As the year comes to a close, we would like to highlight the creative work and Akin spirit of five artists from our beloved St. Clair Studio! Today we are introducing Liliana Botero, Tam Phan, and Rose Sevhan Kaynar. Continue reading to learn more about these artists, their art practices, and why they love working in an Akin studio! And stay tuned tomorrow for Part Two!
Read MoreWritten by Charlotte Van Ryn
Image above: A view of the Clark Centre from the outside. The night sky is dark blue and black, and the Clark Centre is brightly lit inside. A person on the street walks towards the building.
This December, Akin is host to a Winter Arts Market and Exhibition at the Clark Centre in Scarborough, nestled in the beautiful, historic Guildwood Park. It’s the perfect place to pick up one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones this holiday season, and view three floors of artwork on display by participating artists!
The event is highlighting Akin artists among artists from Scarborough and the surrounding area. Theresa Hopkins’ self reflective, whimsical portrait and Wandy Cheng’s floral, playful paintings were selected as featured Scarborough Artists.
Image description: Jennie Town sits at her booth at the Winter and Arts Market. Her hair is in braids and she’s wearing a black hat and glasses. Jennie is sewing into a piece of birch bark. On her table is a large display of jewelry, dreamcatchers and handmade crafts.
The event kicked off last weekend; upstairs, the market was in full swing. Prints, ceramics, even holiday decorations were on full display. Jennie Town, pictured above, had a beautiful selection of birch bark earrings, dream catchers, handmade deer hide drums and willowwork. A multidisciplinary indigenous artist, and a Scarboroughlocal, Jennie is passionate about Guildwood park and the Clarke Centre, for which she attended the local planning meetings before it was built.
Image Description: A long white wall inside the Clark Centre displays a series of hanged paintings. Two people stand in front of a large painting at the end of the hal
Paintings and sculpture cover the walls on all three floors of the Clark Centre. Notably, the exhibition Through A Hundred Windows features work from artists who were given the same base material, a wooden “window”, but styled their own way. Hung side by side, they create a unified, yet singularly unique look. Through a Hundred Windows will be up all month - all works are for sale directly through the artist and 100% of the proceeds from every sale go direct to the artist. Interested in purchasing work from the exhibition? Click here to see a list of participating artists.
If you missed last weekend’s market, fear not! There’s another weekend market coming up, December 10 and 11 from 11-6 to pick up holiday gifts for friends and family. The exhibition will be up until December 18th, and can be visited any day of the week. Click here to find out more about the event and the participating artists.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
@CanadaCouncil #BringingTheArtsToLife
Image above: a slideshow of images showing work by participants of the Akin Winter Arts Market
Drop in for live music and shop for a variety of beautiful gifts at the Arts Market for our opening day! You can also enjoy browsing the exhibition ‘Through 100 Windows’ featuring members of Akin’s studios as well as local creatives from Scarborough and surrounding neighborhoods.
In conjunction with this event, a selection of art work by studio members belonging to the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG will be featured on the 3rd floor of the Clark galleries, as well as work by Special Highlights Scarborough artists Wandy Cheng and Theresa Hopkins.
From paintings and prints, to ceramics and textiles, we hope to present a gorgeous and colorfully integrated expression of artistic talent to warm hearts as we head into the winter months.
The Akin Winter Arts Market and Exhibition is happening from December 3-18. Click here for full details including a list of partcipating artists.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
@CanadaCouncil #BringingTheArtsToLife
An olive green background with text that reads, "Akin Open Studio Day". On the right is text that reads, " Oct 16th 1PM to 5PM" At the bottom of the graphic is a map with a compass and two speech bubbles with Akin Stockyards and Akin Studio Program written on them.
In conjunction with the many arts and culture festivals that are hosted every fall (from the @queenwestartcrawll to @nuitblancheto and @culturedays to name a few), Akin would like to invite the public and its community to visit the place where art and culture is made - the studios!
