Cedar Ridge Creative Centre is nestled within lush gardens enjoyed by the public and often rented for weddings and special events. Discover Cedar Ridge Gallery, home to contemporary and classic visual, and folk art exhibits. The upper floor of the main house and the adjacent carriage house contain working studio spaces that offer hands-on creative arts programs for visitors of all-ages. The refurbished pottery studio is located in what was the original carriage house.
The history of Cedar Ridge, originally known as Uplands, dates back to 1844 when the land was patented to James Humphrey. Soon after, passing through a number of hands, it was bought by Charles Carleton Cummings, President of C.C. Cummings Ltd., the Slater Shoe empire and owner/manager of the Lumsden building (named after his wife’s wealthy family) at Yonge and Adelaide.
Cummings had a 5,000 square foot summer home built, called Uplands. John Campbell Fraser, a Toronto financier moved into Uplands with his family in 1928 and renamed it Cedar Ridge. The beauty of the original home was retained in the main floor gallery space. The upper floor and basement area were developed into studio spaces. Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery operated the gallery and studios from 1978 to 1985.
The estate of Cedar Ridge was acquired by the City of Scarborough in the late 70’s through a land swap with Metropolitan Toronto. The Guildcrest Studios were invited by the City of Scarborough to redirect their fundraising activities to renovate Cedar Ridge, an opportunity to develop a gallery as well as teaching studios. The Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery not for profit organization was formed and their main objective was to successfully operate the gallery and studios as a learning facility for artists, they did this from 1978 to 1984 with the City of Scarborough assuming full management responsibilities in 1985. In 1993 the Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery raised funds to renovate the chauffeur’s cottage, garage and stables into a beautiful one of a kind pottery studio space. In 1996 the building was renamed Carriage House Studios and it was officially opened by the Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Hal Jackman.
From 401, exit Markham Road south. Drive south on Markham Road to Lawrence Avenue East. Drive east on Lawrence to Scarborough Golf Club. Drive south to Confederation Drive. Turn left (East) on Confederation Drive. Drive up the hill to Tingle Crescent, and turn right, which takes you to Cedar Ridge’s parking lot.
There is ample free parking available at Cedar Ridge.
From Kennedy Station, take the Scarborough RT to the Lawrence East station. Take the 54 Lawrence East bus Eastbound to Scarborough Golf Club Rd. Walk along Scarborough Golf Club Rd to the second street south of Lawrence – Confederation Drive. Walk up Confederation Drive (East) until you reach Tingle Crescent. At Tingle, turn right and enter through the driveway.
A wide variety of programs and workshops are available through the Cedar Ridge Creative Centre. Details can be found in the Spring Summer 2020 brochure.
Register for classes online or by phone 416-396-7378.
You will be prompted to provide the following information:
To obtain your client and family numbers, please call Customer Service at 416-396-7378 or call the Cedar Ridge Office directly at 416-396-4026. Cedar Ridge will be open during our regular business hours for in-person and telephone registrations.
Cedar Ridge is dedicated to providing timely, accessible and high-quality services to all of our clients. Staff will take all reasonable measures to accommodate accessibility needs. Please contact us if you have any special needs requirements.
Please note: Culture facilities (like Cedar Ridge Creative Centre) are excluded from Parks, Forestry and Recreation policies and procedures, including the Welcome Policy.
All registration cancellations/withdrawals must be initiated in writing prior to the start of the program’s third class. No refunds or credits will be considered after this date. Withdrawals will be prorated based on the date of the withdrawal, not based on attendance in the program. A $12 administration fee will be deducted per person, per program for all refunds, withdrawals and credits.
Materials are not included in adult course fees. Please inquire at the Cedar Ridge Office or with your instructor for supply lists.
Pottery students must purchase clay from Cedar Ridge Creative Centre which includes glazing, firing and technician costs. $40 per bag cash or cheque only. Outside clay is not permitted.
Cedar Ridge Creative Centre is committed to improving our programs every year and feedback from students is a valuable part of this process. Please let us know what you thought about your class, workshop or camp.
The Cedar Ridge Gallery exhibits emerging and established artists, collectives, and students from Toronto and the surrounding area. The gallery is programmed in partnership with Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery ten months annually with short term exhibitions. The gallery is also a space for Cedar Ridge partners, The Community Arts Guild and The Precious Gems Project to exhibit and run programs.
Cedar Ridge’s 2020 Contemporary Show is an exhibition series of ‘all sorts’, presenting an impressive, diverse roster of professional artwork that uses visual imagery to provoke, interpret and highlight current narratives that affect the world around us. The Show is free for all to enjoy!
Jogi Makhani, Alex Tavares and Tim Geeke
Mixed media
January 4–16
Reception: January 12, 1–3 p.m.
Lorène Bourgeois
Large drawings
Jan 18–30
Reception: January 19, 1–3 p.m.
Robyn Rennie and Mary Louise White
Mixed media
February 1–13
Reception: February 2, 1–3 p.m.
Dianne Davis and WAP Collective
Mixed media
February 15–27
Reception: February 23, 1–3 p.m.
Jane Selbie and Joseph Farrugia
Mixed media
February 29 to March 12
Reception: March 1, 1–3 p.m.
Marlene Kawalez and Corynn Kokolakis
Mixed media
March 14–26
Reception: March 15, 1–3 p.m.
Cedar Ridge Creative Centre houses a special component of the City’s Fine Art Collection. The Cedar Ridge Collection is a historical and contemporary record of artists who have taught, exhibited and been supporters of Cedar Ridge. The collection has a representation of each of the mediums taught at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre including painting, sculpture, pottery, woodcarving, fiber art and folk art. The collection and gallery fixtures have been acquired through the fundraising efforts of Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery.
Cedar Ridge Creative Centre provides arts education and engagement opportunities for all, enhancing the liveability and prosperity of the community.
We partner with organizations that help us achieve one of our mandates, to offer innovative opportunities for Torontonians in diverse and underserved communities to participate in, contribute to and celebrate the cultural life of their city.
Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery, a volunteer run not-for-profit organization, was the original founding organization of the Creative Centre – the first public gallery with teaching studios in the east end of Toronto.
Infusing Cedar Ridge and the east Scarborough community with arts activity, the Community Arts Guild connects the surrounding diverse community through art making projects and performances.
The Precious Gems Project offers opportunities for young people to attend camp and after-school programs in the Greater Toronto Area, specializing in self-expression through the arts.