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Spring 2009
H: Working in this community, you need to be like water off a JS: Have you learned over time that the SKETCH participants
duck. Leave your expectations at the door. There’s no room to enjoy? Is it tempting to cater to whatever the crowd craves?
be a stickler here.
H: I know what they like. Is it tempting? No. It’s easy. FALL 2008
Location: 580 King St. W, 2nd floor
JS: How often do SKETCH participants give their opinions on the Generally the community is open to trying new things and, luckily, St. Box 63, Stn
Location: 580 KingPOW, 2nd floor B
Mailing:
staff cooking? enjoys what I make. Mailing: PO Box 63, Stn B On M5T 2T2
Toronto,
Any off-the-wall comments? JS: What is the SKETCH policy regarding organic or GMO Phone: ON M5T 2T2
Toronto,416 516 1559
Fax: 416-516-1559
Phone: 416 516 6286
H: Daily feedback. Almost too much at times. Almost too (Genetically Modified Organisms) food?
Fax:
candidly at times. Off the wall? Ozzy liking tempeh. Email:416-516-6286
info@sketch.ca
H: Organic. We try to pull it into the budget as much as we Email: info@sketch.ca
Web: ww.sketch.ca
JS: What’s involved in the planning process each week? How can when we do the shopping, but unfortunately we aren’t Web: www.sketch.ca
much thought and prep goes into the daily meals? even close to where we should be. On GMO food, we sketch (sk-eh-t-ch) - a way of thinking, being and trusting, a way of healing and hoping, a way of seeing beauty and adventure, in ourselves, in each other and in the world
are educating our community about its dangers, but
H: On Thursday we plan the menu, that usually takes about
forty-five minutes, sometimes [it involves] asking the com-
unfortunately, again, we are not in a position to do much
about it.
Triple Recognition! Interview with Elle Alconcel
munity what they would like to see or what they’re craving.
A Q&A with Hailey, a community artist who, along with Ryan
On Monday I go grocery shopping – it takes about 2.5 hours JS: What do you enjoy most about your work? by Brendan Yorke
Newell, runs the kitchen at SKETCH and helps feed the Julian Diego received the Field Instructor of the Year Award for 4th submitted to the Foundation for consideration, and 13 were chosen
– that includes getting there and back. Then on Tuesday we
hungry hoards. H: I access a different part of me when I work. It allows me to Year students from the Ryerson School of Social Work. The award to receive the award. Expelled in favor of a concrete monument, the people of
come in, with extra goodies sometimes. Ryan usually puts
experiment. In some kitchens, it’s serious. But here, it’s non- is a result of excellent team support for placements at SKETCH, Hainamosa have a cruel story to tell. Despite that, they are a
JS: What challenges regularly confront the food staff? everything away and sets up the cutting area, and when The Vital People grant has also been awarded from the T.C.F.T.F. It
linear. I love it when I cook the same meals here that I do at and is a great endorsement of the type of nontraditional work that resilient and joyful people – (perhaps a more potent story to tell.)
everything’s washed and cleaned and set up, we go back is the first time that both awards have been given by the jury to
H: People rushing us while simultaneously demanding that the home and it goes over well. Ryerson does as one of Canada’s premier Social Work programs.
and get the food and proceed to wash it, then we do prep one organization. This award was given in recognition for the work Elle Alconcel has captured some of this story in photographs. Her
food is amazing. How do we deal with it? Suck it up. Grin Congratulations to Julian!
for about 1.5 hours. Ryan does his part of the groceries on JS: Which meal do you enjoy cooking the most? and leadership of Rudy Ruttimann, Executive Director for SKETCH. show, Concrete Dismissal, opened on Friday, May 8th and has
and bear it.
Tuesday mornings. I’m going to say it takes him about an hour H: Three-grain warm salad with tahini dressing. And Japanese SKETCH is pleased to announce that they have been awarded The Vital People grant program supports valued leaders who are had great reception from visitors to the gallery. One patron
JS: What are you a stickler for? and a half. the prestigious Vital Ideas grant from the Toronto Community making outstanding contributions or volunteering at not-for-profit commented, “Your art is beautiful, (these photos) have character,
Udom noodles. I’m going to make it this week.
