Akin Launch New Exhibition and Community Programming Space ‘REMOTE’ and New Studio Location, Akin Richmond

REMOTE and Akin Richmond
Gallery, Programming Space and Art Studios
568 Richmond Street West
www.remote.gallery
 

Launching Friday, March 29th, REMOTE is Akin’s new dedicated exhibition and programming space at 568 Richmond Street West. REMOTE will provide opportunities for artists and members of the public to rent low-cost space for exhibitions and programming of all kinds. This multi-use space will be available for workshops, presentations, meetings, and community events as well as exhibitions, performances and other artistic programs.

To inquire about REMOTE space rentals, please email sara@akincollective.com to discuss availability and pricing. Please include a brief description of your exhibition or idea, the dates you are looking at, and any other pertinent information in your inquiry. We aim to make our space rentals as financially accessible as possible and look forward to hearing your ideas! Akin will be prioritizing Toronto’s newcomer artists, the Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Priority Groups and Akin’s current members for rentals of the space, but everyone is welcome to inquire!
 

Gallery Launch & 'Movement' Exhibition Opening Party Next Friday!
Friday, March 29th, 6-9pm. 
Cash bar.
Join the event on Facebook 
Follow REMOTE on Instagram

Join us as for the public launch of REMOTE as we celebrate the opening of our inaugural exhibition, “Movement” featuring new and recent works by Akin artists Clara Hirsch, David Salazar, Helen Dreifelds, Jamileh Salek, Julianne Ess, Nicole Krstin and Zach Tuinman.

A huge thank you to the Toronto Arts Council for their collaboration on this space, without whom this would not have been possible. Special thanks also to our friends and collaborators Neighbourhood Arts Network and Toronto Employment and Social Services’ Art Connectionsprogram.

Programming Space Features:
Total Square Footage: ~300 sqft.
Gallery quality fluorescent lighting
Polished concrete floors
Fully accessible entrance and bathroom
Additional promotion on our website and across Akin’s social media channels
Occupancy: 42 people
Please note that artists are responsible for providing gallery attendants for their exhibitions, and planning any associated events and receptions.

Akin Richmond

In addition to programming space, Akin is also launching Akin Richmond artist studios next door, which will be available to rent on a month-to-month basis, specifically prioritizing Toronto’s newcomer artists, the Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Priority Groups and Akin’s current members. To be added to the waiting list for studio rentals at 568 Richmond Street West or inquire about any of Akin’s studio locations please contact info@akincollective.com

Akin Richmond Art Studio Features:
Studios Ranging in size for 25sf to 60sf
Shared memberships available for $70/month
Fully accessible entrance and bathroom
Separate entrance from main REMOTE programming space

Accessibility:
Akin Richmond and REMOTE are fully accessible spaces. There are no steps to access the space, automated entrances, and both have gender-neutral washrooms with grab bars.

Akin Vitrine Gallery + Kate Drwecka →

We are very excited to present new work by Akin St. Clair member, Kate Drwecka in our Vitrine Galleries for the months of May and June! 

Her installation is based on her most recent project, Becoming: a 31 page printed horror comic, the first in a series of mini comics exploring horror’s ability to process real trauma through representation. The original pages measure roughly 16.75" x 21.25", and the final product is a mini-comic that is 5.5" x 8.5". This installation features some of the original pages, and a recreation of the iconic mirror and monster from the comic. 

Becoming is a story of repression, denial of self, and how that presents itself in our lives. Laila is a woman who lives alone with her past, haunted by a ghastly figure living in her mirror. The reflection calls to Laila's unacknowledged history, begging her to confront her denied history. As Laila continues to refuse her past, the figure in the mirror grows stronger, to eventually manifest outside the mirror. 

Kate Drwecka is a freelance cartoonist/illustrator working and living in Toronto. She grew up in the cold climates of Canada, and studied at the School of Visual Arts in NY. As a small child, Kate wanted to grow up and become Freddie Mercury. She still does.

Currently Kate is working on a series about an all-girl supernatural detective agency, and a series of horror comics. Kate is an original member of the Akin Comic Club and has recently helped organize the Akin Comic Day event. A one-day celebration of comic books, comic making and comic artists! 

