Image Description: Steadfast installation in the Akin Vitrine Gallery featuring intricate sculpted leaves hanging from wires with a blue angel sculpture in the centre. The installation hangs against a white wall.

We’re excited to welcome long-time Akin Member Claire Correia’s beautiful installation, Steadfast, to the Akin Vitrine Gallery this summer! Steadfast is an aerial sculpture/mobile made of pressed copper leaves, flame-worked and cast glass, brass and zinc wire.

Viewable 24/7 from the street, the Akin Vitrine Gallery is located at Akin St Clair, 1747 St Clair Ave West. Be sure to swing by the gallery to have a look. Steadfast will be on until July 31st.

Meet Artist Claire Correia

Claire Correia: “I am a project-based artist working with fire, glass, wood, and unexpected materials. For me, each project feels alchemical: mysterious, labour-intensive, and often unfolding late at night in a quiet, dark studio. Since joining Akin Collective in 2011, my practice has moved increasingly toward three-dimensional work. Recently, I’ve been exploring natural rhythms — particularly how wind, light, and energy move in waves — through a series of mobiles. I’m drawn to their gentle, shifting motion and how they bring a sense of calm and balance to the spaces they occupy.

As the project develops, I look forward to making and installing these mobiles at different scales, both indoors and out, to see how they respond to changing light, air currents, and weather. I’m especially curious about how environmental factors shape the viewer’s sense of space in relation to the sculptures — and how each setting invites a unique form of attention and engagement with them.”

Image Description: Claire is standing and smiling in front of a display of her artwork. She is wearing a colourful patterned top, a green skit, and has round blue glasses on.

About Steadfast

Claire Correia: “One evening, I was out walking with my dog in the twilight when a breeze swept up a large eddy of leaves ahead of us. As the leaf tornado crossed the street, a fox ran out from its centre and disappeared into a nearby garden. That unexpected glimpse of something wild and magical in our quiet city neighbourhood has stayed with me ever since—and helped inspire the Steadfast mobile.

At the centre of Steadfast is an angel—like the fox—surrounded by swirling leaves. Both are creatures known to carry messages between worlds. So, is the angel a messenger, urging us to remain steady in uncertain times? An omen? A talisman of faith? Or a glimpse of something that’s always watching over us, guiding us, but usually unseen? Steadfast invites us to pause, to wonder, and to trust what we see in the living world—even if we’re not sure what it means.”

Image Description: Claire's sketchbook, open to reveal two pages of fine line drawings of the steadfast installation design process, with written notes.

Akin: What are you curious about right now?

Claire Correia: “I’m thinking a lot about Deep Sea Nodules. What?! They are potato-sized rocks that cover thousands of square kilometres in the darkest parts of the ocean floor. Down there there is no light, no current, and there would be no marine life if these rocks did not PRODUCE OXYGEN (so are they in some way ALIVE?!). Deep sea mining companies are set to begin harvesting DSNs because they are rich in the minerals used in car batteries. We know so very little about what is down there in the deep sea and it’s importance to ecological balance in the world…..”

Image Description: the individual pieces of the Steadfast installation on a metal tray, arranged by size. The pieces have thin wires attached to leaf shapes.

Akin: What do you do to stimulate curiosity and inspiration?

CC: “Oh I listen, read, watch, look and walk. Especially with dogs and friends!!”

Akin: Do you have a studio routine ie: Are you a daily ritual person or are you project-focused in spurts?

CC: “I don’t have a regular routine - I’m project-based and focus intensely on a body of work, then rest for a while before jumping into the next project. I usually work at night, when I can turn off the ‘house lights’ and just have my personal incandescent (warm) lights on. I find having tools lined up and research done before beginning work is really important to my studio practice. This might sound odd, but I feel the space must be prepared a certain way to kind of ‘let the spirits in’.”

Image Description: Claire's desk in her akin St Clair Studio, a work lap is above a table covered in tools and materials for glass and metal work. Around the table intricately patterned metal plates are leaning against the wall.

Akin: Do you have creative prompts or habits to help you get started? Any self-care tips to share?

CC: “Creative habit: I have a terrible memory, so I always carry a dot-grid notebook and fill it with references, info, ideas and thoughts. It’s not a diary though; I avoid writing anything deeply personal in the book. Self-care tips: Drink a lot of water. Ask for help and guidance. Be friendly to your neighbours. Remember that most people are good. Look for beauty everywhere.”

Akin: Are you reading/listening to/watching right now which is inspiring you? If so, how?

CC: “I read The Atlantic and the NY Times for obvious reasons. I’m listening to the Zen Studies podcast - because after a very dark stretch of years, I’m looking for some light.

I’m reading The Plant Eaters: How the unseen world of plant intelligence offers a new understanding of life on Earth, by Zoe Schlanger - because it’s fascinating, dense with mind-boggling information, and well-written!”

Akin: What does your Akin studio mean to you? What brought you to Akin?

CC: “I came to Akin Lansdowne in 2011 because it was just the right time to get a studio. In that beautiful space I was welcomed into the most amazing community of artists - many of whom are friends to this day. Through the years, being with Akin has allowed me to make art downtown in the big city, always have a place to go where I am an artist FIRST, and importantly - be part of an ever-expanding community of like-minded, open and fascinating creative people.”

Akin: What advice would you tell your younger self about creating art? What have you learned?

CC: “The things I’ve learned about creating art may not obviously seem to be about creating art, but really they are: 1. Take care of your mental health and talk to someone if you feel unbalanced. 2. Talk to the people you love; Deal with interpersonal problems before they have a chance to go deep.

Advice to my younger self: If you’re not sure about something, ask yourself “What have you got to lose?” If the answer is “Nothing”, just do it.”

Learn more about Claire’s work by visiting her website clairecorreia.com or on instagram @claire.correia or, sit on her public bench in front of the No Frills on Hannah Avenue, in Liberty Village!

Akin Vitrine Gallery, 1747 St. Clair Avenue West