Foundation’s Toronto Fund. The Vital Ideas grant supports and organizations. This award supports the formal training or other depth and emotional intensity that tell a great story.”
recognizes organizations that are making outstanding contributions informal development opportunities that best enable leaders to build Elle has been a member of the SKETCH community for
towards improving the quality of life in Toronto. Vital Ideas grants their skills to enhance their leadership contributions. many years culminating with this year’s show. She has also
are intended to support high-impact initiatives that improve quality worked with other SKETCH photographers with Gallery 44’s
SKETCH Garden at Fort York SKETCH will be receiving both of these awards at the Toronto
of life in Toronto in issue areas identified in Toronto’s Vital Signs®. A Outreach project to produce great work showing at 169
Community Gardens Community Foundation’s Vital Toronto event on June 23rd at CBC’s
Vital Idea is a program or project that has been piloted or is currently Eastern Avenue entitled Our Kingdoms, Our Barrios,
Glenn Gould Studio. The event will be hosted by Matt Galloway, with
in operation that helps make Toronto a better place to live, work, exhibiting until May 31. Elle’s show will close on June 8th at SKETCH.
special guest Mayor David Miller.
learn and grow. This year, a record-breaking 143 applications were Congratulations to Elle!
“Concrete Dismissal exposes the lives of people in the
Dive into SKETCH SKETCH Voices on the Economy.
Dominican Republic displaced by their government to a
barrio known as Hainamosa to make room for an oversized
SKETCH Funders
concrete shrine. This constructed memorial commemorates
As the piano stops,/ The rumble of a radio/ On low volume, is the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas with
Their parents were broke! We find a way to get through!”
revealed./ Voices bubble up,/ Hatching plots and planting/ Little no compensation to the residents for forced relocation and with
GOVERNMENT: Morrison Foundation Besides the imposing headlines, artists at Sketch are not letting fear
seeds for hope./ Playing creative games,/ Connecting,/ Thoughts many unmet promises of schools, roads and medical services.
Canada Council for the Arts Ontario Trillium Foundation get in the way of their endeavours. One woman who is opening a
bubble up.
City of Toronto - Drug Prevention Community Investment Program Paloma Foundation store-studio-performance space said, “People will still have money This purpose behind the exhibit reveals the continued consequence
A still pawn holds/ Creativity in her belly./ Dancing steps. Head bops./
City of Toronto - Culture & Tourism PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Foundation to spend on unique, well-made things that engage them. However, it of colonialism and appalling urban planning. What makes this sto-
Furious brush./ She dips for paint and returns/ To the mean rhythm
City of Toronto - Live With Culture Rotary Club of Toronto has affected the scale and number of the things I create.” ry unique, however, is the soul and spirit of the children and youth
of the brush./ The intensity of concentration is/ Striking./ Frenzy of
Ontario Arts Council The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation who now inhabit the Hainamosa neighbourhood. Their dissent and
intention. Another musician said “Throughout different periods in history, good
Service Canada The Toskan Casale Foundation love for their home is what shines through in the photographs.”
