1 Love TO

When most people think of artists they think of lonely tortured souls, stuck in their studios with a dim overhead light (or something grim like that). But no longer do artists have to be stuck in isolation. Since 2006, The Sketchbook Project has been creating interactive crowdsourced art projects, connecting artists and aspiring artists to audiences from around the world. Anyone can participate regardless of experience, background or location. The Sketchbook Project believes that art should be experienced by anyone and everyone. Their most popular project, The Sketchbook Project, sends notebooks to participants all around the world, who then fill them with whatever they want and send them back to be displayed in their travelling show and stored in their permanent collection at the Brooklyn Art Library. Other projects have included pen pal painting exchanges, photography exhibits and memoirs.

The Sketchbook Project provides a great way for participants to exhibit their work for a nominal fee and also get international attention (everyone from the NY Times to Oprah has featured them). Not to mention bragging rights for having your work stored in the Brooklyn Art Library. It’s also a great way for participants to connect with others and be a part of a bigger picture (literally). And for all of you who say “I’m not an artist” or can’t seem to get your creative juices flowing, be sure to sign up before their next deadline!

For more info: sketchbookproject.com

Posted by Tahnee Pantig

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As young entrepreneurs we truly understand how important it is to support small businesses within our communities. We’ve always loved to find those one-of-a-kind neighbourhood gems, so we took the American Express pledge to #ShopSmall and visited 5 of our favourite shops in Toronto.

Our first stop was Magic Pony on Queen Street West. If you’ve never been there before, let’s just say it makes you feel like a kid again. They have everything from designer toys, cool housewares, giant poster art, plus some hard to find books and magazines. We bought “Back Alleys and Urban Landscapes” by Toronto artist Michael Cho, who we blogged about back in September of 2012.

We made our way down Queen Street West until we got to Spadina where we ate lunch at What A Bagel! We managed to get the last available table during their busy lunch hour rush and ordered the “Old School” and their vegetarian breakfast. If you get the chance to eat here, ask for the owners Ely or Isaac and tell them that we sent you!

Our 3rd stop was Another Story Bookshop located in Roncesvalles Village. One of the reasons why we love this independently owned bookstore is because they focus on literary themes such as social justice, equity and diversity. They also highlight local authors and hold book readings and launches for local talent.

After a long day of shopping we needed to relax and refuel, so we headed to Yorkville to visit our friends at Sotto Sotto for dinner. This famous Italian restaurant has played host to celebrities for years, including Brad Pitt, Oprah, Diddy, and of course our very own Drizzy Drake. If you’re looking for a small, private dinning experience, look no further, Sotto Sotto is perfect for date night. (pay attention fella’s)

Shout out to Angelo for always taking care of us!

We decided to end off our night with a few cocktails at SpiritHouse located at 487 Adelaide St W at Portland. This specialty “spirit” bar has over 400 bottles to choose from, including a small selection of local beer such as Mill Street Organic, Steamwhistle, Tankhouse and Amsterdam Blonde. Next time you’re looking to try a new drink, try the “Toronto Cocktail”.

American Express recently conducted a survey to see how Canadians feel about shopping small and “Word-of-mouth” was the #1 way we find out about small businesses in our neighbourhoods. Do you have a favourite Shop Small business? Get out there and spread the word! Show them some love by voting in the Neighbourhood Gems contest on Facebook. Each vote earns you an entry into a draw to win a $50 Amex Gift Card!

We would love to hear about your favourite Toronto business! Tweet your recommendations to @1LOVETO @AmexCanada #ShopSmall

Ceramics is one of those crafts that can be intimidating at first sight. Where do you get the materials? What techniques do you use? Do you have the space to make a mess? The Gardiner Museum offers an accessible introduction to ceramics with their drop in classes. Started 10 years ago, the Museum’s drop in classes have become widely popular and they are now held 3 times a week.

At first the class might seem overwhelming. There are endless possibilities to what you could do. Without formal instruction and left to our own devices, I just sat there with the clay for a good 10 minutes. And then you start to play. The instruction of 2 teachers is given intermittently, but you’re sure to receive enough attention and advice on how to manipulate the clay.

The highlight of the 2 hours session is the chance to use the potter’s wheel. Our instructor gave us a brief introduction and we were left to experiment. The class comes with an unlimited amount of clay and all the tools you might need to make your next masterpiece (or re-create your own Ghost moment for all the Patrick Swayze fans out there).

Already widely popular, tickets go on sale 30 minutes before class, but be sure to arrive early for tickets to use the pottery wheel.

For more info: gardinermuseum.on.ca

Posted by Tahnee Pantig

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Love is always the underlying theme for us here @1LOVETO. So, it was a perfect fit when we were recently invited to the “Love Is Freedom” exhibit here in Toronto. Fay Ninon is a visual artist/painter from Montreal, with her strong ties Toronto she found a home for her work at a gorgeous untapped art gallery x sushi bar, House Of Moments located at 368 Carlaw Ave.

The paintings showcase the many functions of the heart, outbound and inbound. Reminding us through her paintings of the demand that is placed on the heart in every moment. The power of every beat when giving and receiving from struggle to victory and let us not forget the dreaded broken heart. Whether you are an expert in art or like myself, someone with simply an appreciation for great talent, colours and concept, you will love her work.

To see more of her work: fayninon.com.

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We’ve always loved to support local artists, creators and business owners, which is why we’re so hyped about the new Amex #ShopSmall program. The program is designed to celebrate the significant role that small businesses play in driving Canada’s economy, while adding to the culture and diversity of each unique neighbourhood, and we’ve teamed up with our friends at American Express to help highlight some of our favourite neighbourhood businesses.

We encourage you to join us in taking the pledge to #ShopSmall by supporting your favourite local businesses. These businesses are owned and operated by people just like you, who help to make our communities a better place to live.

