Call for Submission: Salt Spring Island Artist in Residence AiR program

The Salt Spring Arts Council (SSAC) and the Artist in Residence steering committee are pleased to announce the second year of the Artist in Residence (AiR) Program on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. 

The Artist in Residence (AiR) Program provides an opportunity for artists to work in the vibrant arts environment of Salt Spring Island. The program is open to all professionals working in the arts, in any genre or medium, at any stage of their careers. AiR encourages applications from artists of diverse cultural and regional backgrounds. The intent is to provide the time and space for creativity and productivity and to introduce visiting artists to Salt Spring Island and its arts community. 

According to their website 'residencies will be awarded based on available facilities, potential links to the Salt Spring community, collaborative opportunities and artistic merit'.

Applications for the AiR program can be submitted on or before April 15, 2017 for tenure between October 2017 and April 2018. 

An Honest Farewell: a festival to honour the iconic Honest Ed's - Feb 23-26

The Centre for Social Innovation and Toronto for Everyone presents An Honest Farewell, a festival to honor Honest Ed's. This four day festival will feature:

• AMAZEMENT: IMMERSIVE ART MAZE

• BARGAIN BASH! THE OFFICIAL FAREWELL PARTY
• ED LIVES! EVENT LAUNCH PARTY AND COCKTAIL GALA
• TOWN HALL FOR ALL: COMMUNITY HUB
• GOODBYES & GOOD BUYS: MARKET CITY

Free Contemporary Art Bus Tour on Feb 5

The tour starts at the Art Museum at the University of Toronto (15 King's College Circle) at 12 PM, and then departs for Gallery TPW, Blackwood Gallery, and Oakville Galleries, returning to King's College Circle for 5 PM. Seating is limited.

Please RSVP by 5 PM Friday, February 3 to blackwood.gallery@utoronto.ca or 905-828-3789. This event is free.

Toronto Public Art Information Sessions

Are you an artist contemplating a move into public art? A visual arts professional wanting to understand more about how public art is commissioned in Toronto?

The City of Toronto’s Public Art Office is hosting information sessions to:

• Provide tips and tricks for applying to open calls for City-led public art projects;
• Explain what could be involved in taking your art practice into the public realm; and
• Connect you to additional public art resources.

Join us on the dates below to engage with the City of Toronto’s public art officers to explore how to take your practice into the public realm. The sessions will include information about how the City commissions public art, and how to effectively respond to open calls.

Talks will also include a case study of an upcoming public art commission so participants can brainstorm ideas and hear real world examples about how a public art project becomes reality.

Coffee and light refreshments provided!

Call for Submissions - Social Impact Artists for TV Series - Deadline Tomorrow!

Online submissions now open to be featured in a new digital TV series created by Toronto-based art collective, Madeleine Co. An artist fee will be provided.

Deadline for Submissions is this TUESDAY, JANUARY 31st

SUBMISSION DETAILS
Deadline January 31, 2017

We are interested in showcasing a diverse range of emerging Canadian artists working today to raise awareness around issues including but not limited to: Indigenous histories and identities, LGBTQ, feminism, sustainability/climate change, diversity, labour rights, politics, and more. While we are primarily focused on visual artists, we are also interested in showcasing other art forms including performance, dance, music, design etc.

Information and Requirements (PDF): http://bit.ly/artworkscallpdf

Applications are due January 31 at 11:59 PM as a packaged .pdf through email at info@madeleineco.com with the subject line: “ART WORKS Application | FirstName LastName”.

For questions, please email Alexandra Hong: alex@madeleineco.com.
 

Call for Submissions - Queen West Art Crawl

Submissions are now open for the Queen West Art Crawl!

The Queen West Art Crawl is happening on September 23-24, 2017 in Trinity Bellwoods Park. This annual event features a two day exhibition of Ontario artists and artisans. All different artistic media are accepted, including visual art, photography, ceramics, fabric art, hand-made accessories, wood/metal art and jewellers. Artist booth fee is $300 if you apply by February 14, 2017. Artist booth fee is $325 if you apply after February 14. The application deadline is April 1, 2017.

Artists are selected by a jury of prominent community leaders including gallery owners, art professors, journalists and well-established artists. Jury selections are released in early May.

For more information visit www.queenwestartcrawl.com or contact info@queenwestartcrawl.com

Art F*cking Therapy - Februay 18 at The Drake Hotel

WHEN: February 18th, 1pm

WHERE: The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West, The Sky Yard

WHAT: We are going to get creative AF friends. Let those emotions out  using colours and construction paper, and experience the joy you once felt in art class. No artistic experience required. We will be using a mix of collaging and creative writing.

TICKETS: Email info@mindmatters.space for tickets

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Laura Dawe is a painter/director/writer in TORONTO canada. In 2012 she wrote and directed the short DREEMER through the CFC director's lab. it went to SLAMDANCE and was broadcast on IFC. In 2010 she wrote and directed a pre-apocalyptic feature film called LIGHT IS THE DAY.

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.