November 10, 2014            

 

The City of Toronto's Cultural Hotspot program today launched a photography exhibition called We Are Lawrence Avenue, featuring the Lawrence Avenue and Wexford Heights community through the portraits and stories of people who live, work and play there.

 

The photographs of community members are displayed as an outdoor exhibition along Lawrence Avenue from Kennedy Road to Pharmacy Avenue on transit shelters and a billboard, and in the windows of a local building. The exhibition will run until November 30. 

 

"This photography exhibit profiles a community in a way that allows all Torontonians to experience the people and places that make this area of the city so vibrant and diverse," said Mayor Rob Ford.

 

The photographs were taken by 20 aspiring young artists who spent months learning about photography and exploring the Wexford Heights neighbourhood.

 

"It is great to see so many people in my community portrayed in such a dynamic manner by young, local artists," said Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Chair of the City's Economic Development Committee. "Not only does the exhibit introduce us to the people who were photographed, it also supports and encourages emerging local artists."

 

This project is a collaboration between the Cultural Hotspot program and Toronto-based artist, instigator and photographer Che Kothari – with mentoring support by local artist Jalani Morgan. More information is available at http://wearelawrenceavenue.com/.

 

We Are Lawrence Avenue is one of the more than 20 Cultural Hotspot signature projects that are encouraging collaborations with arts organizations and artists active in the community. 

 

The Cultural Hotspot program shines a spotlight on the arts, culture and community in south Scarborough. From May through November, this City- and partner-produced initiative has featured a series of signature projects designed to inspire residents and visitors to discover the Hotspot neighbourhoods. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/culturalhotspot.

 

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1xmRqvd

 

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

 

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Media contact: Shane Gerard, Strategic Communications, 416-397-5711, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.