This October we'll be opening the doors of two west-end locations: Akin Stockyards (at 2231 St.Clair West) and the Akin Studio Program at the AUTO BLG (158 Sterling Rd. 4th floor). For those of you who are not artists yourself, or for a creative individual who is thinking about getting a studio of their own, this is an excellent opportunity to see what a collective art space looks like, as well as to browse the many artistic creations and meet the artists who make them in person.
So pop the date in your Calendar and come say hello. We're looking forward to seeing you there!
Since its inception, Akin's mandate has centered around one main goal: securing suitable work spaces for artists in order to enrich and ensure the stability of artistic practice- in the city of Toronto. Over the course of nearly 14 years, our organization has developed a partially nomadic nature, a necessary reality for us and our community, to endure the challenges of Toronto’s real estate market. Adding a pandemic to the mix, one that forced many of our studio members into difficult financial decisions, Akin has become actively interested in engaging with the broader community to continue developing novel and innovative methods of considering and maintaining creative space in the city.
Akin collectively asked itself, “How do we help support healthy artists and organizations while reducing barriers to creative spaces in a continuous real estate dilemma?”
Thus AREA was born. AREA stands for Akin Real Estate Advisory, an initiative set up to help ensure Akin evolves in a healthy and sustainable way while continuing to support our growing community long term . Akin has convened experts in Toronto’s development and real estate industry who care to see artists thrive and who share feedback with us as we plan for the future. In recent months, Akin has been focused on stabilizing our administrative processes in order to advance our role, connecting artists and arts organizations in need of space with property developers and building owners eager to invigorate the arts and culture community through activation of space.
Akin’s founder, Oliver Pauk comments “It’s exciting to witness how a group of people, with a common goal of enriching Toronto’s creative scene in the long-term, can come together to build language and ideation around mixed use spaces. These spaces are the future of urban growth in Toronto. Building art and artists into the earliest stages of the development process, as a fundamental component of the city’s structure, gives us the ability to ensure the richness and well-being of communities.”
“We are looking forward to continuing to partner with Akin and to support them with their real estate strategy. The AREA committee strongly believes in the work Akin is doing to support the arts in Toronto, and we are proud to lend our expertise to expand their reach even further” said AREA Board Member, Heidi Tibben.
Monthly and on a volunteer basis, Pauk is joined by Jonathan Peretz (JLL), Katie Fong (Slate), Heidi Tibben (Carttera), Liza Stiff (TAS), Ashley Wedlock (Kingsett Capital), Ayelet Klaczkowski (Kingsett Capital), and Joshua Mitchell (University of Toronto) for a chance to strategize around Akin’s recovery and ongoing search for relevantly located, suitable spaces (both short- and long-term). AREA is also advising on the development of a system for creating creative work and exhibition opportunities with property owners, a valuable collaboration building structure for mutually-valuable relationships across Toronto.
We are grateful for the support of the AREA team and are excited for the insights they will share that shine a light on opportunities ahead of Akin to further our work in advocating for artists and creative spaces in the city of Toronto.
For any questions or concerns, please email us at info@akincollective.com.
Akin is thrilled to announce the opening of a new studio location in one of Toronto’s most bustling intersections; Akin Bloor-Yonge! This space is located at 717 Church Street, north of the Bloor St W and Yonge St intersection, making it a great addition to a lively and cultural Toronto neighbourhood.
This studio is Akin’s 8th studio in the city, marking a slow but sure recovery from the necessary closures occurring during the height of the COVID 19 pandemic. Akin Bloor-Yonge will bring with it 28 dedicated studios —12 private, 10 semi private, and 6 regular studios along with 8 Shared Memberships.
Our Akin Bloor-Yonge Shared Memberships will be available for $71/month, which includes access to shared working areas, shared storage, kitchen, and bathroom. The 28 Dedicated Memberships available will be ranging from 37sf for $216/month to 179sf for $662/month including 12 completely private studios (four walls that go to the ceiling and a door that closes) and 10 semi private studios (three or four walls that go to the ceiling, but no door - just an entranceway) as well as some regular dedicated studios (partitions or walls). The Private and Semi Private studios range from 95sf for $440/month to 179sf for $662/month. Just like at all of our studio memberships the monthly fee includes HST, 24/7 access, insurance, WiFi, contents insurance, cleaning and maintenance service, and access to all common areas.