Floating bits of workshops/ Move to the pulse of inspiration./ I stand times, bad times, it has always been difficult to develop leadership,
Status of Women Canada, Women’s Program Toronto Community Foundation – Anonymous
still./ The wind is strong but/ I am one thing/ Of many things/ That leadership in ourselves, from within, in our own lives, and leadership All proceeds from the sales of the photographs will be donated
Toronto Arts Council Toronto Community Foundation by Julian Diego
don’t move./ Questions bubble up. to inspire others. But if we put our heads together, don’t wait for to an education fund for the children of a school run by Iglesia
Toronto Arts Council Foundation United Way of Greater Toronto - Winter Relief Fund The last year has brought crazy news in the forms of bankruptcies, others to make change, there will be a difference.” Cantico Nuevo/Jewels of Christ School, our hosts of the pho-
Many float in on the currents/ From the streets of Babylon,/ Molding United Way of Greater Toronto hundreds of thousands of lost jobs, loss of retirement savings and
FOUNDATIONS: tography project that ran in the summer of 2008. Elle was a
destiny in forms and shape. World Vision Canada pensions, and whole sectors of the economy going under or trans- While we don’t necessarily know where we are going, here are
Catherine Donnelly Foundation facilitator along with 4 others from SKETCH and other commu-
forming into what we do not yet know. some tips from Sketch artists on how to get through. 1) Don’t let
This collaborative poem was created from observations of sketch Counselling Foundation of Canada CORPORATE DONATIONS: nity partners from Durham College, The Magic Door Gallery and
fear rule! Fear will hide possibilities and coarsen how we relate. 2)
open studio. F.K. Morrow Foundation CIBC The majority of the job losses have been full-time, well paying St. Paul’s Leaskdale Church. This project was generously made
Keep an open mind and don’t attach too much ego to things that
Sketch writers that contributed: Mawe YaBahari, Terence Reeves, Foodshare Toronto/ Carrot Cache Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life manufacturing jobs—jobs once accessible to those with limited possible for Elle and SKETCH by St. Paul’s, a long time partner
usually won’t survive periods of instability! 3) Expose yourself to a
Danny Cassidy and Leslie Topness. Johansen-Larsen Foundation PricewaterhouseCoopers or varied educational experience. Billions are being invested into to SKETCH.
wide range of perspectives, and take them seriously. For example
JP Morgan Chase Foundation TD Bank Financial Group the economy, but it is yet unclear how those dollars are targeted or Continues on page two
A collaborative poem created from observations of SKETCH Open standing for hours by the side of the road watching a river of steel
Kensington Foundation TELUS what the outcomes will be. In this context, it can be useful to look to
Studio. Contributors: Mawe YaBahari, Terence Reeves, Danny and fibreglass pass you by while trying to get a ride gives you a
Laidlaw Foundation people who have experience living with uncertainty. Here is a wide
Cassidy and Leslie Topness. real feeling of how large a role the car plays in our economy. 4) Be
range of thoughts from the SKETCH community. accountable. Trueness will be revealed in times of hardship:
One writer put things in perspective, reminding us that he currently everybody has stories from the blackout and about the positive or
lives on about a third of what Toronto considers the poverty-level negative ways people related to each other—and they remember them
income. At the same time, he has empathy for what people at other well. How do you want to define yourself? 5) Inspire and encourage
socioeconomic levels are going through. “There are many people in leadership in yourself and each other.We CAN use this time to create more
the world who would consider what I have access to as luxuries, yet at positive change than we can imagine. 6) Don’t forget the hustle!
the same time that doesn’t take away from my experience and all the Do it with sparkle, with joy, and it will be met well. (And the journey
stigma attached to poverty in this society.” will be more fun!)
4 1
A musician put it this way – “I been broke! My family was broke! For more on Julian’s article, go to www.sketch.ca
Interview with Elle Alconcel SKETCH Gets
‘Unexpected’ Help
... Continued from page 1 by Jason Samilski
A: SKETCH’s outreach program with Gallery 44, the Bursary
As the scope of my imagination became greater than my bank
Program and post-secondary education.
balance, I got on to writing grant applications in quick order. Luckily,
Q: What is your favorite subject matter? I’m not the sort of person who saves rejection letters.
