Today, Mayor John Tory visited ArtworxTO Hub WEST at Cloverdale Common to celebrate the reopening of ArtworxTO Hubs across the city and the opening of the new exhibit, HOME(LAND) at Cloverdale Common. New exhibitions for ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021–2022, are opening at Hubs across the city this month, offering free entertainment this winter and spring, while making space for new and diverse voices.
Running from today – Tuesday, March 1 – through Sunday, May 29 at ArtworxTO Hub WEST, HOME(LAND) is a series of three multimedia exhibitions examining how the idea of land is connected to people’s sense of identity, belonging and home across and between races, regions, cultures and nations, with connections to the four elemental energies from which all of life is created: water, earth, fire and air. HOME(LAND): Terra Firma is the second in the series. Through contemporary artwork from local and international artists, the exhibition tackles the issues of bio-politics, environmental governance, borders, displacement and erasure, from a perspective of individual and community resilience. It features work by Alexandra Gelis, Dana Claxton, Helio Eudoro, MUSE Arts and Nava Waxman.
ArtworxTO Hubs are spaces for artistic and community activity led by the next generation of curators, collectives and artists. Through exhibitions, activations, workshops and experiences, the Hubs amplify local artistic identities, recognize their global vibrancy, and empower creative communities. Along with Cloverdale Common, year-long Hubs are located at:
ArtworxTO Hub EAST at Scarborough Town Centre: From February 2 to Sunday, October 2, this Hub will feature Scarborough: The Backbone, a dynamic celebration of the arts and the local community. Curated by The Spoken Soul Collective’s Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony, Dwayne Morgan, and Randell Adjei, Scarborough Town Centre becomes a canvas to celebrate visual and performing arts, while connecting to the public through interactive activities. The richness of Scarborough is highlighted through food, fashion, art and music.
ArtworxTO Hub SOUTH at Union Station: Opening on Wednesday, March 2, I am land is a three-part exhibition series that brings provocative and large-scale artworks to Toronto’s Union Station. The second chapter of the year-long series, I am land that remembers investigates how shared memories are made and the artist’s role as chronicler. It reconsiders official history with Iván Argote’s examination of public monuments, Nour Bishouty’s focus on impermanence, and Miles Rufelds’ and Tania Willard’s critical take on archives.
ArtworxTO Hub NORTH at Downsview: Running from February 16 to Sunday, May 1, IMAGInuity is a dialogue of past and future Black ingenuity curated by Queen Kukoyi and Nico Taylor of Black Speculative Art Movement Canada, in collaboration with VR artist SPATIAL-ESK. IMAGInuity is a part of ArtworxTO’s ALL CITY SHINE, a year-long BIPOC street art exhibition curated by Danilo Deluxo at Downsview Park.
ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021–2022, is a year-long celebration of Toronto’s exceptional public art collection and the creative community behind it. Working closely with artists and Toronto’s arts institutions, the City of Toronto is delivering major public art projects and commissions, citywide, from fall 2021 to fall 2022. Supporting local artists and new artworks that reflect Toronto’s diversity, ArtworxTO is creating more opportunities for Torontonians to engage with art in their everyday lives. This year explore your city and discover creativity and community – everywhere.
A full list of exhibitions, events and an interactive art is available here
Quotes:
“ArtworxTO is Toronto’s year of public art dedicated to supporting and showcasing local artists across our city. We are now welcoming new exhibits, art and artists to the ArtworxTO Hubs across the city. By supporting local artists and new artworks that reflect Toronto’s diversity, ArtworxTO is creating more opportunities for Torontonians to engage with art in their everyday lives. I encourage Toronto residents to take part in the important programming that ArtworxTO has to offer.”
– Mayor John Tory
“ArtworxTO continues to support hundreds of artists, particularly Black, Indigenous and artists of colour. I encourage Toronto residents once again to experience Toronto’s arts and cultural sector and the artists who make the magic happen. Visit our Artworx Hubs across the city, where creativity and community come together.”
– 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.
Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca