Wednesday, September 15, 2010

519 Church Street Community Centre Public Artwork

Flux
June 2010
27’ long x 5’ high


Flux is a community-engaged public artwork, a project of the 519 Church Street Community Centrer, located in the heart of downtown Toronto. More than 300 community members participated in the vision, design, and build. At eleven community consultations, we brainstormed ideas. Seventy-five sketches and some common themes emerged: a desire to firmly anchor the work in diversity and inclusion, LGBTTQ2S activism and resistance, honouring of community members who have passed, and looking ahead to the future. After a final design was produced by Anna Camilleri and approved by community members, the mosaic studio was opened. We built the mosaic together, piece by piece. Over 2000 volunteer hours were invested in this artwork.

Flux was led by lead-artist Anna Camilleri and co-lead artist Tristan R. Whiston of Red Dress Productions, with community art apprentices Heidi Cho, Rafaela Dominici Vidinha, Tamara Perez Mucino, and placement student Ingrid Vellekoop.

The 519 Community-Engaged Mosaic has been made possible thanks to the Province of Ontario via the Ontario Arts Foundation; the Community One Foundation; and generous donations from Tile City Ltd., Stone Tile International Inc., and community members. Special thanks to Robin Elliot, Tim Leeder, Lisa Reichardt, Lee Delaino, Jo Petite, Skye Louis, Neighbourhood Arts Network, [murmur], the George Brown College Redirection Through Education Program, and the board of directors and staff of the 519 Community Centre.

The 519 is a meeting place and focal point for its diverse downtown communities. Within a supportive environment, it responds to the needs of the local neighbourhood and the broader Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTTQ) communities by supplying resources and opportunities to foster self-determination, civic engagement and community participation. www.the519.org