Join Bareket and STEPS in the opening of Beaches Sandbox, a new community hub in the Beach neighbourhood!

Led by Artist Bareket Kezwer and supported by STEPS Public Art in partnership with the Beaches Sandbox, a new community hub located in the Beach Neighbourhood, a series of art-making workshops will be held in the month of February that culminate in a mural created by artist Bareket Kezwer. Children, youth, and families who are a part of the Beach community are invited to participate in this exciting series of workshops.

Bareket will facilitate a series of seven (7) virtual workshops on Sundays during the month of February. People of all ages are invited to engage in these fun and interactive arts-based workshops which will explore drawing, painting, collaging, and introductions to mural productions. Participants will explore themes and imagery related to the mural which will help to inform Bareket’s final mural design to be installed in spring 2022 on the front exterior and rear exterior of the Beaches Sandbox building. Activities are open for a wide variety of ages and families connected to Toronto’s Beach community!

Workshop Details

• All workshops are free and open to anyone living, working, or playing in the Beach neighbourhood
• Bareket will lead group activities that explore the Beach neighbourhood through colour and art. Artwork and insights shared through these workshops will be used to inspire the Beaches Sandbox exterior mural
• Workshops will be conducted over Zoom and access to a computer or cell phone is required
• No experience is necessary! Activities are tailored to different age groups. Please see below for more details.

UPDATE:

Workshop 4 & 5 Participants - Materials Required: You will receive a printable version of the activity and we request you bring scissors, a ruler, markers, crayons, pencils or other art supplies you may have

Workshop 6 & 7 Participants - Material Kits will be provided by delivery. Please note that these workshops are for youth connected to the Beaches Neighbourhood. You must live within 5 km of Queen St. E. and Woodbine to be eligible for delivery of the material kit. The material kit is necessary to fully participate in the workshop.

Virtual Workshops Held on Zoom

Workshop 1: Sunday, February 6, 2022, 10:00am - 11:00am ET

For Ages 4-8 (Suitable for 1-2 children/youth participants)

Prismatic play: An hour of creative play with colour. Participants will have access to a variety of supplies and will be supported in creating a colourful artwork following their intuition. **Please note that some parental guidance may be necessary during the workshop**

Workshop 2: Sunday, February 6, 2022, 11:15am - 12:45pm ET

For Ages 12-17 (Suitable for 1-2 children/youth participants)

Introduction to Hand-Drawn Maps: consider your neighbourhood from a new perspective — a cartographer! Reflect on what you feel connected to in your community as you experiment with making one-of-a-kind hand-drawn maps.

Workshop 3: Sunday, February 13, 2022, 12:30pm - 3:30pm ET

All ages welcome! This is an activity for all members of the family to participate together!

Collaging Visions of our Brightest Future: A family-friendly afternoon collage party. Experiment with collage techniques as you imagine the future of Beaches Sandbox.

Workshop 4: Sunday, February 20, 2022, 1:30pm - 3:30pm ET

For ages 9-14 (Suitable for 1-2 children/youth participants)

Introduction to Hand-Drawn Maps: Consider your neighbourhood from a new perspective — a cartographer! Reflect on what you feel connected to in your community as you experiment with making one-of-a-kind hand-drawn maps.

Workshop 5: Sunday, February 20, 2022, 11:00am - 12:30pm ET

For ages 10-17 (Suitable for 1-2 children/youth participants)

Introduction to Hand Lettering: Explore a series of creative lettering exercises and consider what messages you’d like to share with your community at Beaches Sandbox

Workshop 6: Sunday, February 27, 2022, 11:30am - 1:00pm ET

For ages 12-17 (Suitable for 1-2 children/youth participants)

Prismatic play: An introduction to colour theory and paint mixing followed by an hour of creative play with colour. Participants will have access to a variety of supplies and will be supported in creating a colourful artwork following their intuition.

Workshop 7: Sunday, February 27, 2022, 2:00pm - 4:00pm ET

For ages 12-17 (Suitable for 1-2 children/youth participants)

Exploring the World of Stencil Art: Learn how to create stencils from photographs as well as freehand. Practice your new skill by creating a piece of artwork using stencils and aerosol paint.

About the Artist

Bareket is a Toronto based muralist, community engaged artist and facilitator, curator, cultural producer, graphic designer, frequent collaborator and eternal optimist.

Her multidisciplinary practice is motivated by a desire to celebrate the power of kindness and compassion, cultivate gratitude, spread joy, and support the growth of inclusive and connected communities. She programs and facilitates projects that enable people to express themselves through creative engagement and increase representation of Toronto’s diverse population. In her murals, she works with bright colours and bold patterns to captivate people’s attention, and fill them with delight.

In 2017, she founded Women Paint, a street art jam celebrating the strength, resilience and diverse stories of women and non-binary artist and community members. As the initiative’s creative director, she has produced over 100 murals by emerging and established artists, and facilitated intergenerational community murals and mural camps with youth.

Accessibility Notice

STEPS Public Art is committed to the community’s full participation in this project. Please indicate the support you require during registration or contact margaux@stepspublicart.org for more information.

Learn More

Visit STEPS Public Art for more information.

Partners

Beaches Sandbox - Create, connect, and have fun! A community hub where you are free to be you.