Artists in the Library

Artists in the Library hero image

Artists in the Library is an artist activation program series that creates new ways for Toronto artists to collaborate with Torontonians of all ages by animating library branches in Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough. Artists deliver free public arts programming, including community-engaged arts programs, visual and media arts installations and exhibitions, workshops, artist talks and other public arts activities.

The Artists in the Library program was created in 2014 as a partnership between Toronto Arts Council and Toronto Public Library. Funding for this program is provided by the City of Toronto through Toronto Arts Council.

2023 Artists in the Library

  • Kseniya Tsoy

    Kseniya Tosy photo

    Kseniya Tsoy is a community-engaged mural artist originally from Uzbekistan and a recipient of the Newcomer Arts Award 2021 from Toronto Arts Foundation. An arts administrator in the past, Tsoy started her own artistic practice when she arrived to Canada in 2018. She has since worked with a variety of communities across Ontario and to this date has created about 50 big and small murals with a diversity of communities across Toronto and Ottawa, and has worked with partners like City of Ottawa, City of Toronto, local BIA’s, community centres, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs and organizations like Multicultural Arts for Schools and Communities, STEPS Public Art, Scarborough Arts, Story Planet, Mural Routes and Vibe Arts.

    Artist Statement

    “As a person of mixed heritage, cultural diversity has always been the inspiration behind my work. My personal murals are dedicated to visual exploration of complex cultural identities and are inspired by folk motifs from diverse cultures that have influenced her growing up. As a community-engaged artist, I always strive to find original ways to speak about and celebrate diversity. A lot of times my murals depict participating community members and their stories. In the community, I am probably best known for whimsical collaborative murals where community members are engaged in all stages of the creative process. I use vibrant colours, bold minimalist shapes and uplifting messages to create whimsical and playful paintings that inspire joy.”

  • JAYU Festival

    Young adults sitting holding cameras

    JAYU is a registered Canadian charity and a leader in the space where the arts and human rights intersect. JAYU believes strongly that the arts provide the strongest platform to share human rights stories. The arts can be used to educate, to build empathy, to heal, to forge community and to inspire the kinds of conversations necessary to reimagine a more just and equitable world. Guided by their dedicated team of staff, artists, educators and Board of Directors, JAYU’s year-round programming includes their annual Human Rights Film Festival, their iAM arts and social justice training program, The Hum Podcast and their Human Rights Screening Series.

    Artist Statement

    “The JAYU iAM Program is dedicated to giving equity-deserving youth ages 12-29 access to FREE arts mentorship and employment opportunities, in a range of disciplines, including poetry and photography.”

  • Alexandra Iorgu

    Photo of Allan Colley

    Alexandra Iorgu is an Etobicoke land-based artist. In her current art practice, she is developing Living Sculptures, a series of site-specific ephemeral sculptures using natural materials and clay. Exhibiting themes of transformation and endurance, the sculptures will deconstruct, eventually disappearing. Her belief in the power of making and creating is often executed in the context of community. Alexandra will also be hosting facilitators and co-contributors Alan Colley (Bear Clan, Knowledge Keeper) and Nadijah Robinson (Program Manager, Lakeshore Arts). Alan’s goal is to connect people to a rich cultural history of the Anishinaabe, through an opportunity to have a hands-on experience to connect with the plants, the animals, and the earth in which they are living. Nadijah is an artist and arts-worker, and avid learner of plant and tree knowledge, and is experienced in collage, painting, printmaking, and mixed media.

    Artist Statement

    “Through “Life is Like a Tree”, artist Alexandra Iorgu and Knowledge Keeper Alan Colley, in partnership with Nadijah Robinson of Lakeshore Arts, invite families, youth and elders to the New Toronto Library Branch. The goals of the residency are to connect the local community to the land in the surrounding areas, and to generate an appreciation for the beauty of creation, creativity, and nature. Using art experiences to appreciate the surrounding trees, we are informed by our use of sustainable art practices. Rooted in traditional teachings, we understand that we all started from a seed filled with power, history and purpose to grow and enrich the lands in which we stand. Supporting life that shelters underneath and reaches to the sky, a tree is our metaphor to explore our relationship with nature and ourselves.”

  • Braeden Doane

    Photo of Doane Braeden

    Braeden Doane is a parent and artist who is currently exploring the properties of sound and the practice of deep listening. Drawing from their deep love of community radio, they enjoy hosting multi-generational spaces for creative play and meaningful connection.

    Artist Statement

    “May we all take a moment to tune in to who surround us.”

