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Past Event

Online Symposia - In My Element: Akvo | Water

ArtworxTO Hub West - HOME(LAND) Exhibition Event

Event Location: Zoom

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Event Dates & Times:

Nov. 17 2021, 10:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m

How to Attend

Register online at eventbrite by clicking here.

Event Image for Online Symposia -  In My Element: Akvo | Water

In My Element(s)

This symposia is a series of gatherings for refugees/newcomer/immigrant artists to learn more about Indigenous history, culture, and celebrate their contributions to humanity as well as share their ancestral knowledge. The main audiences for this program are newcomers and immigrant artists who have the desire to learn more about Indigenous Heritage while playing a more active role in a Call to Action. The use of Esperanto (Akvo, Water; Tero, Earth; Vento, Wind; and Fire, Fajro) is related to the need to be connected through the same language. Something that can unite us and prevent us from being apart from each other.

This is the first of a three-part symposium series led by Julián Carvajal

#homelandexhibition

#AvkoSymposium

Biography:

Julián Carvajal (he/him) is a multifaceted, colourful and vibrant queer Latinx Colombian Canadian Arts Manager/Producer with over 20 years of experience managing and delivering arts festivals and cultural events. He has worked across the city and internationally leading large high-level events, producing shows, developing marketing concepts and has significant experience budgeting, managing staff, and building a strong community and media relations across cultural boundaries. He worked for over 5 years at Art Starts as a Special Projects Manager. He is the Event Producer of the largest PanAmerican Food and Music Festival in Canada. Julian is a mentor in residence at the Neighbourhood Arts Network while working at North York Arts and the producer of In My Element(s) Symposia.

Lindsey Lickers is a Haudenosaunee/ Anishinaabe woman whose belief in interconnectedness and natural law informs all that I do, whether that be my professional career to my relationships, but most of all this way of life informs my creative process. Through many years of cultivating an Indigenous arts practice, receiving teachings from community Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Helpers as well as participating in ceremony, I have developed a style that authentically speaks to the visceral experience of life, dreams, teachings and stories as I have encountered. My work is rooted in the traditional style of the Woodlands movement, but takes on a contemporary dialogue through my use of aerosol, acrylic, and medium transfers. I create similar traditional themes and experiences, however I generate my work through a new generational lens.

The utilization of aerosol has been developed, and reworked to visually interpret cosmos, space; the place in which all our creation stories begin, in sky world where our creator rests. Stipple work has been integrated into my paintings and developed from my exploration of kinetic energy, orbs, and quantum theory (the only science that comes close to the Indigenous worldview and the explanation of spirit). I aim to create multi-dimensional pieces, using layering techniques and flowing line work that mimic the multi-faceted and circular beliefs of life that lay at the core of Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe traditions.

For me, creating is a visual manifestation of messages from my ancestors, helpers and more broadly the essence that is creation. It is a release of energy from my spirit, then interpreted and actualized by the body, released into the world, eventually coming back as new learnings, renewed energy.

Maria Montejo (Deer clan) is a member of the Jakaltec/Popti’ (Mayan) community of Indigenous people who reside in the Xajla’ territory of Iximulew (Guatemala). In addition to her formal schooling, Maria has been mentored from a young age by various Elders, Medicine people and Traditional Teachers on Turtle Island and from Central and South America. Maria has had the privilege of being exposed and participating in various ceremonies and traditional cultural practices that have fueled her passion to develop programming that will bridge the  Newtonian/allopathic model of wellness and an Indigenous/multidimensional approach. Maria is a traditional knowledge holder and carries the Deer Dance,  Corn/Seed and Creation Stories for her community.

Maria has over a decade of experience working in community development in priority neighborhoods and with Newcomer and refugee families. Maria has also worked for many years as a mental health and addictions treatment worker and provides education and consulting to various organizations and institutions in Canada. Maria also facilitates the R.E.A.L School Youth Leadership and Native Wilderness Survival Skills Development program in various Indigenous communities around the world and is the manager of Dodem Kanonhsa’ Indigenous Education and Cultural Facility in Toronto.

Photo credit: Daniel Galecio.

In My Element(s): Akvo | Water

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

10:00 AM to 10:30 AM | Opening Remarks
10:30 AM to 10:45 AM | Lindsey Lickers

10:45 to 11:55 |  Q&A Lindsey

11:55 AM to 12:25 PM | María Montejo 


12:25 PM to 12:45 PM | Q&A
12:45 to 1:00 PM |  Closing Remarks

Access information: Zoom Platform, will be provided upon booking.

For accessibility needs or accommodations, please contact julicarvajalto@gmail.com.

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ArtworxTO Hub WEST | Cloverdale Common - PAST EXHIBITION

This hub was located at 250 The East Mall, Toronto, ON M9B 3Y8

Curator: Claudia Arana

Cloverdale Mall is a west end focal point where creative communities are catalysts for neighbourhood transformation. Pass through this year for interactive installations and multimedia exhibitions including the exhibition series HOME(LAND) curated by Claudia Arana; digital arts experiences using Virtual and Augmented Reality with Arts Etobicoke; and a community engaged project online conversations by Farrah Miranda with Lakeshore Arts.