Richmond

update
Summer 2011 Volume 18, Issue 2
Erin Mackeen

COVER IMAGE
Entrance to 401 Richmond coal cellar.
The 401 Richmond Update is a community-building
initiative of Urbanspace Property Group. The newsletter
began in June 1994 and over the years has documented
the eclectic activities and fascinating people who make
a home in our historic factory in downtown Toronto.
If you would like to be added to the 401 Update
mailing list please email: update@401richmond.net
401 Richmond Ltd. Staff
Bob Chandler, Security
Rosanna Ciulla, Administrative Assistant
Bogale Gebreyes, Security & Maintenance
Erin MacKeen, Director Community
Development and Communications
Keli Maksud, Office Administrator­
Mike Moody, Property Manager
Pamela Lampkin, Janitorial Services
Rodentar Paragas, Janitorial Services Manager
Vicki Rodgers, Chief Executive Officer
Robert Schwager, Security
Michael Siklos, Leasing Administrator
Greg Spooner, Parking Attendant & Security
Margaret Zeidler, Founder
Newsletter
Erin MacKeen, Editor
Lisa Kiss Design (Studio 435)
Warren’s Waterless Printing
Published by:
Urbanspace Property Group
401 Richmond St. W., Studio 111
Toronto, ON Canada M5V 3A8
tel 416-595-5900 fax 416-595-5904
www.40­1richmond.net
Printed on Rolland Enviro 100.
 Richmond
update Summer 2011 Volume 18, Issue 2

MOVING IN
Art of Karuna/Kalyna
Pidwerbesky is a textile artisan who
creates original handworked wall and
wearable art. She joined the 401 artist
community this March moving in to
Studio 209.

Centre for City Ecology is a new

initiative focused on the seminal ideas of
Jane Jacobs that is working in various
ways to support the health and vitality of
Toronto. They can be found in Studio 404
and work in partnership with the
Urbanspace Gallery.

MOVING UP
Oxygen Design Agency has
Lauren Hall: Sail Fast Cloud-Shadows
and Sunbeams at YYZ Artists’ Outlet expanded westward taking over an
adjacent space to their existing Studio 430.
The agency is growing and transforming
and the additional space will help them
keep this momentum.
2 news
Beehive Design has buzzed out of a
shared space and into Studio 396. The
3 on the cover full-service design firm was able to move
next door when This Magazine shifted to
a new studio on the fourth floor.
4 tenant profile
This Magazine has moved up to
Studio 417, a smaller space that better
suits their current needs. As one of
5 spotted & Canada’s longest publishing alternative
applauded journals, a little change of scene has
served them well.

6 listings MOVING ON
Youth Culture, publishers of
Vervegirl Magazine moved from
7 press check Studio 245 to a new storefront space
on Queen St. E. They are looking forward
to having some street presence and more
8 THE BACK PAGE interaction with their youthful public.

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news
Two Kings tour leader
Paul Bedford in the
roof garden

The Big Five-O We Walked!

The Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (Studio 264) has We started off our Jane’s Walk weekend with a fantastic
achieved an astounding milestone reaching 50 years of launch party in the Urbanspace Gallery on May 4 that
showcasing contemporary fine art and craft. The outdoor was followed up with two successful walks of our building
festival is celebrating with a special addition to their and neighbourhood. Toronto Arts Council Associate
programming: 50 Years of Art an exhibition at FCP Director William Huffman hosted a special installment of
Gallery in First Canadian Place (June 8 – July 16). our monthly tour series Brickolage introducing a group to
While you’re visiting artist booths at the outdoor exhibition the folks that make art happen at 401. Former Chief City
you can also check out the speaker series, tours, and Planner Paul Bedford took another massive group through
site-specific performances and installations July 8 – 10. 401 and out into the King/Spadina neighbourhood that
www.torontooutdoorart.org he was instrumental in transforming as part of an urban
planning experiment dubbed the Two Kings.
Art App www.janeswalk.net
Meta Strategies (Studio 206) and Akimbo Art
Promotions joined forces in our very own 401 Richmond
Meeting Room for a think tank around the future of the
Akimbo service including the development and launch of
a new iPhone app created by Rob King in partnership
with Meta Strategies. The free Akimbo app, that is now
available for download from iTunes, allows users to
access listings of contemporary art exhibitions and
events and connect to programming for festivals like the
Images Festival (Studio 448). It’s really a one-stop-shop
Ron Mann, Business Consultant to
for what’s on at 401, in Toronto, and across Canada. Akimbo Director Kim Fullerton, and
www.metastrategies.com Meta Strategies’ Barry Veerkamp
www.akimbo.ca

