Words of Thanks for Making Local Option Art Awards Gala Fundraiser a Success

WTJHS: Thank you to everyone who made our 2008 Gala fundraiser such a wonderful success!

The West Toronto Junction Historical Society would like to thank the artists, businesses and community for making our Gala fundraiser a success.

We reached our financial goals in the middle of the economic storm and it is good to note that according to the Toronto Star today the auction houses are setting records for sales of renowned artists.

Thank you so much for helping make the Junction Historical Society Gala such a hip and exciting event. It was wonderful when a voice from the audience asked our guest speaker, Don Thompson, for some good news about the art market and he pointed the walls around us and said this was where value was actually created. There are good artists in every community and there needs to be a spectrum for comparison and choice.

At the Gala I mentioned the influence of the Bloomsbury Group and their concern for social conscience. I did not realize that the economist Maynard Keynes was instrumental in the development of the group. Keynes economic plan was the foundation for financial success before Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman convinced people to allow the market free rein and led to this current financial and environmental meltdown.

Stephen Leacock, at the time arguably the most famous Canadian in the world, was about the only economist who said Free Trade would not lead to a balanced economy and was refused a doctorate in Economics and was given a degree in philosophy instead. It was his humourous works, including "The Arcadian Adventures of the Idle Rich" that helped him balance his own economic reality. I think in the last election Stephen Harper under estimated how many "ordinary Canadians" are artists. There are many spin off's from the Local Option Art Awards, it is evolving and has developed it's own momentum.

There will be one more event at Latitude 44 Gallery on Sunday, November 23rd, 3 - 6 pm for the artists and community to meet and discuss this Centennial project and to present the winners of the Junction Centennial Train races with their trains and the watercolour by Local Option Sponsor, Michael Reeves as well as certificates of appreciation to those involved in the project. It will be an opportunity to discuss the arts and culture in the Junction.

Lisa Rainford was right when she headlined her article about the Local Option Art Awards "The Function of the Junction is to Celebrate Art" and we continue to do so...

Many thanks again to all who have helped make this remarkable project real.

Cara Reeves, WTJHSCC

TheStar.com: NYC auctions setting records
Buyers undeterred by economic forecast, still paying millions for art
By Ula Ilnytzky
Published Nov 04, 2008 04:30 AM
http://www.thestar.com/article/529912

Press-Release: Junction Historical Society Balances Art and Economy at Local Option Art Awards Gala

The Local Option Art Awards Gala in the Junction:
Cara Reeves, WTJHSCC and Pascal Abboud, Pascal's Baguette and Bagels
2008 @ artjunction.blogspot.com

For Immediate Release

JUNCTION HISTORICAL SOCIETY BALANCES ART AND ECONOMY AT LOCAL OPTION ART AWARDS GALA

Toronto, ON, October 24, 2008 - Best selling author Don Thompson (The 12 Million Dollar Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art -- currently on the best seller lists in Toronto, London and New York) joined local artists, businesspeople and residents at Latitude 44 Gallery (2900 Dundas St. W.) on Thursday October 23, 2008.

The community ensured the success of the Junction Historical Society’s silent auction and Awards ceremony. Despite turmoil in the global financial and art markets, the event proved that investing in local art can create a stable financial base by setting realistic goals.

The Local Option Art Awards, a Junction Centennial initiative sponsored by Mariposa County artist Michael Reeves, is a unique experiment that has benefited the whole community.

Between the Junction Centennial weekend in April and the Arts Festival in September, 20 businesses have hosted 27 artists. The first, second and third prize winners were chosen by public vote. The results: a tie for first place between Emmanuel Mifsud and Peter LUI Gang; Brian Anderson was chosen as runner up; and Olga Sadowy was awarded the third prize.

Martin Scott of 'Forever Interiors' initiated and facilitated a limited edition of 70 Junction Centennial Trains on behalf of the Historical Society involving young local artists in the project. About 25% of the artists who participated sold their works; some artists received commissioned work due to the exposure; some will be continuing the relationships they have built with the businesses. Four of the businesses would like Latitude 44 Gallery to continue to use their spaces to sell more works by local artists.

The "Best Art and Business Matches" from the project will remain on display at Latitude 44 Gallery until the end of the month.

