Be sure to check out our upcoming workshop on Artists’ Books as Personal Archives in partnership with the London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership taking place on March 14th. Scroll down to find out more about our upcoming Artist Talk with Sarah-Mecca Abdourahman on Saturday, February 28th at 2pm on zoom.

This workshop will create an opportunity to learn about artists’ books as interdisciplinary spaces for writing and art making. Books can function as documentary forms by preserving knowledge, stories, evidence, and emotion. Participants will learn more about artists’ books, focusing specifically on those that are interdisciplinary in nature, combining visual arts, poetry, prose, and history. We will explore how artists’ books can function as sites of memory, reflection, and creative expression, ultimately examining how these books can operate as a personal archive.

During the workshop, participants will create their own artist's book using either an accordion fold or saddle stitch book binding technique. They will engage in creative exercises meant to inspire artmaking, reflection, and poetry-writing both independently and collaboratively. 

All materials for bookbinding, collage, and drawing will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own media if desired (such as personal photographs or preferred drawing/writing materials). 

 

Interested participants will have the opportunity to contribute to the “Voices of Belonging” Poetry Book Project organized through the London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership. Those interested may choose to submit a poem or small sketch for the poetry book that highlights the theme of belonging and experience of newcomers in Canada, including first and second-generation immigrant experiences.

Facilitated by Amy Skodak (she/her) a PhD student in Art and Visual Culture at Western University where she previously earned an MA in Art History and Curatorial Studies. She holds a B.Ed.from the University of Ottawa and taught secondary school English and Visual Arts courses for three years before starting her doctoral studies. Her research explores the intersections of visual arts and literature, temporality, and community arts initiatives.

 

This workshop is a partnership between Forest City Gallery's Media Collab and the London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership. The “Voices of Belonging” Project emerged through LMLIP’s Welcoming Community Committee, chaired by Professor Victoria Esses, the LMLIP Research Liaison at Western University. The Committee explores and implements strategies to make London a more welcoming place through education, interactive events, cultural expression, visibility, and meaningful connection. Members identifieda need for visually engaging and emotionally resonant material that reflects newcomer experiences. The concept of a community poetry book was born out of this conversation, inspired by the power of poetry to communicate complex experiences, foster empathy, and create space for dialogue.

All Skill Levels Welcome!

Are you an artist working with Live & Interactive Art Tools? Do you want to meet other creatives who are too? As part of the Media Collaboratory's Soft Skills Drop-in Sessions we are launching a new Drop-in for people working with software like TouchDesigner, Max/MSP, Resolume, Processing, and more.

Whether you’re into projection mapping, generative art, VJing, or immersive installations, this is your chance to experiment, share ideas, and jam alongside other creatives. Join us at Forest City Gallery for the Media Collaboratory's Live & Interactive Art Tools Drop-in session - a night of discussion, project sharing and networking. 

Bring your laptop, your art practice, or just your curiosity — all levels welcome.

If you have questions or a project you want to share contact us at: collaboratory@forestcitygallery.com

Join us for a special virtual artist talk by Sarah-Mecca Abdourahman on Saturday, February 28th at 2pm on zoom. Sarah will share insights into her work and the exhibition followed by a Q&A.

Her exhibition, Memories We Carry, Stories We Heal is on until March 6th. Come see the exhibition before the talk to get your questions ready, or read the exhibition catalog by Vania Djelani.

Forest City Gallery invites interested artists to submit artworks in any media to be shown in the “Time and Tide” exhibition, curated by Gallery Intern Emma Hardy, on the Pier Wall space from March 20th-April 8th. We are looking for art which engages in the effects of climate change on Developing/Global South Nations, and offers unique perspectives on environmental crises within these communities.

Developing Nations in the Global South are often disproportionately affected by climate change, including coastal erosion, ocean acidification, biodiversity loss, increased intensity and frequency of storms/hurricanes, and rising sea levels. The adage “time and tide wait for no man” embodies the impending march of time as we continue past the point of no return for our climate. How have livelihoods in these areas been affected by climate colonialism, and what lies in our future as the clock keeps ticking?

“Time and Tide” will be exhibited at Forest City Gallery’s Pier Wall, which is a community-focused display space named for the idea of a pier as both an arrival place and an exciting point of departure. When we think of a pier, we also might think of the word “peer” (meaning to look at something) or “peers,” as in our friends and colleagues. Finally, a pier is also an architectural term for a support structure. FCG wouldn’t exist without the hard work, heavy lifting, and support of our community.

Artists must be able to transport their own work to Forest City Gallery, and will be compensated in accordance with CARFAC small site fees.