On Sunday, April 25th at 11 a.m. join us at East Lynn Park for the DECA Make A Joyful Noise Family Parade.
Kids are invited to wear a costume or a crazy hat and bring their favourite instrument to join the parade! (Any old shaker or coffee can will do – we’ll also have a few extra shakers for those who need it.)
There will also be some yummy treats from Cozy Bakery and Cafe (in the formerly named Coffee Coffee location). Spread the word – the more the merrier!
Art Walk April 23 – May 2, 2010 along Danforth between Greenwood & Woodbine
Mark your calendars for the DECA Family ‘Make A Joyful Noise’ Parade on Sunday, April 25th at 11 a.m. in East Lynn Park! Get your costumes and musical instruments ready to rock the park.
With less than a month between now and the launch of Art of the Danforth, there are still have a couple creative opportunities:
1. Where history meets collage – Cut ‘n paste party April 4th
2. Photo mosaic submissions due April 4th
3. Seeking creative ideas for decorating planter boxes
HISTORICAL COLLAGE: One of our displays will be a collage of historical material (photos & stories) from the neighborhood. Do you have an old photo, a good story, even a favorite quote from the past you’d care to share? Please send it to us before April 4th so we can include it in the collage. We also need volunteers to come cut and paste with us on April 4, 10-noon (LucSculpture Studio & Schools, 663 Greenwood).
PHOTO MOSAICS: The deadline to get your photos in for inclusion in our series of photo mosaics is April 4th. You’ll find all the details about the photo criteria and how to submit at: http://www.artofthedanforth.com/2010/02/photographers-needed-for-photo-mosaic-project/
DECORATE A PLANTER BOX: Here’s the challenge: come up with a decorative idea for one of the planter boxes along Danforth that keeps to the following restrictions:
· Decorations cannot be tied to or harm the tree in the planter in any way
· Stakes in the dirt are not allowed (with the possible exception of very minimal staking along the side of the cement, furthest from the tree itself)
· Displays cannot extend beyond the physical borders of the planter boxes or be taller than 3 feet.
· Displays MAY circumvent the tree in order to discourage theft/ vandalism
· Artwork must be made of material that is durable for a minimum of 10 days. Recycled and recyclable material is preferred
· In keeping with the event theme, the artwork ideally engages viewers and encourages them to reflect upon life along this part of the Danforth
At this point, we’re not asking that you actually create this decoration, though if you want to actually do so, we’d love to have your help. Right now we’re just looking for fun, creative ideas. If you have an idea, talk to us!
And finally… a reminder for artists and artisans: the Danforth East Arts Fair (September, 2011) has its early deadline on April 30. Now new and improved, with no application fee. You’ll find the application and other details atwww.deca-arts.ca.
My son and I attended one of the Art of the Danforth community workshops on the weekend and it was terrific. Led by artist, Heidi Popsil, we made silhouettes (to be part of the installation on the outside of the Coxwell library) and painted flags to be part of the ‘Tibetan prayer flag’ installation at the Big Hole at Woodbine and Danforth. I think it will be wonderful for my son to walk along during the Art of the Danforth and see his artwork there along with all the other artists.
There are several more of the free family workshops at the Coxwell library. Families of all kinds are welcome to attend these one-off workshops. If you missed this one, there are five more chances to take part! And that’s not all there are lots of community workshops happening in advance of the art walk.
Check out all of the free workshops that are available this month!
FAMILY ARTS WORKSHOPS
Folk artist Heidi Pospisil will lead families in making colorful life sized silhouettes and multi-colored flags to be strung together in dramatic display. All workshops at Coxwell Public Library, 1675 Danforth (just east of Coxwell) Space is limited! If interested, please sign up at the library reference desk or by calling 416-393-7783.
Wednesday, March 10 – 6pm to 8pm
Friday, March 19 – 2pm to 4pm (March break)
Saturday, March 20 – 2pm to 4pm (March break)
Wednesday, March 24 – 6pm to 8pm
Wednesday, March 31 – 6pm to 8pm
EAST DANFORTH PEOPLE AND PLACES
All workshops at LucSculpture Studio & School, 663 Greenwood, just N of Danforth)
Join multidisciplinary artist Gomo George in sifting through facts, gossip and feelings about places and people in this area. Come prepared with your contributions to be woven into displays that explore who and what make up this strip.
