VISIT BARAZA / BARAZA PIKANGIKUM / BARAZA Pikangikum First Nation VISIT 2018 - 2019 VISIT Jamii first visited Pikangikum First Nation in September 2018. We were extremely grateful, humbled, and honoured for this opportunity, thanks to Asmita Pal connection to this community. We were warmly received by a community that not only opened their doors, but also their many stories to us. We met with Elder Amie Owen, who shared a meal of moose meat and bannock with us, and told us about his experiences in residential school; David, who kept an eye on us in the hotel; Lucie Strang, who shared both her experience as a Native Language teacher in both oral Ojibwe and slavics, over multiple generations in the community, as well as her gift as a star quilt maker. We also met with Shirley Keesic, who is leading Restorative Justice Circles throughout Northern Ontario communities; Walter Latt and Marvin McKay-Keenan, who are managing the impressive new school, Eenchokay Birchstick School; Daniel Keeper, the Assistant Director of Education for the Pikangikum Education Authority; gifted visual artist Mario Peters, who showed us his studio and shared his artistic process and the teachings within his work; Ryan Saunders, who works at Project Journey and facilitates outdoor education engagement and employment opportunities for local youth; Andrew Mattacchione, whose hospitality helped us feel at home; Anne Warner, who treated us to breakfast during the power outage; Last but not least, we met with Elder Matthew Strang, who was ready to share with the creation stories connected to the water, land and people of Pikangikum. Little did we knew that we would reconnect with Matthew in 2022! In a short week, we had a taste of life in Pikangikum with a busy orientation week for the 200+ teachers before the first day for students, a 2-day fishing derby, a power outage, a fiddler and country rock concert hosted at the Community Centre, a 2-day water outage, visits to the community centre, the nursing station, the school, the Northern, a walk around the lagoon, and many, many meals at the one and only restaurant in town.While the reserve faced many challenges, we were grateful to those who openly shared their heartfelt, sincere experiences living and/or working in Pikangikum. In December 2019, Jamii visited Pikangikum a second time. Our intent was to confirm with Pikamgikum, leadership the coordination of "Wind Storiees". Both Jamii's Director Isorine Marc and Indigenous Spoken Word Artist Mahlikah Awe:ri were on this trip and met with several community members to discuss how to bring this project to life in February 2020. The intent of the proposed project was to create bridges between 4 communities in Ontario by sharing our stories together. People participating in the project were invited to make a portrait of someone else in their community through creative writing, photography and visual arts. SUPPORTED BY INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / Photos by Isorine Marc

2019 Choir in the park 2019 I am me. I am vibration. Choir in the park Aug 14th, 21st, 28th, 2019 - 6pm to 8pm - FREE David Crombie Park (across from 230 The Esplanade) Jamii and Soulpepper invited Waleed Abdulhamid to our park for one-of-a-king choir experience! Amazing multi-instrumentalist Waleed Abdulhamid, known for his striking vocals, innovative bass technique,and his speed and precision on percussion, is inviting Esplanadians of all ages and all artistic backgrounds to be part of our choir for three sessions only! Click here to find more information about Waleed Abdulhamid Out of gallery

LAINI - Assumption of Risk I hereby acknowledge and accept all risks, dangers, and hazards, including the possibility of personal injury, death, or loss of personal property, that may arise from or be associated with my child’s attendance at LAINI Workshops, whether on the premises or off-site. In the event of a medical emergency, I authorize the staff at Jamii to seek appropriate medical assistance for my child if necessary. By checking this box, I confirm that I understand and agree to the terms outlined in this assumption of risk form.

c70b6714-1353-41f3-bfb6-849bbd660a78 < Back Wolfe Island SEPT 2020 3rd VISIT In the Fall of 2019, Jamii visited Wolfe Island and invited locals to create visual portraits of fellow neighbours, friends or family member.In September 2020, Jamii came back to Wolfe Island to exhibit this collection of portraits made throughout the province. Along with this beautiful exhibit, Jamii invited local artists to bring a selection of these portraits to life through music, dance, storytelling, and drumming; A whirlwind of stories.Artists Teilhard Frost, Jason Mercer, Robert Douglas, Terri-Lynn Brennan, Sue Croweagle, Sukruti Tirupattur, Nancy Steele, and Lucas Sherwood, host Heather Kushum Sheedy and tech Cohen Samson treated the audience to a very rich performance with dance, drumming, storytelling, music, and a mix of genres and styles together. We only had one rehearsal the day before the public performance to create this series of short pieces. Watching artists coming together, creating in the moment, exchanging ideas, trying things, developing a structure with room for improvisation and then sharing with an audience is such a beautiful process. A beautiful spirit by the water. A project directed by Isorine Marc On-site coordination: Sharon Zarita. Thank you to photographer Susan Bowers, for capturing the performances. Videos: Isorine Marc Supported by Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts. NOV 20-24 & DEC 5-8 2019 2nd VISIT More than 55 people are participating in "Wind Stories" on Wolfe Island, and together, we are creating about 20 portraits of fellow members of the community. Some of the people involved in the project include (but not limited to): Barb Halladay, Chris Brown, Clara Lovalt, Don Chisholm, Eddie Calnan, Emilie Steele, Georgia Wroe, Hank, Janette Haase, Kathy Rothermel, Kerryn Graham, Kim Smith, Lily De Bruin, Linda Thomas, Liz Crothers, Lucas Sherwood, Lyda-Rose Eves, Marjorie Bousfield, Nancy Steele, Robert, Scarlett Graham, Susan Bowers, Terri-Lynn Brennan, Tom Wroe, Trudy de Ruiter, Wyatt Pyke. The students of Marysville Public School invited Danny Mosiers, James Kirkham, Ken White, Phoenix and Tara Broeders to have their portraits done in the school and they generously accepted. The students' artworks were very creative and we feel very proud of them. A special thank you goes to the teaching body of the school for their support through the creative process with the students. This project would not be possible without the support of the WIG (Wolfe Island Gallery) and Marysville Public School. Oct 5-9 & Oct 30-Nov 1 2018 1st VISIT 2018 JOURNAL (Nov 1st, 2018): During our journey to Wolfe Island in 2018, not only we were overwhelmed by a warm welcome but also discovered a community full of talented people, tons of stories to share, and breathtaking landscapes. Nancy Steele and Sus Bowers connected us to the community at large and gave us a special tour of the Wolfe Island Gallery (WIG); Pamela Miedema and her husband shared with us the history of the light house on Simcoe Island, which we reached via cable ferry; Tara Beers and Jennifer Lawless gave us a tour of Marysville Public School; Denis Doyle and Darlene Plumley told us about Frontenac Council; Kayo Murakami-Wood and Heather Kushum Sheedy shared with us insights on the life in the community; We met with Chris Brown who told us about the arts scene in the community; And we were humbled to meet beautiful people such as Pete Bowers, Bruce Mellon, Carolyn & Tom Wiens, Rocky Roberts, Leanne, Gail Kennie, and many more wonderful people. We got to learn about the history of the 89 windmills on the islands, as well as the different families who have been living on the islands for about 7 generations. Finally, many thanks to Terri-lynn Brenan who shared with us some insights on Indigenous burial grounds on the islands. It was also a pleasure to share with the community a special screening of Jamii's documentary FEETPRINT. Thank you to the WIG for organizing it. Previous Next

OUTDOOR EVENTS / HISIA - 2020 Hisia Aug and Oct 2020 HISIA is the Swahili word for inner feelings, emotions and thoughts. August 21st, 2020 - David Crombie Park (corner of Esplanade and Princess) Pop-up performance featuring four amazing artists: Heidi Chan (flute, drum) Jonelle Sills (modern opera singer) Raha Javanfar (violinist) Eman Hillawi Eman Aerial & Pole (lollilop lyra artist) We have invited these artists to connect with one another through a structured improvisation exploring their individual whirlwind of emotions since pandemic hit us mid-March. We all lived through the same major event, but all had a different journey. HISIA is a window into our unique ways to deal with the same situation. We hope you will come “look through the window” with us – as usual, at a safe physical distance from one another. October 3rd, 2020 On October 3rd 2020, we danced, filmed, wrote down and sang these emotions to share with you in the hope that you may relate and connect to some of them. The pandemic is an individual journey in a shared landscape. We hope these emotions will weave our journey together. Produced by Jamii Director: Isorine Marc Live videography: Ella Cooper Live poetry: Paulina O’Kieffe Anthony Music and singing: Evangelia Kambites Dancers: Jaz Fairy J, Nicola Pantin, Meryem Alaoui, Sukruti Tirupattur, Yvonne Ng Photographer: Gillian Mapp Editing: Isorine Marc Music: “Feel the Fall” by Evangelia Kambites In partnership with Supported by PHOTO CREDITS

2019/10 < Back to Events I am me. I am heart CREDITS: WITH THE SUPPORT OF:

2021 OUTDOOR EVENTS / WAYO / WAYO 2021 WAYO 2021 JAMII'S 2ND ANNUAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL WAYO was a three-day children’s festival that gave attendees an intimate multi-arts experience through a timed journey of performances through The Berkeley Castle and Canadian Stage’s Berkeley Theatre. The 2nd annual festival welcomed 300 audience members through this parkour festival experience. "Wayo was the ultimate compensation for all the live art children and young audiences have been deprived off lately. Empty lawns, parking lots, staircases, building corners were all designed and utilized as COVID-safe outdoor stages. For the second year, Jamii has successfully offered the arts in a palatable and personal way to young audiences at Wayo Children's Festival.” -Sharon Zarita, Arts Administrator and Writer An artistic footprint for Esplanadian families to encounter Written by Sharon Zarita August 22nd, 2021 "Wayo, a children’s festival produced and presented by Jamii, was the ultimate compensation for all the live art children and young audiences have been deprived off lately. The three day festival gave attendees an intimate multi-arts experience through a journey of performances at Berkeley Castle and Canadian Stage’s Berkeley Theatre. Curated to reflect its Swahili meaning of footprint, eight stages with different groups of artists awaited to gift the attending families a lasting creative mark for the summer. At each stage, the attendees had three minutes of a solo performance, and thereafter engaged by ring masters in an informative post-show analysis. Empty lawns, parking lots, staircases, building corners were all designed and utilised as COVID-safe outdoor stages. Attendees were invited to the parkour by the bleating sounds of CORPUS “Les moutons” sheep. The children look on as a shepherd strolls by the shed to feed the sheep and are left to their own imagination in this display of real life characters in theatrical costumes. “I think that one is a person because he has a beard,” a 5 year old whispers to the dad who challenges her guess with a reminder that goats have beards too. Next they are ushered to a henna booth for a culturally inspired keepsake on their palms. Each child gets to pick a design and while it’s being drawn they are informed on the origin of henna. As the henna dries up, a soft violin tune begins to play in the background which they can’t resist but follow it. The violinist, Saraphina Violin, is joined by lollipop lyra performers Aelxandra Legendre and Eman Hillawi, whose snake-skin costumes in a calming blue hue make the children gasp. Here, they come in close proximity with artistic elements like sounds, movement, set up, wardrobe - and are able to internalize it all without distractions often found in crowds when this performance happens on large platforms. As it ends two sets of claps fill the empty lawn, and even though the artists are used to a more fulsome standing ovation the looks on their faces say this personal performance was just as delightful." "If a dollar was donated for every time a child mentioned the next stage as their favourite Jamii would already be planning next year’s festival. They participate in a giraffe trivia show by Kristi Heath, then are tasked with a toss game to put a ring around the giraffe’s neck. It rebirths zoo experiences they love and have missed. The next three performances happen in the Berkeley Theatre, starting with a powerful percussion and opera duet in the Baillie Theatre by Jonelle Sills, Sergio Xocolate and Suzanne Roberts Smith. At an outdoor corner naturally decorated with a wall plant, they engage with a flamenco dance by Carmen Romero, accompanied by cellist George Crotty. They are offered a toy bird needing a home to take care of. Afterwards, they get to dance and sing along to West African beats and chants of Lua Shayenne and Cécé Haba. As each family takes their turn to be front row guests to these performances, one cannot help but appreciate how the festival has introduced the community to artistic spaces within the neighbourhood that are inaccessible to some. The festival wraps up with a ride on Kisanii Hub, Jamii’s mobile theatre. It cycles around the empty Canadian Stage parking lot, celebrating how this experience has enabled young audiences to experience and enjoy live arts within a COVID world. On their way out, they choose a book to take home from a collection of BIPOC authors. Tayaa, 10 years and Nazaree, 12 years both pick “Amina’s Voice” saying it feels like the girl with curly hair on the cover was calling to them. The two applaud the festival for combining different cultural genres and art forms making them feel like they were on an art tour around the world. Parents in attendance appreciated how this will have a positive effect in the creative development of the children. For the second year, Jamii has successfully offered the arts in a palatable and personal way to young audiences at Wayo Festival. Huge appreciation to them for this much-needed artistic experience." Sharon Zarita is a Kenyan arts administrator at Lakeshore Arts and Editor-in-Chief of Sekoya Magazine, the premier East African crafts and culture publication. Supported by August 19 to 21 LOCATION Berkeley Castle & Berkeley Theatre CREDITS Featured Artists (in order of appearance): Corpus, Saraphina Violin, Alexandra Legendre, Veronica Lee, Kristi Heath, Jonelle Sills, Sergio Xocolate, Suzanne Roberts Smith, George Crotty, Carmen Romero, Lua Shayenne, Cécé Haba. SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS The Berkeley Castle, Canadian Stage, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and Indigo, Love of Reading Foundation JAMII TEAM Isorine Marc (Artistic Director), Jasmin Linton (Event Manager), DeeAnn Hagler Sagar (Philanthrophy Manager), Amye Sagar (Production Assistant), Cynthia Ruso (Coordinator), Iris Unlu (Graphic Designer) WAYO STAFF Afnan, Tereka, Asmaa, Maha, Alysha, Akram, Ammar, Usama, Rayan, Maram & Anhar. All staff at Canadian Stage, lead by Leslie Hernandez, who helped us onsite Photos by: Jae Yang

bcf751db-072c-43aa-990c-8edb1de4df10 < Back Toronto “Wind Stories” is a project that connects the communities of Toronto, Wawa, Michipicoten First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation, and Wolfe Island. Community members are invited to co-create a series of portraits of fellow neighbours through creative writing, photography and visual arts. The first part of this project took place in Toronto in February 2020, with more than 50 people participating in this co-creation under the guidance of a beautiful artistic and production team: Isorine Marc, Andrew Patterson, Dan Bergeron, Zarita Adhiambo, Angel Narick. On February 8th, participants showed their portraits to their "chosen person" during a get-together at Performing Arts Lodge. A beautiful evening, warm and welcoming. The 22 portraits were then displayed at the Four Seasons Performing Arts Centre on February 13th and 15th 2020, welcoming hundreds of youth and their parents to discover this unique collection. Following the creation of a series of portraits of local people, made by fellow neighbours, a wonderful team of artists came together to bring eight of these portraits to life, through music, dance, and vocals.A unique way to share and celebrate each other stories.ARTISTS: Ashima Suri, Jonelle Sills, Jeremiah Sparks, Michael Caldwell, Paulina O’Kieffe-Anthony, Sue Croweagle, Heidi Chan, Raha Javanfar, with hosts Ryan G. Hinds & Indrit Kasapi. Photos & Videos: Laura Dittmann Previous Next

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / LAINI / VIDEO SKILLS LAINI Youth Wednesday & Thursday After School A Jamii initiative to encourage girls and young women to explore art and leadership! VIDEO SKILLS November 2021 - January 2022 Led by Alejandra Higuera Alejandra Higuera and her mentee have embarked on a journey to capture "WIsdoM ripples" - a photography exhibit curated by 9 young women of The Esplanade community. During this project, Alejandra and her mentee worked on filming skills, getting familiar with professional filming equipment, editing a short video, and exploring video animation. This project led to the creation of a short video that was distributed on Jamii's social media and presented on Jamii's website. Alejandra Higuera is a multidisciplinary, visual storyteller working in video, animation, projection, and illustration. Her work focuses on themes of migration, feminism, memory, grief, ritual by centering the intricate stories of immigrant, queer and BIPOC resilience and exploring how healing leads us to re-imaging ourselves. Photo by Ana Figo

EMERGING ARTISTS Jamii's RBC Emerging Artist Program NOOSA ZEIN, DANCE LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH JAMII Since Fall 2024, I’ve had the privilege of being part of the Emerging Artist Programme through Jamii, a program designed to support emerging artists, particularly those who are BIPOC and women-identifying. This program offered me a unique opportunity to work alongside Emilio Esteban, a choreographer and dancer with whom I’ve shared the stage since 2019 as part of theTEAM . Emilio was not only my teammate but also our dance director, and his mentorship felt like the perfect fit for me. We worked together from September to October 2024 on a dance performance to be showcased at Pulse, a local event. The process of curating the performance from scratch was super interesting and eye-opening. I never realized how much went into creating a dance piece for an event—it wasn’t just about the choreography or the moves, but the entire concept; recruiting your people for a performance (Which are 99.9% of the time unpaid gigs), conforming to the event’s theme, selecting the music/order of music, picking costumes, and ensuring everything aligned with the story we wanted to tell. Being on the other side of the performance by supporting Emilio in this role gave me a deeper appreciation for the logistical and creative work that happens behind the scenes. I began to understand that choreography is not just a reflection of personal expression but also an intricate, collaborative effort that requires a thoughtful approach to every detail. Seeking to further expand my knowledge and skills, I decided to invest in myself by purchasing a 5-class pass at Studio North Toronto. This dance studio is known for offering classes with independent teachers, and I was eager to learn from a variety of perspectives rather than sticking to comfortability. The classes challenged me in new ways by pushing me to become a more versatile dancer. I was exposed to different teaching styles, and classes introduced me to new techniques and approaches to movement. It felt like a refreshing journey of discovery as I honed my skills and broadened my understanding of dance. I learned not only how to approach different styles from different teachers, but also how to push my body and mind to explore new creative possibilities. The experience at Studio North made me realize how important it is to seek out new challenges, to step outside of your comfort zone, and to continuously seek growth as an artist. One of the most impactful learning experiences came from a private lesson with Carl Mandac, one of my closest choreographers who was our former director on theTEAM. Carl is known for his creative choreography, and he crafted a performance-worthy piece for me to learn for fun. This was an intense but rewarding experience, as I had to fully immerse myself in the piece, focusing on both precision and expression, especially due to the 1 on 1 setting. What made the lesson even more enriching was Carl’s collaboration with Kristina, a talented videographer who works closely with choreographers and performing artists in the dance community. Carl granted me permission to showcase my take on his choreography while working alongside Kristina. Kristina’s expertise added a new dimension to my learning. While Carl taught me the moves to the choreography itself, Kristina coached me on how to translate my performance for the camera. I had never fully realized how nerve-wracking it could be to perform a solo act on film until I was in front of the camera myself. Kristina taught me grounding techniques, such as breath control, sensory grounding, and the importance of feeling my feet firmly planted on the ground when my anxiety spikes a bit. These techniques supported me in calming my nerves and improving my focus. Kristina also emphasized how nerves and emotions are incredibly readable to an audience, both in-person and on-screen, and she taught me how to stay present and grounded, even when under pressure. Through these experiences, I came to realize that performing is about much more than just executing choreography—it’s about truly embodying the song and its emotional message. Kristina’s guidance helped me understand the importance of interpreting the music as if I were the artist singing it, connecting with its emotional depth and expressing that through my movement. This concept completely shifted my approach to dance performance, as I began to see performances not just as a series of steps, but as a way of telling a story and connecting with the audience on an emotional level. I had always believed I was a good dancer, but learning how to channel emotion and intention into my performance took it to a whole new level. The physicality of dance was now intertwined with the emotional aspect of the music, and I learned how to bring both together to create a compelling performance. This experience also reminded me of how dance is both personal and universal. Dance is a way to communicate with others without words. It’s about vulnerability, emotion, and connection. It's a never ending journey of learning; there is always something new to learn. This realization has deepened my love for dance, and I’m now excited to approach every upcoming performance with a better sense of intention and awareness as a performer not just through my physical movies, but of the emotional story I want to tell through them. I am incredibly grateful for this experience presented to me through Jamii with the support of the RBC Emerging Artist program, and I am excited to bring this back full circle in my own journey as a leader in dance. PROJECT LINK COMING SOON SEE ARTIST'S PAGE NOOSA ZEIN: Coming soon! FUNDERS:

Spring 2023 Community Projects/ Photo Exhibits/ JOURNEY FROM... JOURNEY FROM... Spring 2023 Spring 2023 A Photo Exhibition by Gillian Mapp Exhibited in front of The Jamii Hub | 264 The Esplanade On March 25, Jamii unveiled "Journey From...", a photo exhibition by Gillian Mapp, as part of our The Kisanii Hub outdoor events series of 2023. "Journey From..." invited audiences 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, were accompanied by intergenerational conversations of their journey of immigration. As part of the unveiling event, Aline Morales, Heidi Chan, Sukruti Tiripattur, Irma Villafuerte performed and made the unveiling a visual and auditory feast for the audience! The exhibition is displayed in front of The Jamii Hub, at the corner of The Esplanade & Berkeley St, from the spring to the Fall of 2023. Unveiling: Saturday, March 25, 2023 On display from March to September 2023 In Partnership with As part of CREDITS Photographer: Gillian Mapp Project Lead: Afnan Yakot Audio Editors: Gillian Mapp, Isorine Marc, and Jeremy Glenn RBC Emerging Artist Mentor: Vanessa Magic Participants: Pelin and Denise, Lily and Daniella, Natalia and Vlad, Noriko and Alina, Kei and Kenneth, Noeline and Francesa, Ghader and Huda ARTISTIC STATEMENT BY GILLIAN MAPP Journey from…explores unfolding stories of the journey beyond the destination. To know where we are going, we must understand where we have been. Journey from… shares the stories of women who have contributed to the mosaic of Canada by celebrating their place of origin. By remembering each individual's experience, we add to the collective memory to truly feel seen and alive. In creating these portraits I intended to capture the essence of past and present by examining collective migration histories. By exploring the journey that brought these women to where they are right now. I felt the importance of being a bridge for untold stories to be heard while shaping my own understanding of the broader communities. With this in mind, this project is about much more than recording history. It's about inspiring change for future generations. This exhibit shares stories of people who sought safety, new opportunities, and even family reunification, with the promise of better lives despite leaving so much behind. Home is now their place in Canada, but they can always remember where their identity was born. The portraits are accompanied by intergenerational conversations about each woman’s experience and emphasize that the journey is just as important as the destination. These stories amplify First Generation Canadians by giving them a platform to be heard. As they balance the challenges of the displacement of leaving their home and the overwhelming undertaking to start new in a foreign land. The power of image-making is its ability to change our perception of the world and, in turn, influence history. Everyone has a destination, but the journey is theirs to make. Click HERE to read more about photographer Gillian Mapp Noriko & Kei - Journey From Japan Click HERE to listen Noriko and Kei story Pelin - Journey From Turkiye Click HERE to listen Pelin story Noeline - Journey From Uganda Click HERE to listen Noeline story Ghader - Journey From Syria Click HERE to listen Ghader story Lily - Journey From Kenya Click HERE to listen Lily story Natalia - Journey From Ukraine Click HERE to listen Noeline story Special thanks to Supported by

With our photo exhibits, our intent is to transform our public space to surprise passers-by, to engage in conversation through arts and to share different perspectives. It is also an amazing opportunity to feature photographers from Toronto and beyond, and to engage community members in curatorial processes. Photos Exhibits Our intent is to transform our public space to surprise passers-by, to engage in conversation through arts and to share different perspectives. It is also an amazing opportunity to feature photographers from Toronto and beyond, and to engage community members in curatorial processes. Almost every year, Jamii produces a new photo exhibits to be displayed in our public space - usually David Crombie Park. THE PACT Winter 2024 MORE INFO KOSHKI’ZI Summer 2024 MORE INFO MASHKIKI Summer 2023 MORE INFO THE RED CHAIR SESSIONS Summer 2022 MORE INFO WHAT WE REMEMBER Winter 2024 MORE INFO THE PAVILION Summer 2024 MORE INFO JOURNEY FROM... Spring 2023 MORE INFO SEEING EVERGREEN Spring 2022 MORE INFO WANYAMA WA NYUMBANI Summer 2024 MORE INFO CALYX Summer 2023 MORE INFO WATER NO GET ENEMY Summer 2022 MORE INFO WIsdoM ripples Winter 2021 MORE INFO

2016 Patchwork Village 2016 In the context of the 40th Anniversary of the site-plan approval of The Esplanade (St. Lawrence), we wanted to celebrate this shared common place we all call home. We decide to share the inspiring and moving stories of 40 fellow Esplanadians. Each of these stories is a component of an ensemble - a vital piece of a patchwork that composes the intangible cultural heritage of our Esplanadian community. These voices make up the social fabric of our community – a patchwork that connects people and tells the story of our collective memory. Patchwork Village is the first step of a journey to the heart of our common identity and the richness of our cultural differences. We are the Patchwork Village. PHASE 1: Creation of a photo/text exhibit displayed in Crombie Park in May & June 2016, as part of CONTACT, Photography Festival. This exhibit is a snapshot of The Esplanade’s diverse composition today as seen through the lenses of a group of residents and photographer Charlie Lindsay . In a collaborative creative process, our group interviewed and gathered stories recounted by forty selected protagonists. Each story was then translated into a written text, and visually interpreted by Lindsay (along with various Esplanadian’s collaborative input). Artistic Team: Curator: Isorine MarcProject coordinator: Zoie Browne Lead artist – Creative writing: Anne-Marie ‘Amani’ Woods Lead artist – Exhibit design: Jacques Fortier Photographer: Charlie Lindsay Graphic designer: Gus Morainslie Project photo & video documentation: Laura Dittmann Editor: Robert Graham Artistic advisor: David Danzon PHASE 2: Creation of a live re-enactement of the 40 stories by Esplanadians of all ages. Presented on Oct 1st 2016 as part of Toronto Nuit Blanche. Artistic Team: Curator: Isorine MarcProject coordinator: Zoie Browne Lead artists: Nicola Pantin, Jim Adams, Jordon Veira, Jeremiah Sparks, Robert Graham Project photo & video documentation: Laura Dittmann Check here the forty stories

2020 Unlocked 2020 A Flow of Colourful Connections in Lockdown An art video project created in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic Click here to find all the information.

"Wind Stories" invited residents of 4 communities to create "portraits" of fellow community members. These portraits started with a one-on-one conversation and materialize through photography, visual arts and creative writing.  Wind Stories 2018 - 2019 - 2020 Toronto READ MORE Pikangikum Island READ MORE Wolfe Island READ MORE Wawa and Michipicoten Firts Nation READ MORE In September & October 2018, with the intent to build new bridges between 5 communities in Ontario through the arts and community engagement, the Jamii team visited Pikangikum First Nation, Wawa, Michicipoten First Nation and Wolfe Island. We visited each community with an open mind to allow organic conversations. Our intent was to listen and share our journey with local community arts organizations, meet people, artists and community activists and potentially create something wonderful together in a near future. Why these communities? Because three Esplanadians have strong ties in each of them: Darren Marshall is from Wawa, Asmita Pal taught in Pikangikum and Kerryn Graham lived with her family in Wolfe Island. All three are our ambassadors on this project and act as connectors between all our people to create genuine dialogue. Indigenous spoken word artist Mahlikah Awe:ri, Enml'ga't Saqama'sgw has been accompanying Isorine Marc, Executive and Artistic Director of Jamii, along with the ambassadors on each of the visits to these 4 communities. From this initial visit, Jamii invited each community to take part in an intra-provincial artistic collaboration between our 5 communities. Together, we would bring to life "Wind Stories". This project invites residents of each community to create "portraits" of fellow community members. These portraits start with a one-on-one conversation and materialize through photography, visual arts and creative writing. In November 2019, the Jamii team (composed of Isorine Marc, Darren Marshall, Georgia Reynolds, artist Kara Spencer and artist Dan Bergeron) traveled to Wawa to create the first 22 portraits of the project. The project was enthusiastically received by the community ending in a celebration on November 16th at the Lakeview Hotel with 60 people in attendance, sharing their portraits and experience through the project. In both November and December, the Jamii team (Isorine Marc, Kerryn Graham, Scarlett Graham, artist Kara Spencer and artist Andrew Patterson) traveled to Wolfe Island. More than 50 people have been involved in the project on the island with a beautiful series of portraits created. In February 2020, the project took place in Toronto where 22 Esplanadians created portraits of neighbours, friends, and family members. We completed the project with a get-together at Performing Arts Lodge, sharing the portraits with each other. The portraits were displayed at the Four Seasons Performing Arts Centre on February 13th and 15th 2020. The Jamii team (Isorine Marc, photographer Gillian Mapp, spoken word artist Mahlikah Awe:ri) visited Pikangikum from February 18 to 28 2020. 18 portraits were created by students of the Eenchokay Birchstick School and community members. We were warmly received and honored to spend time creating together. This project was supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and Toronto Arts Council. The WInd Stories exhibit was first presented at the Canadian Opera Company in February 2020 to hundreds of youth and their parents. In the Summer and Fall of 2020, Wind Stories, was first presented in Toronto then in Wawa and next Wolfe Island. In Toronto, the exhibit was displayed in Crombie Park and St James Park, on June 29th, July 17th, July 18th, July 24th and 25th. In parallel to the exhibit, we invited 8 artists from Toronto to bring these portraits to life through the creation of a series of mini-performances inspired by some of the portraits. Here is a video of the live streaming of one of these performances: https://www.facebook.com/Jamii.ESP/videos/3101391096612028 We then reconnected with our contacts in Wawa and Wolfe Island and together decided to bring the exhibit to these communities in September. In each of these two communities, we invited 8 local artists to repeat the wonderful experience we had in Toronto by choosing a portrait and bringing it to life through dance, musical and visual performances. We had about 100 audience members in Wawa and 50 in Wolfe Island. These performances were also streamed online: Wawa: https://www.facebook.com/Jamii.ESP/videos/3348335508584251 Wolfe Island: https://www.facebook.com/Jamii.ESP/videos/3364122230338912