Priority for studios has been given to current Akin members from other studio locations, artists who have been on the Akin waiting lists for 6 months or longer, Akin members from our former Akin studio locations which closed in 2020 or 2021, as well as those who identify as a member of one or more of the Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Priority Groups (Persons of Colour, Deaf Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Living with Mental Illness, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIAP). That being said, we will do our best to provide space at this new location to anyone who is interested in the future.
We would like to acknowledge the support of our partners Capital Developments for making this location available for our community and a special thank you to our community for uplifting our efforts to return our spaces back to the city.
Akin is looking forward to you joining us in building this space together and carving out more affordable working areas for our artists in similarly appealing spots. This studio currently has a limited number of private, semi-private, and regular studios available ranging from 110sf for $576/month to 179sf for $662/month, as well as Shared Memberships which are $71/month.
Please email info@akincollective.com to learn more.
Image Description: A graphic with plant imagery in the background. In the foreground is black text on a white circular background and a yellow rectangle that reads a variation of the below caption.
🎉LET'S HAVE A SUMMER PARTY 🎉
Summer is here in all of its glory and we want to celebrate the opening of Akin Stockyards with you in this FREE community and family event! Come meet the Akin members in an open studio along with food, live music from Astrosurf, and a community paint wall for you to participate in.
We will also be having a special visit from Councillor Frances Nunziata, and will be hearing from them, our event sponsors from Marlin Spring and some familiar Akin faces.
When: Wednesday July 13th 2022
Time: 4:00PM - 7:00PM
Address: 2231 St. Clair Ave West
We're so excited to celebrate with you 🥳🎊🎈
Invite your friends on social media through our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter posts!
Image Description: A purple background with two people holding hands in the shape of an infinity sign. The text reads, “We’re hiring! Administrative Assistant, Pay: 21/Hour, 5-20 hours a week, Deadline June 24th 2022.”
Location: This will be a remote position.
Compensation: $21/hour, approximately 5-20 hours a week
The Opportunity
At Akin, we’re excited to bring your eye for detail, your organization skills, and your creative aptitude to our organization. Reporting to the Facilities Manager, Studio Operations Manager, and Director your responsibilities will include:
Regular, ongoing administration related to Akin memberships, and supporting ongoing initiatives such as the Akin Studio Rent Relief Fund
Supporting with administrative tasks related to Akin’s leases, contracts, payment processing, applications, purchases, and accounting
Studio and Akin community research, file, and data management
Managing and organizing applications on an as-needed basis for the Akin Studio Program, hiring at Akin, and other special projects
Managing Akin’s Google listings for all locations
Managing Akin Membership data in our member management software (software used: Pickspace and Quickbooks)
Supporting the Studio Operations Manager with Customer Relationship Management data (software used: Streak)
Occasional administrative support related to marketing and programming (software used: Hootsuite, and Squarespace)
Calendar management using Google Calendar
Payment processing
Studio inventory management
Note-taking and other participation in meetings with the Akin team members on an as-needed basis.
Optional: joining one or more of Akin’s Committees, depending on your interests and experience/skill set (Programming, Marketing, Community Experience, Conflict Resolution, Fundraising)
Optional: Participating in community building Akin events and programming.
Benefits: You will have access to a free shared membership at Akin or a free Dedicated Studio (100sf or less), as well as access to the Akin Office located near Yonge and Bloor. You will also be able to book Akin’s Remote Gallery for 3 days for free ($450 value).
To Apply: Submit resume and cover letter by email to work@akincollective.com (one PDF preferred) with “[YOUR NAME] - ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT” in the subject line. Please have your file(s) labeled with your name as well.
Image Description: A rendered illustration of two buildings, one short and one tall in a streetscape setting.
Illustrations are artist’s concept. Specifications are subject to change without notice. E. & O. E. All brand names, logos, images, text and graphics are the copyright of the owners, Daniels HR Corporation. Reproduction in any form, without prior written permission of Daniels HR Corporation, is strictly prohibited.