–30–

For information, please contact:
Janet DiBernardo
Latitude 44 Gallery
2900 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON M6P 1Y8
Phone: 416-769-2900
Website: www.latitude44gallery.ca

links:
artjunction: Invest in Art and Do It Tonight in the Junction
artjunction: Junction Local Option Art Awards Guided Walking Tour Photos
Press-Release: Best Selling Author Don Thompson to Speak at Local Option Gala Celebrating Art and History in Toronto Junction
Press-Release: Local Option Art in the Junction: The Local Option Art Awards Gala
The Local Option Art Awards Gala / WTJHS Fundraiser. Be there and you’re history!
by Neil Ross, writer/comedian/historian
Invitation to the Gala: Celebration of the Toronto Junction Local Option Art Awards
by Cara Reeves, WTJHSCC
artjunction: Invitation to the Local Option Art Awards in the Junction

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Press-Release: Best Selling Author Don Thompson to Speak at Local Option Gala Celebrating Art and History in Toronto Junction

The Toronto Junction Local Option Gala,
(Thursday, October 23, 7-10 pm,
at Latitude 44 Gallery, 2900 Dundas Street West, Toronto)
celebrates the best in art in support of the Junction Historical Society.
Bring your loonies and toonies for the Centennial Train Races.

For Immediate Release

Best Selling Author Don Thompson to Speak at Local Option Gala Celebrating Art and History in Toronto Junction

Toronto, ON, October 19, 2008 – The West Toronto Junction Historical Society is hosting The Local Option Art Awards Gala and Silent Auction on Thursday Oct 23rd, 7 -10pm at Latitude 44 Gallery 2900 Dundas St, W. Toronto as part of our Centennial year celebrations. This event commemorates the dynamic relationship between the Arts and Business unique to the Junction established 100 years ago and successfully revived over the last few years putting the Junction back on the map as "as an up and coming funky arts community".

Our guest speaker is Don Thompson author of "The $12 Million Stuffed Shark, The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art" (published by Doubleday Canada). His book is currently on the best seller list in Toronto, New York and London. Drawing on exclusive interviews with both past and present executives of auction houses and art dealerships, artists, and the buyers who move the market, Thompson launches the reader on a surprising journey of discovery.

Local Option Art Awards sponsor, artist Michael Reeves, is very familiar with the market Thompson describes and has postulated a unique alternative based on the principles of The Bloomsbury Group recognized the role artists play in fostering culture through community participation.

The Junction Centennial Train Races inspired by Martin Scott of “Forever Interiors” has involved young artist using pieces of our past to create our future. Between April and September 20 businesses have hosted 27 artists of all ages and the winners have been chosen by public vote. The prizes to be presented at the Awards Gala include a sculpture called "The Spirit of the Junction" by local artist Reid English which will be given to a member of the public who participated in this experiment in the Art of Democracy.

There are many interesting and unique items dating from 1900 to the present up for auction including 13 framed reproduction photos from the Junction archives. Please come out and support this vital and vibrant organization to ensure it is part of Junction history for the next 100 years.

Contact: Janet DiBernardo
Phone: 416-769-2900
Web site: www.wtjhs.ca

links:
Press-Release: Local Option Art in the Junction: The Local Option Art Awards Gala
The Local Option Art Awards Gala / WTJHS Fundraiser. Be there and you’re history!
by Neil Ross, writer/comedian/historian
Invitation to the Gala: Celebration of the Toronto Junction Local Option Art Awards
by Cara Reeves, WTJHSCC
artjunction: Invitation to the Local Option Art Awards in the Junction

Press-Release: Local Option Art in the Junction: The Local Option Art Awards Gala

Press-Release: The Local Option Art in the Junction:

The Local Option Art Awards Gala
Thursday, October 23rd
Time: 7 pm - 10 pm
Latitude 44 Gallery
2900 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6P 1Y8

For Immediate Release

Local Option Art in the Junction: The Local Option Art Awards Gala

Toronto, ON, October 15, 2008 - Best selling author Don Thompson (The 12 Million Dollar Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art) will speak at an event honouring the winning artists in the Local Option Art Awards and in support of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society at Latitude 44 Gallery, 2900 Dundas St. W. on Thursday October 23rd between seven and ten pm. The event, celebrating the Centennial of the Junction, will feature the first ever Centennial Train Races and the massive collectively created installation, Community Spirit of the Junction.