2015 Queens of The Esplanade 2015 This project first and foremost celebrates individuality and the power of imagination. Through dance, object theatre and storytelling our 18 Queens and Princesses along with 12 Maestros transformed a simple premise into a magical and whimsical theatrical venue. CREDITS Co-produced with CORPUSPresented at Culture Days and Toronto Nuit Blanche Inspired by CORPUS’ Camping RoyaleLead artist: Carolin LindnerChoreographer: Kaitlin TorranceCostume designer: Margot Mercier Esplanadian Princesses and Queens: Amanda Maragos, Aleina Maragos, Betsy Finnie, Cyesha Forde, Dulce Gomes, HibaKurdi, Helena Maragos, Hodan Ibrahim, Hodan MohammedAbdi, Georgia Reynolds, Genevive Marshall, Keisha Anthony, Linda Leistner, Lula Bunye, Marah Alassar, Melody Arnold, Ribqah Zafar, Yasmin Abouali and professional artists Ashima Suri, Ryan G Hinds, Takako Segawa Esplanadian Maestros: Clarke Graham, Dan O’Leary, Danielle Laurent-Chazel, Darren Marshall, Kai Muyoboke, Marcos Vilela, Markus Hunter-Vrooman, Maysam Ghani, Pauline Williams, Raecheal Goddard, Robert Graham, Scarlett Graham and professional artists David Danzon, Indrit Kasapi

2011 - present International Arts Experience 2011 - present With dance/theatre company CORPUS With the support of individual donations from The Esplanade community, Maysam, Pauline and Kai were offered the amazing opportunity to travel to the other side of the planet with professional artists, attending international arts events (festivals, showcases, community performances, workshops...). The three youth joined the company on tour alongside Isorine Marc. These life-changing experiences were unique cultural and artistic opportunities to explore, learn and grow. Upon their return to The Esplanade, Maysam, Pauline and Kai shared their experiences with their families, classmates and the local community-at-large. A lot of gratitude to all the donors who brought these experiences to life. Kai - 2017 - South Africa Pauline - 2015 - China Maysam - 2011 - Cambodia

WORKSHOPS BARAZA / BARAZA PIKANGIKUM / BARAZA Pikangikum First Nation WORKSHOPS 2022 WORKSHOPS In 2022, from September 28th to October 9th, Isorine, along with artists Gillian Mapp and Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone traveled to Pikangikum once again and led a series of artistic workshops for the local youth - with a focus on young women. As part of these workshops, we collaborated with local artist Morningstar Quill, whose work was exhibited at our local Toronto public Library - St Lawrence branch. The photography workshops engaged 7 youth in daily two-hour workshops (for a total of 8 workshops). During these workshops, photographer Gillian Mapp and local artist Morningstar Quill had the opportunity to teach the basics on how to operate a camera and do practice sessions outside, working on both landscapes and portraits. Artists engaged the youth in exploring a theme for an exhibition, and what kind of photos they would like to explore. They chose “Nature” as a theme and the group had different outings to capture the nature surrounding Pikangikum, with a focus on both immensity and details offered all around us. The group had photographic sessions in the forest, by the water, in the quarry. Once a collection of photos the youth were proud of was produced, the group started a curation process for each youth to include three of their photos in the exhibit. As a group, they had a chance to look at the entire selection, make adjustments and decide how they would be presented to the public. Each youth contributed to the exhibition artistic statement: This exhibit is important to us as we dive into the theme of Nature and take the time to admire its beauty, its many surprises, its colors, and how alive it becomes when we take the time to listen to it. These photos were taken in and around our community and that’s important to us as it is our home. In this exhibit, we showcase powerful animals like the bear, our culture like the photo with the children’s hands painted in orange, and the way we come in and out of our community with the images of planes flying above our heads. Nature is poetry and takes us on a beautiful journey - especially at the change of seasons; within a few days, the leaves went from bright yellow to brown, and we got to capture the transformation. Nature shows us the opposite sides of beauty and the wide range of colors within it. Details like the photo with the feathers represents our culture, the beauty of our land, the wild animals and the colored leaves. Every details are here and it touches us softly, with care and with love. The wonderment of nature left us speechless but offered infinite beauty to capture with our cameras. We are proud to share this exhibit with you. The rhythmic gymnastics workshops, led by Isorine Marc, were a movement-based exploration getting comfortable with our bodies, learning how to stretch and strengthened our core, explore coordination, choreography, musicality, hoops artistic decoration and collective performance. 15 girls (10-yrs old) were committed to daily 2-hr workshops (for a total of 8 workshops) that culminated in creating a 3-min choreography that was presented to the community on October 8th alongside the photographic exhibition. We visited Pikangikum during Cultural Break, which is a time of the year when the school is closed and locals go to their cabins to hunt before the Winter. During Culture Break, some community members are left behind with nothing to do (especially that there is no school during that time). Fortunately, the school opened its doors to us so that we could run workshops. The 15 young ones who were involved in Rhythmic Gymnastics were grateful for the opportunity as they had nothing else to do during that time. They were very proud to showcase their performances to their parents on the last day. Artist Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone offered a variety of workshops to adults and youths including drumming circle, hand drum making workshops and birthing ceremony, visual arts and craft. 5 youths and 5 adults participated in these workshops which created a safe space “to be”. In total, we offered 23 2-hrs workshops during out visit. CULMINATION: The workshop series culminated in a presentation to the community On October 7th, which was attended by Chief Shirley Keeper and the vice-principal of our partnering school Eenchockay Public School, along with 30 community members. During the presentation, our young participants had the opportunity to share their movement-based routine (rhythmic gymnastics), and our youth presented their photo exhibition to the community. The project was very well received and open doors for continued collaborations. SUPPORTED BY INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / Photos by Isorine Marc

2015 Forty-One 2015 A book, a mural, a dance performance & a visual exhibition The BOOK "Forty-One Neighbours" From our immediate neighbors to people living in neighboring countries, there are unique, moving and beautiful stories to be discovered, to be shared, and to be enlivened. Each story is a component of an ensemble. Written by 53 students from The Esplanade , FORTY-ONE Neighbours is a portrait book of 41 people, each one currently living in one of the countries participating in the 2015 Toronto Pan Am/Parapan Am Games and having a personal link to The Esplanade neighbourhood. 39 photographers from the Americas participated in the project. 600 copies were printed and distributed locally and internationally. After its launch on April 14th, 2015, FORTY-ONE Neighbours became a source of inspiration for a visual arts installation, a dance performance and a mural project – all unveiled in our park on July 4th 2015. Credits Book creative team: Curator: Isorine Marc Project Coordinator: Zoie Browne Editorial Coordinator: Rosemary Doyle Graphic Designer: Joseph Harbans Cover illustration: Yasmin Harris International Outreach Coordinator: Kerryn Graham Translator: Alvaro Blanch Co-produced by Jamii & CORPUS; In partnership with St Lawrence Market BIA , St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association , St Lawrence Recreation Centre , Toronto Public Library -St Lawrence Branch , Young People’s Theatre , St Michael’s Catholic School, Market Lane Public School, Canada Running Series , Prologue to the Performing Arts , Berkeley Castle ; With the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation , Ontario Ignite, Ontario Arts Council , Toronto Arts Council . Partnering schools: St Michael’s Catholic School Market Lane Public School FORTY-ONE embarked Esplanadians on a one-of-a-kind journey that contributes to defining our common identity and embracing our differences. The MURAL"Forty-One" To all the constellations that shine above us, wherever we may be. This mural embraces our neighbours from all point of the compass. In spite of the physical distance, we all remain connected. Inspired by the book “FORTY-ONE Neighbours”, a mural was created during an 8-week process under artistic leadership of Nick Sweetman. Seven Esplanadian painters designed and painted the mural at the “Circle/Stonehenge” (The Esplanade & Frederick St). It represents all landmasses in a mixed arrangement, with 41 dots spread throughout and all connected to each other by a ribbon. The artists involved in this project celebrated our connections in spite of physical distance. Artistic Team: Lead artist: Nick Sweetman Esplanadians: Suzanne Barnes, Kerryn Graham, Marina Hanacek, Andrew Patterson, Julian Periquet, Dan Philips, Ivan Blagojevic, Diana Portokalidis Curator: Isorine Marc Project Coordinator: Zoie Browne Produced by Jamii @jamiiesplanade The DANCE"Forty-One" Based on the concept of ÉCOUTE POUR VOIR, each dance solo was inspired by a portrait from the book “FORTY-ONE Neighbours”. This dance performance was presented on July 4th on The Esplanade, at the opening of the St Lawrence Market on July 11th, and at the Ontario Celebration Zone at the Harbourfront Centre on both July 11th and 13th. Artistic and Community team: Original concept: Emmanuel Jouthe/Danse Carpe Diem Lead artists: Michael Caldwell, Laurence Fournier Campeau, Emmanuel Jouthe, Indrit Kasapi, Jolyane Langlois, Alix Sideris Esplanadians: Mumina Aden Hussien, Karam Aly, Christine Andrews, Athan Belasco, Farid Dastmalchi, Iraj Dastmalchi, Amber Ebert, Yossef Kurdi, Hiba Kurdi, Nasir Robertson, Jacqueline Tarne, Pauline Williams, Kenan Yousef The VISUAL EXHIBITION"FORTY-ONE The Esplanadian Connection" “FORTY-ONE The Esplanadian Connection” celebrated our similarities and shared our stories with a series of 33 installations along The Esplanade’s promenade. A mirrored reflection of each original picture from the book “FORTY-ONE Neighbours” was re-enacted by 7 local photographers and 104 Esplanadians. This photo exhibit was designed by 9 Esplanadians during a two-month creative process, under the artistic leadership of Jacques Fortier. The exhibit was on display from July to October 2015. Artistic and Community team: Lead artist: Jacques Fortier Esplanadians: Nancy Barber, Nancy Brown, Gabrielle Franke, Raecheal Goddard, Mia Hesse-Fernandes, Mike Hutchinson, Margot Mercier, Majeeb Zafar, Ribqah Zafar Graphic designer: Gus Morainslie Photographers: Grant Cockburn, André Daley-Wiltshire, Laura Dittmann, Cyesha Forde, Charlie Lindsay, Aleshia Nigh-Neverson, Nick Spector PARTNERS

