward to welcoming you again in the future— Until then, enjoy the photos from the Open Studio!
Image Descriptions: a slideshow of images showing artists and guests at Akin Queen East during the open studio. There are different people who are talking to each other, smiling, and looking around the studios. Artwork and art materials can be seen in the studio space including paintings, sculptures, and textile works.
List of participating artists:
As well as the artists featured in the 1-800–INF-ERNO installation at The Lost and Found Gallery: Micki-Lee Smith & Zakriya Bashir-Hill, in collaboration with Diana Lawryshyn, Pratap Mathews, & Yun Young Lee. Also featuring paintings by Diana Lawryshyn.
Thank you!
Love, Akin
Join Us for the Akin St Clair Studio Market!
Akin St Clair Studio Market!
Read More
Get to know Remote Gallery! Open House July 17, 5-8pm
Join us at Remote Gallery on Wednesday July 17, located at 568 Richmond Street West, from 5 to 8pm for an Open House event. During this event, artists and creative folks interested in learning more about the space can meet Remote Gallery’s Manager, Renato Baldin and learn about the potential of the space, discuss tips for setting up exhibitions, available dates, and how to bring your ideas to life.
Remote Gallery Manager, Renato Baldin
Remote Gallery is Akin’s dedicated exhibition and programming space. It provides opportunities for artists and members of the public to rent financially-accessible space for various types of programming.
Our versatile venue is open for single or multi-day rentals, accommodating workshops, presentations, meetings, community events, exhibitions, performances and various artistic programs. We are currently offering a 15% discount on bookings for rental dates from now until the end of August 2024.
Students and 2024 graduates of the following institutions are eligible for a 20% discount on bookings for rental dates from now until the end of August 2024: Academy of Realist Art, Centennial College, George Brown College, Humber College, OCADU, Seneca College, Sheridan College, Toronto School of Art, Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Toronto and York University.
Please join us for the Open House event on July 17th and share with artists who might be interested.
No registration necessary, drop-ins welcome. See you there!
In the meantime - check out www.akincollective.com/remote for gallery details.
Click here for all Remote Gallery Accessibility information
Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond Street West
Inspirations Studio, Art Auction & Fundraiser!
Please join us to celebrate 30 years of YWCA Toronto’s Inspirations Studio, a unique ceramics arts program that empowers women experiencing poverty, mental health or disability, while improving their lives through the making and selling of pottery.
Thursday March 21, 2024, from 6 to 9pm at OCAD University’s Great Hall, Level 2, 100 McCaul St., Toronto.
Hosted by Carolyn Taylor of Baroness Von Sketch and I Have Nothing on Crave, the event features:
LIVE Auction at 7pm featuring work by 10 amazing contemporary artists:
Mel Arsenault, Marissa Y Alexander, Shary Boyle,
Maggie Boyd, Lisa Creskey, Heather Goodchild, Lindsay
Montgomery, Julie Moon, Rajni Perera and Kendra Yee
Silent Auction with work by studio members and response paintings
by OCADU students, plate settings from Toronto Potters and
gifts from local businesses.
Complimentary refreshments and drink.
Music and mingling.
DIY Pottery painting, wheel demos, raffles & more!
Come be inspired by beautiful work and stories of the transformative power of art! And know that 100% of the proceeds will go to YWCA Toronto’s Inspirations Studio to offer low barrier access and opportunities.
Help keep this small but mighty program going strong!
Please share and we will see you there!
Inspirations Studio
389 Church Street
Toronto, ON M5B 2E5
416-367-2728
Please follow us!
@inspiredpottery
Join us on December 5th to celebrate Akin’s 15th Anniversary!
Join us on December 5th to celebrate Akin’s 15th Anniversary with a drop-in event at Remote Gallery.
We’ll be building a living collage of memories on the gallery walls in honour of Akin’s incredible community and our journey as an organization since 2008. Drop by between 4-8pm to say hello, check out the collage and add your own memories. Light refreshments will be provided.
