Akin 15th Anniversary celebration: Former Akin Members, Where Are They Now?

in ,
 

Clockwise from top left: Stephanie Avery, Natalie Waddell, Michael Vickers, Miles Tsang and Shanna Van Maurik and the Akin log with the words “Former Members Highlight!”

 

Akin studios have played a part in the creative journeys of hundreds of artists in Toronto. For fifteen years, makers across the creative spectrum have gathered in Akin studios to work alongside one another, to use these spaces to grow and nourish and grow their practices.  

As Akin’s 15th Anniversary celebrations continue, we reached out to some of Akin’s former members, artists who have once called Akin Studios their home, to see what they’re up to now, and to hear how Akin Studios influenced their creative journeys.

Stephanie Avery

Former Akin Studios: Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG (formerly “The Akin Studio Program at MOCA" and  Akin Ossington 

Stephanie Avery’s CV is packed with murals and exhibitions and creative projects internationally, Find more of Stephanie’s work through her website www.stephanieavery.com and instagram @stephvonawesome

“I am a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist who explores and subverts our collective relationships to public space. Even though I went to school for art and have never stopped practicing, being at Akin MOCA was the first time I fully dedicated myself to my art and considered it as a viable full-time job. Now, five years later, I'm a full-time artist.”

 

Steph Avery lays across a white workbench inside the light therapy room inside the Museum of Contemporary Art. Steph wears a white coat, red print tights and blue printed socks. Beyond the bench is a white table with a laptop open, in a room with white walls and windows.

 

“I was with the first group of artists at Akin MOCA, when it was a one year studio residency, and we really bonded as a group. It's hard to choose just one memory because we made so many. But I'm going with the light therapy room. The winter we were there, MOCA had a light therapy room installed on the same floor as our studio, so we had access to it at any time. All through the season, after gallery hours, we would gather there to relax, converse, goof around and soak up as much light as we could.”

Miles Tsang

Former Member at: Akin Ossington 

Miles Tsang illustrates for major clients in the music industry such as Metallica, Dave Matthews Band, and the Avett Brothers Find more work on Miles’ website www.milestsang.com and instagram @milestsang

 “I currently operate out of a shared office studio where I produce intricate commercial illustrations for screen printing applications, mostly in the music industry. Recently I've begun to prioritize personal work and intend to create a curated body of it for release sometime in the future.”

 

Miles Tsang stands in his studio, working at a silkscreen press. He is wearing a gray shirt and black pants, and wears a black mask. The studio is filled with shelves and drying racks. 

 

“I have many pleasant memories that all blend together consisting of long nights cleaning, setting up and printing large runs of posters. It’s hard to be specific as I often lost myself in the process and basically loved the entirety of my time there.”

Michael Vickers

Former Member at: Akin Dufferin, and  Lansdowne. Former Akin Staff member serving as Studio Manager, and then Co-Director for Akin Projects.

Michael Vickers, the former co-director of Akin, has continued on with a fantastic career both as an artist, and with the Brampton Arts Organization. Find more of Michael’s work on his website www.michaelvickers.org and on instagram @michaeljohnvickers

An image taken from a high angle of Michael Vickers and Oliver Pauk in the Akin Dufferin Studio in 2017. Michael, on the left, wears a black jacket, black pants and brown boots, he has brown hair. Oliver Pauk wears a checkered shirt, grey pants and a green toque. Around them are the work tables and white  divider walls which separate each studio, which are filled with art supplies. One person in the background sits at one of the desks with a laptop open, and another walks down the hall. Photo Credit: Vince Talotta / Toronto Star

Michael Vickers is a community activator, cultural leader and practicing artist focused on providing meaningful advocacy, support and growth for the arts sector at the local level and across Canada. He is currently the Senior Program Lead for Brampton Arts Organization and was previously Co-Director of Akin, having also held roles with the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto and Ottawa Art Gallery. Vickers holds an MA in Art History from the University of Toronto and an Honours BA in Visual Arts & Communications. His work has been exhibited locally and internationally, including presentations at Volta Basel, Mercer Union, Dutch Design Week, Art Toronto and Design TO and has been supported by the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts.

“I was involved with every Akin studio from 2011 to 2021! A decade of different spaces.”

