Being Scene is an annual staple at Workman Arts, featuring a juried exhibition surveying artwork by member artists and artists with lived experience of mental health and addiction, a curated group show by a new guest curator every year, and a full event series comprising of member artist led events/panels/tours and educational workshops/discussions led by our peers from the local arts communities and mental health + addiction communities.

History of Being Scene:

The Being Scene exhibition began over 20 years ago on the grounds of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Since, Being Scene has exhibited a juried survey of over 100 artworks by Workman Arts member artists as well as artists with lived experience who have received services from CAMH. Last year, Workman Arts introduced a smaller curated portion as part of the overall exhibit. Working closely with a guest curator, artists gave shape to compelling ideas and narratives, covering a wide range of conceptual and material approaches from diverse experiences. Due to the pandemic the exhibition was completely virtual. The exhibition has been shown in spaces such as The Gladstone Hotel, Toronto Media Arts Centre (TMAC) and at CAMH. Going forward, Being Scene will continue to thrive in local spaces and online.

Call for submissions to Being Scene 2023 will open in Fall 2022.

Click here to view an archive of past Being Scene exhibitions.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-NEWS FOR UPDATES ABOUT FUTURE BEING SCENE EXHIBITIONS.