High school students tour Toronto’s prime gallery district
A student from Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute takes in art at David Kaye Gallery as part of the 2009 Canadian Art School Hop / photo Alia Toor
On October 15,16, 29 and 30, the 9th Canadian Art School Hop took place along Queen Street West in Toronto, with 312 students from 17 schools taking tours led by artist facilitators, stopping into galleries and art spaces to hear talks by artists and curators along the way.
“Having a diverse group of facilitators lead the tours is important,” says program coordinator Alia Toor. “They bring different perspectives to each show because of their own art practices—as printmakers, multidisciplinary artists, former gallery owners and emerging curators.”
Artist Jason McLean spoke to students about “ARENA: Road Game” at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art where his work was on view, while artist Thrush Holmes showed students around his gallery and studio. Curator Mia Nielsen also walked students through her exhibit “Reading Between the Lines” on view at the Drake Hotel.
“I love showing students that you don’t have to go to a gallery to see art,” says Nielsen. “There are some groups who have had no exposure to visual art within a formal setting, while others come and are really keen and knowledgeable. This year, students got to see work by an artist who had attended one of their schools. He’s 23 years old, so they saw work by their near-contemporary shown alongside other well-known artists.”
Students also visited exhibits at David Kaye Gallery, Katharine Mulherin, the Propeller Centre, the Ontario Crafts Council Gallery, Edward Day Gallery, Lennox Contemporary, Gallery TPW, Xpace Cultural Centre, Median Contemporary, IndexG Gallery and the Gladstone Hotel.
Special thanks go to our generous School Hop sponsors: CIBC, the Gerald Sheff + Shanitha Kachan Foundation, Partners in Art and the John David & Signy Eaton Foundation.
For more information on the School Hop, and to download the teacher’s guide, please visit our related program page.
Artist Thrush Holmes speaks with Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute students in his studio and gallery as part of the 2009 Canadian Art School Hop / photo Alia Toor