An image of Michael Vickers leading a gallery crawl event. He stands in a gallery with white walls and a concrete floor, art on the walls, facing  a crowd of about thirty people, who are standing or sitting, facing him in a circle and listening to him speak.

“There are so many special memories from my time with Akin- from walking into Akin Dufferin and meeting Oliver as I looked for a studio space in a new City to the excitement of new locations opening or securing opportunities for the folks we served. What has always stood out is the immense sense of community Akin can cultivate. In moments of doubt or difficulty (studio evictions, various worries) it was the encouragement of our collective group- a collaborative spirit that propelled us forward. No artist stands alone. Our organization grew from a small space with a few friends to hundreds of creatives and my time as Co-Director will always be one of the most meaningful and special eras of my career (and life as an artist). Akin is testament to the transformative power of the arts—a sanctuary where creativity thrives and people can be themselves in a safe, artistic way.”

Natalie Waddell

Former member at: Akin Dufferin, Akin King

Natalie Waddell will be a judge of a new CBC television series, Canadian Pottery Show! Find more of Natalie’s work on her website www.ClayGirl.ca and instagram @claygirlceramics

 

Natalie Waddell working on clay on a pottery wheel. Natalie is wearing a blue shirt, has dark brown hair pulled into a bun with blonde highlights. Behind her, a shelf holds a vast amount of art supplies.

 

“I create unique and precious ceramic objects handcrafted to enhance your life and environment. With emphasis on functional forms I love to know the pieces I make can be used in regular day to day life. Each item I make is designed and decorated to connect function and art. I believe using handmade objects in our daily lives brings a sense of connection, grounding and appreciation for work, art and nature.” 

 

Natalie Waddell’s studio, with her sign “Clay Girl” hanging on a wall above a work table. Shelves mounted to the brick wall and work table hold stacks of pottery.

 

“The impact of practicing my art and growing creatively within the Akin spaces was transformative to my ceramic career. Forming connections and relationships with artists across multiple mediums is some of my best take away from that time.”

Shanna Van Maurik

Former member at: Akin Dupont 

Shanna Van Murik continues to create breathtaking work, with an ever growing online following, Find more of Shanna’s work on her website shannavanmaurik.com and instagram @nogobed 

 

Shanna Van Maurik stands inside her studio at Akin Dupont. Shanna has shoulder length pink hair, and wears a colorful, tie dye shirt and black boots. Colorful portraits are mounted against white walls. A large window in the foreground is surrounded by bright green plants, and a pink work table holds notebooks. Photo Credit: Spencer Robertson

“Looking back, the little moments at Akin DuPont mean the most to me, talking with friends made there and building a community. There was a great sense of openness and sharing among members that created a great energy. Not to mention, the sunsets in my space were really special!”

 

An image of Shanna Van Maurik’s studio at Akin Dupont. A yellow-green velvet chair sits against a white wall, behind which stands a tall shelf filled with art supplies. Beside the shelf is a large window showing a vibrant sunset of pinks and purples.

 

A huge thank you to these talented artists for their participation, we’re so proud of them, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll do next!

 

Want to celebrate in-person?

Akin will be hosting a 15th Anniversary drop-in celebration at Akin’s Remote Gallery on December 5 from 4-8pm for an evening filled with Akin memorabilia and nostalgia. 

 
 

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.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

Akin Member Highlight: Suzanne Dennis and Andrea Bailey

in ,
 

An image of Andrea Bailey’s artwork, Collage #2, a colourful collage of layered prints in blues, reds, whites and pinks, with a painting of a blue haired figure over top

 

We’re back with another highlight of some of Akin’s long-term members.

Andrea Bailey has been an Akin studio member since 2012, and Suzanne Dennis since 2014. We’re so proud to have provided a creative home for these fantastic artists, so, to celebrate Akin’s 15th Anniversary, we reached out to them to learn more about their work and their Akin journey.

Suzanne Dennis

Suzanne Dennis is a Toronto artist who paints abstract and nonobjective images on canvas and paper using acrylic paint and mediums.

The inspiration for much of her work has come from details found in nature and man made objects. A favourite source is ancient and modern stone surfaces and architecture. These provide not only interesting compositions, textures and colours but are silent elements present in the places where we live our lives, and where history is made.

