#DECAF19 Wrap-Up!

That’s a wrap!

Thank you for coming out to the 11th Annual Danforth East Community Arts Fair … and what a fair it was! Rain or shine (and we had our share of both over the two-day event) the community spirit and amazing talent of our #DanforthEast neighbourhood was clear for all to see!

First and foremost we have to give a shout out to our volunteers! The fair, and DECA itself, would not be possible without the volunteers that bring it to life.  Volunteers are the heart and soul of all that DECA has accomplished over its 12-plus years, and remain vital to the continued growth and development of our community.

Look at this amazing organizing committee!

Amazing Humans, left to right: Melissa, Shawna, Betty, Nancy, Julie. Kneeling: Amanda. Not pictured: Taryn, Joanne, Betsy.

The goal of the Arts Fair has always been to animate our community, bringing everyone together to support local artists, restaurants, and businesses.  So our second super big thank you goes out to all of our local sponsors for helping us make that goal a reality – Trust Realty Group, our local DeSerres, Create Art Studio, Small Business People Inc.,& Melissa Peretti Imagination + Design.

And thirdly, to all our musicians who filled the air with sound – Pete Eastmure, Sidecar78, Ben D’Cunha and Bass player Artie Roth and Kristen Lindell, Shannon Butcher, Jeremy and Jenn, and Rick Miller & Friends – and all the local businesses that entertained the little ones – Fresh Paint Studio, Common Threads, Silly Goose Kids and DeSerres  – Thank You!

And last, but certainty not least, thank you to all the restaurants and food establishments that kept everyone going –  Celena’s Bakery,East of York, Taste the Tornado, Cumin Kitchen, Sweet Serendipity Bakeshop, and Mark’s Pizza, and The Pop Stand.

And now the awards.

First up, The Tracey Jacobs Best in Show Award

#DanforthEast lost a true community minded artist earlier this year when Tracey, who co-owned Silly Goose Kids with her partner Shamie, passed away after a long and difficult battle with breast cancer at the age of 51. As many in our community know, Tracey didn’t just co- own and operate the best toy store ever (!) she was a creative force who never stopped giving to our community. Tracey spent countless hours volunteering at the Arts Fair and our weekly Farmers’ Market, opened the doors of her store to help innumerable volunteer operations as a drop off location and, of course, always created the most magical and educational window displays that inspired a whole street to dream big. This year we were honoured to have Tracey’s partner Shamie help us present the inaugural Tracey Jacobs Best in Show award to Gotamago, a fabulous local shop that specializes in original watercolour and ink illustrations designed and printed in Toronto.

Shamie presenting The Tracey Jacobs Best in Show award to Gotamago.

Best New Artist Award
PottsieCo. and her beautiful Kimonos! A close contender for the People’s Choice award, this was this artisans first show! We feel like there will be many more to come!

Best in Fine Art Award
Dave Rheaume and his beautiful vintage urban scenes!

Dave Rheaume’s booth at #DECAF19

Best Artisan Award
Alexander Kastulin (Akart) and all his delicate and intricate work in the language of ceramics!

Alexander Kastuline accepting award from #DECAF19 lead organizer Shawna Cotton.

People’s Choice Award
Nathan Nunn and his amazing pencil/ink/acrylic /digital prints – the people love those cats! This award comes with a free both at next year’s Art Fair – congrats Nathan!

People’s Choice Award for Nathan in front of his art.

As always, DECA is always looking for  volunteers to help run our events and to bring to life new and exciting ideas! Membership in DECA is only $10 annually/family and helps us run events throughout the year. For any questions, email:info@deca.to.

Coming Soon:
Federal Election Candidates Meeting, Beaches-East York Riding: Date tbd – further details coming soon!
Public Board Meeting: Oct 22 @ The Workaround, 2080 Danforth Ave, from 7-9pm
Festival of Lights: Saturday, Nov 30 in East Lynn Park from 4-5pm

Arts Fair By the Numbers & Organizers Wanted

A big thank you to everyone who came out and helped make this weekend’s arts fair in East Lynn Park a huge success! The 10th anniversary edition of the Danforth East Arts Fair, #DECAF18 (we sneak a silent “c” in the hashtag for “community”), by the numbers:

Now, We Need Your Help

If you love the arts fair and like to organize, we really want to hear from you to help us next year! Our organizers have put in many, many hours and it’s time for new folks to help out if we want to keep the fair going to year 11. Send us an email at deca.arts @ gmail.com to learn more.

DECAF18 Music
Jeremy & Jenn rocking #DECAF18
DECAF18 Kids Tent
Pegasus Studios hosting free kids crafts at #DECAF18

Arts Fair this weekend! #decaf18

#DECAF18 says THANK YOU!

Danforth East Community Arts Fair is this weekend, September 15-16, in East Lynn Park!

As we look forward to the excitement of #DECAF18, join us in thanking the amazing people who make it happen. First up, our wonderful community sponsors!


 Juliette Fergus of Trust Realty Group is back again this year! She regularly partners with local artists to fill empty walls in her listings with vibrant artwork that is also for sale, bringing art to local families and bringing opportunities to artists. “It’s a match made in heaven,” says Juliette!


  Your favourite local mortgage agent Lisa Okun of Mortgage Alliance Performance Group is a long-time community member and fair attendee, who you’ll often find teaming up with other neighborhood businesses like Fresh Paint Studio + Café to bring you local workshops on home decorating and organizing.


desktopfpSpeaking of Fresh Paint Studio + Café, this local fixture is made up of a team of friendly, professional artists and art lovers whom we are proud to thank for their continued sponsorship of DECAF for yet another year!