Thursday March 18, 6:30 – 8:30 PM – Special focus on the Roxy / Allanby Theatre
Thursday March 25, 6:30 – 8:30 PM – Special focus on the Linnsmore & Crossroads Taverns
Sunday April 4 10 am – noon –
Thursday April 8, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Thursday April 15, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
WHAT ABOUT ALL THOSE EMPTY STORES?
We’ve tried very hard over the past year to connect with the owners of the empty stores along the Art of the Danforth walk site. Surprisingly, many of the owners of these stores are inaccessible, not even trying to rent out the sites. Now, we would NEVER suggest we intrude on their private property with mounting some ghostly silhouettes on their outer windows. That’s why we’re just going to talk about it.
Thursday March 11, 6:30-8:30 at LucSculpture Studio & School, 663 Greenwood
Wednesday April 7, 6:30-8:30 at Community Centre 55, 97 Main Street (@ Gerrard)
The Art of the Danforth is happening and it’s going to be awesome. There was such an amazing turnout at the last meeting/update that they ran out of chairs. There will be more than 50 unique displays and performances. You can see a summary of the art walk activities here and get your first look at the participating artists. There are a number of fun community workshops happening in March, plus a handful of (still fun, but involving a bit of work) volunteer positions. If you are interested in any of this or want to know more contact Cindy at info@artofthedanforth.com
Also – DECA is planning an event for Saturday, April 23rd to help kick off this amazing event. It involves using building your own instruments, having a parade and eating delicious apples and drinking hot apple cider. Do you want to help organize it? Contact me – Natasha – natasha.granatstein@gmail.com
Art of the Danforth Volunteer Opportunities
| # people
Needed |
Title | hours | does what | qualifications |
| 5 to 20 | Photographers | as few or as many as you wish | Take photos of neighborhood to be assembled into photo mosaics. Create something big with others – professional photographers will work with you with tips & suggestions! First meeting Mar 4! Click here for details. | interest in photography, a digital camera nice but we may be able to provide disposables for those without |
| 6-20 families | Family Art Participants – all invited, especially parents/caregivers with their children | One 2 hour workshop. | Drawing and painting colorful human silhouettes and cloth flags. | Enjoys art. Young children must be attended by responsible adult. Available at workshop times listed on website: |
| 4 to 10 | Contributors to “Danforth East Stories & People” | min participation 2 hour workshop | Finding materials (photos, newspaper articles, writing, other pieces) that recollect stories from iconic buildings such the Roxy / Allanby Theatre, Linnsmore and Crossroads Taverns. Assisting artist in assembling these items into a display Click here for a list of workshop dates. | Knowledge, experience or interest in this neighborhood, willingness to share, artistic spirit a plus |
| 2 to 5 | Coroplast silhouette creators | 2-6 hours | Working with designers to create 2 dimensional life-size figures, cutting shapes out of corrugated plastic, mounting and/or installation Click here for a list of workshop dates. | A steady hand to cut with blades or a jigsaw. For those interested in assisting with the conceptualization, training in art and computer graphics is required |
| 1 to 2 | Materials Purchaser | Intermittent trips | Picking up materials to be used in workshops. | Willingness & availability |
| 1 to 3 | Flag Seamstress | 2-8 hours (not really sure!) | hemming strips of cloth for flag display | Sewing machine & ability to use it! Thread and material provided. |
| No limit | Brochure Distributor | as few or as many as you wish | Dropping off brochures in stores & residences in area, early – mid April | some time to kill, ability to walk comfortably |
| 2 to 6 | Display Installation/ Dismantling | 2-6 hours
April 22, 23, May 2 |
Helping artists install and dismantle displays | Physical strength, technical / mechanical aptitude |
| 1 | Someone with a van or truck | Intermittent times in March & April | Picking up & delivering (with help!) materials | Use of a truck or van capable of holding lumber or 4 x 8 sheets of coroplast |
| 24 | Event hosts | At least 2 – 3 hour shifts, Assorted times 10 am – 7 pm, April 23 – May 2 | Manning hospitality stations along walk route, answering questions | Friendly, interest in community, access to a cell phone very handy |
As well, Henry Wong has joined the Art of the Danforth team and will be helping out as Event Coordinator from now until May. You can reach him at henry@artofthedanforth.com
From Cindy: Thank you to everyone who has helped out so far. It continues to be an inspiring experience meeting so many talented, committed and interesting people who live in this neighbourhood (good-looking too…is that slathering it on too thick? I can’t help it I love you guys!). Really, it’s worth coming out to the meetings, if only to meet some of the fantastic people who care about this ‘hood.