Suzanne records images in photos and sketches using them as a roadmap to create the compositions and then lets her intuition and joy of painting take over. Suzanne invites the viewer to enjoy the interpretation she presents and to share the story of its creation. Suzanne has been painting for 25 years and exhibits and sells her work in Toronto at shows, galleries, commercial venues and clubs.

You can find more of Suzanne’s work on her website, www.suzannedennis.ca or on her instagram, @Suzannedennis01 

Suzanne Dennis3: Suzanne Dennis stands in front of an easel in her studio. On the easel, and on the wall behind her, are abstract paintings of green, blue and red. Suzanne is holding up a piece of cloth covered in multicoloured paint, she’s holding it up to her face, her eyes peeking over it.

What brought you to Akin?

I moved to a condo leaving a home where I had a basement studio space. With nowhere to paint I started the process of looking for studio space in Toronto. I was at the Apple store, learning how to organise photos, and the instructor noticed all the images of my work.

He asked me where I painted and I said I had no space any longer. It was really my lucky day. He was a member of the Akin Collective.

He gave me the contact information for Oliver Pauk. I called Oliver and met him that week and secured studio space on Wade Avenue. I always consider this one of the luckiest things that has happened in my art career!

Can you give us a timeline of your Akin Journey? Where did it start? Which studios have you been a member at?

I met Oliver in September of 2014 and secured my first studio space on the ground floor at Wade Avenue. A number of years later the ground floor studios were “Reno-evicted” by the landlord. Jen Pilles quickly secured a space for me at the Dupont Studios (room 204).

The studio turned out to be too small and after a few months I moved within the same room to a larger space which I have enjoyed for a few years. Due to some family personal issues I was unable to get to my studio very often in the last year so I have moved again to a smaller space by the window. And I absolutely love it, and think it is the perfect spot for me. A total of four moves in 10 years! 

Do you have any special memories associated with your time at Akin?

A favourite memory is my participation in “The Art of Healing” arranged by the Akin Collective in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities. I participated in 2015 and again in 2016. I was invited by Michael Vickers to participate as one of the 23 artists to craft a piece of art with a child staying at the House. The work produced with the children was exhibited and auctioned to raise funds and the joy it brought the kids and the artists, it’s one of my favourite memories.

Suzanne Dennis poses with two kids during Akin’s Art of Healing event in collaboration with Ronald McDonald House. The child to the right of Suzanne wears a red baseball cap, a striped shirt, and wears a nasogastric tube. The child on the left wears a blue shirt and a green lanyard. They stand beside a bright red abstract painting, accented with forest greens. The painting sits on an easel. 

What was your favourite Akin studio to work out of, and why?

My favourite studio was the first one on the ground floor at Wade Avenue. The space there was very large and open. The ceiling was high and I was surrounded by artists of all kinds, costume designers, book illustrators, jewellery makers, and I felt a sense of real community and creativity. I would see Oliver, Michael and Jen frequently and always enjoyed the interaction. 

Do you have a routine for art making at the studio? Any special rituals to get your creativity flowing?

I’d like to take a large piece of paper and scribble all over it and take out a brush and make marks just to get myself loose.


You've been creating art for a long time! What do you think is the key to keeping the practice going, long term? 

Not everyone has the opportunity to keep creating art throughout their life, whether that is because of the expenses associated with it, or the time that it deserves. For me, it always sits in my mind as a destination I’ve got to make my way to. It is my source of pure joy, and I won’t sacrifice that.

Andrea Bailey

Andrea is a self taught abstract artist working in acrylic and ink, and most recently, collage. She is known for her use of colour; bold and confident, but also subtle and complex. Born with challenges which never defined her, she works from a home studio and the Akin Logan studio.

You can find more of Andrea Bailey’s work at her website, www.yummyarty.com and on her instagram @yummyartyab

 

Andrea Bailey stands inside of her Akin River Studio. The white walls have prints of her world arranged in a pattern. There’s a black foldout chair against the wall and a grey table with a painting in progress on it, alongside large containers of paint brushes.

 

What Brought you to Akin, originally? 

A desire to be in a creative space with other creative people and to learn and develop along with them.


Can you give us a timeline of your Akin Journey? Where did it start? Which studios have you been a member at?