WINDSTORIES BARAZA / BARAZA PIKANGIKUM / BARAZA Pikangikum First Nation WINDSTORIES 2020 WINDSTORIES In February 2020, the Jamii team traveled to Pikangikum First Nation in Northern Ontario to bring to life "The Stories The Wind Carries", Jamii's intra-provincial project. We partnered with the Pikangikum Education Authority and Eenchokay Birchstick School to invite people to create a portrait of fellow community members. In total, we created 18 portraits, involving 36 people in the project. Through sharing our stories together, the project intends to create bridges between 4 communities: Toronto, Wawa/Michipicoten First Nation, Wolfe Island and Pikangikum First Nation. This initiative was supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council. PROJECT TEAM Director: Isorine Marc Lead Artists: Mahlikah Awe:ri & Gillian Mapp Community Ambassador: Asmita Pal Filmed by Isorine Marc Edited by Laura Dittmann Music by Mahikah Awe:ri SUPPORTED BY INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / Photos by Isorine Marc

2017 Feetprint 2017 FEETPRINT is a multi-layered storytelling project that engaged artists and residents of The Esplanade (Esplanadians of all ages and cultures) in a co-creative process to design over 150 shoes throughout the summer of 2017. This project offered participants an opportunity to share their personal stories to one another, and brought our diverse voices together: each participant were asked three questions as a source of inspiration for their design: Who am I? Where do I belong? How do I behave? Trailer This artist-led project is inspired by Markd't Celebrating Art on Sneakers. Documentary Shoes were designed through a series of artist-led workshops in partnership with Market Lane Public School, St Lawrence Daycare Co-Op, and The Toronto Public Library - St Lawrence Branch. The growing collection of shoes was displayed at Jamii’s event throughout the summer: > Multicultural Day Celebration (June 27); > Jamii’s movie nights (June 17, July 22, August 26); > Culture Days (Sept 30); > Scotiabank Waterfront Toronto Marathon (Oct 22) Estimated total audience of 3000+

Come check out our Little Esplanade where you can find our shared memories of The Esplanade of Toronto in miniature form! COMMUNITY PROJECTS / The Little Esplanade THE LITTLE ESPLANADE Explore our shared memories in miniature form! LOCATION: OUTSIDE OF THE JAMII HUB @ 264 THE ESPLANADE VISIT TIMES: 24/7 Visit The Little Esplanade — an intricate miniature model of our neighbourhood! This first phase, spanning from Parliament St to Princess St, is a testament to community creativity and collaboration. Over brunch at the Jamii Hub, experience the joy of seeing our shared memories come to life in tiny form. Each detail, crafted by community members, reflects the vibrant spirit of The Esplanade ahead of its revitalization. It honours our past, celebrates the present, and looks forward to the future. CLICK ON THE LITTLE GEMS TO WATCH OUR MEMORIES! The Little Esplanade is a heartfelt project that began in 2023. Inspired by local miniatures expert Roxanne Braithwaite, Jamii organized a project that year for community members to create Mini Homes for Little Amal , a larger-than-life puppet symbolizing unity, who visited The Esplanade as part of the Luminato Festival . Inspired by this moment, a community member suggested, "Why don’t we make a miniature version of The Esplanade?" At first, it sounded like a big, even impossible idea. But the excitement was undeniable, and so began our journey to craft a miniaturized version of our neighbourhood, capturing its spirit, stories, and vibrant landmarks. Starting in the fall of 2023, The Little Esplanade has brought together community members of all ages to build this miniature neighbourhood—from its buildings and playgrounds to schools and park areas. Our workshops, led by miniaturist Roxanne Braithwaite , have become gatherings of creativity, connection, and resourcefulness. Roxanne’s expertise has been instrumental to this project; her work, blending fine detail with community warmth, has been featured on platforms like CityTV’s Cityline, CBC Arts , Shrunk Magazine, and The Toronto Star. Roxanne’s own miniature spaces aren’t just exquisite in design; they’re an artistic medium to create warm, safe environments. Her work goes beyond aesthetics, shedding light on critical social issues like intimate partner abuse, dementia, and missing and murdered Indigenous women. Building The Little Esplanade has been a labour of love. Each tiny detail—a tree, garbage bin, window, or patio—has been crafted with careful thought and creativity. We’re grateful to the more than 40 community members who have added their unique touches to this evolving project, as well as to those who have carried the project’s spirit forward and helped bring people together: Shaimaa Yakot, Ghader Bsmar, Carolina Rojas, Sarah N. Ahmad, and Isorine Marc. Together, we built a community masterpiece, one mini-moment at a time. The heart of this project lies in more than simply creating a model; it’s about capturing our community’s essence, preserving the present before the gentrification of David Crombie Park while honouring its past. An exciting interactive component has also been added: QR codes are placed on numbered areas of the miniature model. When visitors scan these codes, they can access short videos of artists, participants, and audience members sharing memories of past Jamii projects at specific Esplanade locations. It’s a beautiful way to remember Jamii’s projects from the early 2010s up until the early 2020s! The Little Esplanade is displayed as a public installation in David Crombie Park/Berkeley Castle. This installation, combining storytelling and community history, allows visitors to engage with Jamii’s legacy and connect to the neighbourhood’s ongoing evolution. This model not only captures our community’s current image but also serves as a “tool” to share rich histories and stories, becoming a long-term installation that fosters connection and memory for years to come. CREDITS: Miniature Artist: Roxanne Braithwaite Artistic Director: Isorine Marc Project Planning: Sarah N. Ahmad Workshop Support: Shaaima Yacout, Ghader Bsmar "The Little Esplanade" Architects (a.k.a. Workshop Participants): Aéla Kuria, Aine McGrath, Anupa Joseph, Billy Yearington, Carman, Celeste Yang, Cecilia Saez, Charlie Tran-Metzger, Clara Jonker, Daisy Mak, Daphne Tran-Metzger, Dee Pearson, Elaine Bullard, Ellie Tran-Metzger, Erin Kiyonaga, Evelyn Carter, Farah, Fiona Sonderskov, Francis Tsang, Ghader Bsmar, Golda Allen, Grayson Nuttall, Hannah Kim-Cragg, Heidi Shaheen, Ileana, Isorine Marc, James Young, Jeeya Vjomesh Ghandi, JJ Martyn, Jennifer Brown, Jennifer Hollett, Katia Ho, Kathleen Hollett, Kenneth Wen, Layla Safadi, Lei Kunitoki, Lesley Hughes, Lily Louick, Mackenzie Stewart, Manyu Ku, Marilli Martyn, Marie Crosta, Mark Duff, Matthew Villagonzola, Natasha Thompson, Nicole Pinto-Lobo, Nimra Khalid, Penelope Villagonzalo, Priya Louick, Prudence Wu, Rona Kong, Sam Hindawi, Sarbari Mukherjee, Shaimaa Yacout, Sophie Moynan, Steve Metzger, Su Zhang, Syreeta Scott, Sydney Syreeta, Silvia Shim, Tracy Ayoung, Vivenne Yang, Wendy Carter, Yan Song, Zélia Kuria. FUNDED BY

The Wedding Series. DUETS. At Heart. Unlocked. These are some of the most recent film projects we produced. We love inviting artists and community members to embark on the adventurous journey of producing short films to be shared with our community through social media, film festivals, and screenings in our community. Film Projects The Wedding Series. DUETS. At Heart. Unlocked. These are some of the most recent film projects we produced. We love inviting artists and community members to embark on the adventurous journey of producing short films to be shared with our community through social media, film festivals, and screenings in our community. The Wedding 2021 READ MORE Seven 2021 READ MORE Feetprint Documentary 2017 READ MORE Duets 2021 READ MORE Unlocked 2020 READ MORE Mix 2021 READ MORE At Heart (docu-film) 2018 READ MORE

2013 Catwalkers 2013 For four months, six committed women from The Esplanade - Teresa McGeachie, Rosie Fernandez, Marina Hanacek, Judy Browne, Carol Auld & Kerryn Graham - worked with artist Anne Fauteux on the creation of a collection of wearable pieces. This unique collection pushes traditional boundaries of the fashion industry by creating outfits that are playful and stimulate interaction between people and urban space. Designers have used recycled material referring to sustainable and creative ways of living. Co-curated by Catherine Sicot ( Elegoa Cultural Production ) and Isorine Marc. ‘Catwalkers’ was a project designed, staged and performed by professional artists Anne Fauteux and Michael Caldwell, and community members from The Esplanade. The collection was presented for the first time to the public as part of the Catwalkers's Show, a choreographed site-specific performance featured during Scotiabank Nuit Blanche (Saturday, Oct 5th 2013). Choreographer Michael Caldwell worked with diverse models - members of The Esplanade community - on the creation of this performance. The Catwalkers' Show took the audience on a journey to the heart of The Esplanade. This project is co-produced by Jamii and CORPUS . Presenting partner: St Lawrence Market Neighboorhood BIA . Thanks to the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Ontario Arts Counci l. Special thanks to ING Direct, Jamii's 2013 season sponsor.