  • Musical Story Studio – Long Branch

    Musical Story Studio logo

    Musical Story Studio is a collective of storytellers, musicians and artists founded by storyteller Sarah Abusarar, violinist singer-songwriter Cassie Norton, and pianist singer-songwriter Chris Taeyoung-Kim. The collective came together around our love of spontaneous, collaborative story creation and community. Musical Story Studio workshops and performances encourage participants to explore their unique place in the world, both through creative expression and hands-on learning. They work with guest artists in a variety of modalities who share their philosophy of collaborative creation and community art. For the Long Branch workshop series, Musical Story Studio will be joined by storyteller, Maria Del Carman Ordonez.

    Artist Statement

    “Musical Story Studio workshops and performances encourage participants and audience members to explore their unique place in the world through creative expression and hands-on learning. We use interdisciplinary story and music and art making practices to allow for a diverse range of learners to organically engage into the process of creation. In our workshops, the thematic material evolves throughout the process, shaped and informed through the various participants’ interests and values. We believe that it is important for diverse voices to be empowered to share their stories, and for those stories to be heard.”

  • DeeJay Vee

    Photo of DJ Vee

    As a singer, songwriter and dj, DeeJay Vee’s artistic journey continues to be adventurous and inspired. Throughout her years as a performer, I have strived to be an original. At the core of Vee’s creative expression is the desire to evoke thought and emotions while (of course) being entertaining. Vee’s foray into deejaying began when she purchased a dj controller to experiment with elements of sound in her live show “SoundDiva”. Adopting the name Deejay Vee, she soon began deejaying at creative and corporate events, and loves spinning tunes in a variety of musical genres.

    Artist Statement

    “Live joyfully by being visibly engaged in your artistic expression - in environments that are diverse and welcoming!”

  • Sarvenaz Rayati

    Photo of Sarvenaz Rayati

    Sarvenaz is a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto. She received her BA in painting and visual communication from an art university in Tehran. She has exhibited her works in Tehran, New York and Toronto. Her two on-going public art projects are People & Trees light installation and Mosaic Stories mosaic murals. “Storytelling has always been the main motivation to create art. Heritage, the self, path, nature, the act of seeking are the recurrent themes in my work. Persian Miniatures inspire my visual language”.

    Artist Statement

    Inspired by captivating world of Persian Miniatures and the art of bookmaking, practiced in the royal library of Persian Safavid king, Shah Tahmasp, artist Sarvenaz Rayati, leads series of hands-on workshops invites participants to delve into the history, vibrant colours, and mesmerizing compositions of Persian Paintings. Through the use of traditional & contemporary techniques, attendees will tap into their creativity and create a collection of artworks culminating in a handcrafted art book. The program includes engaging activities such as book binding, painting, paper marbling, lino cut, and stamping, typography, character design across 8 sessions.

    In addition to the workshops, Sarvenaz will also be at the library during 5 painting sessions, each lasting 4 hours. Inspired by Persian Miniatures, she will weave a contemporary and personal approach into her paintings.

  • Bucket Full of Mangoes (BFOM) Collective

    Photo of Karlene Millwood

    BFOM (Bucket Full of Mangoes) Collective is made up of filmmaker, actor True Daley; director, playwright Karlene Millwood; musician and public speaker LaToya Jane; and theatre instructor, actor Marissa Blagrove. Collectively the group's experience in the performance arts spans over 20 years. These four women of Jamaican descent have a passion and pride for the storytelling and music rooted in their culture. BFOM's first project will be staged in the Spring of 2023 at York Woods Theatre.

    Artist Statement

    “BFOM provides opportunities for Black youth in high-needs communities to have access to theatre training and mentorship from professional creatives. BFOM is made up of singer/songwriters, poets, actors, and directors. The aim of the collective is to preserve the rich culture, traditions, language and music of the Caribbean by introducing children and youth to folk songs, dances and stories.”

  • Leyland Adams

    Phot of Leyland Adams

    Toronto artist Leyland Adams is a creative person of colour who has always pushed boundaries, including the boundaries of accessible art. Working with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Adams is making murals accessible for people with visual impairment, while beautifying his community through meaningful art. Leyland has travelled the country and across the globe to places like London, New York, and India, to bring his special brand of public art to the world. Leyland’s mural work features high-contrast imagery, audio descriptions, and textured imagery and QR codes with audio descriptions for the visually impaired. Adams is a community-based public artist who partners with organizations of all sizes to ensure impactful and meaningful public art that engages community. His art can be seen at www.leylandadams.com

    Artist Statement

    “The artist intention is to share the therapeutic calmness and joy that comes with making art. With the hopes of demystify art as a whole and making it more accessible to the community in all aspects of the word. The intergenerational aspect of this residency really allows for a wide range of skill sets to be involved, from young children to elderly folks. This residency is focused on simplifying these art topics and practices so that it is enjoyable, in a stress and judgement free environment that will be built around inclusivity and sharing cultures.”

