"Journey From..." invites you to discover the stories of those who have immigrated to Canada and now live in The Esplanade community. Photo portraits of 6 community members, taken by Gillian Mapp, will be accompanied by intergenerational conversations of their journey of immigration.

This exhibit features the stories of 12 older adults who are local to the Esplanade. The exhibition is created by Laini youths , and facilitated by co-leaders Maysam Ghani, and Ana Higuera. 

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As one might imagine, this winter has been especially hard for many of the seniors in our neighbourhood. Jamii's intention is to feature the voices and stories of our local seniors and invite them to take a central seat in our community as we are sharing aspects of their journey, richness, and resilience.

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The exhibit is located in David Crombie Park (The Esplanade & Frederick St) and takes place from April to early Summer of 2022.

*A Laini Initiative

"By providing a window onto the world through these photographs, we are creating a platform to express our different experiences of the pandemic, to relate to one another, to talk about emotions, to let go and release, and to understand that even though COVID-19 has affected many countries – and the world at large - the impact it had on individuals was very different. We hope that “caring” for one another is a sentiment that will transpire through this exhibit. "

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This exhibit featured the works of photographes members of the Jounal Collective and was curated by 13 young women of our community, under the leadership of Gillian Mapp and Isorine Marc.

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*A Laini Initiative

"Western culture often forgets about Nature; taking water, food, elements for granted for the “benefit” of digital platforms, virtual world and Metaverse. I believe it is important to show how many indigenous communities around the world are living in harmony with Nature by understanding and honouring it every single day. Through the pictures of "Water No Get Enemy, by Murphy Owusu, you will witness how communities around the world (Ghana, Ethiopia, São Tomé and Príncipe and Turtle Island) live around water and what it means to them."

- Excerpt from the Artistic Statement

Inspired by our 2022 theme "Water Is Memory", "WIsdoM ripples" features the work of three Toronto-based photographers: Roya DelSol, Brianna Roye and Zahra Siddiqui.

This exhibit was curated by 9 young women of our community, under the leadership of Gillian Mapp and Isorine Marc.

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"Water, like memory, has a rhythm; it ripples in water like time and music on a page.

A souvenir from a trip taken long ago. The scents from childhood. The familiar sound of laughter from your loved ones.

Memories from the past rushing in and out like waves, crashing and flowing like a storm of culture."

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*A Laini Initiative

In 2018, a group of 10 talented young women created a photography exhibition that was featured as an Open Exhibition in CONTACT, Photography Festival, and was displayed in May 2019 in David Crombie Park.

The exhibit, titled “I am me (Girl, I got you)”, invites viewers to push beyond the confines of society’s image of women. 

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A project under the leadership of Brianna Roye.

Photos taken and curated by the 10 participating young women. 

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*A Laini Initiative

"The Red Chair Sessions, by Nadya Kwandibens, is an ongoing open-call portraiture series that places importance on the acknowledgement and reclamation of Indigenous lands and the revitalization of Indigenous languages. This series ultimately disrupts colonial narratives, centres Indigenous Peoples who have been here since time immemorial, and reminds us that we are all guests on Indigenous land.

The series is also a celebration honouring the many achievements of Indigenous Peoples and presents a positive perspective for future generations." 

- Excerpt from the Artistic Statement

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This exhibit features the work of 4 photographers from Pikangikum First Nation: Mandi Chan Peters, Maddy King, Morningstar Quill and Clayton Turtle.

It was curated by 11 young women from The Esplanade community under the leadership of Elle Alconcel.

“Illuminated Perspectives” portrays Pikangikum First Nation and its spectacular beauty. The photos capture the essence of northern wildlife and the people who live there."

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*A Laini Initiative

Between 2014 and 2018, Jamii organized a group of youth to capture the BasketBall Tournaments that were taking place at our local basletball court on David Crombie Park.

Not only youths would learn photography skills, but would also curate their exhibit,  which would then be displayed by the court the following year.