With our murals, our intent is to transform our public space to surprise passers-by, to engage in conversation through arts and to share different perspectives, as well as beautify our community. Murals Our intent is to transform our public space to surprise passers-by, to engage in conversation through arts and to share different perspectives, and last but not least, to beautify our community. Jamii's murals are both artists' commissions and community creations. Jamii has produced some remarkable murals which are now landmarks in our community and in our city. PROTECTOR July 2024 CHECK OUT MASHKIKI June 2023 CHECK OUT BASKETBALL COURT MURAL Spring 2014 CHECK OUT THE AQUATIC GATHERING July 2023 CHECK OUT JUST IMAGINE September 2023 CHECK OUT

2019 - present Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2019 - present Cheering Section Every October since 2017, we are cheering for Toronto Waterfront Marathon runners and this electrifying event has become a tradition in our neighbourhood! Click here to find all the information year by year.

2018 At Heart (Docu film) 2018 Citizens of The Esplanade Premiered Nov 2018 - Toronto, CA Awards: Best Editing, short documentary film category - Five Continents International Film Festival (Venezuela) - 2019Best Cinematography, short documentary film category - Five Continents International Film Festival (Venezuela) - 2019Award of Merit - IndieFest Film Awards (USA) 2019 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Alternative Film Festival (Canada)Docs Without Borders Film Festival (USA)Five Continents International Film Festival (Venezuela)IndieFEST Film Awards (USA)Diversity Feedback Film Festival (Canada) Canadian Diversity Film Festival (Canada) Project Genesis: In 2018, more than 150 Esplanadians of all ages (people who live, work, study and play in The Esplanade neighbourhood – downtown Toronto) embarked, with a team of artists, on a co-creative process to produce a participatory community-engaged docu-film. At Heart, Citizens of The Esplanade shines a light on our neighbourhood, the St Lawrence, and invites people to reflect on the values that drive community development and city planning. Artistic team: Producer: Isorine Marc Film director: Ayelen Liberona & Joseph Camí Assistant Project Coordinator: Yasmin Harris, Afsheen Chowdury, Nadifa Daud Mohamed Creative Process MARCH 2018: A total of 39 people joined a series of circle discussions to share personal stories or stories from our community which we feel are untold, silenced or represent a challenge. MAY 2018: A series of exciting workshops during which 32 people brainstormed, shared ideas and took artistic directions for the film with a creation of a series of shots. FILM PRODUCTION - JULY & AUG 2018: More than 100 people stepped in front of the camera as talents of our project. Another 20 people worked long hours behind the camera to bring this project to life. EDITING & POST-PRODUCTION: SEPT & OCT 2018 PREMIERE OF THE FILM - SOLD-OUT Nov 26, 2018 - Berkeley Theatre SECOND SCREENING: Nov 28, 2018 - Performing Arts Lodge

2014 Basketball Court Mural 2014 This mural was co-created by 16 local youths Since 2014, this mural has gathered international recognition and has been featured in films, commercials, music videos and more! Check all the information about this project here

Jamii is a charitable arts organization, whose intent is to enhance social cohesion in The Esplanade's David Crombie Park in Toronto. An Arts Organization based in The Esplanade Community About Us Jamii, founded in 2011, is a not-for-profit arts organization based in the Esplanade community, Toronto. Our vision is to enhance togetherness within the communities we engage. We initiate, welcome, enable, facilitate and produce creative experiences, arts events and workshops with, for and by the people of the Esplanade and beyond with an intent of creating shared memories. SEE MORE What 's on? One event at a time, we are claiming public spaces in The Esplanade to bring arts at no cost to audience members. All workshops at The Jamii Hub is either free or affordable! May Cycle: Small and Mighty Free Monthly-Themed Workshops MORE INFO An Evening of Opera & Mécénat Fundraising event with Jonelle Sills MORE INFO Toronto Waterfront Marathon Our goal is to raise $30k for Jamii! MORE INFO Jamii's Impact 2025 Review our most recent report! MORE INFO What ' s Upcoming? May 2025 Today Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 7:00 p.m. Friday Singing +1 more 24 9:00 a.m. Miniature Making +1 more +2 more 25 11:00 a.m. Belonging Older Adults - Open House +1 more 26 27 10:00 a.m. Belonging Older Adults - Movement +1 more +2 more 28 29 5:30 p.m. Thursday Belonging - Sing-Along +1 more 30 7:00 p.m. An Evening of Opera and Mécénat +1 more 31 9:00 a.m. Miniature Making +1 more 1 2 3 10:00 a.m. Belonging Older Adults - Movement +1 more +2 more 4 5 5:30 p.m. Thursday Belonging - Sing-Along +1 more 6 7 9:00 a.m. Miniature Making +1 more 8 Highlights Since 2011, Jamii has proudly brought multiple forms of arts and The Esplanade community together. Check out some of Jamii's highlights below. Indigenous Peoples Day Annual intentional celebration of National Indigenous People's Day at the heart of our community. MORE INFO The Wedding Series A three-part video project exploring wedding ceremonies. Produced in 2021. MORE INFO Mural Toronto's iconic mural located at the David Crombie Park Basketball Court, in The Esplanade neighbourhood. MORE INFO WAYO Children's Festival Annual children festival designed as a parkour through the Berkeley Castle and Canadian Stage. MORE INFO SEE PAST PROGRAMS

As part of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Jamii organizes a Cheering Section in Berczy Park where families cheer on all runners. Along with the cheering section, we organize a Family Fun Run to encourage young ones to be physically active. MARATHON Jamii's Fundraiser Every October since 2017, Jamii had a cheering site as part of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in the St Lawrence Neighbourhood. Starting from 2024, we are taking it to a next level by taking a part in the Charity Challenge of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon: We are running, walking or strolling the marathon with our community! SIGN UP & SHOW UP Start by registering for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon by using this link and selecting Jamii as your charity. Choose your race: 5K, half marathon, full marathon, or virtual. Then create your fundraising page. You can join an existing team or start your own to support a specific Jamii program. Once you're in, we’ll be here to support you along the way. BONUS: Raise $300 or more and Jamii will reimburse your registration fee. RAISE & RALLY Your individual fundraising goal is $1,000. With 30 or more participants, we’re aiming to raise $30,000 for Jamii’s free arts programs. Share your story, invite your network to support you, and use your page to track progress. We’ll provide tools, templates, and encouragement to help you along the way. You’re not fundraising alone! TRAIN & SUSTAIN MOVE & GROOVE Training is up to you, but you won’t be on your own. Jamii will organize casual group walks for 5K participants and help connect runners who want to form pace groups. We’ll send occasional check-ins, updates, and motivation to keep you moving. Whether you're walking, jogging, or going the distance, we’re here to keep you going. Race weekend is October 18–19, 2025. Put on your Jamii team shirt and move at your own pace. Walk it, run it, roll it, or stroll it. Join the 5K group walk or coordinate with others in your category. Expect cheers, connection, and a shared sense of purpose. You’ll be part of something real, something community-driven, and something worth showing up for. SIGN UP NOW CHECK OUT PREVIOUS TORONTO WATERFRONT MARATHON'S CHEERING SECTIONS! 2024 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Fundraising SEE MORE 2018 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site SEE MORE 2023 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site SEE MORE 2017 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site SEE MORE 2022 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site SEE MORE 2016 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site SEE MORE 2019 Toronto Waterfront Marathon Cheering Site SEE MORE

We engage community members of all ages in all kinds of creative projects such as Queens of The Esplanade, Feetprint, Patchwork Village and Forty-One. We usually start a project with one simple idea, and invite everyone to contribute and shape it. Those experiences are nothing less than transformative and memorable for all participating. Community Projects We engage community members of all ages in all kinds of creative projects such as Queens of The Esplanade, Feetprint, Patchwork Village and Forty-One. We usually start a project with one simple idea, and invite everyone to contribute and shape it. Those experiences are nothing less than transformative and memorable for all participating. Unlocked 2020 READ MORE I am Me. I am Heart 2019 READ MORE At Heart (Docu film) 2018 READ MORE Forty-One 2015 READ MORE Wind Stories 2018 - 2019 - 2020 READ MORE Choir in the park 2019 READ MORE Feetprint 2017 READ MORE Queens of The Esplanade 2015 READ MORE Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2019 - present READ MORE I am Me 2018 - 2019 READ MORE Patchwork Village 2016 READ MORE Basketball Court Mural 2014 READ MORE

2018 - 2019 I am Me 2018 - 2019 Click here to find more information about this project