Becoming will be on view for the month of May in our Dupont Akin Vitrine Gallery, located in the Clock Factory Building at 1485 Dupont Street (entrance on Campbell Avenue). Find Akin Studio 215 on the second floor and follow the sign into the hallway around the corner. The building is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

The exhibition will then travel to the Akin St. Clair Vitrine Gallery and be on view for the month of June at 1747 St. Clair Avenue West. Gallery is street level and can be viewed at any time.

"All Are Welcome” by Akin Dupont member Bernadette Peets in the Akin Vitrine Gallery

Introducing our Akin Vitrine Gallery December exhibition, “All Are Welcome” by Akin Dupont member, Bernadette Peets.

“I have been thinking a lot about how recent immigrants and in particular refugees who come to Canada feel about us, this country and in particular what their experience is of our landscapes. 

Is Canadian society the open, warm and friendly culture that we like to think it is for these newcomers? Is our pristine landscape available to them? Does it represent a refuge or is it viewed as threatening due to its vastness and unknown dangers?

I often use wild animals in my shadow boxes to represent the vulnerability of the human characters in the narrative. In this case, the deer with the bullseye carries the symbol of the 'hunted' while at the same time acting as a warning to these individuals. The orange screen across the front is meant to slightly obscure the scene so that the viewer must look even closer to be able to see it completely. The screen says "All Are Welcome" but also acts as a barrier or an enclosure reminiscent of a refugee camp. The scenes on the side walls remind us of the origins of the travellers and the reflective surface creates a way for all of the scenes and characters to merge.

I think that we still need to go some distance in our understanding of how these newcomers may be feeling in their new reality and how we might bridge the gap between viewing them as 'other' and more as part of our communities.” 

Bernadette was born in Toronto where she currently lives and works. Her studio is in the Akin Collective at 1485 Dupont Street. She graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design in 1996 where she majored in Drawing, Painting and Art History. She lived in Florence Italy for two years (1987–88 & 1994–95) where she continued to study Art History and develop her craft as a painter.

She has explored many themes over the past 20 years of her art practice and while she has mainly used painting as her medium she has also included three dimensional installation work as well as other pictorial devices that include shadow boxes, photographs, drawing and printmaking.

Her subjects of interest have been rooted in her political, social and aesthetic ideals. Whether she is using her work as a platform for a discussion on topics as diverse as the female body image to issues relating to the Indigenous Nations in Canada, her approach is always connected to her strong sense of design, colour and technical precision.

Craft is important to her as an effective means of communication. She believes that having a high quality of execution in her work facilitates a more effective communication of her intent.

‘All Are Welcome' 
Mixed Media
Variable Dimensions

The Akin Vitrine Gallery is located at the Clock Factory Building at 1485 Dupont Street (entrance on Campbell Avenue). Find Akin Studio 215 on the second floor and follow the sign into the hallway around the corner.

The building is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, or to arrange a viewing outside of those hours please contact the artist: bernadettepeets1@gmail.com

www.bernadettepeets.com
Instagram: @b_peets
#AkinVitrine

The Art of Craft Beer at Super Wonder Gallery - Friday November 25

A first of its kind exhibit showcasing the fine art of Ontario craft beer. Super Wonder Gallery has paired the best in label art with the best in beer to bring you an unforgettable multi-sensory beer experience! 

All proceeds from the SILENT AUCTION will benefit Sketch ; a not-for-profit in Toronto engaging street-involved youth through the arts.

These brewers will be onsite with seasonals and one-offs brews:
Great Lakes Brewery, Bandit Brewery, Sawdust City Brewery,
Beau's All Natural Brewing Co., Collective Arts Brewing

TICKETS: $25 advance
-Admission
-2 X drink tickets (10oz.)
-1 X limited edition print

Akin Collective + Akin Projects present the Akin Vitrine Gallery / featuring Chris Harms

Akin Collective + Akin Projects are excited to introduce the Vitrine Gallery, a recent addition to our Dupont studios. This miniature gallery will feature the diverse talent of our members with a new installation each month.

