Call for Submissions - Illustrations for Farside's new menus!

Call for submissions from Farside, a radical bar, art studio and event space in Toronto's east end:

Call for Artists! We're commissioning a series of illustrations of the objects in Farside. We're looking for 12 illustrators to do one drawing each.

The image can be colour or black & white, able to be printed at 8.5x11 inches. The images will be used as menu covers, so you will retain ownership of the image, and we will be paying for the right to use it not-for-profit. $100 per illustration + some drinks while you sketch.

The objects range from the golden pineapple, electric dolphin, flowering cactus, cat table, sad clown, GI Joes and more. Whatever speaks to you in the room.

Please email 3 examples of your work to FarsideStudio@Gmail.com, subject line "illustration" before February 1st to be considered and visit Farside at 600 Gerrard St East to see the objects in their natural habitat!

Forge Professional Workshop Series - Artist's Health: Stress, Self Care and Studio Safety

February 6 / 6:30-8:30pm / City Hall, Committee Room 2

Your health is important! Join us at City Hall as the staff of The Al and Malka Green Artists’ Health Centre (AHC),Toronto Western Hospital, present an engaging workshop focusing on your health and well-being.

From dealing with stress, to repetitive strain injuries, use of harsh chemicals and demanding schedules, artists put a lot of strain on their physical and mental well-being. Join us to learn tips to take care of your body and mind.

Come and meet Susannah McGeachy (Nurse Practitioner) and Dr. Anita Shack (Chiropractor, Craniosacral Therapist, Acunpucture) as they introduce you to the services available and the unique approach at the Artists’ Health Centre.   Learn some self-care techniques to minimize the negative effects of stress, help you feel your best, and boost your self-esteem.

Space is Limited! Please register to attend at www.universe.com/arthealth
$10 Suggested Donation

Draw Fashion NOW - Live at Type Books - Tonight Only!

Tonight only - join fashion illustrator and Akin Lansdowne studio member Danielle Meder at Type Books on 883 Queen Street West tonight for a live performance of her book, Draw Fashion Now!

Expect to see some of Danielle's greatest hits from a decade of live runway sketching, hear some wild stories from the fashion week jungles of Paris, London and New York City. Plus, draw along while she performs a tutorial, and watch a fashion illustration appear before your eyes with a live sketching DEMO!

Wait, there’s more – FREE fashion portraits for anyone who buys the book.
This is a FREE event, all are welcome! We would love to see you there!

Akin Creative: Valentine's Vulva Medallion Making

Wednesday, February 15th /  6:30pm / Akin Lansdowne - Studio 101 - 87 Wade Avenue.

Let’s get intimate! Join us to learn technical clay-making skills and process your Valentine's feelings by making vulva art! Learn the technical sculpting skills of an undervalued, and misunderstood body part through ceramic jewellery making. The workshop will include an introduction to clay, and the female form in art, basic clay making skills, and a lot of giggling and fun! Materials and tools included! The kits will not include the precious metals we use to make our jewelry thought a substitute will be available for purchase.

View samples here: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CatstacheAccessories

Space is limited, register here: www.universe.com/vulva
$25 Suggested Donation

(Please get in touch if you wish to attend but cannot make a contribution)

About the instructors:
Yara El Safi and Jenelle Madison-Struck are multidisciplinary artists that specialize in vulva jewelry. El Safi receiving her BFA at Western University and Madison-Struck receiving her Fine Arts Degree at Fanshawe College. Their vulva jewelry was inspired by a feminist movement in the 1960s that sought to create a dialog about the female perspective in the art world. Their art aims to empower anyone who identifies with the female body or the vulva, regardless of the preferred gendered pronouns. El Safi and Madison-Struch vulva jewelry is presented as they are, no bleaching necessary. Fifty percent of proceeds from El Safi and Madison-Stuck’s jewelry are donated to Women's Community House in London.

Akin Creative: Valentine’s Card Making Party!

February 9 / 6:30-8:30pm / Akin Lansdowne - Studio 101 -  87 Wade Ave

Come make a Valentines card for your sweetheart, best friend, enemy or a stranger! This is a hands-on work session for you to have some fun with glitter and glue and make a card or two! Bring a friend, a snack, and your creativity!

Participants will be provided with one piece of heavy-duty hemp card stock, cut and scored to make a 4”x6” card as well as a 4”x6” envelope. You can purchase more card stock and envelopes at the event for $0.50 each ($1 per set). We will also have beer for sale!

Pay-What-You-Can, suggested donation of $5. You must register to attend. Click here to register: www.universe.com/cardparty

Some supplies will be provided including:
- cardstock and envelopes
- a variety of coloured paper
- pencil crayons
- spirograph and stamps
- scissors and glue
- cut and paste materials
- glitter and more!

Feel free to bring additional supplies!