A: Portraiture. There is so much story in a face. I am also interested There soon got round a buzz that others in the SKETCH Assembling buttons, shaping key chains, composing paintings,
in fashion. community were scratching at the same walls, at the same impenetrable printing t-shirts, forming gel transfers, constructing in the wood
fortresses. So some of us at SKETCH got thinking, and decided that, shop and even cooking—Omar Samara fills his time at SKETCH
Q: What was the most shocking part about the
once again, we would have to make our own world for ourselves. with a multitude of creative activities. He enjoys discovering and
Dominican Republic?
executing new techniques, and has an eagerness to share his
A: They were a very happy people even though they had Subsequently, we started CUE – “an experiment in art project grants
creations with the SKETCH community and others abroad.
very little. for SKETCH participants.” We organized fast, and got a $40,000 CEO’s, catering carts and a camera crew crowded the SKETCH
grant from the Laidlaw Foundation to disseminate to artists in our His heart-shaped key chains, formed from pieces of wood, and studio one early morning last March. A special-event promotional
Q: What was your favorite experience while there? adorned with images of a flame, demonstrate Omar’s appreciation
community. Participants were asked to bring art projects involving video, featuring prominent business and marketing leaders, was
A: Seeing the joy of the kids when they saw their own pictures for social change to the CUE committee; we funded 16 projects with for materials and thoughtful imagery. His t-shirt designs speak to being filmed for the SKETCH benefit: Art From the Unexpected.
the first time and their pride during the works’ exhibition. grants ranging from $500 to $5,000. And considering our current the importance of being a decent human being. With printed quotes
Q: Why do you use photography for expression?
economic climate, that is a good price for change. like “We are dying with our sun”, we are asked to be aware of our The CEOs—among them, Dawna Henderson, president of
Henderson Bas; Tony Chapman, CEO at Capital C—were under the
Breaking the mold
environment, to care for the earth, and to remember that we will not
The archetypal granting processes employed by most major camera lights to promote their involvement in the upcoming June SKETCH participant Avi (left) tries
A: I love being in the dark room, seeing the image come out of be here forever.
foundations is an inherently hierarchical, authoritative proce- 11 benefit. Art From the Unexpected has an interesting, challeng- his hand at mold making. SKETCH
the chemicals. I love showing the viewer what I see when I look
dure which, by way of requiring almost fanatical proportions of Omar also spends a lot of time on his Gaza Strip series constructed
at something, my perspective. ing premise: on stage, business leaders will not only present art they volunteer Erin McCutcheon leads the
painstaking detail (endless re-wordings of the same question, of gel transfers on wood. A carved piece of wood in the shape of the have created, but also explain how creativity influences and inspires workshop each Wednesday.
Q: Is there anyone who inspires you? budgets for budgets, etc) perpetuates systemic barriers and further Gaza Strip is adhered to another slab and covered with a transferred
Q: When did you start taking photographs? their day-to-day business management.
marginalizes good artists to the brink of extinction. image of the region, along with various text. These pieces speak
A: The old masters of photography. The way they did things was
A: I’ve been shooting since I was a kid. But it wasn’t until SKETCH to issues concerning this part of the world – religion, The artwork will then be auctioned off with proceeds going to
harder then it is today. SKETCH is one of the few places where you’ll find a mingling mix of
that I began to think of photography professionally. geography, and a community of people. support SKETCH. The event is organized by AdLounge founder Trina
rappers, writers, clothing designers, classical pianists, cooks, martial And a message from Chris Diorio: “Thanks to everyone who par-
If anyone would like to see Elle’s photographs or photos of the DR Boos. “Art From the Unexpected will provide a rare opportunity to
Q: What prompted you to start taking pictures? artists, sculptors, gardeners, painters, printers, ad infinitum, mixing Omar possesses a healthy confidence in his ideas yet he is always ticipated in the Camera Bar event. We had a great time, provided
after the show please call SKETCH 416.516.5428. see a side to these leaders we don’t know or expect,” says Boos.
and meeting and making community. That some of our participants willing to learn new techniques and continues to request fresh support and audience for JD Keyz and Jason’s radio play, and raised
“Ad Lounge has challenged some very colourful business leaders,
do not have the organizational skills required to wade through these perspectives and constructive criticism. He makes great use of SKETCH’s some new money. A pat on the back to everyone who helped bring
who don’t typically get to be visually creative in their day-to-day
incessantly bureaucratic pools of paperwork is not unexpected, space and is a great member of this community. He looks forward to any a whole new bunch of friends to Sketch--these folks have joined the
roles.”
opportunity to show and sell his work. family! “
SKETCH at the ROM especially when you consider the nature of what it is to be an artist.
