Thirteen works from eight Toronto artists showcasing the legacies of Black Canadian and exploring the diverse creative expressions of the African Diaspora and its identities and cultures.

Exhibiting artists include Mitzy Blair, Wendy Carmichael Bauld, Janice Hardacre, Karen Harkins, Gabrielle Lasporte, Charmaine Lurch and Petrose Tesfai.

Exhibition curated by Karen Harkins.

Join us as we commemorate beginnings with the Opening Reception of our visual arts exhibition and an Open Mic Night with musical and spoken word performances by poet and musician Duane Hall and singer, writer, and poet HuNu. The night will be hosted by Jordan Veira, Founder and Creative Director of Spoke N’ Heard, a youth-led collective of artists, entrepreneurs and youth workers passionate for social change and community empowerment.

This evening also offers the culinary craftsmanship of Caribbean Flair Catering, where guests can explore the great tastes of Caribbean cuisine.

Let you imagination run wild with artist and Art Gallery of Ontario educator Karen Harkins for a day of creating colourful collages and building “Real McCoy” machines from found objects, as inspired by abstract and densely coloured works of African-American artist Alma Thomas, and the revolutionary inventions of Canadian- American inventor and engineer Elijah McCoy.

Watch and participate as award-winning multi-disciplinary artist, producer, and director Amani animates the Gallery with a series of theatrical and poetic vignettes from her one-woman performance piece, What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You, with exiting interactive elements.

Be inspired by professional musician and social activist Archie Alleyne and artist, TV personality, and The Known Unknown Founder Tika Simone – two music icons, both Toronto and internationally, as they engage in candid and insightful conversations about their careers as seasoned musicians and as champions of emerging youth talents.

Caribbean Flair Catering comes back to provide a great sampler of Caribbean cuisine.

Stand up, celebrate and the everyday Sheroe with the launch of our exhibit Unsung Sheroes, a thought provoking and emotional collection of works be Toronto and Scarborough- based artists showcasing a wide spectrum of Sheroeism and the invaluable, often under recognized and under-appreciated ways that women make the world go round.

Exhibiting artists include Afsaneh Shafai, Tara Dorey, Dania Ansari, Irit Epstein, Joylyn Chai, Luanne Maskell, Margaret Chown, Marilyn Walsh, Marnie White, Patricia Goudie, Patrice S-B, Samira El- Kassis, Virginia Tran.

Tamla Matthews- Morgan, Curator

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: Carole Staveley, Author of Not Lying Down: accomplish great things despite insurmountable challenges

Scarborough Arts welcomes author Carole Stavely to share and inspire with her personal wisdom and successes as illustrated in her book Not Lying Down, a motivational story about successfully navigating through chronic pain and significant challenges to accomplish great,sometimes unimaginable things. Catered buffet lunch provided by Caribbean Flair.

During this event, arts & crafts and snacks for school-aged children is available with advance registration.

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS: Peter Marczyk and Gail Wilson

Peter Marczyk, a Social Worker with the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, specializes in dementia-related issues, and community resources. Peter will introduce us to the world of dementia- related illnesses and the ways women are disproportionately affected as both caregivers and the recipients of care. He will also focus on hints and tips about the early warning signs of dementia, and local resources exist and how to accesses them. Gail Wilson is a social service professional who specializes in providing solution- focused workshops and life coaching with a strength- based approach. With a mix of humor, and fun Gail will share tips and tools on how to prioritize self-car, rethink barriers and create care networks. Participants will learn how to find/ make time, and how to take advantage of small opportunities when big opportunities are not practical. Refreshments provided.

During this event, arts & crafts and snacks for school-aged children is available with advance registration.