I joined in 2012. I have had studio space at Lansdowne (one upstairs and one downstairs), River Street and now at Logan Avenue.

 

Andrea Bailey painting inside her Akin Logan Studio. She is wearing a purple shirt, black pants and winter boots. She’s painting an abstract painting filled with lines which lays on a table.  Another painting sits beside it. Behind her is a shelf filled with paint tubes.

 

Do you have any special memories associated from your time at Akin?

I always thought Oliver was the greatest. At an early art sale from the Landsdowne main floor studio, I gave Oliver one of my favourite paintings. He gave me a photograph of my plastic paint table covering that turned a mess into an abstract work of art. It is framed in my home to this day

What was your favorite Akin studio to work out of?

Lansdowne, main floor

 

An image of artist Andrea Bailey in her Akin Lansdowne studio, Andrea stands in front of a white wall lines with canvases, she’s wearing black pants and a grey jacket, she has brown, shoulder length hair. In the foreground is a large abstract painting, of circles, lines and dots in reds, purples, greens, blues and pinks.

 

Do you have a routine for art making at the studio? Any special rituals to get your creativity flowing?

It is just something I have to do every day.

You've been creating art for a long time! What do you think is the key to keeping the practice going, long term? 

Don't be afraid to try new things and remember that not everything will work.

Thanks to Suzanne and Andrea for your participation, and for your beautiful work! We’re so thankful to have you both as such strong, vital members of our community.  As we continue to celebrate our 15th Anniversary, later this month  we’ll be highlighting some of Akin’s former members: where are they now? So stay tuned! 

 

Want to celebrate in-person?

Akin will be hosting a 15th Anniversary drop-in celebration at Akin’s Remote Gallery on December 5 from 4-8pm for an evening filled with Akin memorabilia and nostalgia. 

 
 

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.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

Akin Member Highlight: Liliana Botero Rey

in ,
 

Liliana working in her studio at Akin St Clair. She is wearing headphones, glasses, and an apron over her blue shirt. Her dog, a miniature schnauzer, sits on her lap and leans her head on an open drawer.

 

What is Akin without our fantastic artists? There’s no other way we’d rather celebrate our 15th anniversary than by showing off our amazing members.

We’ve reached out to some of our longest-serving members  to hear their Akin stories, starting with Liliana Botero Rey who has been an Akin member as well as a member of the Akin Team for ten years. 

Since 2013, Liliana has been a big part of our studios. She’s made a lasting impact on our community, and has created some beautiful work during her time at Akin!

Liliana Botero Rey

Liliana Botero is a glass artist who studied and trained in Colombia, the United States and Canada, to specialise in different techniques to expand her knowledge in glass handling such as: stained glass, fused glass, mosaic, lampwork jewellery, and and more techniques. At the same time she studied Graphic Design. She owned and operated a glass art studio in Bogota-Colombia for 12 years before she moved to Canada in 2011 where she opened a glass studio in 2013.

Liliana has been enjoying working with glass since she was a student when she wished to become a professional glass artist and work with it all her life. Glass is her passion!

She feels satisfaction when she creates, but more when the people are attracted to the pieces she makes and pays to keep them. She loves living the life of an artist,  working with her hands, creating through inspiration.  

You can find more of Lili’s work on Etsy or on her instagram, @destellosglassart and keep reading below for our interview with Liliana to learn more about her long history with Akin and her creative work.

What brought you to Akin?

At the end of 2013, almost newly arrived in Canada, I came across this fabulous idea: Akin Collective, an affordable shared and dedicated spaces, as the home of my small business. After tirelessly searching in Toronto, for where I could land my ideas as a glass artist.

Can you give us a timeline of your Akin Journey? Where did it start? Which studios have you been a member at?

My first studio in 2013 was super small. I asked for the space they offered me to be partitioned because it was out of my budget. This was in the Lansdowne location, where I shared beautiful moments and made my first friends in this beautiful country, Canada. One of the coolest things is the exchange of ideas and techniques that you can share and at the same time receive from my studio mates.

Currently, the studio where I work is Akin St.Clair, my space is larger and more comfortable, "My Happy Place" where I work with all the equipment and tools that I have acquired over these 10 years, expanding the techniques with which I work with Destellos-Glass Art, my business.

Do you have any special memories associated with your time at Akin?

