Lakeshore Arts
2422 Lake Shore Blvd. W. M8V 1C4 Toronto, ON, Canada

Happy Earth Day ! We can’t think of any better way to honour this day than through the inspiring thoughts of our Youth Climate Collective on the world they would like to see. Watch this video produced by 12-16 year olds and be inspired to make the world a little greener today. This video was developed through an eight-week long mentorship program where the youth explored the intersection of art and activism. As a result they have dreamt of the world they would like to see..., and created a video that shares this vision with the world. We are thankful to Nick Sweetman, Graham Budgeon, and Eliza Martin for enabling the youth to merge their climate change passions with the arts. Big shout out to Zamari Joseph for editing the video. This program has been generously supported by Delta Bingo.

This International Dance Day 2021, we reflect on the thousands of creators who move the people around them. Happy International Dance Day!

It’s World Creativity and Innovation Day We celebrate the resilience of the arts industry and all art workers who are navigating how to produce, share and connect communities creatively in our new normal. This day is preceeded by a weeklong celebration of the arts organized by World Creativity Organization which is marking 20years since being founded by Marci Segal here in Toronto . We are so happy to have represented Canada in the featured arts activities through an art advocacy video for Earth day produced by our Youth Climate Collective participants. Watch out for the release of this video tomorrow at 12noon on all our social platforms View here all the celebrations happening in Canada and the rest of the world: https://wciw.org/celebrations/canada/

Celebrating #poetrymonth! For those who dare to continue creating. 'To Write The Erotic in Pandemic' by Nadia Mahdi. A poem from Q Summit's Digital Anthology 'Queer As In Here'. Read on: https://bit.ly/2R7FzFB

We are so excited to offer community support to JAYU in their upcoming poetry slam event on April 27th. RSVP to enjoy performances from some of the greatest poetic talent for free, including Cassandra Myers who recently mentored our youth in poetry writing. Reserve your slot through this link https://www.jayu.ca/lt-poetry-slam

Every project we complete that is directly aligned with our core mandate gives us a reason for a happy dance, like the Q Summit’s Poetry Collection Have you had a chance to read and be inspired by the words of these young poets? If not, check snippets below and follow the link to download your free copy. Let us know which poem speaks to you https://lakeshorearts.ca/queer-as-in-here-q-summits-digita/

Applying for an arts grant can be confusing or overwhelming. Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario is hosting a series of webinars for Ontario-based artists and arts groups to learn the basics of applying for OAC funding. Upcoming webinar dates... April 29th - 3 PM to 4:30 PM (in french) May 20th - 1 PM to 2:30 PM (in english) May 27th - 7 PM to 8:30 PM (in english) Register here: https://bit.ly/3nsSgXu

The virtual launch of Q Summit Poetry Anthology is going down It’s not too late to join us in celebrating this poetry collection created and published by 2SLGBTQIA+ and allied youth. If you’re not able to join us, check out our stories between 7pm-8pm for excerpts of the spoken word pieces. The entire poetry collection is now available for download on our website through this link: https://lakeshorearts.ca/queer-as-in-here-q-summits-digita/

Need help planning your taxes this year? Check out CARFAC's video interview with CRA, and other tax tips and resources for artists (of all disciplines). https://www.carfac.ca/tools/artist-taxation/

Lakeshore Arts stands in solidarity with our neighbours living in encampments. Encampments are the safest and most stable option for many at the moment. Evicting encampment residents from their homes when there is no path to safe long term housing is harmful and an uncaring approach at all times but especially while in the midst of a pandemic. We fully support sharing space in our public parks with encampment residents and respect their ability to make choices about their own... lives. While there will be no forced evictions happening today, the city has not revoked the notices of trespass or repealed by-laws that criminalize unhoused people. We encourage those who want to take action to have a look at this amazing toolkit from @esn.to.4real which provides many templates and resources to take action in support of those living in encampments: https://bit.ly/3mlZwnG See more

The Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women's Empowerment is continuing their Food to Table Program from April 2021 - August 2021. They are able to provide girls and women in the South Etobicoke Community with $50 grocery store gift cards and hygiene kits. Recipients must be women or girls living in South Etobicoke whose households are experiencing food insecurity as a result of COVID-19 or other factors. ... Registration is on a first come, first served basis and is subject to close at any point. We recommend registering as soon as possible. One card per household. You can register here: https://forms.gle/cxryfCG6GLxnET2U8 For more information: Email: [email protected] Phone: 416-253-9797