American Express is also looking for Toronto’s Neighbourhood Gem to help celebrate the role small businesses play in our community. Show some love and vote for your favourite Shop Small businesses in the “Neighbourhood Gems” contest!

HOW TO ENTER
- Visit the American Express Canada Facebook page and search for your favourite #ShopSmall business in Toronto
- Vote for your favourite Shop Small Merchant once a day from April 1-21 and you’ll automatically be entered into a daily draw for your chance to win a $50 Amex Gift Card
- The Top 5 businesses with the most votes will move on to the final round of voting
- You can vote from the Top 5 Shop Small Merchants from April 29 – May 5

www.neighbourhoodgems.ca

Good Luck!

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Last month we caught up with our friend and local artist Sam Shuter at The Artist Project. She’s put together a short storyline piece about a day in her life as an artist. Check it out and for more info visit samshuter.com.

Video by Alexander Ordanis

Previously: Introducing Sammo

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Etsy Canada recently released their web series “Make Your Living” as a call to action to inspire Canadian artists to take the leap and turn their passion into a business. Etsy has already helped countless numbers of artists around the world do just this and their eye is on Canada for this initiative. “The amount of talent in this country is astounding, the Canadian handmade aesthetic is slowly nurtured and tended to, not rushed and mass produced. It’s why we have some of the best sellers in the world, and it’s why people love buying Canadian goods, our sellers have a respect for their craft and consumers are looking for thoughtful, quality items that are one of a kind,” says Etsy’s Canadian Community Manager, Nada Alic.

For more videos check out Etsy Canada on Youtube.

Posted by Tahnee Pantig

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I’ve always been inspired by screen printing and have admired its very ‘hands on’ nature. From back in the day when every little detail had to be created by hand, there’s been such a precision to the art form. A lot of artists have dabbled in screen print at one point or another and I thought that maybe it was time for me to give it a shot.

I decided to check out the Screen Printing 101 Workshop at Kid Icarus in Kensington Market. Having worked in the screen printing business for 14 years, I knew they would be more than capable of showing me the ins and outs of the craft/process.

During our afternoon workshop, Michael showed us some basic techniques for how to screen print and how to create our own screen printing set up at home. He went in depth about the technical aspect of the process, leaving the experimental and creative side up for us to work on ourselves. Michael emphasized that a lot of screen printing has to do with muscle memory. Your design might be great but if your body doesn’t remember what angle is best, how much pressure you need, you might not get the best print. Once your body remembers how to do it, you get into a flow and it becomes automatic.

After our very hands on afternoon in the workshop, I was feeling pretty inspired. Walking away with my own set of prints was very gratifying. And even though it was one afternoon, I did feel like I got a very thorough understanding of the process and the tools to play around with it myself.

For more info: kidicarus.ca

Posted by Tahnee Pantig

Previously: Kid Icarus – Screen Printing Duo (Video)

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The Gladstone Hotel holds the longest running weekly life drawing class in Toronto. And for $10 for 2 hours, it’s quite the steal. A hotel is not your typical setting for a life drawing class, but when has the Gladstone Hotel ever been known to do something typical? (case in point: Come Up To My Room, their incredibly successful contemporary art event that happens every year) With jazz flowing through the speakers and an open invitation to enjoy a pint of beer from the hotel bar, the Gladstone Hotel’s life drawing class provides a relaxed and casual atmosphere open to all participants regardless of previous experience.

For more info: gladstonehotel.com

Posted by Tahnee Pantig

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The 2013 City Life Film Project is now looking for new applicants. They are looking for storytellers, writers, fresh new voices, film lovers and anyone who has something to say to the world. The program starts in May and runs 2 evenings a week to work around your schedule. They focus on scriptwriting and visual storytelling, with 3 filmmakers chosen to win $30,000 to make their first short film and premiere at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

APPLY NOW
(Deadline is April 1, 2013)

For more info: citylifefilmproject.com

I’ve been going to the Four Seasons for the Canadian Opera Company (COC) Free Concert Series for the last few months now. I’m usually very secretive about little gems like this but I’m spilling the beans because the COC Free Concert Series is just too good to pass up. And if it means that I have to get there super early to get a decent seat now that you all know about it, so be it.

This year’s program is diverse with performances ranging from Korean drumming to jazz to opera to hip-hop. And if they don’t have something for you, that’s no excuse to pass on this. As you sit in the amphitheatre, you’re entertained by streetcars passing by, strollers being walked and stoplights flickering, as if the City had a role to play in the performance itself. To say it’s a stunning experience is an understatement.

The Free Concert Series will be extending their celebration of Black History Month into March with a performance by Ballet Creole. They will be performing their new production of Tounkande bringing together the sounds and rhythms of Guinea, West Africa with the dance moves to match.

Performances take place on Tuesday and Thursday at noon with select performances on Monday and Wednesday.

For more info: coc.ca

Photos 1 & 3 by Chris Hutcheson

Posted by Tahnee Pantig

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Toronto-based Drew Mandel Architects have designed the Cedarvale Ravine House in Toronto.

DESCRIPTION
This in-fill residential project is located at the threshold into the mid-town Toronto Cedarvale Ravine.

Circulation modulates through a series of intimate and expansive spaces and courtyards to a glass-enclosed single-story volume at the rear of the property. It is the kitchen and family room and the heart of the house. Large expanses of glass dematerialize the stone building in order to engage and connect to its protected woodland setting.A cantilevered second story volume frames views, gestures to the landscape and allows the re-naturalized ravine planting to be drawn farther into the site.

This abstract structure is intent on celebrating the everyday rituals of residential life and enhancing the slow unfolding experience of a special site.

via Contemporist

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