Dalmation Blades by V Vallières.

THANK YOU for another wonderful #BEINGSCENE Juried Exhibition!

This year, the Being Scene exhibition was held at 32 Lisgar Street from March 7th to April 17th, 2025. At this exciting arts hub, over thirty juried artworks were on display, selected by Natalie King (Interdisciplinary Artist & Curator), Warren Harper (Curator & Researcher), and Alana Traficante (Executive Director, Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography). 

The Being Scene annual Juried Exhibition serves as a platform to showcase the rich and varied talent within the Workman Arts community. We aim to continue brightening the city with our diverse and inclusive exhibition. This annual event is a celebration of creativity that contributes to and fosters a sense of belonging within the broader cultural landscape.

Select artworks are now available FOR SALE until March 2026. Visit the online shop here.

HOW DID YOU ENJOY YOUR EXPERIENCE AT BEING SCENE?

Let us know your thoughts for the chance to win a $50 Gift Card to Above Ground Art Supplies. To take the survey, please click here.

Stephanie Avery

Diana Bershadsky

Mei Chan-Long

Jenny Chen

Michele Anne-Marie Dickson

Paul Elliott

Kayla Free

Danielle Hyde 

Ghazaraza

Gigi

Merle Harley 

Andrew Johnston

Althea Knight

Serena McCarroll

Clare McIntyre

Rick Miller

Leslie Ordal

Sam Paboudjian

Marisha Pula

Marie Ruisseau

Sha

David Shuken

Ashley Snook

Alsa St Rose

Dinesh Subramanian

Casper Sutton-Fosman

Jan Swinburne

Shannon Taylor-Jones

V Vallieres

Raechel Wastesicoot

Georgia Whist

Paulina Wiszowata

Brandon Wulff

MEET THE JURY

Natalie King is a queer interdisciplinary Anishinaabe (Algonquin) artist, facilitator and member of Timiskaming First Nation. King’s arts practice ranges from video, painting, sculpture and installation as well as community engagement, curation and arts administration. Click here to learn more about Natalie.

Warren Harper is a curator and researcher currently based in Toronto, Canada. He holds a PhD from Goldsmiths, University of London, where his curatorial research project explored Essex’s role in Britain’s nuclear story. Warren was director then co-director at The Old Waterworks (TOW), an artist-led charity in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK, that provides studios, facilities, and research and development opportunities for artists. Click here to learn more about Warren.

“The keys to my practice are remaining adaptable, motivated, and curious —listening, looking and thinking critically through every aspect of my work, be it the day-to-day minutia of the job, or the big picture, long-term outlook. I believe that all facets of this work have a creative component, even the administrative, behind-the-scenes, less glamourous parts.”

– Alana Traficante

Click here to learn more about Alana.

HISTORY OF BEING SCENE

Being Scene is an annual juried exhibition of recent artwork by Workman Arts members and individuals who have accessed the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) services in their lives.

Being Scene began over 20 years ago on the grounds of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Over the years, Being Scene has exhibited juried surveys of thousands of artworks by Workman Arts member artists as well as artists with lived experience who have received services from CAMH. Being Scene is an invaluable professionalization experience for artists, consistently reaching audiences of over 5,000, allowing for a greater understanding of diverse experiences. Artists have given shape to compelling ideas and narratives, covering a wide range of conceptual and material approaches. Being Scene has been shown in spaces such as The Gladstone Hotel, Toronto Media Arts Centre, various Artscape locations, and at CAMH.

For further information, interviews or images, please contact Tai Nguyen at tai_nguyen@workmanarts.com 

To receive email updates about Being Scene’s annual exhibition launch sign up for the mailing list.

HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AT BEING SCENE?
GET UPDATES ON UPCOMING PROGRAMS

PURCHASE ARTWORK

QUESTIONS ABOUT BEING SCENE OR HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY? CONTACT:
FATMA HENDAWY
VISUAL ARTS MANAGER
fatma_hendawy@workmanarts.com

Special thanks to our Being Scene supporters.

Province of Ontario logo
Ontario Arts Council Logo
Toronto Arts Council - Funded by the City of Toronto

Interested in sponsorship? Click here to download our sponsorship package or contact Tai Nguyen, Communications Manager, for more information.