Daniels HR Corporation, on behalf of The Daniels Corporation, invites artists from the Regent Park and downtown East area to submit proposals in consideration for the residential areas at Artworks Tower and Artsy Boutique Condominiums in Regent Park. The installation of the various artworks will take place in phases between late 2022 to early 2023. The proposal process will involve consulting with Daniels HR Corporation on the design and fabrication of the work to arrive at a final concept, as well as the installation of the piece.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
For The Daniels Corporation (Daniels) each new home community is a work of art - literally. From conception through to completion, every Daniels neighbourhood is designed to enhance its surroundings, the community and to make a statement about its unique character. Daniels has pioneered a new approach to décor and art focused on sourcing local art for each of our new buildings. Within each community Daniels looks to source a wide range of art forms from paintings to photography to sculptures and beyond. This addition of striking local art through community engagement has quickly become a cornerstone of the company’s design philosophy.
The community is located at the north side of Dundas Street, between Tubman Ave. and River St., consisting of the 32-storey Artworks tower on the east side and the 11-storey boutique condominium, Artsy on the west, joined by a 4-storey podium with shared amenities.
For this opportunity, priority will be given to artists who self-identify as:
Having a connection to the Regent Park Community and downtown East area: current or former resident, or works within the specific community identified
Emerging and mid-career artists
Diverse and equity-deserving individuals including but not limited to members of visible minority groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ people
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on May 15, 2022.
For any other questions, please contact LocalArt@danielscorp.com.
As COVID-19 continues to affect our community, we are determined to keep you informed on how these changes can impact Akin members. The Ontario government recently announced an Update to Public Health Measures in response to Omicron (COVID-19), temporarily moving to a modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen.
While Akin studios remain open at this time to members, we have revised our studio policies in response to the rapidly spreading and highly transmissible Omicron Variant, we continue to adjust our policies in order to protect Akin members and our community as a whole. Click here to view Akin's COVID-19 Protocol at Akin Studios.
Some additional changes in the Public Health Measures from the Ontario Government which may impact some Akin Members:
PCR testing and contract tracing is no longer widely available in Ontario unless you are a "high-risk" individual. The full list of who is eligible for PCR testing and contract tracing can be found here. In addition, most individuals with a positive result from a rapid antigen test will no longer be required or encouraged to get a confirmatory PCR or rapid molecular test.
If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or if you have COVID-19 symptoms, or have tested positive for COVID-19 with a rapid test, the government is advising that you assume it is COVID-19 and you self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days.
Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms who are vaccinated will be required to isolate for 105 days following the onset of symptoms. Their household contacts are also required to isolate with them. These individuals can end isolation after five days if their symptoms are improved for at least 24 hours and all public health and safety measures, such as masking and physical distancing, are followed.
Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised will be required to isolate for a minimum of 10 days.
If you have COVID-19 (or have symptoms or been in touch with someone who has) you should also notify your close contacts. A close contact is anyone you were less than two metres away from for at least 15 minutes, or multiple shorter lengths of time, without personal protective equipment in the 48 hours before your symptoms began or your positive test result, whichever came first.
Employers cannot threaten, fire, or penalize an employee in any other way because the employee took or plans on taking job-protected leave due to COVID-19, and doctors notes are not required for employees to use the leave. You can learn more about job-protected leave here.
If you require assistance while isolating, visit COVID-19: Support for people. You can also contact their public health unit for many isolation supports including:
Use of isolation facilities;
Referral to community supports and agencies;
Courier and delivery supports for food and necessities;
Additional resources available to support isolation through the High Priority Communities strategy.
Please don’t hesitate to email us with any questions or concerns at info@akincollective.com
We hope the upcoming days are safe and healthy for you and your loved ones,
Akin
After 5 years of creation, community building, and holding space for artists, most recently, through an ongoing pandemic, Akin has said goodbye to Akin Ossington. Our studios closed permanently on September 30, 2021.