The gala will feature a silent auction of items of historical and artistic value. Sneak preview begins on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at Latitude 44 Gallery.

"The event is being sponsored by artists and the local community who recognize the cultural value of the Junction Historical Society," says gala coordinator and Junction Historical Society volunteer Cara Reeves. "Please help us raise funds to keep this vital organization alive and well."

Thursday October 23rd, 7pm
Contact: Janet DiBernardo
Latitude 44 Gallery, 2900 Dundas St. W.
Phone: (416) 769-2900
Email: latitude44gallery@bellnet.ca
Junction Historical Society website: www.wtjhs.ca

links:
The Local Option Art Awards Gala / WTJHS Fundraiser. Be there and you’re history!
by Neil Ross, writer/comedian/historian
Invitation to the Gala: Celebration of the Toronto Junction Local Option Art Awards
by Cara Reeves, WTJHSCC
artjunction: Invitation to the Local Option Art Awards in the Junction

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Invitation to the Local Option Art Awards in the Junction

The Local Option Art Awards, (Thursday, October 23, 7-10 pm, at Latitude 44
Gallery, 2900 Dundas Street West, Toronto)
celebrates the best in local art in support of the Junction Historical Society.
Bring your loonies and toonies for the Centennial Train Races.

Dear Friend,

You are cordially invited to attend
The Local Option Art Awards Gala in the Junction
Help ensure the Junction Historical Society is around for the Junction's next hundred years.

Date: Thursday, October 23, 2008
Time: 7 pm - 10 pm
Venue: Latitude 44 Gallery
Address:2900 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6P 1Y8
(West of Keele Street)

The Local Option Art Awards Gala in the Junction
Presented by: West Toronto Junction Historical Society

The gala will raise funds for the WTJHS in the Junction City's Centennial year and honour the winners and participants in the Local Option Art Awards.
Historical, artistic and antique items will be available in a silent auction. The specially commissioned sculpture "Spirit of the Junction" will be presented to a member of the voting public who participated in the Art of Democracy.
Wine and cheese will be served. Cash bar.
Payments for auction items can be made by Interac and all major credit cards.
Bring your loonies and toonies for the Centennial Train Races!

For more information contact: Janet DiBernardo, 416-769-2900
Web-site: www.wtjhs.ca

Please feel free to pass along this invite to anyone you think might be interested.

links:
Press-Release: Best Selling Author Don Thompson to Speak at Local Option Gala Celebrating Art and History in Toronto Junction
Press-Release: Local Option Art in the Junction: The Local Option Art Awards Gala
The Local Option Art Awards Gala / WTJHS Fundraiser. Be there and you’re history!
by Neil Ross, writer/comedian/historian
Invitation to the Gala: Celebration of the Toronto Junction Local Option Art Awards
by Cara Reeves, WTJHSCC
artjunction: Invitation to the Local Option Art Awards in the Junction

The Local Option Art Awards Gala / WTJHS Fundraiser. Be there and you’re history!

Invitation: The Local Option Art Awards Gala / WTJHS Fundraiser
You are cordially invited to attend
The Local Option Art Awards Gala in the Junction.
Help ensure the WTJHS is around for the Junction's next hundred years.
Thursday, October 23rd
Time: 7 pm - 10 pm
Latitude 44 Gallery
2900 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6P 1Y8

Over the Centennial year we have developed a number of programs that have made an impact here in the Junction. None more so that the Local Option Art Awards which will hold its first annual gala on October 23 at Latitude 44 Gallery (2900 Dundas Street West).

The gala will raise funds for the West Toronto Junction Historical Society, a vital force in the Junction, working to preserve the history and heritage of this unique neighbourhood. Artists, historians, patrons of art and lovers of history will come together to celebrate the Spirit of the Junction. As the evening unfolds, speakers tell the wondrous tales of art as a vital link in Junction history and the historic marriage between art and business in the community.

Items of historical and artistic value will be on display to be purchased at silent auction, an array of treasures from gold and silver leaf to vintage brass fire extinguishers manufactured in the Junction will be auctioned off. Vintage photographs from the Junction’s past have been exquisitely framed and will be offered as mementos of the railway town that became a city.