Also back again to support our arts fair this year is DeSerres — a family-owned art and craft supply business with the motto: “Because life is a canvas.” Indeed!! Come to #DECAF18 to fill your canvas with dazzle and delight! Visit DeSerres at 1556 Danforth Ave (at Coxwell).


We are excited to welcome the support this year of Member of Parliament for Beaches-East York Nathaniel (Nate) Erskine-Smith. Nate was raised in Beaches-East York, lives and works in this community, and we are so happy he is joining us in making this year’s Danforth East Community Arts Fair a success.


And a HUGE shout out to the tireless work of our volunteers! THANK YOU!! There are still a few volunteer slots left so click here to sign up if you want to spend time in a beautiful atmosphere with awesome people surrounded by art while giving back to your community – you’re one click away.

To help you plan your DECAF visit, here is the schedule of kids events, music performances, and demonstrations. We can’t wait to see everyone out there supporting our incredible artists on Saturday and Sunday! Follow us on social media before and during the fair on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Sept 15 & 16: our 10th Annual Danforth East Community Arts Fair is coming!

Ten years ago, a local mom on parental leave joined the newly-formed DECA Board with an idea about a community arts fair in East Lynn Park. It was an incredible event that year (2009), and we are so proud to announce the details of the upcoming 10th Annual Danforth East Community Arts Fair #decaf18!

Volunteers have been working all year to bring this special event our neighbourhood, Enjoy local art, food, live music, kids’ activities, and art demonstrations from students at local art schools. Admission is free! Make sure to invite your friends from outside of our ‘hood to make them understand just how awesome this neighbourhood is.

About #DECAF18

  • Featuring the artwork of 55 artists, both new and returning, ours is one of the largest not-for-profit arts fairs in Toronto
  • 100% volunteer-run by the Danforth East Community Association (DECA)
  • You’ll find pieces for $5 and for over $1000 so no matter your budget or your taste. there will be something for everyone
  • All the info you need is on the DECAF website, DECA-Arts.ca – exhibitors list is here
  • Dedicated social media pages for DECAF – Facebook and Insta – where the artists and their work are being featured in regular posts

Our Generous Sponsors

We are so grateful to these incredible people/businesses in our community who have sponsored this year’s event!

Kids Activities

For kids, there will be free crafts for kids, provided by DeSerres, Silly Goose Kids, & Pegasus Studios.

Food 

And when you get hungry, the food vendors will be: Magic Oven, Pomarosa, Celena’s Bakery, East of York,  Taste the Tornado, and Sweet Serendipity!

Stay tuned…

Stay tuned for a full schedule of the music and activities! The countdown is on – two more weeks!

Arts Fair: last week to apply!

The artist application deadline for the Danforth East Community Arts Fair is
fast approaching – applications are due March 31, 2018. Have you got
yours in yet?

This year’s fair is extra special. It’s the 10th anniversary of our
juried community arts and crafts show. In that short time it’s become
one of the best community arts events in the city, regularly making
top-10 lists and endorsed as a “must-see” by BlogTO, The Toronto Star
and more.

Every September, East Lynn Park transforms into a shopper’s paradise
full of tents showcasing 50 to 60 artists’ wares. Acoustic music wafts
through the late summer sunshine. Families gather on the grass for
picnic lunches from food trucks and vendors and kids take part in free
art workshops.

This is community at its finest. The fair is entirely volunteer-run
and driven by community demand. This year’s show is Sept. 15 & 16.

Please join us! The fee is $200 for the entire weekend. Tents can be
left up overnight as we provide overnight security. Please send any
questions to deca.arts@gmail.com.

Photo credit: Stephen Rabjohn

Yard Sale June 9th, DECA Young Leader Scholarship Coming & Arts Fair Applications Open Now!

Save the Date!! Danforth East Yard Sale

Mark your calendars! The Danforth East Yard Sale will be happening on June 9th.  In the coming months, we’ll let you know how to sign up and add yourself to the big map. In the meantime, take a peak around your living space…  do you have excess stuff you’d like to cull? The Yard Sale is a great way to meet your neighbours and clean house all at the same time. Happy spring!

3rd Annual DECA Young Leader Scholarship

DECA’s 2017 Scholarship Winner Sal Sabila

There are a lot of kids in our neighbourhood with huge potential. Some of them are already volunteering their time to make our neighbourhood a better place. DECA wants to help one of them this upcoming school year through our third annual DECA Young Leaders Scholarship. We’ll be posting the scholarship application soon and asking you to help us spread the word to local students and through our local high schools… Watch for more details on the blog. As always, fundraising for the scholarship will be through awesome neighbourhood events including a brand new Pub Night. You will also be able to contribute for the first time this year by making a donation thru the Danforth East Yard Sale. 

 

Calling All Artists! Apply Now – Danforth East Arts Fair

Don’t miss out on an incredible opportunity to showcase and sell your work at the Danforth East Arts Fair, taking place on September 15th and 16th, 2018, at East Lynn Park. Our vibrant community is filled with new families, established homeowners and creative folks who are eager to support local artists. Applications are due by March 31st, 2018. For more information or to apply visit the website: http://deca-arts.ca/exhibitors/

Emerging young artists have a sweet opportunity! You may apply for a #FREE booth at the Arts Fair this year. If you are an artist AND a full time student, the Emerging Artist Booth gives you a chance to sell and show your art in an open market. Apply now for this free opportunity! Two young artists will be selected: http://deca-arts.ca/exhibitors/emerging-artist/