Let our Young Queens rein Girls ages 10-14 will learn new dance moves, get into character, and express their inner thoughts in poetry, music, and much more to create a performance piece. Join us every Wednesday, May 19 June 23 from 4:00 6:00 PM... Register http://bit.ly/DramaQueensForm To learn more visit: https://lakeshorearts.ca/drama-queens/ This program is presented in partnership with the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women's Empowerment and funded by the Metcalf Foundation

#MyBlackTreasure: Calypso Rose vinyl by Alexander Robinson "My treasure is the Calypso Rose vinyl for her album Splish Splash. Its significance for me comes from a number of reasons. For starters, the picture on the cover was taken in the Caribbean which speaks to my roots as a second-generation Caribean Canadian...Calypso Rose regularly uses her art to speak on a number of social issues which is something I continually aspire to do with my own art. My grandmother is modelli...ng on the left of the cover. When she was younger she was a professional dancer, so with me being a visual artist this vinyl's cover is a reminder of how artistic expression has always been significant in my family." Alexander Robinson is a self-taught emerging artist based in Toronto, Canada. With a focus on surrealism, Robinson uses nature to address common stereotypes that alienate people. Robinson challenges these commonly held stereotypes about race, culture, and identity by flipping them on their head. Learn more about Robinson: https://www.artbyrobinson.com/about Thank you for sharing your story P.S. Have you submitted a photo/video of your cultural treasure yet? We’re inviting Black community members to participate in our online campaign 'Treasures of Ours.' by sharing something that has cultural significance or personal meaning to you. Click HERE: http://bit.ly/BHM_CallforParticpants_form_LSA to submit your treasure. #BlackHistoryMonth #treasuresofours

April is a shining month for youth in our mentorship programs. First the QSummit participants who are launching an entire collection of poems, and then the Youth Climate Collective curating an advocacy campaign for Earth Day. We are so proud of all the mentees and the effort they are putting towards learning and growing their creative skills. We are so grateful to all the mentors involved who are shaping future community builders and the artistic destinies of these participants. To learn more about these programs, check out our website: https://lakeshorearts.ca/what-we-do/programs/

'A Letter to My Queer Younger Self' A poem created by Lakeshore Arts’ Q Summit participants in collaborations with their mentors and facilitators Cassandra Myers and Emily Dial. "Dear Younger Self,... There are times when you will fear your own queer magic When your fear of people makes you hide your inner kaleidoscope of colours When you let yourself drown so your loved ones can breathe. When you question if you’ll ever be queer enough to kiss her. But I’m here to tell you the truth, to time travel, to be the queer mentor you deserved but didn’t get Loving family shouldn't feel like hanging onto an angry cat. It's not normal to be backstabbed by people who claim blood is thicker than water. " Poetry has always been an artistic expression. From declarations of love to contemplating the meaning of life, poetry has a way of putting the human experience into words. It’s also an effective way to spark compassion for others’ cultures and ways of life. A safe space to learn, express one's individuality and ones inner feelings through spoken word poetry: Lakeshore Arts' Q summit program that supports youth in the 2SLGBTQ+ community and their allies with a space, tools and opportunity to jump-start their careers. Learn more: https://lakeshorearts.ca/q-summit-mentorship/ Q Summit is funded by Johansen-Larsen Foundation

ICYMI: Photographer and Videographer Nabil Shash took over our Instagram during our weekly Friday Artist Takeover during Black Futures Month. Nabil created a series called Talk to Me, which demonstrates his internal frustrations. He explains, "it's all about the generation gap that can exist between parents and their kids. My background is Ethiopian, my parents are immigrants, and we're Muslim. If you know any parents like this, you can imagine that they weren't really interested in their son becoming a photographer. They wanted me to do something a bit safer, you know, doctor, lawyer, engineer." Check out the rest of his takeover on our IG feed and story highlights: www.instagram.com/lakeshorearts/

You are invited to a free live-stream poetry reading showcasing the work of our youth participants in QSummit Mentorship Program! For ten weeks 2SLGBTQIA+ and allied youths have been learning poetry writing, and will be launching their collection of poems at the event. Join us to cheer them on as emerging artists! RSVP: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/lakeshorearts2/500720 The Q Summit program was facilitated by artists Emily Dial and Cassandra Myers to support 2SLGBTQIA...+ youth and allies in creating a safe space for creativity and self expression. This program is generously supported by the Johansen-Larsen Foundation and the event presented with Rexdale Community Health Clinic.