2022 Artists in the Library

  • Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography

    Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography logo.

    Gallery 44 was founded by a small group of artists in 1979, who joined together to share a darkroom and studio. In 1980, the collective began mounting exhibitions, and in 1986, began offering photography workshops. Gallery 44 was part of a greater network of artist-run centres that grew across Canada in the 60s and 70s. The movement was initiated by and for artists to counter dominant institutions and create communities supporting artistic production, presentation, education, and idea-exchange.

    Artist Statement

    “Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography is an artist-run centre committed to supporting diverse approaches to photographic and image-based practices through exhibitions, education programs and facilitating artistic production. Gallery 44 provides space and context for meaningful dialogue between artists and publics. Together, we offer an entry point to explore the artistic, cultural, historic, social and political implications of the image in our ever-expanding visual world.”

  • The Concerned Kids Charity of Toronto

    The Concerned Kids Charity of Toronto logo.

    The Concerned Kids has been providing immersive art and puppetry experiences for over 30 years. The team of professionally trained cast members have performed all over the world, with the goal of bringing joy to everyone that they encounter. The organization has over 60 beloved puppets who perform with their puppeteers in school-based program and online shows; each with unique backstories, abilities, and personalities. Their storytelling highlights the importance of celebrating differences and creating an inclusive and accessible world for all!

    Artist Statement

    “Whether it was Big Bird, Barney, Kermit the Frog, or Polka-Roo, at some time in our childhood we were entertained by puppets. They were our first teachers and our first friends. Through the art of animated storytelling, these characters were able to take us on adventures that not only sparked our imagination but also provided important life lessons to us as young viewers. Like these iconic children’s entertainers, my mission at The Concerned Kids is to educate children through the art of puppetry about the importance of celebrating differences and inspire them to tell their own unique stories with puppets.”

  • Paul Stewart

    Paul Stewart creating pottery.

    Paul Stewart began his pottery career in 1985 as a second-generation potter. Since then, he has produced close to a quarter million pots. He has also had the good fortune to have been an arts educator for twenty years. In that time, he has delivered hundreds of workshops in dozens of schools, community centres, health centres, libraries and in his own studio.

    Artist Statement

    “Clay is a meditative and creative medium. It is so forgiving. Anyone can work with it and anyone can make beautiful items.”

  • Ashley Culver

    Ashley Culver stands in front of greenery.

    Ashley Culver is an artist and writer based in Tkaronto/Toronto. Culver holds an MFA from York University (2015) and a BFA from the University of Victoria (2011).

    Artist Statement

    “The thread of attention with care runs through Culver’s practice manifesting as sculpture, photography, artist books, community and food-related projects. Her work is in conversation with domestic space - particularly the kitchen - and desire for connection.”

  • Christopher Willes

    Christopher Willes in front of a brick wall.

    Christopher Willes is a multidisciplinary artist, musician/composer, and facilitator. His artistic work moves between disciplines and forms, focusing on the subject and practice of listening. He is an Associate Artist and Producer with Public Recordings, a performing arts collective in Toronto, and he often facilitates and organizes community arts projects. Christopher received his bachelors of music from the University of Toronto and received an MFA from Bard College (USA). He is an associated researcher with the Performing Arts Research Cluster at Concordia University, and he is currently training in Community Justice Initiates.

    Artist Statement

    “I work as an interdisciplinary artist, composer/musician, dramaturge, and facilitator working in experimental music, performance, publication and educational frameworks. My artistic practice focuses on the subject and practice of listening, to exploring issues of sociality, participation, perception, materiality, collectivity, collaboration and agency in music/sound and performance. My work is often situated in public and non-traditional venues, and involves the direct participation of the audience. Usually created in collaboration with other artists and community members over long term processes, the works explore how listening can transform our relationships to each other and the world around us.”

  • North York Inter Community Youth Group/Pan Fantasy Steelband

    Wendy Jones playing the steelpan drums.

    Pan Fantasy Steelband is a community based non-profit organization, under the umbrella of the North York Inter-Community Youth Group (NYICYG), which strives to create awareness of cultural programming of the Steel Pan instrument through community events as well as leadership opportunities for youth. Pan Fantasy has operated for the past 35 years enrolling over 1,500 youth and has received numerous Caribbean Music Awards and performed at the 2012 Official Opening of the Pan Am Games at Nathan Phillips Square. Wendy Jones is Band Leader of Pan Fantasy and is internationally renowned as a Pannist, having received many awards including the annual Pan Alive competition eight years in a row.