VIDEO PORTRAITS I BARAZA / BARAZA PIKANGIKUM / BARAZA Pikangikum First Nation VIDEO PORTRAITS I 2023 VIDEO PORTRAITS I From April 5th to 12th, Isorine and Gillian Mapp returned to Pikangikum. Building on this story and Darwin’s portrait created in the Fall of 2022, during this visit, Isorine Marc (Alchemist at Jamii) and artist Gillian Mapp worked on a creating a series of 6 videos. Our intent was to shine a spotlight on the talented artists of the community in Pikangikum. We are incredibly grateful for the support of art teacher Vanessa Hazel at Eenchokay Birchstick School, who was instrumental in supporting us through this project. With her precious help, Isorine and Gillian are (re)connecting with the community members of Pikangikum. Morningstar Quill Filmed in both September 2022 and April 2023. In this portrait, Morningstar speaks about how photography helps her mental health as she has been dealing with grief, and how she hopes to inspire the next generation of artists, including her son. She talks about the many talents in Indigenous communities and how she is there to answer any questions people may have. Click here to watch Morningstar Quill's video portrait. Lindsay King Lindsay, who is a staff at Eenchokay Birchstick School, has written a children book, “Storyteller Skye”. In the interview, she recounts the journey to bring this book to life, its meanings, and how important representation matters. Lindsay is also sharing how her (re)learning of medicine is inspiring her next book which is about a young girl learning about plants as medicine. Click here to watch Lindsay King's video portrait. Amberlee King Amberlee shares how grief influence her work and how painting is a way to express her dreams she has visions of. She also talks about housing issues in the community and ways she thinks it could be addressed. Click here to watch Amberlee King's video portraits. Maddy King Maddy discusses how photography has given her ideas of opening her new business and inspiring other youths to find their own passion. She talks about grief and how some photos she takes represent people she has lost. She mentions alcoholism problems she sees in the community and her hope for change. Click here to watch Maddy King's video portraits. Travis G Peters Travis recounts how he picked up his first guitar and how music guided him through his life. He mentioned problems with youths and gas sniffing and how he would love to share his passion of music with them in the hope they would find a direction in their life. Click here to watch Travis G Peter's video portraits. Chief Shirley Keeper The Jamii Team was also honoured to meet with and create a portrait of Chief Shirley Keeper. Chief Shirley Keeper, in her video portrait, shares how she accepted the invitation to become Chief and how she consulted her people to make this step. She shares why it is so important to take on this role, and what some of her responsibilities are. She explains how much she cares about the young generation, especially young parents, hoping to help them through the path and parenthood and breaking cycles of grief. Click here to watch Chief Shirley Keeper's video portraits. When we traveled to Pikangikum in Fall 2022, we were honoured to be allowed to video record two stories shared by Elder Matthew Strang. He told the stories in his mother tongue, Ojibwe. Community members of Pikangikum had shared with us that stories of Elders had been captured years ago but it was lost in a fire. It was expressed that supporting capturing these stories for the community is something that would be precious to locals. During our 2022 visit, we filmed Elder Matthew Strang, who recounted a childhood memory of when there were only seven families in Pikangikum. When people heard the sound of bells coming through the forests, they hid all their precious belongings. The bells meant white men on dog sleds were coming to rob them of their rabbit fur, plant-based medicine for colds and coughs, and tools they had made. When we visited Pikangikum in April 2023, we were able to sit with Dannye Peters to work on the translation of these stories to English. With this project, the intent is to preserve these stories, as told by the Elder, and to share with the community at large, and especially with the youth. We are grateful for Dannye's time and care in doing such important work, and while Isorine and Dannye found laughter together, it was tedious work to honour Matthew's words. To animate the stories and trigger our imagination, we invited Jenna Quill to create illustrations to accompany these stories. Jenna is a young women from the community who attends Eenchokay Birchstick School. Within minutes of listening to the stories, she started drawing landscapes and women on an Ipad - and we were stunned by her natural talent. The illustrations will be integrated within the video of Matthew Strang. Local musician Travis G Peters created music to go with the story, and in all that, we aim at doing our best to honour the words and the talent at play. The intent is that this is a story that can be shared with the Eenchhokay Birchstick School students as well as in our community for all to continue learning. SUPPORTED BY INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / Photos by Isorine Marc

2019 I am Me. I am Heart 2019 Nuit Blanche in Crombie Park - Oct 5th 2019 While the city celebrated the annual Toronto Nuit Blanche event, Jamii invited audiences to participate in a sensory experience inspired by our award-winning documentary “At Heart”. 24 Esplanadians took the audience on a unique and interactive journey through David Crombie Park in our own version of Nuit Blanche. The hour-long shows lasted till midnight with a screening of "At Heart" at the end of each show. More than 130 community members participated in this unforgettable experience between the rehearsal and event night. CREDITS: "I am me. I am heart" Co-directed by Ayelen Liberona and Isorine Marc. Featuring: Aela Kuria, Asmita Pal, Ben Marshal, Callum Barringer, Charlotte Hervy, Clarke Graham, Delano Brown, Evan Wargon, Gemma Files, Georgia Reynolds, Kai Muyoboke, Karen Lam, Kerryn Graham, Mila Camí, Nadia Ibrahim, Nadifa Dau Mohamed, Noshin Hussain, Odunayo Mary, Paulina Speltz, Scarlett Graham, Sharon McMillan, and William McMillan. Stage Management and Community Outreach: Raecheal Goddard and Zarita Adhiambo

Artists Jamii works with shape what our programming is. We are grateful to be working with hundreds of talented artists. who we work with Artists LEAD ARTISTS ARTISTS EMERGING ARTISTS LeadArtists Lead Artists who curate monthly themed programs at The Jamii Hub In February 2024, Jamii embarked on a transformative journey towards fostering community bonds through shared leadership and agency of what’s happening at The Jamii Hub. For three weeks every month, daily at 7pm, Jamii gives the keys to lead artists tasked with curating diverse immersive activities at The Jamii Hub. As such, each month, one artist is entrusted with shaping the Jamii experience, intertwining their voice with our collective narrative. The selection of our lead artist prioritizes relationality, trust, and a commitment to nurturing genuine connections within our community. We seek talented artists who appreciate engaging communities through creativity and are eager to share their talents and networks. It's about fostering meaningful engagement and dialogue through art. Lead artists are empowered to conceive a thematic vision for their three-week tenure, supported wholeheartedly as curators of the Jamii Hub. This opportunity offers a platform for curatorial expression, collaboration, and deeper community engagement in the arts. Thanks to the support oof Canada Council for the Arts, Metcalf Foundation and Rama Gaming House, we rejoice in opening our space to these artists, witnessing their brilliance illuminate our community with fresh perspectives and practices. Meet our lead artists and their visions below. Heidi Chan "Small and Mighty" - May 2025 MORE INFO Jonelle Sills "Mirrors" - February 2025 MORE INFO Nova Bhattacharya "Storybeing" - September 2024 MORE INFO Waleed Abdulhamid "Motherland" - April 2024 MORE INFO Carolina Rojas "The Chakana" - April 2025 MORE INFO Razan Samara "Return" - November 2024 MORE INFO Nickeshia Garrick "Connectedness" - June 2024 MORE INFO Tamar Ilana "Migration" - March 2024 MORE INFO Sharon Zarita Adhiambo "Grounded" - March 2025 MORE INFO Patrick de Belen "Teka Lang (Just Wait)" - October 2024 MORE INFO Takako Segawa "Roots" - May 2024 MORE INFO Aline Morales "Forró" - February 2024 MORE INFO who are featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists At Jamii, we consider ourselves fortunate to collaborate with over a hundred artists each year—some joining us for the first time, while others have engaged in years of artistic dialogue within our community. These artists, whether leading workshops, gracing our events with performances, showcasing their works through photo exhibitions, or beautifying our community with murals, are pivotal in defining the essence of Jamii. They weave together the fabric of our shared experiences, crafting memories, narrating stories, and enriching our collective identity. Their contributions resonate deeply, shaping the very soul of what Jamii represents. Aline Morales Singer, Musician MORE INFO Ayelen Liberona Dancer, filmmaker MORE INFO Andrew Patterson Visual Artist MORE INFO Brescia Nember Reid Puppetry MORE INFO Anita Boey Sewing MORE INFO Daniel Hamin Cellist MORE INFO LOAD MORE artists with the support of RBC's Emerging Artist Program Emerging Artists In 2023, thanks to the support of RBC’s Emerging Artists program, Jamii launched its first Emerging Artists Initiative that invited 6 artists, from different arts forms, in the emergence of their artistic career for a one-year programme that supported their artistic growth. This one-year (about 88hrs/artist) programme was customized to each artist participating and offered: 1) Artistic practice support (through mentorship and access to a creative space); 2) Creative industry management and networking support; 3) Public exposure with exhibition, screening, performance and more. This initiative follows in the footsteps of Laini, a 2022 RBC funded initiative that supports young women in creative leadership programme. This is also an initiative the community has directly requested Jamii to pursue as part of a strategic planning initiative in the Summer of 2022. The six emerging artists who benefited from this exceptional programme are Sabrine S Hakam (photographer), Yasmine Omar (photographer), Karen Lam (visual artist and actress), Gillian Mapp (photographer), Darwin Peters (painter) and Morningstar Quill (photographer) - all 6 identifying as BIPOC. Based on the success of the programme, we foresee Jamii’s Emerging Artist Initiative growing in 2024 and beyond. NOOSA ZEIN Dance MORE INFO SHILPA SHAH Visual Arts MORE INFO KAREN LAM Acting, Visual Arts MORE INFO DARWIN PETERS Visual Arts & Murals MORE INFO ANA DA SILVA Photography MORE INFO AMBERLEE KING Visual Arts MORE INFO GILLIAN MAPP Photography & Videography MORE INFO YASMINE OMAR Photography MORE INFO JONELLE SILLS Music MORE INFO LEAH KING Photography MORE INFO MORNINGSTAR QUILL Photography MORE INFO SABRINE S. HAKAM Photography and Curation MORE INFO emergingartists