The programs and events that I have participated in with Akin have helped to promote and give recognition to my brand and at the same time promote the products that I make in this wonderful place.

Also, I can bring my furry baby Lara every day, she is my partner in crime. 

 

Liliana is sitting in her studio at Akin St Clair. She is wearing a blue baseball cap, an apron, and her dog, a miniature schnauzer, is sitting on her  lap. The walls of her studio are lined with work tables filled with a wide array of tools, beads, lighting equipment, and brushes. A framed photo of another schnauzer is mounted on the wall. A dream catcher is hanging from the ceiling.

 

A couple of years ago, my husband thought about leaving our condo and moving into a house. Where I would get "The whole basement" for my studio. The truth is, I'm not interested in staying isolated at home, I change having my workplace surrounded by the artistic environment, sharing with other artists and being able to expand my network? No way!!

What was your favorite Akin studio to work out of, and why?

I miss Lansdowne studios, it was a cozy and warm place with a lot of friends I could connect with during my first years with Akin, from there I made my first friends in Canada.

I like my current studio at St. Clair West. It is more comfortable. From here I also expanded my business.

An image of Liliana’s former studio in 2014. A table with a white tablecloth holds an elaborate display of her colourful glass work: picture frames, coasters, sculptures, jewellery. Necklaces and earrings are mounted to the wall in frames. In the corner is a desk with a rolling chair. 

Do you have a routine for art making at the studio? Any special rituals to get your creativity flowing?

The earlier, the better. For me, it is so important to take advantage of the momentum that your body lets you bring. The best time is from morning till afternoon, sometimes late at night too, depending on the inspiration and/or the orders you can extend the work hours. Sometimes 8, 10, 12 or when I get crazy (in a good way) 14 work hours.


You've been creating art for a long time! What do you think is the key to keeping the practice going, long term? 

Consistency and belief in what you make with love. People get attracted by them. It is all the emotions and energy you input into your work that makes the pieces so special and people feel this and pay for it.

 

A picture of Liliana Botero, Oliver Pauk, and Michael Vickers at Akin’s 10th Anniversary party in 2018. Behind them are large golden balloons which spell “Akin”. Oliver and Michael are wearing button up shirts and shorts, Liliana wears a pink dress with a jean jacket.

 

A huge thank you to Liliana for taking the time for this interview. We also thank you for your hard work in the studios every single week for the last 10 years keeping our spaces beautiful and safe for our members - and thank you for being a part of this community for ten years! We will be highlighting more Akin members this month as we continue to celebrate our 15 year anniversary!  

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 5 from 4-8pm for an evening filled with Akin memorabilia and nostalgia. 

 
 

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.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

Akin’s 2023 Career Launcher Winners Announced!

in

Akin is excited to announce Damon Couto-Hill and Veerta Kumar as our OCADU Career Launcher award recipients for 2023-24. We’re excited to welcome them into the community! 

These talented graduating OCAD students will be awarded $2,000 in credits to go towards a studio space at one of Akin’s studio locations for 2023-2024. In addition to the $2,000 studio credit, each recipient will receive $450 exhibition credit for use at Akin’s Remote Gallery. 

Image Description: Damon Couto-Hill looks directly to the camera in this close up shot of his face and shoulders. Damon has short brown hair, and brown eyes. Damon is wearing a red, blue, white and black striped collared shirt. Behind Damon is a room with white walls, out of focus. 

Damon Couto-Hill is a Portuguese/Mohawk man and an interdisciplinary visual artist. He is a Six Nations of the Grand River member who grew up in Scarborough and currently lives and works in Toronto, Canada. He works with digital collages to entangle his body with images of Canada, nature, the Western art canon, and the internet to visualize the dysfunctions of Western collective consciousness through an intuitive, dream-like lens. He then translates the digital collage into physical form as fragmented wood panels painted in acrylic and oil, making the image again upon the scattered shards of a slanted mosaic. 

Instagram: @damond.liver

Image Description: Veerta Kumar is smiling beside a large artwork. Veerta has curly black hair and wears a black, shirt with an asymmetrical neckline. The artwork, to Veerta’s left, are bright, colourful circles mounted on a black background. Each circle contains  are backlit, translucent photographs . The circles contain photographs

Veerta Kumar was born in India in 1999 and lives and works in Toronto. She considers the flux, chaos, and fragments of our perceptions to decolonize modes of re-presentation and re-creation. In the past year, she observed the interaction of paint and light and engaged in various modes of making and materials, including ornamentation, textiles, found materials, family album photos, personal photography,  and digital manipulation.