    Artist Statement

    “My goal is to remove preconceived ideas about the steeldrum and showcase the versatility of this exciting instrument. The steelpan is often associated ONLY with Caribbean music; its versatility ranges from Classical to Jazz to Rock to Ballads and everything in between. As well, the steelpan has been utilized in small group ensembles with other instruments; and with voices/choirs. I aim to expand the horizons of the participants to see the infinite potential of the instrument.”

  • Nathan Cole

    Nathan Cole in a field holding a camera.

    Nathan Cole is a visual artist, photographer, writer, and aspiring naturalist. His practice is based on the exploration of the natural world both physically and visually, drawing inspiration from artist residencies in Costa Rica, India, and Spain. He has exhibited his work across North America and internationally. In 2022, he was one of three finalists for the Breakthrough Artist Award given out by the Toronto Arts Foundation. His artwork has also been featured in Murze and ArtAscent Magazines. Nathan is best known for his intricate and emotional wildlife scratchboard portraits.

    Artist Statement

    “Scratchboard is a delicate process, created by scratching away the ink. The more you scratch and the more repetitive you are, the less the surface remains the same. Humans create their societies in a similar way, they create by taking away the resources, stripping the surface to create something new. This is often a destructive process that results in animals disappearing along with their habitats. I want to creatively re-engineer this process, to give these animals a new life, a new future out of the darkness.”

  • Marjan Verstappen

    Marjan Verstappen.

    Marjan Verstappen is a visual artist and art educator. She specializes in teaching realistic techniques in drawing, painting and sculpture. In her teaching, she loves to share her enthusiasm for the beauty in everyday life, and strives to help her students discover it through their art. Her professional visual art practice involves painting, sculpture and photography. Notable exhibitions of her artwork include Every. Now. Then: Reframing Nationhood (Art Gallery of Ontario), INSTRUMENTA II (National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta), Atlas of Nowhere (Ashburton Art Gallery, New Zealand) and Know The Ways (Flux Factory, NYC). Marjan grew up in Aotearoa New Zealand and moved to Canada in 2012.

  • Camila Salcedo

    Camila Salcedo.

    Camila Salcedo is an interdisciplinary artist, curator and facilitator born in Venezuela and based in Tkaronto, working primarily in textiles, digital art and community art practices. She has shown her work nationally at various galleries, artist-run centres and festivals, such as the Khyber Centre for the Arts (Halifax), Xpace Cultural Centre (Toronto), Art in the Open (PEI), RiAP (Quebec), Connexion ARC (New Brunswick); and internationally at GUS Gallery in South Africa and Proyecto ACE in Argentina. She has done several residencies nationally through Harbourfront Centre (Toronto), Trinity Square Video (Toronto), Vtape (Toronto), Eyelevel Artist-Run Centre (Halifax); and internationally in Mexico through Arquetopia and the Lab Program, Argentina through Residencia Corazón and Proyecto ACE, and Peru through Arquetopia.

    Artist Statement

    “Via her interdisciplinary arts practice, there are a few themes that she frequents: camouflage as a way to blur lines and break down social assumptions, memory as an empowering tool for time travel and creating new speculative realities, and upcycling and recycling to piece-together patchworks both materially by reusing and mending textiles, and digitally by appropriating found audio and video footage.”

  • Ana Lopez Castro

    Ana Lopez Castro.

    Ana Gabriela Lopez Castro is a Mexican visual artist based in Toronto. Her artistic formation started in the areas of photography and printmaking in 2000, where she first found the best way to express her voice. She is an active exponent of Mexican folk art, through the presentation of her alebrijes, fantastic creatures made on paper mache. The love for her roots and Mother Nature is always present in her work. In 2019, she founded Emotionart collective art group, to bring art programs to Toronto Community Housing buildings, initially for seniors to break the isolation of their tenants and rebuild their community again.

    Artist Statement

    “Growing up in Mexico City, I have strong attachment to my roots, to my homeland and its culture. It always inspired me to create work, in my prints or my handcrafted alebrijes (fantastic creature made of paper mache). I immersed myself in the arts since I was a child, and little did I know I would become one day an artist, I just loved creating and drawing everything. Alebrijes became part elemental of my work in 1999 when I learned how to make them. They are so unique, mythical and expressive and can come from our dreams or our imagination.”

  • Mirka Loiselle

    Mirka Loiselle in front of a tree.

    Mirka Loiselle is a Toronto-based illustrator and children’s arts educator. They work primarily in digital illustration and other drawing media, but also dabble in painting, printmaking, and puppetry. Mirka is passionate about using narrative-based art practices to help young people discover their unique creative voices. She has previously worked as a community artist with VIBE Arts and ArtStarts, and runs SkyBlue Studio, a children’s arts organization in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood. They are a member of the artist-activist collective ACMJIS, and a collaborating artist on Neartown, a zine exploring alternative justice practices through fiction, poetry, and art.