Akin Show & Tell #52 - January 25 at Akin Lansdowne

Wed Jan 25 / 7-10pm / Akin Lansdowne - 87 Wade Ave - Studio 101

On the last Wednesday of every month Akin hosts a relaxed and fun ‘Show and Tell for Artists’ at one of the Akin Collective studios. This is a time for Akin members and other Toronto artists to show completed works or works in progress and get friendly feedback and answers from their peers in a casual studio setting.

This special edition of the Akin Show & Tell will end at the Territory Orphanage (www.territroy.org) a.k.a. the studio of Allen Morgan on the third floor of 87 Wade Ave with a special surprise for everyone!

Feel free to bring art to share, bring a friend or two, bring snacks or drinks or just bring yourself! Come for the conversation or just to meet people and hang out.

This month we are meeting at Akin Lansdowne - 87 Wade Ave - Studio 101
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch! See you there!

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/922365287864031/

Collective Art Brewing Series 8 Global Call for Art!

Collective Arts Brewing just announced their Series 7 art and music. Click here to view the work.  Series 7 was their first themed call for art. Urban Pop, the sights and sounds of street culture. Nine judges from Canada, The United States and Europe combed through over 2000 submissions to help curate 65 new beer labels. This series features artists from over 15 countries including Canada, The United States, Spain, Iran, Guatemala, and UK. Thank you to the many talented artists and musicians who took the time to submit.

With Series 7 released, Series 8 is now open for Submissions! To submit art or music online, find out who is eligible and get details on all the artist benefits and payment, click here. The deadline for submission is Tuesday, February 28, 2017.

Call for Applications: 2017 StART Underpass Program Artist Roster

2017 StART Underpass Program Artist Roster Applications now open!

Deadline: Monday February 27, 2017, 4:30pm

The City of Toronto invites artists to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in StreetARToronto's Underpass Program, StART UP.

StART UP will endeavor to provide opportunities for artists to create works of art that contribute to the program mandate to make our City's underpasses safe, walkable and beautiful. This project is being implemented by StreetARToronto (StART), part of the Public Realm Section of the City of Toronto's Transportation Services Division.

The goal of this Expression of Interest (EOI) is to obtain a roster of artists who will be eligible to participate in StART UP projects.

Background:
This EOI for the 2017 StART UP Artist Roster is part of a comprehensive program to enhance and transform selected City underpasses with new and enhanced lighting, improved sidewalks and walking conditions, pigeon proofing, removal of weeds and the installation of mural or street art. StART UP aims to transform 5 to 8 underpasses per year, with the mural or street art installation being the final component of the program. Qualified artists will be selected to be part of the StART UP Artist Roster, and the commission for each underpass will be awarded following a two-stage selection process outlined in the REOI (see link below).

Application Deadline: Monday February 27, 2017, 4:30pm

Download the REOI application package:
http://bit.ly/1DE7Y36

For further information or general questions please contact Carolyn Taylor ctaylor@toronto.ca.

Upcoming Artists' Network Educational Seminars

Tuesday Jan 17th, 2017 Social Media Level ll 

Location: Sweat & Soda coffee shop, 1091 Queen St. E. Toronto / 6:30-8:30pm

Presenter Nancy Bennett will take you to the next step in using social media to promote your art to an even larger audience.

Participants will have Facebook Page, Instagram and Twitter accounts open and active and bring their laptops or mobile devices to the session in order to participate in class activities.

Tuesday Feb 7th, 2017: Planning Your Show Calendar

Location: Ralph Thornton Centre, 3rd floor, 765 Queen St. E, Toronto / 6:30-8:30pm

There are so many art shows from the large art fairs in Toronto and beyond, to the many outdoor art shows and other home and lifestyle expos where artists can exhibit their artwork. Itcan be very daunting as to which ones to choose and how to manage the shows you are accepted into.This seminar presented by Jamie MacLean will focus on how to find shows, preparing submissions includingapplication processes, artist's statement, bio and images along with planning and budgeting. Plus we encourage attendees to share their personal experiences, good and bad with the group. This will be a very informative night for artists, not to be missed!

Jamie MacLean is a landscape oil painter, becoming passionate about his art in 2004, after a 30 year career in Engineering.  He has taken workshops in Algonquin and the Canadian Rockies and is primarily self taught.  He tends to bring a business and more structured approach to "selling" his art by doing 15 shows and fairs a year, and keeping stock in 5-6 galleries.  Jamie was also chair of the Artists' Network board for 2 years.

For more information email us at info@artistsnetwork.ca or visit our website: www.artistsnetwork.ca

Education Seminars are Free to Artists' Network Members, $25 to Non-Members

Ride the ARTbus and discover some of the winter's best exhibitions in the GTA!

Exhibition tour to Mercer Union, the Art Gallery of York University and Oakville Galleries on the ARTbus!