Original art work by the winners and participants in the Local Option Art Awards will be on display. The grand prize winners Peter LIU Gang (shown at High Park Martial Arts) and Emmanuel Mifsud (Super Submarine) will receive their rewards from the business owners who sponsored their work over the course of the Centennial summer. Also honoured will be second prize winner Brian Anderson (Triple Z Roti) and third prize to Olga Sadowy (alsoTriple Z). Every artist who participated will be awarded a special certificate to commemorate their contribution to the history of art in the Junction and the Art of the Democracy.

A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the original sculpture "Spirit of the Junction" specially commissioned by Junction artist Reid English and won by a member of the voting public.

It will be an evening of sparkle, wit, art and history, a chance to support one of the most active Historical Societies in the city as it faces the challenge of staying alive in these days of global financial crisis.

The Local Option Art Awards Gala / WTJHS Fundraiser.
Be there and you’re history!

Also in attendance: Junction journalist AB Rice who will narrate the historical development of art and business in the Junction story. He’ll be there and so will I.

Please join us!

Neil Ross, writer/comedian/historian

link:
Invitation to the Gala: Celebration of the Toronto Junction Local Option Art Awards
by Cara Reeves, WTJHSCC

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Invitation to the Gala: Celebration of the Toronto Junction Local Option Art Awards

Junction Local Option Art Awards Gala
Thursday October 23rd, 7pm
Latitude 44 Gallery

West Toronto Junction Historical Society

100 FLAGS CAMPAIGN and LOCAL OPTION ART AWARDS
The West Toronto Junction Historical Society Centennial Committee is launching the 100 Flags Campaign. It is our goal to have at least one hundred flags flying on the day of the Centennial, April 14, 2008: any flag you like. Or create your own Junction Flag. We’ll keep the campaign rolling through the summer with the hope of 1,000 flags up throughout the community for the Arts Festival in September. The 100 Flags Campaign was designed to promote the Local Option Art Awards and to bring the community together for the Centennial. At this point we have 16 Junction Business Improvement Area venues lined up to host artwork for the Local Option Art Awards which are sponsored by Mariposa County artist Michael Reeves. More than 40 artists who have responded to a public call will vie for $1,000 first prize, $500 second prize and $250 third prize which will be awarded to winners determined by public vote throughout the Junction between the Centennial weekend and the Arts Festival in September. A winning voter will receive Reid English’s sculpture, "Spirit of the Junction," specially commissioned by the Institute of Canadian Popular Culture. All winners to be announced on the last day of the Arts Festival and awards will be presented at a WTJHS fundraiser in October. WTJHS is launching this campaign in the memory of Enoch Ward, who flew a solitary flag to commemorate the birth of “Junction City,” so that we might celebrate the independent spirit in all of us and participate in the Art of Democracy.
www.wtjhs.ca
Credit: thejunctioncity.com

Press-Release West Toronto Junction Local Option Art Awards GALA
Credit: wtjhs.ca

From April 12th – September 7th 20 Junction businesses have hosted the works of 20 artists and the winners have been chosen by public vote in this West Toronto Junction Historical Society Centennial initiative.

We have a tie for First prize. Emmanuel Mifsud whose work is showing at The Super Sub ( Dundas West and Keele) and Peter LIU Gang showing at High Park Martial Arts ( Dundas West of McMurray). Second prize goes to Brian Anderson showing at Triple Z Roti and Third prize to Olga Sadowy also showing at Triple Z (Dundas and Medland).

The prizes will be presented at The Local Option Art Awards Gala and silent auction fundraiser for the WTJHS on Thursday October 23rd, 7pm at the Latitude 44 Gallery, 2900 Dundas Street West (ph 416- 769-2900)

Framed reproductions of historic photographs from the WTJHS archives will be among the evening’s most sought after works including silver and gold leaf, historic artifacts from the Junction Fire Hall, Station #423 and original works by contemporary artists. A lucky member of the voting public will be presented with the specially commissioned sculpture 'The Spirit of the Junction' by Reid English.

There have been wonderful spin off’s from this project. Several of the artists have sold their work, some have had work commissioned through their participation in the Local Option Art Awards, and children have been seen running through the Junction ballots in hand following the map. Artists have been offered more space to continue to show their works in the businesses. The feedback has been tremendously positive— this project has been a joy from start to finish and the Gala will be a wonderful celebration of this dynamic Centennial initiative.