Calling all #ChangeMakers! Learn art activism and online advocacy create a climate awareness campaign Join a network of like-minded youth... Today is the last day to join our Youth Climate Collective mentorship program and make a difference! Apply Now! http://bit.ly/YCCform_2021 YCC participants, ages 12 - 16, will receive an honorarium of $150.00 at the end of the program for their work on the awareness campaign to launch on Earth Day, April 22nd. Application deadline is Tuesday, February 16th at 11:59 PM. The Youth Climate Collective is supported by Delta Bingo and Gaming

Do you miss being in our Community Project Space as much as we miss hosting you in it We enjoyed watching you transform it to assume a new life with every project. What are some unforgettable memories you have of events or workshops held in the space? Comment below so we can reminisce on them together 2019: Selfie Seminar

Celebrate this #LunarNewYear with Lakeshore Arts. We're hosting virtual workshops for campers ages 8-12 on Friday, February 12. They will be crafting fire breathing dragons, dancing the lion dance, and diving into the roots of Chinese culture! Sign up: http://bit.ly/RegisterLSA_PAday_Feb12... Courtesy of the Chinese Collective Arts Association, all participants will be given one free trial class. To redeem please email Karen at [email protected], and reference they took the LSA PA Day workshop. There’s no expiration date. from the Chinese Collective Arts Association

We’ve extended the deadline for the 2SLGBTQI+ Illustrator call to next Wednesday 31st March! Work with us in creating resources for 2SLGBTQI+ youth through art advocacy and digital design. See link below for full posting https://drive.google.com//11dLTUkASwJ-mUPWzKFvH7weizX/view

BHM Takeover Fridays with Nabil Shash! Nabil is a Toronto-based photographer and videographer specializing in curated documentation and portraiture. From 9 am to 2 pm, Nabil will takeover LSAs' Instagram to tell a story of his learnings and artistic journey. ... Stay tuned to our Instagram feed and stories: https://www.instagram.com/lakeshorearts/ See more of his work at http://www.nabilshash.com/ and follow him on Instagram @nabilshash. (in order) Self-portrait by Nabil Shash Mez Mariye, 2019 by Nabil Shash Michelle Mihami, 2020 by Nabil Shash #myblacktreasure #BHM #blackhistorymonth

Register for this info-session being held by West Toronto OHT in collaboration with TPH for the community to answer questions about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. See poster for registration details.

Always our pleasure to spread positive vibes in the community! Volunteer with LAMP to craft cards which are being sent to make someone’s day in Etobicoke.

Mural artists: ever thought of using bottle caps in your design? Our Youth Climate Collective come up with the brightest recycling ideas! This group of 12-16 year olds is being mentored on using the arts for social advocacy. Their learning outcomes will be developed into a digital campaign launching on Earth Day in April. YCC is being supported by Delta Bingo and Gaming. You can now play Bingo from home, cards are on sale at DeltaBingo.Eventbrite.ca

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: BLACK PORTRAITURE[S]: Toronto, Absent/ed Presence 2021 Black Portraitures Conferences invites you to participate in the annual Black Portraiture[s] Conference, to be held online and in-person at Ryerson University, October 14 16, 2021. They will explore Blackness as absent/ed presence in art, art history, performance, archives, museums, cultural production, and technology. Artists, researchers and scholars are invited to submit proposals exploring Blac...kness as absent/ed presence in art, art history, performance, archives, museums, cultural production, and technology. The deadline for proposals of abstracts, discussions, and papers is March 15, 2021. Learn more and apply here: https://bit.ly/3cQQIna Untitled (Blur), 2017 2019 Sandra Brewster Photo: AGO

JOB OPENING! Our third opening is an illustrator for Q Summit Mentorship Program. Q Summit is currently ongoing and uses spoken word and poetry to engage 2SLGTQI+ youth. The illustrator will curate visual digital content for promotional purposes of the program. See full posting on our website lakeshorearts.ca or through this direct link: https://drive.google.com//1460HofErxsgTuvtVR4f4zapkj/view... Application deadline: 24th March, 2021