Sunday 22 January 2017, 12:00 pm–5:00 pm
Pick-up and drop-off at Mercer Union (1286 Bloor Street West, Toronto)

$10 donation includes transportation to all galleries and afternoon refreshments.

For reservations, visit oakvillegalleries.com

Call for Members: The ArtTour Collective - Deadline January 15

The Art Tour Collective is accepting applications for new members. The Collective is mostly active in (but not limited to) the west end of Toronto. Exhibition opportunities include an annual Studio Tour (established for 20 years in the Junction, Bloor West, Swansea, High Park and Baby Point neighbourhoods), group gallery shows and more recently, a new outdoor art show venture during the Junction Solstice Festival. All career stages of artists may apply, including student, emerging, mid-career and established artists.

Interested artists should contact: arttour2017@gmail.com for an application.

Akin and Connected

“Just about every artist I met with was under serious pressure to find new lodging. But I kept hearing about a notable exception.

A whispered name. An organization that was creating long-term and insanely affordable studio spaces for artists – the Akin Collective. I just had to know more....What started as a side burner project in 2008 suddenly became a needed and sustainable venture over the past few years.”

— Sean Howard, Intercity Toronto at Medium.com

Akin Collective Interviewed on CBC - Video

After the tragic events of the Oakland warehouse fire, CBC News interviewed Akin's founder Oliver Pauk about art collectives, studio safety, and Akin Collective.

StreetARToronto 2017 Information Sessions coming up soon!

Are you an artist or non-profit arts/community organization looking to learn more about opportunities with StreetARToronto (StART)?

Upcoming Information Sessions:

Downtown Toronto Information Session Launch & Mix and Mingle

• Monday January 16, 2017 from 3 – 6 pm (presentation at 3:30 pm)
• Location: Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West
• Details and RSVP here

North York Information Session

• Thursday January 19, 2017 from 3 – 5 pm
• Location: North York Arts, 5040 Yonge Street
• Details and RSVP here

Etobicoke Information Session

• Tuesday January 24, 2017 from 3 – 5 pm
• Location: Assembly Hall City of Toronto, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive
• Details and RSVP here

Scarborough Information Session

• Thursday January 26, 2017 from 3 – 5 pm
• Location: Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, 225 Confederation Drive
• Details and RSVP here

Contact information: streetart@toronto.ca

About StreetARToronto Launched in 2012, StreetARToronto (StART), a program of the City’s Transportation Services Division, is an innovative, public-private partnership designed to develop, support, promote and increase awareness of street art and its role in adding beauty and character to neighbourhoods throughout the city. StART is an integral part of the City’s Graffiti Management Plan. Visit www.toronto.ca/streetart for information.

Artist Opportunities in Toronto's East side from East End Arts

As Akin prepares our new studio in East Toronto we are excited be joining great organizations such as East End Arts to help enrich the lives and careers of artists living on the East side.

Check out their Artist Opportunities Page for a thorough listing of employment and exhibition opportunities for artists. Or sign up to receive Arts-E-News for a monthly overview of upcoming Artist Opportunities and East End Events.

About East End Arts
East End Arts (EEA) is the city’s sixth Local Arts Service Organization (LASO), a group of organizations funded by the City of Toronto to serve a specific geographic area whose role is to encourage artistic growth in both emerging and established artists, contribute to the economy and local tourism, promote inclusion and equity, support healthy social change and help create audiences for the future. 

Call for Artists from the Framework Foundation - Deadline January 31

Since 2003, the Framework Foundation has worked to expand the capacity of thousands of nonprofit organizations by creatively connecting people to causes and causes to people. Through innovative programming Framework has delivered tangible results to artists, volunteers, nonprofit organizations and corporate sponsors and partners.

The Framework Foundation has issued an open call for artwork for their Timeraiser150 series of events. Support for emerging artists is at the heart of Timeraiser150.  How do we foster the next generation of arts patrons while valuing Canadian artists?  By paying fair market value, set by the artist, for every artwork we auction. In addition, each of the Timeraiser150 parties, along with Online150, provides an opportunity for exposure to potential patrons and media outlets.

Are you an emerging artist? Submit your work to TImeraiser150!  If your artwork is selected, Framework Foundation will send you a contract and payment electronically. You are responsible for delivering the artwork. Your artwork will be displayed at a 2017 Timeraiser150 party where party attendees will bid volunteer hours towards winning your piece. You are encouraged to attend the event and see how many volunteer hours your art will raise.

Submissions open from December 8, 2016 to January 31, 2017.

To apply or for more information visit this link: http://www.timeraiser.ca/artist/

Glenfiddich Issues Call to Canadian Artists to Enter Competition for the Coveted 2017 Glenfiddich Artists in Residence Prize

Glenfiddich® Single Malt Whisky is issuing an Open Call to Artists currently living and working in Canada to enter the internationally renowned competition for the prestigious 2017 Glenfiddich® Artists in Residence Prize.