Located at 888 Dupont St, Akin Ossington contained our first studio dedicated to providing workspace for light industrial art making. With over 70 studio workspaces in total, ranging from 20 square feet to 250 square feet, this space allowed for both shared and private studios for artists as well as thoughtful creative programming to complement its creative members.
This century-old historic building, used by many artists over the years was significant in many ways for the city, but also for Akin, from being one of Akin's most populated and active spaces, to holding Akin’s very first Community fridge, Akin Ossington created space for artists to gather, create, and connect with one another. Like many other spaces, Akin Ossington was heavily affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. With the support of TAS, the owner of the property, Akin was able to mitigate the rent costs and allow our artists some financial relief towards their studio spaces during a period during which artists and creatives were hit the hardest.
“It’s so disheartening to let go of a space that we’ve loved for so long. Having conversations about losing one of our studios in the middle of a pandemic showcases how much organizations like Akin need long-term spaces in the city.” - Oliver Pauk, Akin’s Founder and Director
Since opening its first modest space in West Queen West 13 years ago, Akin has endeavoured to make being an artist an affordable and viable vocation in our city. Now more than ever, we feel Akin’s role is an important one for Toronto's cultural community and artists, as we ensure that there is always space to create, to build, and to work.
A space filled with people standing in the background. In the foreground are two people holding guitars and playing. One is wearing a blue jacket and the other is wearing a lilac sweater. Around them are speakers and guitar cases.
Instead of mourning however, Akin chose to celebrate the memories created together. TAS, Manual Arts, and Akin partnered together to bring the Akin Community a goodbye party featuring drinks, friends, and live music. Moreno Zulu, MOMxW¥FE, and Bingo Day were some of the local artists that brought their talents to 888 Dupont one last time.
Akin Ossington members were supported during the studio closure by Akin staff and team. Many of the artists have relocated their studio to our existing other Akin locations, or have been added to waiting lists for Akin’s two upcoming new studio locations in the East End.
Akin wants to thank the Akin Ossington studio members from the last five years for their creativity, collaborative spirit, patience and for contributing to the vibrant artist community in the building, and in the city. We also want to thank Berat OĞUR for capturing and putting together our Akin Ossington tribute video.
Although it is sad to say goodbye to Akin Ossington, it is exciting to look forward to the future and Akin is excited to be opening new studio locations in 2022.
For more information, waiting list inquiries, or to share ideas, please get in touch with info@akincollective.com. Please note that all our studios are at capacity at this time, but we are happy to share info with you and to add you to one of our waiting lists.
[Image Description: On a pink background is blue and red text that reads, "Happy National Philanthropy Day". From the H of Happy comes a red line that forms two hearts and is connected by two small blue birds. In the right upper corner is the Akin logo.]
It’s National Philanthropy Day and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank our donors, supporters, and community for another year of uplifting Akin! As we recover from the last 18 months of a global pandemic, we are thankful to be surrounded by a community that comes together to ease the burdens of artists and art workers in the city of Toronto.
During this time, we began our Akin Rent Relief Fund which has raised over $23,000 and supported over 100 artists and counting. 66% of all funds raised came directly from artists, designers, writers, and creatives within the Akin community. We were supported through forgiveness of property rents by our partners Castlepoint Numa, Kultura, Percy Ellis, QuadReal, Toronto Arts Council, and TAS, allowing us to reduce our studio membership fees for four months in 2020 and to sustain ourselves through these difficult times.
These donations and relief also helped us maintain an important connection with our communities through our programming initiatives such as Taxes for Artists, Work in Progress Show & Tell, Card Making Party, and our Indigenous Community Consultation.
These past couple of years have provided us with more evidence than ever that there is a need for organizations like Akin to advocate for artists and the need for artist spaces in our city. We’re so grateful you believe in us and the mission we continue to carry each day.
Thank you for donating to us, sharing our news, volunteering with us, and even cheering us on from the sidelines. We could not be doing any of this without you!