Can't make it in person? Stay tuned throughout the month of November as we celebrate our 15th anniversary on the Akin blog with memories and member highlights!
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.
Accessibility:
Remote Gallery is located on the ground floor of the building. The entrance is on-grade and automated. The double door is 37x2 inches wide and has a push-bar doorknob. There is step-free access inside the gallery area.
There is one gender-neutral bathroom. There are no grab bars in the bathroom and the toilets are not raised. The bathroom doorway is on-grade and has a round doorknob and is not automated.
Remote Gallery, 568 Richmond St W
Akin turns 15! An Interview with Founder & Director, Oliver Pauk
Fifteen years ago, on November 1st, 2008, Akin opened its first studio for artists in Toronto. Since then, we’ve grown to support hundreds of artists all across the city, becoming the largest provider of shared studio spaces in Toronto.
We’re launching this celebration with an interview with our Director and Co-Founder, Oliver Pauk, who’s been building Akin since the very first day.
Tell us a bit about yourself! You're an artist yourself?
Oliver: “I've been active in music and visual art since I was young. I've played in a few bands over the years and I started with photography the moment my dad gave me his old 35mm camera. I studied economics in school (which has been helpful in my work with Akin) but began really focusing on my creative interests right after graduating from university. Over the years my practice has evolved from photography to 3D printing, CNC milling and video. Lately, I've been carving wood and stone and am really enjoying the deepened, hands-on relationship that I'm building with my pieces.”
Learn more about Oliver’s art practice at www.oliverpauk.com
Image Description: Oliver Pauk stands against a white curtain background. He is wearing a white T-shirt and a colourful hat and smiling.
Take us back to the beginning, how did Akin start?
Oliver: “A group of friends and I had all been working on our creative pursuits separately from our homes but really wanted a place to work together and inspire one another. Friends of mine were moving out of their old loft space in West Queen West and one of them, Mike Dellios (who went on to serve a term as our Board Chair) and I decided to turn the loft into a workspace that the 12 of us could afford to work in. We set up storage racks, built worktables to share. On the weekends we'd often host art exhibitions, film screenings and other art events. This was all that Akin was intended to be. Pretty quickly we realized that we weren't the only artists in Toronto in need of space like this. After three months we moved around the corner onto Dufferin St, in a space that was four times larger. Fast forward 15 years, we're still essentially doing the same thing: working as an artist-run team to find spaces that we can afford, setting them up with an aim of reducing financial barriers to creative space for folks from the community, and bringing people together around the arts.”
Which of our many past studios was your favourite? Why?
Oliver: “I have a soft spot for Akin Lansdowne at 87 Wade Avenue. This was the second studio that Akin set up. At the time I was doing most of the work myself, but was starting to get more support from my friend Michael Vickers (who was Akin’s Co-Director for many years). We had as many as five units at one time in this building and they were beauties; bright, raw spaces with high ceilings, close to the subway, with tons of awesome neighbours and about 100 Akin members! We ended up hosting regular gatherings (both organized and spontaneous) and people got to know one another really well. This is still something that happens in our studios, but it was really cool (at least for me) to see the future potential of Akin through what happened in that building. It made me want to take Akin further in order to involve more artists in the city. ”
What have been some of your proudest moments, working for Akin?
Oliver: “Akin has been full of surprises from day one. It feels a little bit like another child in a sense (I do have a 5yr old human son). Helping build Akin has felt like a separate creative process of its own and I'm proud that we've made it to 15 years (because it hasn’t been easy). We’ve created this new sentient entity that Akin's team and I are able to collaborate with (which is how we view it). That brings me to something else that I'm proud of... our team. When I say team I mean our staff, our board, AREA (our real estate advisory), and our various other advisors. I feel so lucky to have met all of these people, let alone engage on this interesting mission with them. I'm proud of how much we all care about Akin, about the arts, about artists and I know that it shows in the work that we do.”
15 Years of Akin in 15 Images:
Explore Akin’s history in 15 images, one taken from each year in
Akin's journey since 2008. Enjoy!