To enjoy a night of entertainment and mixing it up with Toronto’s
A painter is not concerned with silly things like budgets, and one A great baker too, Omar makes a mean éclair. marketing leaders, or to see the promo filmed at SKETCH check out
Youth & Philanthropy
should not have to compromise clarity in order to pursue ones art— By Sandra Brewster
By Sue Cohen with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity. For more information, www.adlounge.ca. And finally, Lance Morrison says: Local Students Win $10,000 For
to the contrary, a responsible art granting structure should foster the
updates on the exhibition, to register for the auction, or to add your SKETCH! In 2002, The Toskan Casale Foundation began an innovative
In April, as a part of Kids ROM weekend activities, artists (Amber artistic process, not contravene it.
own comments, please visit www.housepaint.ca program called The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).
Brandenburg, Jorge Domingeuz, Rosa Mindreau, Sue Cohen and
Our community is filled with people who’d rather not read or write,
Julian Deigo) from SKETCH partnered with artists from the ROM We met early on in the year, beginning with looking at the work of
who get anxious with mathematics, who don’t work by workplans. Welcomes, Thank-Yous, and Random Acts of Kindness
and led workshops for the public. The exhibit is in the Institute for Housepaint, a really inspiring exhibit. Our task was to come up with
Talented, dedicated, passionate artists, who, for a variety of reasons,
Contemporary Culture on the fourth floor and if you haven’t been activities designed for children and youth about issues surrounding ported well over 300 people in her time with SKETCH in education
do not come with the skills necessary to present a twenty-five page
you haven’t seen… the experience of homelessness. Collaborating our ideas with Devon and marketing pursuits. Zanette Singh, a fantastic visual artist, has
proposal of their art project to a board of directors. This should not
Ostrom (the Curator) and Laura Comerford (ROM- ICC) who offered moved on from facilitating Vending here at SKETCH for the past 3
be a barrier in the artistic process—it is no reason for good art not
lots of support during the project. Hoping to engage as many ages years, to pursue her own career as an artist and the creation of her
to be created.
as possible in quick, thought-provoking activities, we decided to try a graphic novel, My Punk Rock Bollywood. Zanette also supported well
few things at once, using text, building small houses with some space That is the problem and CUE is our response. By not only making the over 100 people in selling their work at crafts shows, exhibitions and
for painting and drawing, stickers—who doesn’t love stickers? granting process accessible and inclusive to the needs of the artists on Queen street.
in our community, but by working with them after funding has been
We created a large cardboard house for kids to play in and to Elle’s Contact show wouldn’t have been possible without help from
granted and providing a myriad of resources (connecting them with
decorate. Using templates to create small houses and then, Sarah, Ozzy, Lydia, Sonya, Wade, Terrence and Sandra, Griffin Rutti-
relevant mentorships, lending guidance), we are revolutionizing the
decorating them with stickers, we designed messages of home and mann, Nigel David, Shara Mohammed, Ren Fillatre, Eric Bylfon, Ildiko
world of art grants, and henceforth, the artistic process itself. YPI is a unique and inventive program that teaches high school
homelessness. We also created a series of postcards for everyone to Nova, Wade Noble, Daniel Dahl, Christina Aprile, Jennifer Robertson,
Typically, once a foundation approves an artist’s grant, the cheque students the fundamentals of philanthropy. Throughout the course
fill out, offering wishes to people who are currently homeless/house- Amber Kellen, Deb Scorsone, Nadia Saad, Victor Gajewski.
is cut and the artist goes off to work, eventually resurfacing with of YPI, students research a number of local grassroots charities and
less. The postcards, addressed to the Prime Minister, offered people
Big love to the Outdoor Broadcast Network for giving SKETCH some ultimately learn about the problems facing their own community.
