Scarborough: The Backbone

ArtworxTO Hub East | Scarborough Town Centre

Curatorial Statement Wall. Located at Bay Court. Image: Garcia Creative.

Scarborough: The Backbone

September 2021 – September 2022
Scarborough Town Centre, 300 Borough Dr, Scarborough, ON M1P 4P5

Participating Artists: Montano St. Jules, Dwayne Morgan, Randell Adjei, Ashley McKenzie-Barnes, David Delisca, Joshua “Scribe” Watkis, Celeste Drakes, Shadel Chavez and Shahaddah Jack, Anthony Gebrehiwot, DJ Lewy V

Curators: Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony, Dwayne Morgan, Randell Adjei

Hours:
Monday – Sunday 11am-7pm

Scarborough: The Backbone
Often overlooked, Scarborough is the backbone of arts and culture in Toronto. The Scarborough Town Centre acts as our canvas as we celebrate Scarborough through the visual and performing arts, while connecting to the public through interactive activities. From food to fashion, art, images, visuals, music, to discussions focused on the richness of Scarborough, we will highlight how Scarborough continues to put Toronto on the map artistically and culturally.

Learn more about Scarborough: The Backbone

Spoken Soul Collective. Image: Anthony Gebrehiwot.

The Curators: Spoken Soul Collective
The Spoken Soul Collective (SSC) is a powerhouse team of artists and curators made up of Award Winning Artist Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony, Scarborough Walk of Fame Inductee, Dwayne Morgan, and Ontario Poet Laureate, Randell Adjei. Working as a collective since 2018, the SSC first produced the inaugural Toronto Spoken Soul Festival, before taking the reigns of the East Hub in Scarborough for ArtworxTO. Deeply entrenched in the arts and cultural community, the SSC works to bring marginalized artists to the forefront from the margins.

Learn more about the Spoken Soul Collective

ARTWORKS

The Backbone Spots of Scarborough
Like any township, there are spaces that really remind you of home. There are memories that live between the walls of the spaces we frequent. Scarborough has many places that remind its residents of home. Some that still live and some that we’ve had to say goodbye to. This photography exhibition will capture essential spaces that really speak to Scarborough. We will highlight restaurants, stores, buildings and parks along with text to speak to what makes these spaces so vital.

About the Artists:

Co-curated by Scarborough Spots

Learn more about The Backbone Spots of Scarborough

Re-Imagining located at Bay Court. Image: Garcia Creative.

Re-Imagining West Hill
Re-Imagining West Hill, is a multi-disciplinary arts legacy project designed to preserve some of the lived history of members of the West Hill community through poetry, photography and live performance.

About the Artists:

This group project features poetry written by Scarborough based poets David Delisca, Joshua “Scribe” Watkis, Celeste Drakes, Shadel Chavez and Shahaddah Jack. Photography is by internationally renowned photographer and Scarborough native, Anthony Gebrehiwot. This exhibit is produced in partnership with the West Hill United Church and Third Space Arts.

Learn more about Re-Imagining West Hill

The Zodiac by Montano St. Jules. Located in Centre Court. Image: Garcia Creative.

The Zodiac
The unifying thread of our existence is not in our physical appearance, but in spirit; we are all one family. The physical differences between us are no more to be feared than flowers of varying colours and sizes.

The goal of The Zodiac is to communicate a concept of racial unity through appreciation. When one sees a flower of particular beauty, appreciation for its uniqueness is not restricted to its particular genus; it should be the same for humanity.

About the Artist:

The Zodiac is created by artist Montano St. Jules

Learn more about The Zodiac

Scarborough Sounds
Even before the Weeknd, Scarborough music had long reached International heights. From The BareNaked Ladies, Maestro Fresh Wes to Kardinal Offishall, the sounds of Scarborough had already made their mark! Each season, we will curate a playlist that will include an eclectic group of artists from across Scarborough Including: Savannah Re, LOONY, YHW, The Weeknd, Kardinal Offishal, Tamir, Quincy, Harmony Pike, Charmie Deller, Scribe and more!

About the Artist:

The Scarborough Playlists will be curated by DJ Lewy V.

What’s on: EVENTS & PROGRAMMING

Scarborough RISING
There are many names and movements that have contributed to the Scarborough Art surge from a curatorial standpoint. For many of them, the goal wasn’t just to put Scarborough on the map, it was about creating spaces for Scarborough to be seen authentically. This panel will include three of Scarborough’s Rising and Risen stars to discuss their quest to highlight Scarborough’s best.

About the Artists:

Dwayne Morgan, Randell Adjei, Ashley McKenzie-Barnes

Scarborough Rising takes place virtually on November 26th.
Time: 6:00 – 7:30PM EST
Live on YouTube – Link will be available at: www.artworxto.ca/events

Taste of Scarborough
Experience the world through The Taste of Scarborough. Food lovers will have the opportunity to vote for where people can experience the best dishes in Scarborough. From samosas to shawarma, curries to dim sum, we will highlight the best in Scarborough cuisine, and invite everyone here for a bite.

Voting is on now

Listen. Learn. Act.
See the latest issue of the educational toolkit “Listen. Learn. Act.” to learn more about the Scarborough: The Backbone.

Learn more about Listen. Learn. Act Zine

Interactive Virtual Tour
Experience the exhibition from the comfort of your own home with the virtual 3D interactive tour.

Learn more about the Interactive Virtual Tour.

There is even more dynamic programming taking place throughout the year at the Scarborough Town Centre so check back for details.

Please contact hubeast@artworxto.ca for questions or Daniel St. Germaine, daniel@acteam.ca, for media inquiries.

Scarborough Town Centre
Scarborough Town Centre (STC) is well known for its deep connections to creative communities, arts, culture, and for its representation of the people of Scarborough. Stay tuned for workshops, programs and performances with hub partners Scarborough Arts.

Learn more about the ArtworxTO East Hub at Scarborough Town Centre

Directions:
Exhibits are located throughout the Scarborough Town Centre, with the main hub located at Centre Court.
300 Borough Dr, Scarborough, ON M1P 4P5
www.scarboroughtowncentre.com

The ArtworxTO East Hub and Scarborough: The Backbone acknowledges its partner Scarborough Town Centre, Oxford Properties, the City of Toronto, Scarborough Arts and the Toronto Outdoor Arts Fair

About ArtworxTO
ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021–2022 is a year-long celebration of Toronto’s exceptional public art collection and the creative community behind it. Working closely with artists and Toronto’s arts institutions, the City of Toronto is delivering major public art projects and commissions, citywide, from fall 2021 to fall 2022. Supporting local artists and new artworks that reflect Toronto’s diversity, ArtworxTO is creating more opportunities for Torontonians to engage with art in their everyday lives. This year, explore your city and discover creativity and community–everywhere. Visit artworxTO.ca for full details.

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