Cedar Ridge Creative Centre
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.
Hours of Operation
Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Closed on Statutory Holidays
Driving Directions
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.
By Transit
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.
Location
A wide variety of programs and workshops are available through the Cedar Ridge Creative Centre. Details can be found in the Fall 2019/Winter 2020 brochure.
Registration for classes begins on Sunday, September 8 at 7 a.m.
Classes begin Monday, September 23, 2019.
Register for classes online or by phone 416-396-7378.
Please note: Fee increase will apply as of January 2020.
You will be prompted to provide the following information:
- client number
- family number
- course code
- credit card
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.
Program Cancellation
- On the part of Cedar Ridge: 100% Refund or account credit.
- Missed classes on the part of the student: make-up classes or account credits will not be provided.
- Due to emergencies: make-up class provided. If a make-up class is provided, no refunds or account credits will be issued.
- Inclement weather: make-up class provided. Every effort to contact students will be made. Students are encouraged to call for information. Open studio provided if contact cannot be made in time.
- Statutory holidays: make-up class provided
Withdrawals, Refunds and Credits
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
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. $35 per bag (fall), $40 per bag (winter) cash or cheque only.
Course Evaluations
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.
Upcoming in the Gallery
Community Arts Guild: UNFOLDING
Performances
August 15, 16, 17
32 Points-32 Voices: A Compass of Peace International Exhibition
September 6 – 27, 2019
Sunday, September 8, 1-4 p.m. Opening reception
Saturday, September 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – UN International Day of Peace (Demonstrations, activities)
This exhibition brings together an international search for peace as expressed through artwork, creativity and the notions of connection, equality and respect. Thirty-two artists from six countries are showcasing artwork that answers the question – What does peace mean to you?
Jeff Curran
Photography
October 12 – 24
Opening Reception: October 19, 1-4 p.m.
Syed Iqbal
Mixed-media
October 26 – November 7
Opening Reception: October 27, 1-4 p.m.
Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery Members’ Exhibit
Mixed-media
November 9 – 21
Christmas at Cedar Ridge
November 17, 12-5 p.m.
Santa’s Closet
November 19 – 21
Scarborough Arts Annual Juried Exhibition
November 23 – December 12
Opening Reception: November 23, 12-4 p.m.
Permanent Collection
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.
Call for Submissions
Artists and crafts people working in a variety of media are invited to apply to exhibit at beautiful Cedar Ridge Creative Centre. Two exhibition streams are available: Contemporary and Ridge Gallery. Exhibitions are scheduled for two weeks at a time. There is no application fee to apply to either stream.
Deadline for submissions: Monday, September 9, 2019.
More information and application form here:
Contemporary Call and Application
Gallery Floor Plans
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
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.
Community Arts Guild
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.
Precious Gems Project
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.