Local Option Art Awards GALA
Thursday October 23rd, 7pm
Latitude 44 Gallery
2900 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON
phone: 416 – 769 – 2900

Cara Reeves, WTJHSCC.

links:
Toronto Junction Local Option Art Awards: Self Guided Walking Tours
Junction Art Tour: The White Goddess Graces Pandemonium
The AJO: Toronto Art Junction Option + Guided Walking Tours
Toronto Junction's Rich Living Exposition of Art: the Local Option
Vital Links Between Arts and Business: Toronto Junction Local Option
Explore the Local Toronto Art Scene and Vote for Your Favourite Artist
insidetoronto.com: Celebrating art is the function at the Junction
by Lisa Rainford, July 31, 2008

Junction Art Tour: The White Goddess Graces Pandemonium

Map: The Local Option Art Awards Participated Businesses
Credit: wtjhs.ca

The Local Option Art Awards Tour on Saturday August 9th was a great success despite the rain.

Popping in and out of participating businesses along Dundas Street West, one of the most popular stops on the tour was Forever Interiors and it was great to see the forty Junction Centennial souvenir trains and another thirty in production by local artists; students from Western Tech. Using fragments of our past to create the future for young people is one of the great benefits that has come to the WTJHS under the kindly auspices of Mr. Martin Scott. Four dollars of the sale from each train goes to the WTJHS.

The tour stopped at Phil’s Espresso Bar for a coffee break during the worst of the rain. Tables of artists discussing everything from the origin of vaudeville through pantomime to the Elysian mysteries in ancient Greece. It was also noted that theatre as we understand it today was born at the same in the same place as democracy. Poets use theatres as venues to discuss issues of the day.

The Junction had five theatres during the early twentieth century. Peter LIU Gang’s illustration of the Beaver theatre was the first artwork on our tour. Pantomime and vaudeville are direct descendents of that earlier theatrical tradition. The comedy of contemporary folk culture created laughter at the next table and a couple on the high stools in the window were looking across the road to Jim Macdonald’s White Goddess reclinging gracefully in the window of Pandemonium Books and Discs.

Next tour Saturday August 23, 2 pm leaving from the "Junction City" platform.

Hope to see you there.

Cara Reeves, WTJHSCC.

Take a free art tour led by Nathan Stroud and Tia Gillespie
Twenty Local Businesses along Dundas Street West Showing 27 Artists!

Please visit WTJHS.ca or Latitude 44 for a list of participating businesses.

links:
The AJO: Toronto Art Junction Option + Guided Walking Tours
Toronto Junction's Rich Living Exposition of Art: the Local Option
Vital Links Between Arts and Business: Toronto Junction Local Option
Explore the Local Toronto Art Scene and Vote for Your Favourite Artist
insidetoronto.com: Celebrating art is the function at the Junction
by Lisa Rainford, July 31, 2008

photo:

Forever Interiors: a series of "Junction City" Trains at the Latitude 44
Local Option Art Awards Tour 2008
Photo: artjunction.blogspot.com

"Junction City" Trains are a West Toronto Junction Historical Society initiative proposed and facilitated by Martin Scott of Forever Interiors. These little trains, made from ceiling tiles and wood reclaimed from local renovations, are small pieces of our past used to create our future, "... a playful, portable representation of the Junction," as Cara Reeves calls them.

Contact Forever Interiors
Designing New Stuff from Old Stuff
Furnishings, Decor, Antiques
2903 Dundas Street West, Toronto, 416 291 2001
www.foreverinteriors.com
Or Latitude 44
Gallery ~ Framing ~ Decor
2900 Dundas Street West,Toronto, 416-769-2900
www.latitude44gallery.ca

About Forever Interiors
Forever Interiors is about reusing, rebuilding, and custom building used furniture and decor. We collect intact and broken "quality" furniture that we intern rebuild into something entirely new for sale in our showroom. We also custom build a number of items ranging from Coat Racks to Harvest Tables to our customers exacting specification. We are a small and young store (3 years old) but with creative ideas that have brought us to the attention of Toronto Star, City TVs' Breakfast Television, and the Toronto Life's top 500 Stores in Toronto.