White pillars stand on a pavement road in a diagonal row across the image. In the background is glass building amongst a city scape and blue sky. A person walks on the left bottom of the screen while another sits on a bench by the building.
Toronto, ON - November 11, 2021. Akin is thrilled to announce that we are opening a brand new studio location, Akin Regent Park. We are looking forward to creating a space for our artists in Canada’s largest and oldest public housing neighbourhood.
Akin Regent Park studio members will have access to the space for a minimum of 3 years. There will be approximately 6 Shared Memberships available for $71/month, which includes access to shared working areas, shared storage, kitchen, and bathroom. There will also be approximately 16 Dedicated Memberships available (your own studio) with studios ranging from 30sf for $191 / month - 112sf for $485 / month. There are no completely private studios at this location, or studios over 112sf.
Located at Akin Regent Park at 658 Dundas Street East which is on the Dundas 505 streetcar or Dundas 505 bus route and near the 501 Queen streetcar route, 65 Parliament bus route, 365 Parliament Night bus and the 301 Queen Blue Light Night Route.
The closest wheelchair accessible stop is Dundas St East at Regent Park Blvd, Stop ID: 15873, which is 210m from the studio and the closest Dundas St East at River St, Stop ID: 2126 which is 110m from the studio.
You can view a map of the location at this link: 658 Dundas Street East, Toronto, ON
After years of planning, Akin Regent Park will be opening in the heart of a community that is known for its creativity and its resilience. While Akin’s nomadic nature has served it for many years, we are excited to occupy a new space where Akin artists are at the forefront of the planning process from the space’s very conception.
A Toronto map of Akin studios in grey lines in the background. In the foreground is text that reads in black, "Deadline: Nov 25, 2021" In red text it reads, "Community Survey." with a large dot leading to a cylinder shape with a black outline and text that reads, "Akin Regent Park." On the bottom right is Akin's logo; a decagram star shape with the word akin in its centre.
In efforts to create a space that compliments the community that will occupy it, we’ve created an Akin Regent Park Community Survey to inform us of the needs of the artists that this space will be serving. We want to hear artists’ thoughts about spaces, programming, and other essentials: What do YOU want to see? What kind of programming will enrich your future community and excite you into building this new creative studio? Please fill out our Akin Regent Park Community Survey by November 25 to help us create the best space possible!
We cannot wait to hear your thoughts and needs in our survey and we are looking forward to sharing this space with you soon!
You can share our survey on our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
For any questions please contact info@akincollective.com for more information.
Image description: On a teal background is a graphic of four people conversing with one another. On the bottom right is text that reads, "2022 Akin Studio Program, Call for Applications."
Craving a space to grow your art practice? An opportunity to surround yourself with artists and other creatives? The Akin Studio Program applications are open and ready to accept our 2022 cohort!
The Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG (158 Sterling Road) is a unique and publicly open opportunity for art practitioners, curators and writers to lease shared studio space within the historical Auto Building at 158 Sterling Road in Toronto. In addition to a studio space throughout 2022, selected artists will be immersed within a community of peers, offering various opportunities for engagement. Studio members will be encouraged to develop and expand their individual practices while playing a role in the artistic community within the studios itself.
Studio Membership Program Start Date: January 7 2022,
Studio Membership Program End Date: December 31, 2022.
While the focus for selected artists will be to use their studio spaces for independent practice, research and development, this is an inclusive, shared studio environment where artists will benefit from insight provided by not only their studio peers and guests but also through occasional opportunities as part of the broader Akin community.
Selected artists will be encouraged to participate in four, quarterly/seasonal public ‘Open Studio’ events that will occur across the studio program space(s) throughout 2022. This may include opportunities to present a workshop or artist talk at one of these specific events, for those that are interested.
Full application details are available at www.akin.art/call
Deadline to apply: November 22, 2021, 5:00pm EST
We're so excited to receive your applications! Please visit our Akin Studio Program Frequently Asked Questions for any questions or email us at info@akincollective.com and we'll be happy to support you in any way we can.
