City of Toronto announces return of community arts programming at cultural centres and galleries

Today, the City of Toronto announced the return of community arts programming at its cultural centres and galleries. Programming was announced for the spring and summer months at Assembly Hall, Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery and the soon-to-open Clark Centre for the Arts.

Residents can explore what’s on in neighbourhoods across Toronto and rediscover all the community arts programming for children, families and aspiring artists the city has to offer.

What’s on at Assembly Hall – 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr., Etobicoke

By the Lake Book Club
Assembly Hall’s By the Lake Book Club returns with another inspiring season of six in-person and virtual events. Join the conversation with leading Canadian authors and Humber College staff, alumni and graduate students. Each in-person event includes a reading, discussion, audience Q&A, book-signing and ASL interpretation.

Book club events:

• April 12, 7 to 8:45 p.m. – Dante’s Indiana by Randy Boyagoda.
  Interviewer Joe Kertes and Randy Boyagoda explore this satirical and solemn book that is less a reimagining and more of a hell-raising send-up of the classic.
• May 31, 7 to 8:45 p.m. – Pure Colour by Sheila Heti
  Interviewer David Bezmozgis will guide the conversation behind the pages of this highly anticipated novel.
• September 20, 7 to 8:45 p.m. – Saga Boy by Antonio Michael Downing
  Explore this personal tale detailing Downing’s Black immigrant identity with the author and interviewer, Alison Isaac.
• October 18, 7 to 8:45 p.m. – Swimming Back to Trout River by Linda Rui Feng
  Interviewer Catherine Graham and the author discuss the novel’s themes of family hope and the compromises many immigrants must make.
• November 22, 7 to 8:45 p.m. – A Hero of Our Time by Naben Ruthnum
  Join the author in conversation with interviewer Antanas Sileika as they delve into this ironic look at some of today’s most discussed topics.
• December 6, 7 to 8:45 p.m. – Unreconciled by Jesse Wente
  Jesse Wente is an Anishinaabe writer, broadcaster, arts leader and now memoirist. Join the author and interviewer Meaghan Strimas as they parse the personal, the historical and future of reconciliation.

Since 2009, By the Lake Book Club has featured over 50 diverse Canadian authors, sharing their latest works with readers from Toronto and beyond. This Assembly Hall series is presented by the City of Toronto in partnership with Humber College’s Faculty of Media and Creative Arts and the Toronto International Festival of Authors.

Shakespeare Summer Camp
August 2 to 14, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

From prop, set and costume design to movement and scene work, campers will take a hands-on approach to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, culminating in a fun and exciting performance for family and friends at Assembly Hall. Suitable for ages 10 to 14.

Gallery Exhibitions & Public Receptions
Assembly Hall has a number of free gallery exhibitions and public receptions scheduled from May to October that include:

• Life of “In-betweener” – May 3 to June 2 (Reception, May 5 at 6 p.m.)
  Illustrations by Elevenkei Collective, a group of young contemporary artists, inspired by their cultural experiences as first generation Canadians.
• New Works 2022 – June 7 to July 7 (Reception, June 9 at 6:30 p.m.)
  Enjoy fantastic works by the Southern Ontario Visual Artists collective. Each artist presents their unique style using oil, acrylic and watercolour to depict landscapes, still life and more.
• Changing Waters – August 30 to October 1 (Reception, September 10 at 1 p.m.)
  Artists of the Simcoe Watershed Art Project document the wonders of the world’s watershed and creatively depict fragile environments in this eye-opening exhibition.

For information on all Assembly Hall programming, visit www.toronto.ca/AssemblyHall.

What’s on at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre and Gallery – 225 Confederation Dr., Scarborough

Visual Arts Workshops
Cedar Ridge Creative Centre is offering six-week pottery and visual arts workshops suitable for adults and children aged 7 to 13. Participants can explore the wonders of watercolour, discover the art of Alla Prima painting or learn how to produce a stunning still-life. Some workshops start April 4. Registration is required and space is limited. For more information, visit www.toronto.ca/CedarRidge.

Summer Camps
Cedar Ridge Creative Centre offers CampTO: Arts Exploration, a two-week visual arts camp for children aged 8 to 13. Campers will have opportunities to create and experiment with mediums such as drawing and painting, printmaking, sculpture, video, arts and crafts and pottery. Registration opens April 12 at 7 a.m. To book, visit efun.toronto.ca.

Sessions include:

• July 4 to 15 – fee: $431, Code: 4030837
• July 18 to 29 – fee: $431, Code: 4030838
• August 2 to 12 – fee: $387, Code: 4030839
• August 15 to 26 – fee: $431, Code: 4030840

What’s on at Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery – 399 The West Mall, Etobicoke

Call for artists: Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery presents a wide range of visual art exhibitions, celebrating juried and curated shows by local and national art organizations. Situated within the Centre Block of the Etobicoke Civic Centre, this large public gallery provides free and accessible opportunities for visitors to enjoy and engage with the artwork on display. The Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery will reopen on June 1.

Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery has a number of free gallery exhibitions and public receptions scheduled from May to October that include:

• Art by Etobicoke Seniors – June 1 to 23 (Reception, Thursday, June 2 at 7 p.m.)
  The enthusiasm and talent of local seniors shines in this show celebrating Seniors Month. This year’s theme is “A New Beginning”. Presented in partnership with the City’s Parks, Forestry & Recreation division.
• Summer Palette 2022 – June 28 to August 4 (Reception, Wednesday, June 29, 6 p.m.)
  The Federation of Canadian Artists Toronto Chapter presents a juried exhibition of the best works from their professional artist members in a vast range of style, subject matter and mediums.
• Crossection Annual Juried Exhibition – August 9 to September 13 (Reception, Saturday August 13 at 2 p.m.)
  Selected members from the Central Ontario Art Association welcome art lovers to see their annual juried exhibition of original fine art in a variety of media and genres, embracing all levels of artistic development.

For information on all Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery programming, visit www.toronto.ca/ECCArtGallery.

The Gallery is now accepting applications from arts organizations and groups of six or more artists to exhibit in 2023. Download the application form at www.toronto.ca/ECCArtGallery and apply by May 1.

What’s on at The Clark Centre for the Arts – 191 Guildwood Pkwy., Scarborough

Official opening: the new Clark Centre for the Arts will open to the public on April 20 with a public ceremony and open house event. More information will be available in the coming days at www.toronto.ca/ClarkCentre.

Quotes:

“Now more than ever, community engagement plays a vital role in our well-being. Discover the many interactive arts, learning experiences and cultural community events at the City’s cultural centres and galleries. I encourage all Toronto residents to discover the dynamic programming at Assembly Hall, Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery and the soon-to-open Clark Centre for the Arts.”
– Mayor John Tory

“Toronto’s galleries and other cultural centres are dynamic hubs across the city. They unite our communities by providing much-needed art and cultural services, supporting local projects, and positively impacting the lives of our young people.”
– Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.