    Artist Statement

    “This residency is a continuation of my practices as both educator and picture book artist. Monsters are a recurring theme in my work, often as playful personifications for my anxieties. Drawing imaginary creatures is an exercise in creativity: it forces young artists to reject the notion that their artwork has to look “real” in order to be successful, and instead encourages them to find value in their unique artistic voices. The collaborative nature of the project aims to break down the divide between artist and audience, between teacher and student, to create a product that is more engaging for all.”

  • Siddhartha Naidu

    Siddhartha Naidu.

    Siddhartha (Sid) Naidu is a published documentary photographer and award-winning creative entrepreneur who uses visual arts as a tool for creating social impact. Drawing his inspiration from street arts, cultural movements and social change, he has created numerous bodies of photographic works across Asia, Australia & the Americas. His journey led him to co-found Scarborough Made in 2019, an artist collective championing storytelling in Toronto's East through public art and youth mentorship programs. His work has allowed him to collaborate with public institutions and global organizations, such as the City of Toronto, Centennial College, Complex Canada, TEDx and UNICEF Australia.

    Artist Statement

    “I grew up around neighbourhoods often misunderstood by outsiders looking in. I see strength and resilience intertwined in these neighbourhoods through the untold narratives and cultural histories of the many people living here. When we place storytelling in communities where art is not typical, we provide opportunities for the people to explore different futures through their personal narratives. When we get our communities involved in documentary storytelling, we develop stronger neighbourhoods more connected to our shared experiences. From one’s cultural upbringing or personal journey and learnings, we all have a story to tell. What’s yours?”

  • Amanda Lederle

    Amanda Lederle.

    Amanda Lederle (they/them) is a neurodiverse, queer, Chinese-Canadian based in Toronto. Their mental health journey has influenced their drive to destigmatize mental illness and support creative expression. Amanda’s work has been shown in group exhibitions, publications and has been invited to lead workshops and artist talks. They were featured at the Art Gallery of Ontario as one Workman Arts’ artists taking up themes of mental health awareness and advocacy in galleries and museums.

    Artist Statement

    “Throughout their work, they explore connection, diverse perspectives and honesty, especially as it aims to bring more compassion and kindness into the world, destigmatizing mental illness and connection with others as it relates to lived experiences with depression and anxiety. Grounded in humour and playfulness, Amanda’s work surrounds the theme that we, human beings, are all on a journey through life and are not given a guide on how to live. We may be going through similar experiences, but the way we approach, think and behave are all unique. We are all doing our best to move through life.”

2021 Artists in the Library

  • Marley Allen-Ash

    photo of Marley Allen-Ash

    Marley Allen-Ash is an illustrator and animator working in Toronto, Canada. In her personal practice, she combines traditional and digital media to create animated and static visual work that explores memory and mood. Marley also works as an freelance editorial illustrator with clients including the New York Times and The Globe and Mail, and her work has been recognized by 3x3, American Illustration and Creative Quarterly. In 2019 she was the Innovator in Residence at Fort York Library, where she delivered programming about digital illustration. She studied at OCAD University, completing a Bachelor of Design in illustration.

    Artist's Statement

    "I'm interested in creating work that reflects memory and feeling through abstracted visual narratives. During this residency I will be incorporating recollections from the community into an animated installation that explores dreams and mental health. In addition, I've found that the process of drawing and animating has given me new tools for expression, and I will be facilitating virtual workshops as an opportunity to share with youth and adults how to use these tools so they can create their own digital artwork."

  • Erica Brisson

    photo of Ana Gaberiela Erica Brisson

    Erica Brisson brings ideas to life. As a visual storyteller and artist, Erica has produced socially engaged art and design commissions in Canada and Europe for over 10 years. Organizations commission her to produce projects that often involve research, community engagement, and illustration. She brings a deep interest in psychology, learning, and visual thinking to her work. Erica has worked with the AGO, CAMH, Koffler Arts, Arts Etobicoke, STEPS Public Art, ZK/U Berlin, and Tandem culture without borders.

    Artist's Statement

    "Growing up in downtown Toronto, I am city kid at heart, fascinated by the beauty and vitality of urban communities. Walking and drawing are great ways to get to know our immediate environment. To look closer. To pay attention. To slow down. Places tell us stories. I'm interested in my own and other peoples' different ways of seeing the place where we live. I like to create opportunities for us to share what we notice through pictures, symbols, and words."

  • Community Story Collective (Emmy Pantin)

    photo of Emmy Pantin

    Community Arts Collective is an arts collective focused on media and storytelling for marginalized voices.

    Artist's Statement

    "Community Story Collective will work with customers of the Cliffcrest Branch of the Toronto Public Library to explore their stories through media, writing and storytelling, to tell the stories that don't often get heard."

