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As the days grow longer and the warmth of the sun graces our skin, we can feel the anticipation of summer events building in the air. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Image Description: On the left side is an image of artist Steve Byrnes Akin studio, a wooden chair against a white wall with a canvas mounted onto it. The floor is spattered with paint. To the right on a solid dark orange background is the Akin logo and the text: “Akin Summer Newsletter: Programming, Community Highlights and more!” |
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Hello to our lovely community,As the days grow longer and the warmth of the sun graces our skin, we can feel the anticipation of summer events building in the air. This summer at Akin, we have some exciting programming coming up at Remote Gallery, we say goodbye to Akin Stockyards and our new studios at Akin Yonge-St Clair are a flutter with activity!
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Fri, Jun 16
Welcome to the Akin Vitrine Q&A (Question and Answers) Blog Series where we highlight the latest Akin Vitrine Gallery installation and present a recent interview with the exhibiting artist. Today’s |
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*Winner of the Neighborhood Arts Network Space Award
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Fri, Jun 23
Resonance of a Deep Ground,
Gizem Candan
June 29 - July 2
Remote Gallery
Opening Reception:
Thursday June 29, 6-10pmGallery Hours:
Friday - Sunday: 12-6pm |
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Image Description: A colorful patterned background sits behind a large blue circle, inside of which text reads “In the Middle, July 15-16, @remotegallery, 568 Richmond St W, Toronto.” The bottom corners of the poster has the Akin logo, and the OCAD U logo, respectively. |
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Opening Reception:
July 15, 6pm to 10pm
Gallery Hours:
July 15th, 12pm to 10pmJuly 16th, 9am to 6pm
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In the Middle art exhibition is a celebration of the unique perspectives of Canadian-Middle Eastern and North African artists as well as those geographically adjacent. It is an opportunity to recognize the importance of MENA and MENA-adjacent artists in the Toronto art scene and to highlight an underrepresented vision as well as recognize the diversity of MENA culture and celebrate the beauty of its art. 11 artists will be sharing their stories and unique experiences with the world. It is a chance to create a dialogue about the importance of representation and inclusion in the art world and to create a space where MENA and MENA-adjacent artists can be seen, heard, and respected. Artists: Sara Abulkarim (Ocad Career Launcher Award Winner), Amina Boufennara, Amnna Attia, Ayan Melikli, Christina Hajjar, Edriss Sydeqi, Özge Dilan Arslan, Pamela Andonian (CH!K P), Qudsia Hussain, Rabiyah Sagheer and Sara Ghaben.
The exhibition is curated by: Amina Boufennara, Habiba Raouf & Sara Abulkarim
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Akin Stockyards will be closing permanently this month. A big, bright, gorgeous community of artists working together in what was once a halloween store, and before that a pharmacy. Some photos below highlight what a beautiful space Akin Stockyards was for artists to work in and showcase their talents at the Open House last summer!
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Although a studio closure is always sad, in this case it was expected, as we knew we only had a limited time in this building before the redevelopment plans for the site was ready to move forward. This method of occupying space on an interim basis in the city is intentional and allows Akin to host artist workspaces in key areas of the city that would otherwise be unaffordable to so many of us. We thank Marlin Spring who made Akin Stockyards possible. To read the full blog about what happens when an Akin studio closes Click Here.
Thanks also to our fantastic, hard working staff and lovely studio members. We will miss you, Akin Stockyards!
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Image Description: Six images of people talking and looking at artwork at the Akin Stockyards Open House.
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Akin Yonge-St Clair Update!
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Image Description: The outside of the glass doors of 1 St. Clair West studio, with the address printed in white above the brown metal doorframe. On the glass of the door, is a yellow sticker which reads ‘Caution, Automatic Door’ |
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We’re buzzing with activity at our new Akin Yonge-St Clair studios which are at 100% capacity (But you can join the Akin Studio Waitlist), so we’d like to take a minute to highlight one of our members at Akin Yonge-St Clair, their art practice and why they love working in an Akin studio!
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Akin Yonge-St Clair Member Janne Reuss!
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Image Description: A photograph of Janne Reuss’ studio. A blue, grey and brown abstract painting is mounted on the white wall, and a blue and brown painting sits on a wooden easel beside it. In between the two paintings sits a table holding paint bottles, palettes and brushes. |
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Janne Reuss was born and raised in Mexico City, and after traveling and living in different countries, she decided to settle down for good in Toronto. Her multicultural and immigrant background, have had a profound impact on her personal life and artistic work. She studied Fine Arts at the Academy of Art & Design in Stuttgart, Germany, and History of Art in Mexico. Her work is held in private as well as public collections. Tell us about your work!
My preferred medium is photography, but recently i’ve also started painting as a way to honour the memory of my father who was an artist as well. My work addresses an ongoing interest in exploring the human nature and how memories and experiences are imprinted deep inside of us. I describes the process of remembering as entering a dense mystical forest in search for insight. How is your first month at Akin Yonge-St.Clair?
I feel so grateful to have finally found my ideal studio: A private space within a community of artists, where I can retreat to work in much needed silence, and also interact and connect with fellow artists. Good light is essential for my work, my windows on the 4th floor face south and east, just perfect. The building is right across TTC and street car access and close to so many businesses and stores. Thank you Akin! You made my dream come true. View more of Janne’s work at www.artjanne.com and @jannereuss If you missed the complete article about our newest studio, you can catch up HERE.
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Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming opening of new Akin Studio locations, as we eagerly look forward to expanding our creative community and providing artists with fresh spaces to thrive!
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Thanks for being a part of the Akin community! Feel free to reach out to us anytime with your comments, questions, suggestions and ideas.
We’d also like to thank our fabulous team for working hard to keep Akin vital and thriving. We’d also like to give a big thank you to our generous donors, our property managers, and our fabulous board—we truly could not do this without you.
Love, Akin
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