Today, the City of Toronto’s new Clark Centre for the Arts, located at 191 Guildwood Pkwy., in Guild Park and Gardens, officially opened to the public with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and free open house.
Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre) and Councillor Ainslie (Scarborough-Guildwood) were joined by Randell Adjei Ontario’s Poet Laureate and Executive Director of RISE Edutainment, Ojibwe Anishinaabe Elder Shelley Charles and Artist Dorsey James for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Clark Centre for the Arts is a new cultural facility that houses specialized art studios and gallery spaces. The Centre will deliver up to 90 arts programs annually, including art courses, workshops and camps, while also providing facility rental options to the community. More information is available on the City’s Clark Centre for the Arts webpage: www.toronto.ca/clarkcentre.
Highlights of the opening festivities included:
• Musical performances by Rudy Ray and Maya G
• A ribbon-cutting ceremony
• A blessing by Ojibwe Anishinaabe Elder Shelley Charles and an Indigenous drumming performance by the Medicine Sisters
• A spoken word performance by artist Randell Adjei
• Artist demonstrations, including a new art installation by Charmaine Lurch
• Talks by artist Dorsey James and the building’s architect, Charles Hazell
• Art exhibits presented by Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute students, the Toronto District School Board, Scarborough Arts, and Native Child and Family Services featuring works by youth, BIPOC and 2LGBTQS+ artists.
The Sculptor’s Cabin in Guild Park will reopen with community programming. The Sculptor’s Cabin is a small historic building located near the front entrance of Guild Park and Gardens. It was renovated in spring 2019 and serves the community as a meeting place and information centre.
The Clark Centre for the Arts officially opened in Scarborough! This new facility features art studios and gallery spaces delivering up to 90 arts programs annually, including:
✔️Art courses
✔️Workshops
✔️Camps
✔️Facility rentals for the community?Info: https://t.co/bpgHqb07f4 pic.twitter.com/9kuvZ10RbX
— John Tory (@JohnTory) April 20, 2022
Under a community partnership agreement with the Guild Park Stakeholder Group, comprised of Friends of Guild Park, Guild Festival Theatre, Guildwood Community Village Association and Guild Renaissance Group, the Sculptor’s Cabin acts as a vibrant community resource to promote civic and cultural engagement.
The Centre’s first artists-in-residence are Thomas Brasch and Claire Browne. Thomas Brasch is a self-taught photographer who showcases his perceptions of beauty, turning the real into surreal. Claire Browne, is an emerging artist who recently graduated from OCAD University with a Bachelor of Fine Art specializing in drawing and painting. Claire’s art practice focuses on the themes of self-identity and heritage.
Upcoming exhibitions, talks and events at the Clark Centre include:
• Charmaine Lurch’s Wild Bees Installation, on until December
• Thomas Brasch’s How to be Human, part of Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, May 1 to 31
• Maven Talks: The Damage of a Gun with MPP Mitzie Hunter, Dr. Najma Ahmed, Neil Donaldson (Logik) and Thomas Brasch, May 11, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Doors Open Toronto location, May 28 and 29 from 10 am to 5 p.m.
with gallery tours at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.
• Summer Camp: Theatre Co. 4 Kids, July 4 to 15 and July 18 to 29.
Starting April 21, Clark Centre for the Arts hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Quotes:
“The City of Toronto is grateful to the many committed community members who provided ongoing feedback through City-led consultations to help inform and guide the planning for the Clark Centre for the Arts. It is so great to see that vision realized. The Clark Centre is an arts destination that will act as a hub for creativity, cultural engagement and community-building into the future. I encourage residents to come out and experience the Clark Centre for the Arts.”
– Mayor John Tory
“The Clark Centre’s mission is to engage people from a diverse spectrum of social, cultural and demographic backgrounds to explore the arts through exhibitions, workshops and public events. To the community at large, thank you for your dedication and inspiration. Congratulations for seeing the Clark Centre vision to its grand reality. ”
– Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee
“This is an exciting and historic moment for Scarborough, Guildwood and the City of Toronto! The community has worked hard to bring the Clark Centre for the Arts vision to reality and I am beyond excited to see the progress and enthusiasm from everyone involved.”
– Councillor Paul Ainslie (Scarborough-Guildwood)
SOURCE City of Toronto
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