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 on the
cover
FROM COAL TO TREES
This spring we started work filling in an old coal cellar under the parking lot adding another project to our
greening initiatives. The cellar was used to store coal that was shoveled through access shutes in to the
basement boiler room. It’s been an awfully long time since a coal burning boiler kept 401 toasty and without
constant heat, the area had deteriorated and was unsafe. Since the space wasn’t useable as anything other
than a coal cellar, we had with no alternative but to fill it in. The area will continue to provide parking but we
wanted it to be as green as possible so we’ll be installing new porous grass pavers and adding one more
tree to our micro-forest. The porous pavers allow rain water to penetrate the soil below (rather than running
off the pavement as it collects toxins) and also allows for grass growth on the surface.

TOP: 401 Richmond’s old coal cellar.

401 Photo Contest

For all the shutterbugs out
there snapping pictures
of 401 Richmond, this
is the contest for you!
Show us your best three
photos by uploading
them to our Flickr Group
at www.flickr.com/
groups/401photocontest
by July 6, 2011.
Prizes include: your photo
on the cover of the 401
Update, a Gallery 44
workshop, Swipe/Built
Books gift certificate, and a
Prefix Photo subscription.

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tenant profile
YYZ Artists’ Outlet Studio 140
In many ways YYZ Artists’ Outlet (Studio 140) is a 401
Richmond institution. Founded in 1979, YYZ it is one of
the oldest artist-run centres in Toronto and was also part
of the first wave of exhibition spaces to establish a home
on the ground floor of our building. Like many artist-run
centres in the city, YYZ was formed by a group of artists
who were looking for a non-commercial space to exhibit
their work. As Director Ana Barajas notes, their mandate
was and continues to be the artist: “artists self-curate
their exhibitions – they have the final say in what is
shown, how, and who writes about it. We try to make
our exhibitions as much about the artist as possible with
YYZ as a support mechanism for making that happen.”
More recently, YYZ has been playing with a slightly
unconventional exhibition model based on flexibility
around how artwork is both conceived and shown.
On any given visit you may encounter spaces in limbo
or partially installed, artists working on creating the work
in situ, or fully realized installations. A combination of
exhibiting artists and a residency program generates the
in flux nature of the space. As Ana describes, “as part of
the submission process we look at artist practices as a
whole, including past projects that have been realized,
instead of reviewing a specific project proposal. If we
decide that they’re a good overall fit, we leave what they
will do in the space a bit open-ended.” This flexibility
includes playing with time (with two projects currently
spanning a year and evolving as the artist intervenes)
and starting to incorporate varying practices that might not
work for a solo show in alternative, smaller scale areas.
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YYZ Artists’ Outlet Programming Assistant
Mallory Wilkinson and Director Ana Barajas
YYZ’s unpredictability can be surprising for audiences
who have been trained to view work in galleries in a
certain way – a gallery is closed for installation, it
opens when the show is completed, and your only
opportunity to meet the artist is usually at the opening.
People are sometimes unsure about how to interact
when they come upon an artist in process. This
opportunity for engagement is important for both the
audience and YYZ; it allows for greater interaction with
the artists while having the rare chance to watch the
artwork change and grow.
YYZ has also changed and grown since they moved to 401
in 1997. Over the last decade they have been cultivating
the publishing arm of their centre releasing at least one
book a year. They have two titles coming up this year and
as Ana pointed out, “their resources are too little for their
ambitions.” In response to the question, why publishing?
Ana said “we think it’s important to support critical writing
and a critical view of Canadian art practice because we
really don’t have a lot of it. Now we need to figure out how
to make it sustainable and set the terrain for YYZBOOKS
to continue to produce something every year.”
Coming up, in keeping with YYZ’s innovative
programming, Brian Groombridge will be curating his
own restrospective. The show will include some new
works alongside two emerging artist interventions with
the intent to create a dialogue around his practice.
www.yyzartistsoutlet.org
 spotted & applauded
JANE’S WALK
Launch Party, May 4, 2011