Kumar completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting in 2023 from OCAD University. She received the John Madott Fine Art Award for her recent body of work Tedhi Nazar exhibited at Grad Ex 108.

Website:  www.veertakumar.ca
Instagram: @_veertakumar

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts

#BringingTheArtsToLife @Canada.Council

On now: Three exhibitions featuring Akin Members Jen Arron, Marcia Bianchi & Hana Elmasry

in ,

Are you feeling the winter blues? Need some inspiration? Try going out to see some art! These three exhibitions are happening right now, featuring Akin Studio members Jen Arron, Marcia Bianchi & Hana Elmasry.

Image Description: Three large textile weavings hand on a white wall. The weavings have a variety of textures and materials and are blue, white and black in colour. Artwork by Jen Arron.

Jen Arron: Selected Works and Studies

On until: March 8th, 2023
Where: The Lobby by Heaps Estrin, 1120 Yonge Street, Toronto
Gallery hours: Mon-Wed 10am-6pm / Thu-Fri: 10am-7pm / Sat: 10am-6pm / Sun: 11am-5pm

Jen Arron is a studio-based textile artist in Toronto. She works with globally sourced fibers to create works that have scale & presence. Weaving entirely by hand, in a freestyle approach, Jen’s large-scale woven pieces explore our connection through time, geography, and materials. There is an ecosystem of life in each of Jen Arron’s pieces. Jen’s process embodies her search for the unique feeling of discovering what she would like to come upon in her work. www.jenarron.com

Image Description: The background shows a close-up of a painting by Marcia Bianchi in swirling shapes and brown and cream colours. ON the left side of the image is white text with the exhibition information.

Marcia Bianchi: Emotive Distance

On until: January 29th, 2023
Where: Gallery 1313 in the Cell Gallery, 1313 Queen St West, Toronto
Gallery hours: Wed-Sat 1pm-5pm, Sun 1pm-4pm

Emotive Distance is a group of oil paintings that focuses on the female form, drawing from various influences including contemporary photography and ancient European sculpture. This series invites the viewer to mimic the stillness present in each painting, and contemplate their own inner state, starting with where they find discomfort. The intention is to enter the void through recognizing that which stands out to us about the work, and following it. Click here to learn more about the exhibition.

Marcia Bianchi is a contemporary figurative artist based in Toronto, Canada. Her work has evolved since pursuing a career in graphic design, when she began fusing the design principles with canvas. Heavily influenced by psychology and the exploration  of the mind, her intention is to create pieces that will allow the viewer to experience a moment of ease.  Her practice continues to evolve as she explores mediums and muses. marciabianchi.ca

Image above: An abstoract Painting by Hana Elmasry with a variety of shapes and colours

Hana Elmasry: To be conceived, group exhibition

On until: February 18th, 2023
Where: Corkin Gallery, 7 Tank House Lane
Gallery hours: Tue-Sat 10am-6pm

From memories of cityscapes or the openness of the universe to the intimacy of floral motifs, To be conceived  brings  together the work Corkin Gallery’s represented artists. The exhibition commemorates recent creations in conversation with iconic bodies of work that continue enriching aesthetic dialogues. Click here to learn more about the exhibition.

Hana Elmasry investigates identity, visual expression and therapy. Through memories, the artist focuses on creating a visual cosmos, making reference at times to a connection with her Egyptian heritage. Creating a constellation of small-scale canvases, each work is also a universe unto itself. Each piece is wholly unique, often integrating collage and diverse materials within a peaceful palette; some works explore the limits of the canvas by deconstructing the traditional frame. Elmasry frequently adds materials that become a pleasure to the senses, like oils and reptile skin, achieving a multisensory experience of reflection. Hana Elmasry is represented by Corkin Gallery.

