Akin at the St Clair Gardens BIA SummerFest - July 26 from 12-6pm

Akin St Clair
in ,

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. 

@sam.silva.hill.artwork

 

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.

@studiosgaluppo | @ggaluppoart | www.studiosgaluppo.com

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.

@water_and_clay 

 

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

in ,
 

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

@maddyartt

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

@mykahcdc

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

@olivierforguesart

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

@haleymeyerart

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

@sadaf.solei

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

@firouzeh_saremifar

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

@far_stepping

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

@joy.zheng.art

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!

Remote Gallery
in , , ,

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 More

Thank you for coming to Akin Davisville's Open Studio

Akin Davisville
in ,
 
 
 

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)

Akin Davisville Open Studio - Doors Open Toronto 2025!

Akin Davisville
in , , ,


 

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. 

Akin Niagara – Pop-Up Exhibition | April 5th

Akin Niagara
in , ,

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.

Read More

Akin Queen Open Studio: A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Community

in , , ,

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