Artists making a “scene” at workman theatre project

There is a new kid on the block in the Art & Design District of Queen Street West. The fifth installment of the annual Being Scene art exhibition kicks off at the Queen Street site on June 30th, 2004 and in a giant leap forward the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is complementing the event with the official launch of the Jean Simpson Studio. The juried art exhibition features 76 works by 53 artists. Lasting for a full year, the art exhibition is displayed in the hallways of the different CAMH locations.

In a visionary move, CAMH and the WTP have transformed the outer mezzanine of the 2nd floor cafeteria at the Queen Street site into eight extremely well lit studio spaces. This initiative will allow CAMH artists to embark on more ambitious works in a supportive, artist-managed environment. The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable James K. Bartleman, an Honourary Patron of CAMH who has always been a strong supporter of the WTP, will be providing the opening remarks.

This gem of an exhibition has featured the work of renowned artists such as Danae Chambers, Peter Smith and Henry Benvenuti. All of the artists involved receive or have received services from CAMH. These gifted individuals particularly impress Lisa Brown, Director of the Workman Theatre Project (WTP), "As we admire these works it is easy to overlook the fact that many of the artists are working in extremely challenging conditions. Their courage, determination and talent have inspired exciting new initiatives."

Lupe Rodriquez, artist and lecturer, assembled an esteemed jury to evaluate the submissions. One of the jury members, Anna Hudson (Associate Curator of Canadian Art at the Art Gallery of Ontario) said this about the event, "Keep your palettes ready and your pencils sharp, the annual CAMH exhibition is a Toronto exhibition not to be missed."

"The creativity, passion and dedication that it takes to become a successful artist are qualities that Jean Simpson demonstrated in her role as Chief Operating Officer at CAMH," says Dr. Paul Garfinkel, President and CEO at CAMH. "Jean believed our clients should have an equal opportunity to create art in a professional environment, so that their focus is on capturing their exceptional talent to create the type of work being featured here today. "

The status quo is never enough for staff and artists at the Workman Theatre Project. Already, the first artists working in the studio spaces at the Queen Street site have been commissioned to undertake pieces for the 2005 Metamorphosis Festival being organized jointly by the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Toronto Consort (Canada's leading ensemble for medieval and renaissance music). These works will be exhibited as part of a city-wide celebration involving different art forms united by the themes explored in Ovid's classic stories of transformation.

It's obvious that with the exciting addition of the Jean Simpson Studio, everyone associated with the Workman Theatre Project and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is comfortable with the concept of metamorphosis as the location continues its transformation into an artistic hub.

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The opening of both the Being Scene exhibition and Jean Simpson Studio are taking place on June 30th, 2004 from 1:00 to 4:00pm at 1001 Queen Street West (Cafeteria) in Toronto.

Media Inquiries - Kristian Clarke - 416.532.2403