Above
Jane and Eb Zeidler with
Councillor Adam Vaughan.
Architect Michael
spotted photos by r ani sanderson

McClelland in background

Left
Architect and Urban
Designer Ken Greenberg

Below
Spacing Magazine’s
Dylan Reid and Councillor
Adam Vaughan
Top
Jane’s Walk Director
Jane Farrow,
Mayor Rob Ford, and
Minister of Transportation
Kathleen Wynne

Above
Mayor Rob Ford and
Jane Farrow

Right
Jane Farrow and
Councillor Mike Layton

Trinity Square Video

Trinity Square Video (Studio 376) is forty and still going strong. The artist-run centre
has stayed true to its roots providing affordable production and post-production
support and services for videomakers. The centre has a robust workshop program and
is also committed to presenting works in their gallery space and offsite. You can catch
TSV’s Themed Commission Program: Left until June 12 and for all you aspiring video
artists watch out for their next call for submissions.
www.trinitysquarevideo.com

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listings June to August 2011

The Listings Board is your opportunity to communicate continues to JULY 23

with other tenants and keep them informed about what is Prefix ICA
happening in your organization. If you are having a sale, Marie-Jeanne Musiol: Black Holes
exhibition, or event you would like advertised, email details Curated by Scott McLeod
to update@401richmond.net. Listings are open to all tenants.
DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: Friday July 29, 2011 continues to JULY 23
YYZ Artists’ Outlet
Karen Henderson: Solid Light
GALLERY DIRECTORY Lauren Hall: Sail Fast Cloud-Shadows and Sunbeams
David Court & Josh Thorpe: Around YYZ (until Fall 2011)
A Space Gallery (Studio 110)
Contact 416-979-9633 www.aspacegallery.org continues to JULY 31
South Asian Visual Arts Centre
Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography (Studio 120) Gauri Gill: The Americans
Contact 416-979-3941 www.gallery44.org Mississauga Central Library, 301 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W.
For library hours visit:
Open Studio (Studio 104) www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/centrallibrary
Contact 416-504-8238 www.openstudio.on.ca Co-presented with the Culture Division, Mississauga,
and the Mississauga Central Library
Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art (Studio 124) www.savac.net
Contact 416-591-0357 www.prefix.ca  
JUNE 8 – JULY 16
Red Head Gallery (Studio 115) Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
Contact 416-504-5654 www.redheadgallery.org 50 Years of Art
Offsite: FCP Gallery in First Canadian Place, 100 King St. W.
Trinity Square Video (Studio 376)
Contact 416-593-1332 www.trinitysquarevideo.com JUNE 11 – 18
Gallery 44
Urbanspace Gallery (Studio 117) Another Season: An International Exchange Project
Contact 416-595-5900 www.urbanspacegallery.ca Opening: Friday June 10

Vtape Video Gallery (Studio 452) JUNE 16 – JULY 23

Contact 416-351-1317 www.vtape.org Open Studio
Visiting Artists Exhibition: Meredith Setser and Jennie Suddick
WARC Gallery/Women’s Art Resource Centre (Studio 122) Jenn Law: Mimic
Contact 416-977-0097 www.warc.net Sandi Ralph: Water Series
Artist Talk & Opening: Thursday June 16, 6 – 7 pm and 7 – 9 pm
Wynick/Tuck Gallery (Studio 128)
Contact 416-504-8716 www.wynicktuckgallery.ca JUNE 22 – JULY 16
Red Head Gallery
YYZ Artists’ Outlet (Studio 140) Teri Donovan: An Archeology of Time
Contact 416-598-4546 www.yyzartistsoutlet.org

