Photo Credit: Google Map

City of Toronto's new Clark Centre for the Arts in Scarborough opens today


Wednesday, 20 April 2022 02:23.PM

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.

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.

SOURCE: City of Toronto