BEING SCENE 2022
MARCH 31 - MAY 31

*NOTE* At this time we are planning for a hybrid exhibition that is both onsite and online. We will update this page should these plans change.

Workman Arts presents the 21st Annual Being Scene Exhibition taking place between March 31 to May 31 2022 — in multiple new locations and with a newly expanded program of free accompanying events.

Celebrating artists with lived experiences, the exhibition will be both in-person and online this year. Being Scene showcases a survey of juried artworks by a wide range of artists with varying disciplines. Alongside this, the curated component returns this year by inviting a new guest curator Oliviana Cinco, to curate a member group show alongside the juried show as part of the overall exhibition. With an accompanying event series including artist-led events/panels/tours and educational workshops/discussions both in-person and online, this year’s 2-month long programming will be an interactive and exciting experience demonstrating what these 56 artists have to offer.

The works on display at this year’s juried show will be divided into two in-person exhibiting groups and an online platform including so much more where visitors can show their support by purchasing artwork. The juried exhibition was selected with the assistance of jury advisors: Barbora Racevičiūtė (National Director of IMAA – the Independent Media Arts Alliance), James Hewitt (Founder and Director of The Run Gallery) and Oscar Figueroa (Toronto-based Artist and Curator).

The curated portion of Being Scene encapsulates the artist’s process of development, reflecting movement and stillness simultaneously in response to the adaptation of our ever-changing environment. Diapause, meaning dia- ‘through’ + pause (noun), describes a period of suspended development exhibited as a result of unfavorable environmental conditions. The curated exhibition features artwork by Workman artists Coley, Tina Guo, Paula John, Mustafa Khan, Brittany Newlove, Kat Singer, Asma Sultana and Jan Swinburne. Guest Curator Oliviana Cinco invites us to think of this year’s curated exhibit for Being Scene as an offering for self-reflection, as we continue to re-engage with the world and find new ways of connecting with ourselves and our communities.

The expanded program of free events accompanying Being Scene provides opportunities for arts lovers to delve deeper into the works on display and meet some of the artists with guided tours and workshops led by participating artists, a guided tour for Diapause led by curator Oliviana Cinco, and a roundtable discussion amongst the curated artists of Diapause.

Being Scene opens online on March 31 from 6-8 PM EDT, with a virtual reception.

Being Scene’s event series will be announced soon! Please check back later for updates.

Note: All digital/zoom events will be provided with ASL (American Sign Language) and live open captioning.

Amanda Lederle
Amy Ness
Angela Walcott
Anja Sagan
Anna Camilleri
Ashley Beerdat
Bahram Kameh
Barbara Szymanska
Brenda Mabel Reid
Christina Leslie
Christine Alexandra Day Sherry
Dana Edmonds
Dorothy Ogda Laxton
Emel Tabaku
Ghazaraza
Grace Dam

Greg Staats
Kristen Stephen
Kurt Rostek
Laurena Finéus
Leslie Ordal
M.C Cruz
M. Uler
Marisha Pula
Mike Janetakes
Natasha Martin
Nathan Cole
Nick Peterson
Olga Guse
Oliver Ashton
Qirou Yang
Radha

Robin Ashley Jones
S. Randera
Sage Szkabarnicki-Stuart
Sam Waters
Sean Patenaude
Selina Yung
Serene Illustrations
Shannon Taylor-Jones
Skylar Cheung
Stephanie Avery
Stephanie McLean
Steven Lewis
Suma
Trinley Dorje
Wendy Lu
Xiao Wen Xu

We are thrilled to recognize the “Ica Pas Artist Scholarship Award” alongside this year’s Juried Artists! The 2021 recipient this year is Workman Arts’ member Christopher Dowdell who will be exhibiting a work.

Being the first year we are celebrating the inclusion of the “Ica Pas Artist Scholarship Award”, there will be works by the late Ecaterina Pascaluta “Ica Pas” exhibiting in the gallery through April 1 – 28, celebrating her life and the opportunity this scholarship offers to artists at Workman Arts.

The “Ica Pas Artist Scholarship Award” has been created by Barbara Pascaluta in partnership with Toronto Community Housing Revitalization Team and Workman Arts. The purpose of the scholarship is to celebrate artists who use art as a way to overcome challenges in their life. This scholarship provides artists facing systemic barriers with financial, training, and showcasing supports to further advance their artistic careers. This scholarship is inspired by the life and legacy of Ecaterina Pascaluta “Ica Pas” and prioritizes uplifting and honoring artists and the power of art to highlight and overcome injustice, challenges, and barriers.

Special thanks to the Toronto friends of the visual arts for supporting Being Scene.