Toronto Junction's Rich Living Exposition of Art: the Local Option

The 'Junction City' Centennial Event: the Local Option Art Awards Tour
Artist: Nathan Stroud
Junction Theme: "The Dream in High Park"
Vote for Your Favourite Artists: 20 venues, 27 artists, last day - Sunday, September 7, 2008

"The blue wall at The Athens House of Beauty looks like it was made for Nathan Stroud's work 'The Dream in High Park'."
~ cr

As the Art of the Junction project continues we bring you updates and news items on activities happening at the different locations.

Guilding Adam and Eve for the Dream in the Park

The Local Option Art Awards has created some wonderful vignettes of cultural history in the Junction as part of the Centennial Celebrations.

Vera Litynsky's painting for the Organic Beet created the smiles that set the tone for this element of the Centennial Celebrations.

Darleen Adams of the Hair Lounge phoned to ask if Filip Matouina might like to show more of his work there. She had already had someone inquire about buying his original entry.

Some businesses have chosen to sponsor and artists are showing a number of pieces by the same artist. In a trade deal at Pascal's Bakery and Baguette, Nathan Stroud acquired a sheaf of gold leaf in exchange for a children's colouring book called "Peace to Colour, Draw and Sing" to which he is a contributing artist. The gold leaf will be applied to his painting of Adam and Eve (playing Titania and Bottom) on display at The Athens House of Beauty.

Several artists in this project have received offers for their work and there have already been a few sales. The West Toronto Junction Historical Society is pleased to have provided the opportunity to create these blossoms of cultural identity.

Bonnie McKenzies' painting at the West End Holistic Centre tells a wonderful story about a parrot: how something so exotic can be so inherently part of the spirit of the place is reassuring.

Olga Weiczorek's sculpture in the Relax Shack is a very complimentary relationship between art and business.

Dionne Goyette's painting is shown in a perfect niche at Taylor's Shoes.

Alan Fergusons' Junction Raider and Lisa Kristine's piece, Train of Thought at the Early Years Centre are proving to be favorites.

Ballots are available at all locations.

Cara Reeves, WTJHSCC

Please visit WTJHS.ca or Latitude 44 for a list of participating businesses.

links:
Vital Links Between Arts and Business: Toronto Junction Local Option
Explore the Local Toronto Art Scene and Vote for Your Favourite Artist

Vital Links Between Arts and Business: Toronto Junction Local Option

The 'Junction City' Centennial Event: the Local Option Art Awards
Vote for Your Favourite Artists: 20 venues, 27 artists, last day - Sunday, September 7, 2008

We continue our series of publications "Explore the Local Toronto Art Scene..." about one of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society (WTJHS) Centennial initiatives. As we promised, we are giving you all the details of the Local Option Art Awards Tour.

Historical Societies are by nature interested in the origins or people, things and the relationships they precipitate. Central to the prosperity that created "Junction City" was the dynamic relationship between business and the arts.

With the Local Option Art Awards and the "Junction City" Trains the WTJHS has recreated a flourishing relationship between art and business for the Centennial year.

A beating pulse awoke in the heart of the Junction when it became clear that the business community wanted to ensure that every artist who had responded to our call had a place in the Junction. 20 businesses are hosting 27 artists.

Pat Schnurr of Picture it Framed is the treasurer for the Junction Forum for Art and Culture (JFAC) and chose 4 photographs of last years Arts Festival by artist Luke Tymowski.

Metamorphosis by Olga Weiczorek chosen by The Relax Shack clearly shows how successful the art has dovetailed with the businesses. Rhonda Noland's triptych is a great companion for it.

Filip Matovinas' painting fit The Hair Lounge like a hand in a glove.

We would like to thank The Hair Lounge, Kaleidoscope Photography, Environment Matters and Latitude 44 for fundraising for the WTJHS at the opening of CONTACT on May 3rd.

Ciara Bracken Roche of The Agora Mediterranean Cafe selected a painting by Norma Roberts.

Pascal's Bakery and Baguette is showing works by Emma Goodman and David Crighton. Pascal Abboud and his wife Ranina Saker have lived and worked in the Junction for 7 years. Pascal is currently secretary of the Junction Business Improvement Area (JBIA) and hope the Centennial will be of benefit to the whole community.

