Parkdale Community Arts
2018 - Community Arts - Sewing for Change - Program Developer/Coordinator/Facilitator
A new Community Creative Reuse Program teaching newcomer women how to use sewing machines and scrap fabric, repairs, and hand-sewing and pattern development. A seven week program using a new model of community building, skill sharing, creative reuse, skill training and leadership development, as well as improving English language skills and community connections for women who are isolated. Funding by the Ontario Ministry of Culture through Greenest City
A new Community Creative Reuse Program teaching newcomer women how to use sewing machines and scrap fabric, repairs, and hand-sewing and pattern development. A seven week program using a new model of community building, skill sharing, creative reuse, skill training and leadership development, as well as improving English language skills and community connections for women who are isolated. Funding by the Ontario Ministry of Culture through Greenest City
Mapping the Block - Stories of One Block
The development of a collaborative and interactive mapping of the block of Cowan Avenue south of Queen, a three dimensional representation of this complex block that include personal experience of the participants. Open to all in the community. Stories and memories, community memory, what is possible in the future, how this block is perceived as the heart of South Parkdale. We turned most of the buildings inside out - conveying the meaning to community, and activity within them rather than the visual bricks and mortar.
Mapping the Block facilitated by Helen Melbourne under the umbrella of Making Room Community Arts
This was part of a much larger project by Making Room called Stories of One Block that culminated in an event in the Masaryk Cowan Park on Sept 23, 2017 and integrated stories, music and installation in a celebration of the end of the summer, under the direction of Michael Burtt, and with Sophie Schneider (collaborative art installation), Kalsang Wangmo, (Tibetan stories and songs, and Tibetan Opera) and Rita Cox (librarian and Caribbean storyteller), along with the choir from Making Room (Shifra) and musicians from PARC. We ended with the Tibetan barley ceremony for good luck and sharing of fresh apples for the celebration of harvest.
Photos by: Helen Melbourne, Kat Singer and Sophie Schneider
The development of a collaborative and interactive mapping of the block of Cowan Avenue south of Queen, a three dimensional representation of this complex block that include personal experience of the participants. Open to all in the community. Stories and memories, community memory, what is possible in the future, how this block is perceived as the heart of South Parkdale. We turned most of the buildings inside out - conveying the meaning to community, and activity within them rather than the visual bricks and mortar.
Mapping the Block facilitated by Helen Melbourne under the umbrella of Making Room Community Arts
This was part of a much larger project by Making Room called Stories of One Block that culminated in an event in the Masaryk Cowan Park on Sept 23, 2017 and integrated stories, music and installation in a celebration of the end of the summer, under the direction of Michael Burtt, and with Sophie Schneider (collaborative art installation), Kalsang Wangmo, (Tibetan stories and songs, and Tibetan Opera) and Rita Cox (librarian and Caribbean storyteller), along with the choir from Making Room (Shifra) and musicians from PARC. We ended with the Tibetan barley ceremony for good luck and sharing of fresh apples for the celebration of harvest.
Photos by: Helen Melbourne, Kat Singer and Sophie Schneider
H.O.P.E. Community Garden Sign, 2016/17
A collaborative project with Greenest City Garden members and Greenest City Craft Group. Completed and installed in H.O.P.E. Community Garden spring 2017.
This sign has gone through three different transitions by three different artists over the last 10 years. This is the latest blooming of the sign.
This sign has gone through three different transitions by three different artists over the last 10 years. This is the latest blooming of the sign.
The Parkdale Social Safety Nets - March 19, 2016
A Collaborative and Interactive Art Installation Project of Greenest City
as part of the PARC EMPath/Myceum event, marking the 30th anniversary of the Parkdale Activity and Recreation Centre (PARC)
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Artist's Statement
A Social Safety Net describes a collection of government policies and institutional programs designed to assist those who are labeled "unfortunate" in our society. But do these policies work? Are they a trap? Does the social safety net have gaping holes to fall through? Do these policies segregate society? In Parkdale, the social safety net is a patchwork collection of both formal and informal community supports - a collective of government programs; local organizations and businesses who help and encourage; and of individuals, through their connections to others and personal interactions. The sections of net are as unique and colourful as the people who live here. And it is the people who provide the strongest links in the net. In spite of these supports, there are gaps and holes in the net. Where are the threads strong enough to catch people? Where have threads frayed? What is missing? Who is missing? And what threatens the fragility of the net? We have expanded the definition: the Parkdale Social Safety Net is visible and more inclusive than the policy descriptions. We invite you to investigate our net to see how Parkdale residents have been supported, or have fallen through; to detect where patching is most needed; to identify its strongest threads, as well as its unexpected connections. The use of recycled materials to construct the net highlights the resourcefulness of the Parkdale community – where little is wasted but is inventively given new life, often as a way of stretching the few available resources. Envisioned and facilitated by Helen Melbourne with assistance and the collaboration of the Greenest City Craft Group & friends and with the support of Greenest City and PARC (Parkdale Activities and Recreation Centre) |
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An article by Alexander Gopen, about the Parkdale Social Safety Net and the relationship between community art and community planning can be found here:
The Community Garden Story Quilt - 2015
The Community Garden Story Quilt, 2015
I facilitated the development of a 3-dimensional Community Garden Story Quilt/Wall Hanging for the members of three community gardens in the Parkdale area of Toronto, using mostly donated scrap and recycled materials. About 50 people participated, including new immigrants with little or no language or literacy skills, addiction and mental health survivors and those with other disabilities, as well as members of the broader community, and staff of Greenest City, under whose umbrella this project grew.
The volunteers and staff of Making Room Community Arts, and volunteers with PARC and Sistering saved the day with the final finishing at the last moment on a tight deadline.
The quilt has been designed to change size as pieces are needed for displays or exhibitions. So far there are 5 panels of varying sizes. It has the potential to grow even more, should others want to participate after viewing it. The smaller panels also allow for permanent display where wall size is limited.
First showing of the quilt was as part of the Urban Agriculture Expo at Grow OP, an art show and event put on at the Gladstone Hotel on April 26, 2015.
The volunteers and staff of Making Room Community Arts, and volunteers with PARC and Sistering saved the day with the final finishing at the last moment on a tight deadline.
The quilt has been designed to change size as pieces are needed for displays or exhibitions. So far there are 5 panels of varying sizes. It has the potential to grow even more, should others want to participate after viewing it. The smaller panels also allow for permanent display where wall size is limited.
First showing of the quilt was as part of the Urban Agriculture Expo at Grow OP, an art show and event put on at the Gladstone Hotel on April 26, 2015.