Share this call as widely as you can on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
🪁Banafsheh Erfanian, Fly Your Burning Kite🪁
We're so excited to present Banafsheh Erfanian from our RBC Space Recipients Exhibitions! The RBC Space Award is a partnership between Neighbourhood Arts Network and Akin. This award provides access to space for professional artists to grow their practice.
A little bit about the show from the artist:
‘Fly Your Burning Kite’ is my visual interpretation of the post-1979 revolution era in Iran. This solo painting exhibit is a contribution to the suffering my people are going through. It addresses the ongoing cultural issues Iran has been dealing with since the revolution. Iran has been experiencing crucial cultural and political changes. The use of symbolism and surrealism has been a strong tool for me to portrait this bizarre chain of events taking place in my country of origin and the destruction that has been left behind from the revolution and war. Rigidity crawled into our daily routines when we were sleeping and we became believers in ghosts more than ever. In the Middle of the East, we are chained. In the middle of the perpetual night, we are burning. Nevertheless, are we collecting ashes from which we will be reborn. Our children will fly their burning kites of dream. From the fire, clouds will be created.
The clouds will cry so loud for the ones who do not have a voice. Then the clouds will burst into tears and wipe out all this darkness. We will see once again the time when dogs were not slaughtered and crows did not migrate. It was when the wind blew into girls' hair."
We're excited to invite you to attend Fly Your Burning Kite from October 23rd to the 30th!
Akin is thrilled to be partnering with BigArtTO as part of ArtworxTO to present 12 current and past Akin artists responding to the theme of “The Echoes of Community”. These projections around the city address our questions around notions of community: How do collective and community rooted experiences radically reimagine art practices? How does ancestral knowledge of the past and the future inspire our making? What is revolutionary about community ties and how do we utilize those connections to upend oppressive systems?
Here’s when and where you can check out the works!
Wednesday October 6th - Saturday October 9th, 7:15pm - 10:15pm
Afifa Bari (@_fiffs)
kaya joan (@kayajoan)
Rebecca Jane Houston (@rebeccajanehouston)
Stephanie Avery (@stephvonawesome)
Wednesday October 13 - Saturday October 16th, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Walter Segers (@waltersegers)
Hatice Erdoğan (@heart.pottery)
Destinie Adelakun (@destiniestyles)
Franziska barczyk (@franziska)
Wednesday October 27 - Saturday October 30th, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Annwin Arts (@annwinarts)
Hamid Mohammadi (@hamidxvi)
Diego Gutierrez (@gutierrez.gallery)
Tag us @akinprojects during your visits to the works and we’ll make sure to share it!
Image Description: A banner image with a pink background. On the right hand side there is an akin logo (black circular shape with “akin” written across in white. Below the logo are three people gathered having their photos taken by another. On the left hand side, it says “In partnership with BigArtTO as part of ArtworxTO, Akin presents: Call for Submissions, The Echoes of Community. Deadline September 3rd”
Call for Submissions: Akin x BigArtTO
The Echoes of Community
Akin is thrilled to be partnering with BigArtTO as part of ArtworxTO this fall with three projections happening at Summerville Pool (1867 Lake Shore Blvd E at Woodbine Ave), Etobicoke Civic Centre (Burnhamthorpe Rd at The West Mall) and Piccininni Community Centre (St Clair Ave W & Lansdowne Ave). We intend to select four artists per site, to have their artwork projected onto these buildings. Akin is inviting all current or alumni Akin Members who live or work in the City of Toronto to submit one artwork for consideration responding to the theme of “The Echoes of Community”. We would love to know: How do collective and community rooted experiences radically reimagine art practices? How does ancestral knowledge of the past and the future inspire our making? What is revolutionary about community ties and how do we utilize those connections to upend oppressive systems? Existing work or sketches / renderings of proposals for new work will be accepted. Images of the final artworks may be included in marketing materials. Please indicate on your application if you would like to be considered for a specific projection site. Your location preference will be considered by the jury. However, the overall consistency of the selected projects will be prioritized. Artists will be selected for one of the three locations.
