« Art to the Streets is a program that has grown from a partnership between Community Arts and Heritage Education Project, a non-profit arts education and community arts organization in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and Evergreen A United Neighbourhood, a community organization providing programs for the diverse Simpson Ogden neighbourhood of Thunder Bay.

Beginning in October 2013, Art to the Streets has brought over 20 multidisciplinary projects and more than 70 hours of arts education programming with a focus on visual art, cultural programming, and new media arts to the children, youth and families of the Simpson Ogden neighbourhood. Over 300 children, youth and caregivers have participated in the program since its start-up, and the enthusiasm for the arts within the neighbourhood has been growing ever since. Numerous local arts educators have provided some fantastic workshops including:

– Great Travelling Photobooth – digital photography/photo editing workshop
– Flash mob with Nicole Armstrong
– Graphic novel, video creation and storytelling with Derek Khani
– Storytelling and spirit animal sewing with elder and artist Ma-Nee Chacaby
– Mitten making from recycled sweaters and felting with Dayna Slingerland and Sarah Eby
– T-shirt design and printing project with Vivike Knutson
– Bookbinding with Caitlyn McMillan
– Outdoor art panel/positive message chalkboard project
– Juggling and circus arts with Eric the Juggler
– Ongoing community quilt project using photo transfers, embroidery, embellishment and more!

Upcoming workshops for February include:
Zine and artist trading cards with Caitlyn McMillan
Saturday February 1st – 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the Evergreen House (139 Heron Street), Thunder Bay, ON – Free!
What in the world is a zine? Come out and find out and collage, photograph, draw up a storm and make your own, or try making an artist trading card. We’ll make copies and give them away at the Art to the Streets wrap-up celebration in March (details TBA).

Special effects makeup and photography with Sarah Furlotte
Saturday February 8th – 1:00 – 4:00 pm at the Evergreen House (139 Heron Street), Thunder Bay, ON – Free!
Transform yourself into something beautifully bizarre or just plain strange using professional artist tools and take part in a photo shoot.

Visit the CAHEP Facebook page for more info.

Art to the Streets has been made possible thanks to generous funding from the Province of Ontario’s Safer and Vital Communities granting program, Ontario Arts Council, the City of Thunder Bay, United Way of Thunder Bay. »

Submitted by Alana Forslund, CAHEP
Photos courtesy of CAHEP
Read CAHEP’s profile on ArtBridges’ Community-Engaged Arts Directory and Map.