  • Ruben 'Beny' Esguerra

    photo of Ruben 'Beny' Esguerra

    Ruben 'Beny' Esguerra arrived from Bacatá, Colombia as a political refugee with his parents, and currently lives and works in Jane-Finch, Tkaronto. Beny is a JUNO nominated musician/producer, poet, arts educator and community worker. Highlights of his career include leading New Tradition Music, designing courses for Canadian Universities, visiting schools across Ontario and receiving the 2021 Artist Educator of the Year award from the Ontario Arts Foundation. He is the music director of several Jane-Finch arts programs and co-leads the NTM Mobile Studio Project. Beny is a PhD (ABD) candidate in Musicology/Ethnomusicology, specializing in Afro-Indigenous Colombian music and Hip Hop culture.

    Artist's Statement

    "I am a community-based artist committed to art-forms generally under-represented in mainstream school curriculums. I realized that I never connected artistically with the music we were learning in elementary school. It was not until I was exposed to a wider range of approaches to art in University that I re-connected with music. I decided to explore many traditional and urban artistic styles and apply them to my compositions and teaching approaches. My artistic practice will be employed by creating a space for community artists to participate in open studio sessions and performances rooted in all of the forms of expression."

  • Leah Gold

    photo of Leah Gold

    Leah Gold is a visual artist and community arts facilitator. Her drawings and ceramics use playful and fantastical imagery to explore emotional states and imaginary worlds, and have been exhibited locally and internationally. She has facilitated projects for such organizations as TIFF, The Koffler Centre of the Arts, Arts Etobicoke, Lakeshore Arts, and the Kapisanan Philippine Centre for the Arts. With Hijinks Collective, she creates participatory, multidisciplinary projects that combine a DIY ethos with professional calibre visual and sound art production. Leah holds a BFA from Concordia University, and is currently based in Toronto.

    Artist's Statement

    "What I love about community arts is encountering so many different people, and creating a context where they all feel welcome to learn and to create together. It feels like a simple thing to hand people some art supplies and invite them to sit still and pay attention, to play and to dream. But it is also a thing that can open up all kinds of interesting doors in our minds. I hope that my projects give people permission to try, and to screw up, and to see the beauty in their trembly lines and misshapen forms anyway."

    Program

  • Kuné - Canada's Global Orchestra

    photo of Kuné - Canada's Global Orchestra

    Canada's Global Orchestra was created in 2017 by The Royal Conservatory of Music celebrating the cultural diversity and pluralism of Canada. This ensemble brings together virtuosic musicians who have immigrated to Canada as well as an Indigenous representative. In the fall of 2019, KUNÉ completed their first US tour. In early 2020, KUNÉ received a National Creation Fund grant and in partnership with Banff Centre for the Arts premiered six of their compositions with the Winnipeg Symphony and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. KUNÉ's debut record was also sponsored by the Banff Centre and is distributed by Universal Music Canada.

    Artist's Statement

    "KUNÉ's influences come from each member's individual cultural upbringing. KUNÉ strives to create the feeling of grounded-ness and sense of being embraced and accepted in a new and unfamiliar place generating and re-envisioning new memories and associations through music in a safe and accepting space establishing an understanding that we are all experiencing the same struggles and joys together. With musicians from different backgrounds, KUNÉ is creating the sounds of Toronto. The group is finding a way to delve into a musical genre that has just begun to be explored, consistently doing what has never been done before."

  • Kwentong Bayan Collective

    photo of Kwentong Bayan Collective

    Kwentong Bayan is a collective of two Toronto-based artists, Althea Balmes and Jo SiMalaya Alcampo. They explore community-based art, labour, and education. In the Filipino language, 'kwentong bayan' is the literal translation of 'community stories'. They often collaborate with Filipino Migrant Care Workers who support Canadian families to care for children, elders, and those with complex medical needs. Kwentong Bayan Collective's art has been exhibited and published internationally, including the anthology, Drawn to Change: Graphic Histories of Working-Class Struggle. Their work is taught in high schools, colleges and universities and has been integrated into the Ontario school curriculum.

    Artist's Statement

    "Ways of Weaving" was originally developed by Kwentong Bayan and Kapwa Collective. We have facilitated this playshop series with different communities since 2015, as part of our ongoing exploration of re-indigenization, healing and play. As Filipinx peoples who have been uprooted from our own ancestral lands, and who now live, work, and benefit from the resources on Indigenous territories under the "Dish With One Spoon" covenant, we offer gratitude and respect to the traditional caretakers of the land and waterways. At this critical time of global transitions, we seek to reconnect with Indigenous ways of being and sustainable art practices."

