Report
Oddside Arts was hired by the City of Toronto Public Art Division to consult and collaborate with Lawrence Heights and Neptune residents on public art installations for the new Recreation and Child Care Centre. Our approach centred Black, Queer, Feminist principles which emphasizes active representation (presence in community), the development of community relationships, and being guided by community knowledge(s). Our approach to this project comes from our collective conviction that community must lead any initiative that pertains to their lives, livelihood, or future life possibilities. Our experiences as Afro-diasporic people, as people who face the detrimental impacts of systematic and societal oppression, drives this conviction, and it served as the crux of this report.
The People
Themes of cultural/social diversity, multiculturalism, family-orientation, resilience, intergenerational community connections, and vibrancy.
Memories
Breaking stigmas and capturing the close ties community members have to each other as well as recognizing the spaces and things that make Lawrence Heights.
Spirit
Importance of highlighting Lawrence Heights communities, heritages (specifically African and Indigenous heritage), and unique sociocultural dynamics in public art.
View
The
Report
View The Report
Infographic Summary
This infographic summarizes the themes and ideas from Lawrence Heights and Neptune residents that participated in the art-based workshops, which occurred during the Summer of 2024. Take a look at what the community would like to see for the interior and exterior public artwork of the Lawrence Heights Community Recreation & Child Care Centre in Toronto.
Above the major themes identified throughout in-person consultations the most cited were connectedness, nature/garden, vibrancy, diversity, multiculturalism, togetherness, resilience, and Black/Afro-diasporic culture.
Special thank you to visual artist and creative, Jasmine Vanstone, for the visual summary of the community consultations.
Call for Artists
Artists and artist teams can submit their expression of interest to be considered for the design of the public art in the interior and exterior of the Lawrence Heights Recreational Centre on January 10, 2025.