Our first exhibition, SAT.00001 runs for the month of October, and features brand new sculptural work by Chris Harms.

Chris has been a member of Akin Collective since 2013. His vibrant and elegant sculptures are made with hand-cut plexiglass. Harnessing light and colour, Chris’ work is intended to build a feeling of expansion and possibility, and functions as an exploration of space and physicality through his own aesthetic sensibilities.

The Akin Vitrine Gallery is located at the Clock Factory Building at 1485 Dupont Street (entrance on Campbell Avenue). Find Akin Studio 215 on the second floor and follow the sign into the hallway around the corner.

The building is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, or to arrange a viewing outside of those hours please contact the artist at chrshrms@me.com

#AkinVitrine

AKIN: The Power Plant + Picnic

Sunday August 28 / 3pm / The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery / 231 Queens Quay West

Do you like The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery but it's too far to go alone? Do you enjoy a summer picnic but don't like eating solo? Boy do we have the best Sunday ever planned for you.

Join Akin Projects and tour The Power Plant's two current, brilliant exhibitions followed by a waterfront picnic in the park after ( bring snacks / blankets! )

Featured Exhibitions:

Franz Eerhard Walther // Call to Action

Ulla von Brandenburg // It Has a Golden Red Sun and an Elderly Green Moon

See you there!

xo AKIN

Call for Submissions: Skeir Gallery ‘Salon Show’

Deadline: August 02, 2016

Skeir Gallery is hosting a summer group exhibition at our Queen West Gallery location (1537a Queen Street West) from Thursday August 11 - Sunday August 28, 2016.

Open to emerging, mid-career and established artists who would like the opportunity to gain exposure in the Queen West Arts community, artists are invited to submit up to 10 works in any media for consideration.

ELIGIBLE ARTWORKS
Submissions in all media styles are welcome and up to three (3) works by selected artists will be accepted for entry into the two (2) week long exhibition:

- Up to 10 works can be submitted for consideration
- Works can be up to 24" x 24" (60cm x 60cm) at any price point**
- All works on paper MUST be framed
- All 2D work (paintings, framed works etc.) must be wired and/or ready for hanging before drop-offs

IMPORTANT DATES
- Submission deadline: Tuesday August 02, 2016
- Artwork drop-offs: Saturday August 06 & Sunday August 07, 2016 between 1 - 6pm.
- Exhibition dates: Thursday August 11 to Sunday August 28, 2016
- Opening Reception: Thursday August 11, from 6pm - 11pm

SUBMISSIONS
Applicants are asked to include a brief biography OR artist statement, up to 150 words. Artists are also asked to title all submitted works in the the following format:

ArtistFullName_ArtworkTitle_Size_Medium_Date_Price

All artwork images and biographies / statements must be sent as attachments (no zip files or website links please!) by email to: shawnskeir@gmail.com

**Applicants accepted into the group exhibition are required to contribute a non-refundable Hanging and Administrative fee of $80.00. Skeir Gallery will transact all sales of consigned work during the exhibition period and accept a 40% commission on the sale of each work.

BEES (& the Birds) at Graven Feather Gallery

BEES (& the Birds) is a salon style art show to raise funds and awareness for our bee friends. A group of 38 artists coming together to use their art to help the bees including Jen Pilles of Akin Lansdowne.

The second annual show is once again at Graven Feather Gallery. The show runs from May 18 to 29, 2016 and the OPENING Reception will be held on Thursday, May 19 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Each of the artists participating in the show want to make a difference and help the bees. The works are bee inspired pieces that explore the role of this alchemist insect in our world.

These artists felt their work could play a big role in raising awareness and money - offering solutions for individuals - for our community - and for our world.

That's why 10% of all show proceeds - including sales - will go to the David Suzuki Foundation's efforts to save the bees.

Organized by artist Christine Pensa (Art That Moves) and Erin Candela and Pam Lobb (Graven Feather) the show features painting, prints, drawings, and photographs on the theme or bees and other pollinators.