space to write about what home means to them, and would be mailed product as proposed. This is not a natural mode of creation: it
A Big Welcome to: Nicole Franklin, a former placement student to us PSA time on their giant LED screens this year. Look out for our pro- Developing the desire to create change, each group chooses one
The Housepaint project was commissioned by the Luminato Festival in support of the One Percent Solution to National Homelessness. completely disregards the frameworks of free expression. We
from Ryerson University, School of Social Work, who is now working mos in the big lights later on in the summer. Guy Poulin from Type A charity to advocate for in order to win a $5000 grant for that
of Arts and Creativity, in collaboration with Manifesto Community People attached their postcards to the cardboard house—which is encourage the organic evolution of ideas, the transformation
with us to support those interested in education. She is nurturing Print printed all of our annual reports—amazing generosity. Thanks charity. We would like to thank the amazing number of students that
Projects, as part of StreetScape 2008. still on display with the Housepaint exhibit. On Jorge’s inspiration, we of vision.
long time relationships with OCAD, Ryerson, among others, and co- to Canadian Steam Iron and Reliable Corp too. did projects on SKETCH, and an extra congratulations to the eight
also mounted a SKETCH-museum style installation, showing a cross-
Drawing attention to issues of poverty and homelessness, this Last year, there were CUE projects that manifested in dramatically ordinating a newly invigorated relationship with George Brown Col- Toronto students that were successful in winning the top prize in
section of a squat. Thanks to the help from a few artists at SKETCH, Ren Fillatre and Brendan Yorke gave 100% in the front office this
ground-breaking exhibition is a collaboration between ten street different ways than planned. CUE is there to foster and assist that lege to make opportunities available to participants. Sandra Brewster their school; From De La Salle: Spencer Bridgwater, Barrett Cribbey,
we used various objects and gear we found. The squat was built and spring. We’ll miss their presence, good humour and industriousness.
artists in memory of the former residents of Tent City. Each art- development. We do not simply grant money, we engage in the is a dynamic visual artist in Toronto who has done workshops with us Robert Ebach, and Edward Pascall-Meyers. And from Royal St. George’s
resurrected onsite at the ROM. Sharing the SKETCH documentary Jorge Henriques, thanks for all the work you do at YES. And thank
ist has painted a colourful canvas house in their own personal, process. This is the human way to deal with art funding. in the past and is now the Market Gallery Associate Artist assisting College: Sam Caldarone, James Durham, Marshall Hanmer and James
and soundtracks from local artists also helped set the stage for an you Sarah Wooldridge for all your photography and NXNE work.
exuberant style. Tent City, a shanty town that stood on five acres of participants with all things exhibition and marketing online and in Tremayne. Congratulations gentlemen. We truly appreciate the hard
action-packed weekend with kids and families at the ROM. Going into our second year, and with some expedited infrastructure
undeveloped land on the shores of Lake Ontario, spontaneously Stop the presses! A message from John Andras: “A huge thank you
support from yours truly, we are excited to see how these values will the community. work you’ve all done on our behalf. For further information on the
arose in the late 1990s. Its residents were evicted without warning in Thanks to everyone who came and participated with us that for all of my friends who attended my 50th Birthday Party at the el
benefit the creative people in our community. Because as a society, Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, please visit www.goYPI.org or
Big Thanks to: Heather Bain who moved on from her position here Mocambo. Together, and with folks who could not participate but
2002. Curated by Devon Ostrom of them.ca, Housepaint is on display weekend…and special thanks to everyone who worked so hard on www.toskanfoundation.org.
we need to take greater care of our artists, otherwise it would be a as Future Options Coordinator to become the Field Placement Su-
until July 2009, at which point the canvas houses will be auctioned, this project. sent in cheques, we raised over $9,000.00 for SKETCH! What a great
dull world after all… (a dull, dull, world).
2 3
pervisor at Ryerson University, School of Social Work. Heather sup- gift! What a great evening!”