EXHIBITIONS
continues to JUNE 11
Open Studio
Visiting Artists Exhibition
Caitlin Erskine-Smith: Demonstrated
Joy Walker: Crush
Jacob Rolfe: New Works
Jae Hyang Lee: Hope More, Dream On
Linda-Marlena BucholtzRoss at
continues to JUNE 18 Gallery 44 (June 24 – July 30)
Red Head Gallery
Paula Braswell: Cotton Fields II JUNE 24 – JULY 30
Gallery 44
continues to JUNE 30 PROOF 18: featuring Steven Beckly, Linda-Marlena BucholtzRoss,
Urbanspace Gallery Jenna Edwards, Tadaaki Hozumi, Mike Andrew McLean,
Walkability Elise Windsor
Vitrines: Verant Richards Award Recipient 2011, Nathan Cyprys
continues to JULY 1 Opening: Friday June 24, 6 – 9 pm
Gallery 44
The New Analog: An Alternative Process Exhibition AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 24
by Gallery 44 Members Red Head Gallery
401 Lounge & Roastery Café Sam Mogelonsky: Wish you were here

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 Clockwise from top: Meredith Setser at Open Studio (June 16 – July 23), Teri Donovan at
Red Head Gallery (June 22 – July 16) and Elise Windsor at Gallery 44 (June 24 – July 30).

EVENTS JUNE 13 – 18
Necessary Angel Theatre Company
JUNE 9 Tout Comme Elle / Just Like Her
Prefix ICA Bluma Appel Theatre / St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts,
Urban Field Speakers Series: 27 Front Street E.
Nato Thompson & Amish Morrell Part of the Luminato Festival
7:30 pm www.necessaryangel.com

JUNE 11 – 19 JULY 8 – 10
Necessary Angel Theatre Company Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
Andromache The 50th anniversary edition of the largest outdoor
The Theatre Centre, 100-1087 Queen St. W. art exhibition in Canada. Nathan Phillips Square. Free Admission.
Part of the Luminato Festival Friday & Saturday 10:30 am – 7:30 pm, Sunday 10:30 am – 6:30 pm
www.necessaryangel.com www.torontooutdoorart.org

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press check

401 RICHMOND
401 Richmond was flattered to be chosen by Councillor
Adam Vaughan as his favourite place in a special
My Toronto feature from March in the Toronto Star.

SWIPE
Swipe Design | Books + Objects (Studio 121)
staffer Jake Tobin Garret popped up in the
June issue of Toronto Life’s See, Hear, Read.

DECODE
Decode’s (Studio 251) Scott Beffort shared
findings from the Decoding Digital Friends
study, a comprehensive multi-national
exploration of social media and young
generations today, with Strategy Magazine.

Urbanspace Gallery
Spacing Toronto posted on May 17 about the
Walkability Slideshow now up on the Jane’s Walk
and Urbanspace Gallery websites and on view
until July 2 at Urbanspace Gallery.
www.urbanspacegallery.ca

IMAGES FESTIVAL
The Images Festival’s (Studio 448)
closing night screening of West of Zanzibar
accompanied by a live performance by local
band F***ed Up caused quite a stir and
caught the attention of NOW Magazine.

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 THE back page
Sam Mogelonsky at Red Head Gallery
August 31 to September 24, 2011

If you’d like to be on THE BACK PAGE, please submit your drawing, painting, illustration, photograph or architectural plans at
300 dpi as a photoshop or illustrator file on cd or dvd disk. Please include a word file with your name, the title of the project, your
website, your studio address and a brief description of 50 words (maximum) on the disk. The best entry will be chosen for each
issue. Disks will not be returned. This space is to showcase the talent in the building. It is not for advertising an event or sale.

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 401 Richmond Street West, Studio 111
Toronto, ON Canada M5V 3A8
www.401richmond.net
Richmond
update