Victor Latchman of Taylors Shoes was instrumental in creating the JBIA 35 years ago. It was the second BIA in the world: Bloor West Village being the first. It took about a year to set up the JBIA, there were 8 or 9 members then, now there are over 100. Victor has chosen to show a painting by Dione Goyette.

Neill Cunningham of Pandemonium is Acting Chair of the JBIA and we are indebted to him for his understanding of the vital role the WTJHS can play in promoting JBIA objectives for the mutual benefit of both organizations. Works by Alison Fleming and Jim McDonald are on display in his window.

The photographs by Emmanuel Mifsud at Super Submarine are a delightful experience when you appreciate the juxtaposition through the window.

Blockbuster is getting rave reviews for David Crightons' compilation of Junction storefronts.

The Early Years Centre is hosting 7 artists; Taelor Branco, Kara Bogaz-Gol, Alan Ferguson, Lea Jonus, Rebekah Clarke Robinson and Jim McDonald. Lisa Kristines' Train of Thought - Peace train was the front runner coming out of the Centennial Weekend.

Triple Z Roti has welcomed 4 artists; Tongson Chen, Olga Sadowy, Sam Sueshi Miya and Brian Anderson.

The blue wall at The Athens House of Beauty looks like it was made for Nathan Strouds' work ' The Dream in High Park'.

Optometrist Dr. Feldman and Associates have chosen 2 pieces by Caitlyn Chismore which were another brilliant match.

Phil's Expresso Bar is hosting 2 drawings by Nathan Stroud. One - a view from his window. A moment held in time.

The Hole in the Wall will house a monochrome painting in the window based on an historic photo of the Junction. The painting is already on display in the bar.

The story of the parrot exhibited by Bonnie McKenzie at the West End Holistic Centre is one of the best surprises as to how something so exotic could have a truly Junction theme.

Mark Furmans' photographs of alleyways exhibited in the entrance to Shox Bar and Grill came from conversation with Gus and chance meeting with Mark. Street art at it's best.

Vera Litynsky painted a picture especially for The Organic Beet and those were the smiles that set the tone that continues to hum through the Junction because of this WTJHS Centennial initiative.

Tia Gillespies' work is on display at Latitude 44 Gallery as is 'The Spirit of the Junction' sculpture to be presented to a voting member of the public.

We would like to acknowledge the tremendous support of Janet and Mary Ann Di Bernardo and Mariposa county artist Micheal Reeves for making this project possible. The WTJHS is also very appreciative of the offer made by Janet and Mary Ann to host a silent auction fundraiser us on Thursday, October 23rd 2008. Donations are being gratefully accepted.

Real to Reel Productions, Hairy Tarantula and Traxx have generously supported the Local Option Schools projects and Post and Beam Reclamation loaned us the key to "Junction City" for the inaugural ceremonies. Urbanscape Gallery has and will again be exhibiting historic images of the Junction on behalf of the WTJHS and JFAC. Martin Scott of Forever Interiors has facilitated a wonderful Centennial initiative: "Junction City" trains for the benefit of the WTJHS and in support of local artists and businesses. If you would like to help make the trains please contact Martin Scott at 416-291-2001.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the members of the JBIA and the artists who have given us their support. Please pick up an Art Awards map and ballot at any participating business, fly a flag to celebrate the art of democracy or buy a "Junction City" Train to help keep the WTJHS rolling along.

Many thanks again,

Cara Reeves, WTJHSCC.

photos:

The 'Junction City' Centennial Event: the Local Option Art Awards Tour
Entry #: 10
Artist: David Crighton
Junction Theme: "My Junction" - a "Community of the Crossroads"

The 'Junction City' Centennial Event: the Local Option Art Awards Tour
Entry #: 6
Artist: Lisa Kristine
Junction Theme: "Train of Thought" - the Peace Train

The 'Junction City' Centennial Event: the Local Option Art Awards Tour
Entry #: 8
Artist: Mark Furman
Junction Theme: "...Source of Inspiration..."

The 'Junction City' Centennial Event: the Local Option Art Awards Tour
Entry #: 34
Artist: Bonnie Mackenzie
Junction Theme: "Saving Christmas"