TNO Spring/Summer 2023
May 3rd - June 27th, 2023
“Celebrating Seniors Through Art, Culture and Cuisine” was delivered to two groups of participants in the morning and afternoon over eight sessions. This is MAMC’s third series in this welcoming community.
The theme of cuisine and culture tied closely into the program highlighting the close cultural connections that we all make through the joy of cooking and eating together. Feelings of nostalgia, memory, and comfort brought about through associations with food and family traditions were a personal catalyst for this programming.
Both facilitators, Elena Soní and Vanessa Barnett, integrated writing and reflective activities alongside the art-making process, further promoting self-expression and self-discovery.
MAMC’S programming offers participants the chance to engage in artistic endeavors, develop their skills and self-confidence, connect with others who share similar interests, and explore their creativity in a nurturing and supportive environment.
On the last day each artist was able to share their creative journey with the group.
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Mason Design Studio
September 7th - October 26th, 2023
In May, Vanessa Barnett and Elena Soní-MAMC Artistic Directors-had the pleasure of meeting Stanley Sun-Founder and Director of Mason Design Studio, and Ola Mazzuca-Marketing and Communications Manager-a wonderful synergy of minds and ideas. Mason Studio has recently moved in to the Perth-Davenport Neighbourhood. They invited MAMC to design and deliver an outreach project to engage seniors in their new community. The work will be created in Mason Studio's work space and exhibited in their community gallery. By structuring the programming in phases, participants will gradually build upon their skills and experiences, resulting in a deeper level of self-confidence. Each phase will present new challenges and opportunities for creative explorations, expanding their artistic abilities and discovering their unique expressive voice. The emphasis on social interaction and collaboration fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie. The project will consist of individual, large scale art pieces using sustainable and found materials. When shown together this exhibit will represent the communal voice of the seniors.
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The Mabin School Project
27 September - 22 November, 2023
Elena Soní and Vanessa Barnett will facilitate the creation of a mural to visually represent The Mabin School’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion statement. They will engage Grade 4 students grandparents/elder in discussions to reflect on the school’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement and visually represent the results of these reflections. This art installation, with representation from all students and staff, will greet visitors as they enter the school building. During the art sessions, each student will work inter-generationally and collaboratively with grandparents/elders to reach an understanding of what an equity informed and committed school community looks like. Text and imagery will be integral to the artwork.
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Partnership with The Koffler / OCAD / Seniors -
October 13th- October 31st, 2023
MAMC was invited by the Koffler Centre of the Arts to facilitate an intergenerational project responding to the gallery’s current exhibit The Synagogue at Babyn Yar: Turning the Nightmare of Evil into a Shared Dream of Good. In April 2021, a new synagogue, designed by Manuel Herz, (https://www.greyscape.com/babyn-yar-synagogue-the-architectural-response-to-the-holocaust/) was unveiled in the ravine of Babyn Yar (Kyiv) in commemoration of the September 1941 massacre of 33,400 Jews from Kyiv. https://news.cnrs.fr/articles/babi-yar-1941-an-exceptional-account-of-the-massacre-of-jews-in-kyiv
Vanessa Barnett and Elena Soní and the Koffler will invite 20 to 25 older adults and elders to work with 20-25 students of Professor Shannon Gerard from OCAD-U.
The work will reflect the significance of Babyn Yar, the present-day situation in Ukraine, and hope for a better future.The artwork that is produced in the workshops will be exhibited at Art Scape Young Centre during Holocaust Education Week, November 2-9, 2023.
EXHIBITION: November 2-9, 2023
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Community Place Hub
June 2nd-June 30th, 2023
Clients of The Community Centre Hub, Weston Mt. Denis, Toronto, The centre provides community outreach, wellness and mental health support to its clients.
MAMC's facilitators Elena Soní and Vanessa Barnet offered "Making Faces", a program that focused on different aspects of portraiture.
Participants were encouraged to look closely at the styles and interpretations of many contemporary and traditional artists who focus on The Face- finding interesting ways of approaching their work. Participants enjoyed the challenge of experimenting with different techniques and exploring the possibilities of different approaches to portraiture using watercolour, acrylic, impasto, mixed media, and collage. Each artist's series of portraits celebrated experimentation, risk-taking, and surprises as well as the pleasure of sharing their accomplishments.The participants’ weekly drawings and paintings reflected their growing confidence.
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 ALPHA EDUCATION
A Seat At The Table
December 5th, 2022 - June 20, 2023
MAMC completed our second iteration of Shadows of Racism with ALPHA Education and participating schools.-Bishop Reding, (HCDSB); Victoria Park CI (TDSB); Dr Norman Bethune (TDSB); Unionville School for the Arts (YRDSB); Neil McNeil HS(TCDCB); St John Henry Newman HS (TCDSB); and
St. Mother Teresa CA (TCDSB).
The project “A Seat At The Table” is a celebration of cultural identity. 225 students participated in the project. The work is sculptural and will be displayed at The Ontario Science Centre.
Students used found objects, wood, old books, and papiér machė. Each work brings a social issue e.g.food insecurity, social access, health care, the deaf. Many works honour unique contributions of family members and community advocates.
The exhibit will be curated as a banquet with invited “guests” intentionally seated according to the conversations that could occur across the table. QR codes will further inform the dialogue.
The curation of the work and a video of the creative process will take place in June and August.
EXHIBITION: Oct. 20-23, 2023
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Our sincere thanks to our Donors, and to Members of the Board, Advisors and Staff!
A huge thanks to all the participants of our projects, you taught us so much!!
Our deepest appreciation and thanks to our many donors, supporters, staff and friends. We couldn’t do this without you and are so grateful to have you by our side.
Special thanks go to members of our Board, and Advisory Board who volunteer their time to help make MAMC a success.
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