  • Legin

    photo of Legin

    Legin's journey with crochet began through the mentorship of a Rasta man in Trinidad. After using his newfound skills to design and create original pieces, he started teaching friends and youth in the community and offering programs focused on the meditative practice of crochet through Art of Crochet. Legin is also behind Legin Knits, creating one-of-a kind, original and embellished garments using crochet.

    Artist's Statement

    "I love crochet as a creative way to share my offerings! Initially I just wanted new hats for myself. I was 19 years old, embracing Rastafarian roots and culture and had been growing my dreadlocks for 2 years. I could not find headwear I liked, so I thought if I made it myself, I'd have everything I needed and more. Well, was I ever right! I still have the first hat I made and 25 years later, continue to innovate and change the way people see crochet. The decision to crochet changed my life and now inspires Art Of Crochet."

  • Daniel Rotsztain and Romero Alexander Martin

    photo of Daniel Rotsztain and Romero Alexander Martin

    Growing With It is a Toronto-based arts collective dedicated to facilitating authentic and hyper-local self-expression through participatory workshops. Growing With It is Romero Alexander Martin and Daniel Rotsztain, Toronto artists with a playful community-based practice and shared passion for elevating contemporary and everyday experiences by translating them into energetic and collaborative artworks.

    Artist's Statement

    "LOCAL HISTORY HOTLINE is a collaborative project that will add a new book to the shelves of Cedarbrae's local history collection: a volume that reflects the diverse and everyday experiences of Cedarbrae's residents. Local community input will be facilitated through interactive workshops and a 1-800 hotline number."

  • Chason Yeboah

    photo of Chason Yeboah

    Chason Adjoa Nana Yeboah is a self-taught textile sculptor, doll maker and story-teller, exploring the oscillation of ancestral ritual through reconstructed, (un)raveled and crocheted structures. Many of her works directly focus on themes of shame, loss of identity, sexuality, the notion and practice of "self-love" hybridity, energy transference, and acknowledgement of the human form, with a primary focus on marginalized humans.

    Artist's Statement

    "Born to a Trinidadian mother and Ghanaian father who met in Toronto where I was born, I like to think of myself and my practice as a direct product of the innate rituals of the diaspora. A new world conduit, here to continue (as we all do) the artistic generational movement of craft and story-telling through feeling and meditative thought."

  • Julián Carvajal and Paula Solano

    photo of Julián Carvajal and Paula Solano

    Julián (he/him) is a passionate Colombian-Canadian Queer Mix-Media Artist, Event Producer, Project Manager and Cultural Promoter and Curator who has been working in the not-for-profit sector for the past 17 years in multiple roles. He is the Creator and Curator of this program which honours the lives of his Grandmother and Mother. Paula was born in Bogotá, Colombia, where she studied Law and Visual Arts. She worked as a lawyer until she decided to switch careers, move to Canada and studied Illustration. She has illustrated 5 published books. She is passionate about art, creativity, the inner world and teaching.

    Artist's Statement

    "This program has been designed to encourage seniors to share their life stories in audio and visual formats to celebrate their existence. To have a better understanding of who they are. To get inspired by their stories, and continue using storytelling as a powerful tool to learn from each other and let their imagination take them to unexisting places with real and imaginary characters, places, emotions. With this program I am honouring my grandmother, for sharing many of her adventures, and my mother through her thesis on Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Gracias! Leonor Carvajal García & Beatriz Eugenia Carvajal."

  • Musical Story Studio (Sarah Abu-Sharar, Chris Taeyoung Kim, Cassie Norton)

    photo of Musical Story Studio

    Sarah: MA accredited expressive arts therapist. BSW. Theatre School. School of Storytelling Toronto. Teaches storytelling classes for children and families in the Rexdale area with the Parent-Child Mother Goose program. Chris: B. Mus/M. A. (Music Education), B. Ed. TDSB Secondary educator. Teaches piano and songwriting at Regent Park School of Music. Cassie: BFA, MA in Music Composition. Founder of Music for Climate Justice. Teaches violin and songwriting at Regent Park School of Music.

    Artist's Statement

    "Musical Story Studio (MSS) aims to share our love of music and story creation with a younger generation, especially those who may not see themselves represented in mainstream art and music. We believe that it is important for diverse voices to be empowered to share their stories and to be heard."

  • Esmond Lee (李春錦)

    photo of Esmond Lee

    Esmond Lee (李春錦¦) is an artist, photographer, and practicing architect based in Scarborough. Lee explores long-term, intergenerational experiences of migration in peripheral, in-between spaces. He holds a Master of Architecture and draws from this to examine identity, belonging, and nuanced cultural and political borders in the built environment. Lee's work includes a 250-foot long installation for Nuit Blanche Scarborough 2019, developed during his time in the Doris McCarthy Artist-in-Residency, and a 25-foot tall installation at Malvern Town Centre as a CONTACT Photography Festival Core Exhibit. His work received recognition from the Burtynsky Grant and is part of CAMH's permanent collection.

