Category: UrbanArts

Summer residency at UrbanArts

UrbanArts is offering a summer arts residency for emerging artists from York South–Weston.

The program is

a unique space for experimentation, professional growth, portfolio building, networking, and collaboration with established artists. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive an honorarium of $350.

Local artists from the visual and eco-arts, music, dance and performing arts, and mural and installation arts are encouraged to apply.

WVRA hosts AGM in Weston Hub

On Tuesday May 14, the Weston Village Residents’ Association held its annual general meeting inside the new Weston Hub. The Hub interior still needs some final touches but is essentially complete. Landscaping is a work in progress but it’s coming along nicely and will be ready for next year. The official opening is on May 25th and 26th.

WVRA Chair Dave Bennett opened by talking about some of the ‘heat’ encountered when the Hub was proposed. This was later echoed by Councillor Nunziata.

For some warm reading go here, here, here and here.

You’re welcome Dave and Frances.

This area will house the Farmers Market next year. (click to enlarge).
Landscaping work has been done at the Hub entrance. Note the bridge connecting the multi-storey parking lot to the rental building.

The new space easily accommodated the 50+ people in attendance. LoriAnn Givran from Artscape, talked about the new facilities, Marlene Mackintosh from UrbanArts and Michael Kelly from Shakespeare in Action introduced themselves and the programs that they offer.

The highlight of the evening was to be a presentation from former Toronto Chief Planner Paul Bedford but because of illness, Mr. Bedford was absent but ably represented by colleague and Urban Lands Institute Executive Director Richard Joy. The presentation dealt with the ULI Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Report tabled last August.

From the TAP report (Click to enlarge).

Richard dealt with the five big ideas from the report, namely,

  • Promote and plan Weston as a riverfront community
  • Market Weston as an affordable commercial and residential location for airport workers
  • Bring a brewery to Weston
  • Build partnerships with Universities and Colleges
  • Establish a co-op grocery store.

Later, Councillor Frances Nunziata spoke and talked about local issues including the upcoming paving of Weston Road and widening of sidewalks in the stretch between Lawrence and Little Avenue.

Sidewalks along this stretch of Weston Road are being widened.
Sidewalks along this stretch of Weston Road are not being widened. Go figure.

During the break, some mouth-watering goodies were available (well done Suri) and attendees enjoyed a tour of the new facilities.

A conference room.
One of the two large event rooms.
The lobby of the Weston Hub; WVRA Chair Dave Bennett (3rd from R) talks to residents.
The lobby – entranceway.
Michael Kelly of Shakespeare In Action speaks to the audience in the main presentation space.

Some aspiring politicians were in attendance including Yafet Tewelde and Chiara Padovani.

Chiara Padovani and brand new WVRA member Ryan Demchuk chat during the break.

It was a busy evening with lots of information – to hear a recording of the full meeting click the two links below:

Audio Part 1

Audio Part 2

UrbanArts news

Today is the last day to visit Weston Road Flows, the art and audio installation at UrbanArts’ 5 Bartonville location.

Juvon Taylor

In other news, UrbanArts will soon be reopening in Weston; they picked up the keys this week to their Weston Common Cultural Hub location.

 

 

Upcoming events

UrbanArts has a lot coming up.

I’m particularly excited about the opening of Weston Road Flows, a

multimedia exhibition that explores the past, present, and future of the (former )[ed.] Village of Weston by reinterpreting the past through a modern context. For over 100 years, the current of Weston Road has been the center of the community. This project will honour and reflect upon the spirit of Weston through historical recordings, resident stories, vocal shout-outs, spoken word, and on-site sounds captured with modern beats.

The exhibition runs from the 14th to the 29th of March at 5 Bartonville.

On Wednesday, May 15, 2019, UrbanArts will also be taking part in
the second-annual I Heart Neighbourhood Charity Auction

This unique collaborative fundraising will help UrbanArts to raise much-needed funds to support vital programs and services.  Attendees will enjoy an elegant evening mixing delicious fare and beverages with both a silent and live auction, live entertainment, and the opportunity to learn about the work of five local charities.