The Canadian winner will be one of eight artists worldwide to be awarded the coveted prize to live and work at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Scotland. The three-month summer residency is valued at $20,000 CDN per artist. Now in its 16th year, the program covers the cost of travel, living expenses and materials throughout the residency.

While living in crofts (traditional small Scottish farm houses), artists are encouraged to take inspiration from the unique setting in the Scottish Highlands. The experience provides an opportunity unlike any other for artists to work in an international community, share in a dialogue with other artists and foster cross-disciplinary ideas.

Online submissions open Wednesday, December 7, 2016 and must be received by midnight (Eastern Standard Time) Wednesday, January 25, 2017 (Robbie Burns day).


For more information and to apply please visit www.glenfiddich.com/ca/artistsinresidence

 

Akin Announces Expansion into Toronto's East End

Akin is thrilled to announce their expansion into the east end of Toronto with the launch of a new studio and its first dedicated programming space as an anchor tenant of the mixed-use building at 100 Sunrise Avenue.

Expanding on its eleven current studios located at 444 Dufferin Street (Queen & Dufferin), 87 Wade Avenue (Lansdowne & Bloor) and 1485 Dupont Street (Dupont & Symington), Akin's new spaces will offer larger, more private studios in addition to its smaller, more affordable options- including continuing to offer 24/7 shared studio access to artists and creatives at $60/month.

Akin will expand its operations within the building immediately where it will also widen many of its programming initiatives into the city's east end including skill shares, studio critiques, gallery crawls, and its Forge Professional Workshop Series. This exciting expansion will increase Akin’s size to approximately 20,000sq feet of studio space enabling it to meet the ever-increasing demand for affordable artist studios and creative workspace across the city, and offer free public programming in new neighbourhoods. Other exciting plans for our latest space include local and international artist residencies, a community gallery, youth programming and much more.

Since opening its first modest space 8 years ago, Akin has striven to make being an artist in the city a more a fun and financially viable vocation. Now more than ever, we feel our role is an important one for Toronto's cultural community and our artists. Akin's new 'Akin Sunrise' location will be easily accessible by subway, streetcar, bus, bike, or car. By transit, visitors can access the studios by a short bus ride from Woodbine TTC station. All rentals include 24/7 access to the studios, taxes, insurance, wifi, access to communal working areas as well as storage, kitchen, and bathroom.

Please share widely.

For more information, pricing inquiries or to share ideas, please get in touch:
info@akincollective.com

Forge Workshop Series: Glass Mosaic Workshop - January 16

Monday January 16 / 6:30-8:30pm / Akin Dufferin - 444 Dufferin St - Unit E
$25 per person - all materials included / Get your tickets here: http://universe.com/mosaicworkshop

Learn the foundations of mosaic art using regular and tempered glass as your tesserae*. It's suggested that students bring a collection of small images, text on paper or crafted paper pieces like Washi to include in their mosaic. We will practice an overlay technique using tissue paper, glitter and more. Glass mosaics beautifully and permanently encapsulate your treasures underneath each piece of glass. No prior mosaic knowledge necessary. All levels welcome.

About the Instructor:
Elena Martoglio has been cast over by the magic and beauty of mosaic art since a trip to Barcelona, Spain over a decade ago. She creates exclusive hand made mosaics for homes and has collaborated in unique, public mural projects in Cordoba, Argentina and Toronto. She is a member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists and is currently devising a large mural project this coming Spring, with the arts community is Salmon Arm, BC.

Akin Vitrine Gallery presents an installation by Rebecca Jane Houston

The Akin Vitrine Gallery is excited to present our current exhibition, running for the month of January by Rebecca Jane Houston, a multi-disciplinary artist who works out of Akin Lansdowne.

Rebecca's recent work has been with clay, making plaster casts of “Kee Klamps" and pipe in various clay bodies. This meditation on the form of temporary infrastructure is still in its experimental phase and is shown here in the Akin Vitrine as a work in progress. Rebecca often works for a long time with a particular material or form, and allowing repetition of a joint or object create its own abstract narrative. Sometimes, the process leads towards finished pieces if that seems appropriate, but not always. January’s Vitrine installation will likely shift as different pieces will be experimented with, rejected, altered.

Rebecca has worked in the community arts for many years, sits on the board of Mercer Union and is the proprietor and curator of The Northern Beaver Gallery, a vending machine art project.

The Akin Vitrine Gallery is located at the Clock Factory Building at 1485 Dupont Street (entrance on Campbell Avenue). Find Akin Studio 215 on the second floor and follow the sign into the hallway around the corner. This miniature gallery will feature the diverse talent of Akin Collective studio members with a new installation each month.

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

#AkinVitrine