Press Release

For Immediate Release

With the streetcar right-of-way almost complete, the St. Clair community is set to celebrate the sixth annual ARTWALK Festival and Studio Tour, now expanded to include Artscape’s Wychwood Art Barns, on September 26 and 27.

Media Contact:
Diane Hargrave Public Relations
416-467-9954

(Click here for PDF Program Guide)

With the lengthy construction of the streetcar right-of-way finally coming to an end on St. Clair Avenue between Bathurst Street and Oakwood Avenue, the street is once again open for business. The sixth annual ARTWALK Festival and Studio Tour is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27. ARTWALK Festival and Studio Tour is a celebration of visual arts, music, performing arts, and spoken word, reflecting the cultural diversity of the local residents and businesses of this St. Clair West neighbourhood. The 2009 ARTWALK Festival and Studio Tour will feature more than 130 artists, musicians, poets and performers who will take part in this vibrant urban village, inspired, connected and transformed through the arts.

“ARTWALK, has become an integral part of the neighbourhood”, says Joe Mihevc, City Councillor for Ward 21, “and is helping to create community through creativity.”

“With over 33 local businesses and institutions participating in ARTWALK, we’re geared up to celebrate the end of construction and welcome residents and visitors back to St. Clair West”, says Tony Bassels, Chair of the Wychwood Height BIA and ARTWALK Gold Sponsor. “This year should be the best ARTWALK festival yet.”

Opening ceremonies for the event will be held Saturday, September 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the Main Stage by Wychwood Barns. Speakers will include: Toronto City Councillor, Joe Mihevc; Wychwood Heights BIA Chair, Tony Bassels; Wychwood Community Barns Association Chair, Ruth Bauman; and ARTWALK Festival Committee Chair and Founder, Eric David.

Spokespeople for ARTWALK also include: Jazz Musician, Andrew Boniwell; Dub Poets, Clifton Joseph and Lillian Allen; Portrait Artist, Barbara Muir; and Children’s Program Director Christine Quarrington.

ARTWALK has become a part of the neighbourhood, and so has Artscape’s brilliantly transformed Wychwood Art Barns. Since opening last November, the Wychwood Barns, located south of St. Clair, between Wychwood Avenue and Christie Street, have rapidly become a focal point in the community, and this year’s ARTWALK will expand to include the Barns as an exciting new venue. The Barns is a home for arts and artists, where working artists reside in unique live-work studios, and arts organizations have their headquarters. The Barns also has its own art gallery.

This year, visitors to ARTWALK will have more opportunities than ever to immerse themselves in the arts. There will be 28 unique Studio Tour locations to visit, and an Outdoor Market where participants can sample the works of Toronto and surrounding area artists and artisans. The stunning work of local artists will be exhibited by local retailers and restaurateurs as Businesses Become Galleries. St. Matthews United Church, at St. Clair and Rushton Road, will showcase the works of new artists in EAGER: the Emerging Artists Exhibit. Shoppers will be delighted with the Wychcraft Outdoor Artisan’s Market.

For teens and young adults, the ARTWALK Youth Zone located on the Green P parking lot at Pinewood and St. Clair is a jam packed roster of entertainment including R&B singing sensation Kim Davis, beat box crew Sound Check Syndrome, DJ Klymatic and more.

There will be loads of fun for kids at the Urban Fare Children’s Festival. Parents can bring their children to the children’s festivities at Wychwood Barns to experience live performances, crafts hosted by Playful Minds, face painting, drum workshops and a collaborative mural.

ARTWALK will feature music at the Main Stage, located at the Wychwood Barns, and on Friday, September 25, visitors can Taste the Music in select local venues. As well, there will be lots of chances to watch and interact with Buskers along St. Clair. And renowned poets and spoken word artists will have their say at Ellington’s Café.

For more information on ARTWALK, visit the website at www.stclair-artwalk.org or visit Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=151482844883&ref=ts.

To book media interviews, please contact Diane Hargrave (416-467-9954, ext. 104) or Caroline Stephens (ext. 102) at Diane Hargrave Public Relations.