Akin 2022 Year at a Glance

in ,

As the year comes to a close, we’re looking back to what turned out to be an exciting year for Akin. We opened three studio locations, expanded our Team with the addition of 7 new staff members and 4 new studio assistants, hosted dozens of events and exhibitions at Remote Gallery, supported artists in need with over $5000 from the Akin Studio Rent Relief Fund, and were thrilled to offer a variety of programming including more in-person events (while still maintaining lots of virtual programming options as well). We’ve got lots in store for 2023, but first, we thought we’d take a moment to recap all that’s happened in 2022.

Three New Studios Opened in 2022!

Images above: Five photographs of various artist studios at Akin Stockyards, Akin Bloor-Yonge, and Akin Waterfront. The photographs show artist workspaces and works in progress.

Akin Stockyards

Akin Stockyards is currently our largest studio space, host to over sixty artists. Since its opening, Akin Stockyards has shaped into such a wonderful and vibrant community. Highlights include the huge opening party with live music, games and food. Looking for a studio in the new year? Akin Stockyards still has some Dedicated and Shared Memberships available space left, email info@akincollective.com for more details.

Akin Bloor Yonge

Right in the heart of downtown Toronto, Akin Bloor Yonge opened to much excitement, and filled up quickly! (email us to be added to the waiting list). With Akin Bloor Younge we were happy to be able to start offering private studios again, which we have not been able to do since we closed our Akin King location.

Akin Waterfront

Nestled in Waterfront Toronto right near the lake, Akin Waterfront has become an exciting new studio location for us and our members! Akin Waterfront boasts many interesting features, like the Spray Booth, ventilated to accommodate indoor spray painting, and the large flex room for our members to book when they need some extra space to meet a client or photograph their work. We are looking forward to adding more amenities at Akin in the coming years!

Interested in an Akin studio in 2023? Click here to see what is currently available!

Art programming for everyone! Open Studios, Exhibitions, Workshops and more!

Financial Literacy Workshops for Artists

We kicked off the year with a jam packed, sold out webinar explaining how to do taxes as an artist. The talk, given by accountant Kelly Ross, gave attendees helpful tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your returns, keep records, and write off expenses for your business. We followed that with a series of workshops with WealthSimple on subjects such as Financial Planning, and Budgeting Tips & Tricks If you missed these, don’t fear! Stay tuned in 2023 for more financial literacy workshops from Akin!

Public Open Studio Events

After two challenging yeards during the pandemic where we had to keep our spaces close to the public, we were so thrilled to be able to host visitors at our studios again in 2022! We had multiple Open Studio Events throughout the year where our artists had an opportunity to show their works, and visitors got a chance to check out the studios.

Image description: A group of people are exploring the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG. The image centres on the aisle of the studio where many people are wandering around and looking at the studios.

Artist Wellness Workshops and Talks

In March 2022, artist Yasmeen Nematt Alla hosted ‘A Love Letter to your Practice’ a virtual writing workshop and meditation to celebrate the love we have for our own art practices. Together, we took a moment to slow down and reflect on how important practice is, how it is a home for our passions, our livelihood, and our mental health. We followed that with a series of online conversations on Mental Health for Artists with artist and psychologist (and Akin member) Kim Foster Yardley. We hope to bring you more wellness workshops in the new year!

Akin Art Crawl, Toronto Biennial Edition

Akin has been hosting Gallery Crawls since the very beginning, almost fifteen years ago. In the spring of 2022 Akin went back to its roots! Friends and studio members met at the Akin Studio Program at Auto BLDG and headed out to view all the work on display for the Toronto Biennial. Did you miss this one? There will be more art crawls in the future!

Scarborough Winter Arts Market and Exhibition

We finished off the year with a bang, hosting a (nearly) month-long Winter Arts Market and Exhibition at the brand new Clark Centre, Scarborough. With over 60 artists participating, there was art on the walls, tables filled with handmade art, and music in the air! A huge thank you to everyone who made that event such a success.

Image: Artwork hanging in a brightly lit gallery space.

Thank you!

We are incredibly grateful to our community; our studio members, friends, neighbors, programming and studio partners, staff, advisors, supporters and board of directors. Thank you for making this year such a fantastic one. We loved every minute of it, and can’t wait to spend 2023 with you.

Stay tuned for what we have in store in 2023. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter, follow @akinprojects on instagram, Akin Projects on Facebook, or visit our website for up-to-date information on events, updates, and studio news as it rolls out in the new year!