What are the biggest challenges Akin has faced, as an organization?
Oliver: “Where to begin :) There have been many. What we're doing with Akin is not a regular thing. It's different, it's special, it's innovative... Many hurdles have needed to be jumped. In many ways Akin still exists because of trial and error. There's no handbook for what we do. We've had to figure it out by failing and learning. A major part of our role today is to facilitate an amicable and mutually beneficial relationship between the arts and real estate. These two industries, and the people who make them up, have historically had a tumultuous relationship and it hasn't gone well in the vast majority of instances, internationally. We believe that we have figured out ways to create a win-win for both groups but there are challenges on both sides. Finding our way in the real estate industry has been challenging. Thankfully we're building a growing network of property owners who understand why we do what we do and why it's important to both communities and to them.
Bringing together a large number of people to share working space comes with a lot of challenges. We try our best to create safe, comfortable and inspiring spaces for everyone who is part of Akin and it's truly upsetting if we let people down. That motivates us to continue learning and improving every day.
2020 and 2021 were very tough years for us and for many of the artists we work with, for obvious reasons relating to COVID. It took lots of perseverance from our whole team as well as open communication with Akin's members and our real estate partners. Thankfully we made it through, albeit as a tinier version of the organization, and this is in large part due to the extreme resilience of the artists in Toronto. Much of this year has been rough as well, for our team and for me in my role, as we've undergone a number of organizational shifts. Thankfully, these challenges, along with the progress that we're making in other areas have enabled Akin to find itself in what I would consider to be its best position yet. We're set to open a number of new studios in order to provide work space for many artists and designers in Toronto who are in need. There will be many more challenges to come but I know that Akin's perseverance and spirit are strong and that we will continue to find creative solutions to move forward in ways that are true to what we believe in.”
How has Akin changed over the years? What has stayed the same?
Oliver: “There are some really important things that have stayed the same. We're still artist-run, still trying to break down financial barriers to creative space and we still care deeply about Toronto's community of artists. We have hopes to continue having a valuable impact on our city.
And yes, Akin has changed too. When Akin was young, I would never have guessed that it could have the impact it has today. I'm happy about most major changes, but simultaneously I miss aspects of the old, simpler days. I knew everyone who was a member at Akin which is sadly not the case today. There was less riding on our team's decisions than there is now and that burden can feel heavy sometimes.”
What have you learned about the artist community, and about Toronto, through your 15 years building Akin?
Oliver: “I've learned about the vitality of artists. Artists genuinely think in ways that allow society to grow and heal and evolve. They're brave and interesting and, of course, inspiring. I've seen and learned of many challenges being created in Toronto for creatives. The precarity for artists to live in the city is high, forcing them to either give up their practices or move further out of the city. The vast majority of people living in the city say that they care about art and it's easy to understand how important it is for our society, economy, and health, but it seems like they don't realize that art is made by artists. This disconnect needs to be explored. I feel that there needs to be more effort put towards growing the public valuation of artists.”
Where is Akin headed?
Oliver: “We're sticking to what's important to us. We're building on what we do and what we as artists need and we're doing it in the ways that we know best. We've done a ton of work this year to ensure that Akin is around long into the future and a major part of this will be the opening of new studios in 2024. Thankfully we have a number of spaces that are being lined up and we know that they're needed by our community of artists. I intend for us to remain open-minded and open-hearted, to learn from the people we surround ourselves with and to continue exploring the current boundaries of our role in ways that are genuinely important.”
Akin would like to thank Oliver Pauk for the interview and for all his hard work for Akin over the years. We also want to thank all of our amazing members (past, present and future), our board members, consultants, supporters and community members! Stay tuned throughout the month of November as we celebrate our anniversary on the Akin blog with more member highlights!
Want to celebrate
in-person?
Akin will be hosting a 15th Anniversary drop-in celebration at Akin’s Remote Gallery on December 4 from 4-8pm for an evening filled with Akin memorabilia and nostalgia.