    Artist's Statement

    "As a second generation Chinese-Canadian, I draw from my family's experience in exploring long-term and intergenerational experiences of migration in the urban periphery. I grew-up in Scarborough and still make this place my home, sharing a house with my elderly father in an arrangement of mutual care. I examined Scarborough as a site of migration and continuous change, based on the idea that migration is not the start and end of a physical journey, but a collection of experiences and values that transform through generations. I am proud to create hyperlocal research and art concerning my community here in the suburbs."

2020 Artists in the Library

  • Ana Gabriela Lopez Castro

    photo of Ana Gaberiela Lopez Castro

    Ana Gabriela Lopez Castro is a Mexican visual artist based in Toronto. Her artistic formation started in the areas of photography, printmaking and alebrijes in 1999. She established herself in Toronto in 2008 and is an active exponent of Mexican art and culture throughout the presentation of her artistic and handcrafted work known as the Alebrijes. She has exhibited widely in Canada and Mexico from 2000 to the present; and since 2013 has collaborated as leading artist with Muse Arts. Ana Gabriela has a bachelor's degree in visual arts from the Faculty of Arts and Design at UNAM from Mexico City and Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design from Centennial College.

    Artist's Statement

    "My body of work is inspired by Mexican folk art, colourful, diverse and rich. Through my work, I want to show that by learning about other cultures we can create communities inspired by each other, also the diverse mediums I use shows the different possibilities to create work."

    Program

    Fantastical Creatures Alebrijes Workshop with Ana Gabriela Lopez Castro

  • Mania Elendari

    photo of Mania Elendari

    Mania Elendari runs workshops using therapeutic art tools to psychosocially support women and youth who have suffered from war trauma and displacements. At CultureLink in Toronto, Mania runs a Drama for Trauma workshop wherein Syrian newcomer women work together to practice writing scenarios, acting, and performing for public audiences. She has run interactive theatres with Syrian refugee women in Lebanon and internally displaced women. Mania was trained by the War Child organization in Lebanon to facilitate psychosocial support workshops. Mania has run several programs with Syrian displaced youth and children using theatre, painting, games, and handcraft for psychosocial support.

  • Alex D./ Fresh Cut Paper Studio

    image for Alex D./ Fresh Cut Paper Studio

    Alex D. (fresh cut paper studio) is a Toronto-based, francophone paper artist and arts educator who combines ancient paper sculpting techniques and modern design to create beautiful paper works. She takes great care in designing, cutting, and shaping her hyperrealistic paper art into dynamic paper props, large scale paper installations, and custom pieces for private collections. Alex also delivers paper arts programming in schools and libraries, in both English and French.

    Artist's Statement

    "The versatility of paper and its creative possibilities inspire me. The approachability of this simple medium aligns with my goal to make art more accessible, and foster art participation opportunities for people of all ages and skill. I am committed to the promotion of creativity as a component of self-care, especially during these challenging times. I’m fascinated by the universal role paper plays in our lives, as a medium that inspires, informs, and celebrates us. Through the program, I will explore this concept with the creation of a 12-piece exhibit called Paper Trail: Portrait of a Life in 12 Sheets."

    Program

    Artists in the Library - Pretty Petals: Shaping Paper Flowers

  • Pratibha Arts

    photo of Pratibha Arts collage

    Pratibha Arts presents an array of music and dance artists who reflect and honour the cultural diversity of Toronto: Carmen Romero (Flamenco dance), Sina Bathaie (Iranian Santur), Emilie Andree-Jabouin (African-Caribbean-Canadian dance), Kristian Gusho (Albanian, electric violin), Vineet Vyas (North Indian drumming) and Bageshree Vaze (Indian classical dance). As part of its Diversity Dance Initiative (DDI) project, Pratibha Arts is programming this performance and workshops to engage, enthral and inspire Library audiences. This unique program will feature snippets of the various artists and their practices.

    Program

    Artists in the Library - Pratibha Arts Dance Performance

How to Apply

The Artists in the Library program provides funding with grants of $20,000 to professional artists, arts organizations and collectives working in any artistic discipline to undertake community-engaged artist residencies in selected branches of the Toronto Public Library.

The application deadline for residencies taking place in 2023 has passed and applications are not currently being accepted. Stay tuned for information about the next opportunity to apply for an artist residency.

Please visit the Toronto Arts Council website for full eligibility, application and submission details. Click to view or download a PDF of the Artists in the Library Program Guidelines.