Submission deadline: Friday September 3rd 2021 *Extended to September 7th 2021
There are three locations where these activations will take place:
Summerville Pool (1867 Lake Shore Blvd E)
Wednesday October 6th - Saturday October 9th, 7:15pm - 10:15pm
Etobicoke Civic Centre (399 The West Mall)
Wednesday October 13 - Saturday October 16th, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Piccininni Community Centre (1369 St. Clair Ave W)
Wednesday October 27 - Saturday October 30th, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Compensation:
An artist fee of $800 CAD will be paid to each selected artist
Timeline:
Application due by: Friday September 3rd 2021, 11:59pm *Extended to September 7th 2021
Artworks reviewed & selection: First week of September
Artists to be notified by: September 10th 2021
Final artworks due: Date depending on location selected for
*Artists will be required to invoice for payment
To Apply:
Applications should be submitted by email to laura@akincollective.com with the subject line “Akin x BigArtTO” no later than Friday September 3rd at 11:59pm
In a single PDF please submit the following:
A brief biography of yourself and your practice. (max 200 words)
A brief artist statement responding to the theme of “The Echoes of Community” (max 500 words)
Artist CV (max 2 pages)
1-3 high quality images of the existing work or renderings of unique works you are submitting for consideration as well as any related links to your work online that you would like to share. (Weblink or social media link)
Contact information - including phone number, email address, website and Instagram username if available.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply. Adapting the Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Priority Group Policy, applicants who self-identify as belonging to one (or more) of Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Priority Groups (Persons of Colour, Deaf Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Living with Mental Illness, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIAP) will all be prioritized.
Applicants who require additional resources, support or time to complete their applications can request as such. Please request this assistance at least one week in advance of the submission deadline. To do so, or for additional information, please contact laura@akincollective.com
*Please note, the jury consists of: Alexander Robinson, Özge Aytekin & Yasmeen Nematt Alla
Successful applicants will be contacted by email no later than : September 10 2021
Image description: bright orange background with a navy 6 on the left hand side, pink 0 beside that and the white TOAF logo in the center.
Akin is thrilled to see so many current and alumni Akin Members participating in the 2021 Toronto Outdoor Art Fair. This year, the fair will have a digital component as well as a small showcase of artworks in person at stackt market.
List of current & alumni Akin Members participating:
Carrie Chisholm
Corynn Kokolakis
David Chinyama
Dorota Dziong
Jamileh Salek
Joanna Strong
Lindsay Chambers
Loren Kaplan
Melika Saeeda
Miles Ingrassia
Nicole Crozier
Soroush Dabiri
Zach Atticus
Zoey Zoric
For a full list of participating artists, please click here.
To learn more about stackt market please click here.
Akin is thrilled to announce the 2021 cohort of the Akin Studio Program a unique initiative that provides studio space to 20 local visual artists and cultural practitioners in partnership with the Auto BLDG - Castlepoint Numa. Selected by an independent jury of local artists, curators and arts professionals, the 2021 artist cohort have begun to move into in the building they will call their creative home for the duration of the year. They will share their practices with visitors through programs such as open studio events when it is safe to do so. Similar to Akin’s other locations, the space will foster a community atmosphere and the exchange of ideas.
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This month we checked in with some of the resident artists in our studios at Collision Gallery to see what they have been working on over the last few months.
This week we caught a glimpse of new work in progress by Maren Boedeker.
Maren Boedeker studied visual arts and art education at the Academy of Fine Arts in Münster, Germany.
Her abstract, large-scale canvases have been shown in galleries in Germany, Belgium and Canada. She received the artist-in-residency-grant Liguria, Italy and was awarded first place in the exhibition "Art for Europe", curated by the European Community in Brussels, Belgium.
Besides her artistic practice, she has continuously been working with children, teens and adults as an art teacher and instructor.
Since 2013 she lives and works in Toronto. She was selected for the AKIN Studio Program 2018/19, first year, having her studio at the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto (MOCA).
Video by Maren Boedeker. Filmed in Toronto, ON.
To learn more about this artist and her practice visit www.marenboedeker.com/ or via instagram at @marenboedeker.artist