2018 - 2019 - 2020 Wind Stories 2018 - 2019 - 2020 In September & October 2018, with the intent to build new bridges between 5 communities in Ontario through the arts and community engagement, the Jamii team visited Pikangikum First Nation, Wawa, Michicipoten First Nation and Wolfe Island. We visited each community with an open mind to allow organic conversations. Our intent was to listen and share our journey with local community arts organizations, meet people, artists and community activists and potentially create something wonderful together in a near future. Why these communities? Because three Esplanadians have strong ties in each of them: Darren Marshall is from Wawa, Asmita Pal taught in Pikangikum and Kerryn Graham lived with her family in Wolfe Island. All three are our ambassadors on this project and act as connectors between all our people to create genuine dialogue. Indigenous spoken word artist Mahlikah Awe:ri, Enml'ga't Saqama'sgw has been accompanying Isorine Marc, Executive and Artistic Director of Jamii, along with the ambassadors on each of the visits to these 4 communities. Click here to find more information about Wind Stories series

Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects INDOOR ACTIVITIES / WEDNESDAY SEWING / BUCKET HAT AND BANDANA - OCTOBER 2024 SEWING Wednesday 7 pm Beginner and Intermediate Friendly Projects October 2024 BUCKET HAT AND BANDANA Oct 2 - 9 - 16 - 23, 2024 Artist: Anita Boey Create Your Own Customized Bucket Hat and Bandana! Join us in a new series of sewing workshops this October! Our theme for this month is “JUST WAIT” or “TEKA LANG”, which is Lead Artist, Patrick D.B.’s way of encouraging participants and audiences to take a second, to contemplate, to reflect, to meditate, to slow down and learn more about Filipino arts. Sewing Facilitator, Anita Boey, has designed a circular Bucket Hat with Bandana for this theme. The cyclical nature of waiting—rather than following a linear path—is embodied in the process of making this bucket hat. There are no straight lines in its construction; instead, circular stitches hold the hat together, serving as a reminder to move slowly through our daily activities. In a world that pushes us to take the fastest and most direct route, it’s in the moments of slowness and quiet reflection that we truly appreciate the beauty around us. The process of crafting this bucket hat compels us to slow down, with each stitch following a curved line. Additionally, the inclusion of a bandana around the neck pays homage to Patrick’s Filipino heritage and fashion style. Join in to create your own customized Bucket Hat and Bandana. Jamii will provide a selection of fabric for you to choose from, and we also welcome you to bring fabric that means something special to you. For this sewing project, you’ll need two types of fabric: a thicker fabric for the outer layer of the hat, and a lining fabric for the inside of the hat and bandana. You’ll need about 1 meter of each fabric. For novice sewers, Ghader, our dedicated Sewing Workshop Assistant, will guide you with the fundamental skills of operating a sewing machine while delving into a simple yet captivating bandana. SHOWCASE YOUR WORK Sewing participants are highly encouraged to attend the “Saturday Mingling” event at Jamii on October 26th. This will be an opportunity to showcase your Bucket Hat and Bandana to the rest of the Jamii community. Let’s stitch our Wednesdays away in a warm and encouraging atmosphere. By the end of this workshop series, you’ll not only have a garment to treasure but also the pride of mastering new sewing skills! Workshop Schedule 1) Wednesday October 2nd – Introduction to the theme of “JUST WAIT”, and how it inspired the design of this Bucket Hat and Bandana. Participants will choose their fabric, transfer the pattern pieces onto their fabric and cut their fabric. 2) Wednesday October 9th – Sew the outer layer and lining of the bucket hat. 3) Wednesday October 16th – Sew the bucket hat together. 4) Wednesday October 23rd – Sew the bandana and adding finishing touches to the hat, and end with a Fashion Show! REGISTRATIONS CLOSED Photos by Isorine Marc, Anita Boey Anita Boey Business Professor by day, sewist by night. I am a passionate sewist with a deep interest for sustainability and creativity. As an advocate for reducing waste and embracing eco-friendly practices, I utilize rescued materials in my sewing projects. I hope that my sewing serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty that can emerge from diverted waste, while inspiring others to join me in the quest for a more sustainable world, one stitch at a time. Instagram Photo Credit: Unknown

The Jamii Hub turns into a crafting sanctuary twice a month on Thursdays! POTTERY AND TATREEZ - NOVEMBER 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / CRAFTING NIGHTS / CREATING Thursday 7 pm Crafting Nights POTTERY AND TATREEZ November 2024 November 14 - 21, 2024 Facilitator: Nadia Shammas, Paz Jurado Artist: Nadia Shammas Thursday, November 14 at 7pm BEFORE LANGUAGE/BEYOND WORDS: A Poetry and Hand-Building Pottery Workshop Join us for an intimate workshop led by Nadia Shammas, where we will explore hand-building small household objects while incorporating poetry. Together, we will delve into the history of Palestinian radical poetry and social memory, and share our own words or meaningful statements. In Nadia's words: "Art lies at the heart of Palestinian life. Our culture, expression, and daily experiences are reflected in the care and vibrancy of our most personal objects—whether in the decor of our homes, on our coffee cups, or in a small, resplendent plate for discarded olive pits." Join us for this unique workshop blending poetry and pottery on Thursday, November 14, at 7 p.m. at The Jamii Hub. FOR NOVEMBER 14 Artist: Paz Jurado Thursday, November 21 at 7pm Tatreez Learn traditional Palestinian embroidery art, "Tatreez", acknowledged as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The tatreez tradition is passed on from generation to generation and has been a channel for resistance for Palestinians in Palestine and diaspora. Tatreez preserves the Palestinian identity, and tells its ancients and evolving stories. This workshop will bestow participants with a soulful piece of Palestinian art and heritage stich by stich. This workshop will take place on November 21, at 7 p.m. at The Jamii Hub. FOR NOVEMBER 21 Photos by Hadeal Karrar Nadia Shammas Nadia Shammas is a multidisciplinary Palestinian-American writer, ceramic artist, and game developer. Raised in Brooklyn, NY, she now resides in Tkaronto, Canada. Nadia is best known for her work in comics as the writer and co-creator of the award-winning graphic novels SQUIRE and WHERE BLACK STARS RISE . Her work spans Palestinian speculative fiction and poetry, often focusing on the interplay of power, memory, the body, and the formation of identity. It is her ultimate belief that Palestine is the only futurism, and she dreams to return home to her grandmother's house in Bethlehem Paz Jurado Paz Jurado is a multidisciplinary artist and activist, born in Chile with Palestinian ancestors, based in Tkaronto, Ontario. She raises awareness about Palestine through art installations, facilitating Tatreez workshops, and leading a Tatreez circle in Toronto. Paz started this journey in Chile to honor the Palestinian culture and resistance and carried on the tradition into Toronto and Peterborough. Photo Credit: Unknown

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Nickeshia Garrick Dancer, Choreographer, Director website Nickeshia Garrick is a settler on the stolen land of Tkaronto and has performed on this land for over 25 years. They are unapologetically a Black, Queer Artist, who believes in the healing power of breath through raw emotion and movement. Nickeshia received their dance training at the NYIDE (New York Institution of Dance and Education), National Ballet School of Canada (Tkaronto), Toronto Dance Theatre (Tkaronto), and Simon Fraser University (Vancouver). Nickeshia is a Dora Mavor Moore, winning and multi-nominated artist who holds a BFA in Dance from Simon Fraser University and is a Movement Teacher at the Toronto Film School. << BACK TO ARTISTS

The Jamii Hub turns into a painting sanctuary once every month on Thursdays! In June, participants will use acrylic paint and sand on canvas boards with the lead of Julian Periquet. INDOOR ACTIVITIES / THURSDAY CREATING / PAINTING NIGHTS / ACRYLIC PAINT AND SAND - JUNE 2024 CREATING Thursday 7 pm Painting Nights ACRYLIC PAINT AND SAND June 2024 June 6, 2024 Facilitator: Julian Periquet Unleash your creative spirit at Jamii's Painting Night! Whether you're an experienced artist or a beginner, our painting nights provide a space for self-expression and connection. At this session, under the guidance of artist Julian Periquet, you will be invited to play with acrylic paint and sand, creating an artwork that explores "Connectedness through Culture". After the session, take home your masterpiece and cherish the memories of a delightful evening at Jamii. No experience required. REGISTRATION IS CLOSED Photos by Isorine Marc, Ghader Bsmar Julian Periquet Marc Julian Periquet is a proud Canadian Filipino born and raised in the downtown core neighbourhood, The Esplanade. He established an addiction to the art world at an early age. More so from the encouragement and creative techniques his father Ernesto instilled in him. Many of his weapons of mass creation vary from pencils to pens, markers to charcoal, acrylics to pastels, spray cans and more. Hands on with all purpose materials, Julian doesn't shy away from making an everyday object come to life artistically. New ventures such as live painting and set building have given Julian an opportunity to work with various creatives. Working well under pressure and inviting new challenges will always be an ever growing trait on his journey. Instagram Photo Credit: Unknown

Culture Cloths MOTHERLAND - APRIL 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / TUESDAY DISCOVERING / CULTURE CLOTHS / LEARNING Tuesday 7 pm Culture Cloths MOTHERLAND April 2024 April 23, 2024 Lead Artist: Waleed Abdulhamid Designed by Sabrine S. Hakam Moderated by Carolina Leite Artist: Waleed Abdulhamid Theme: Motherland In this month’s Culture Cloths, we are exploring the theme of pan-africanism through cloths. The textiles of North, East, West Africa, Central, and South Africa showcase the rich diversity and cultural heritage of the continent, serving as symbols of identity, tradition, and creativity for generations. Join us as we celebrate the enduring legacy of African heritage and honor its deep contributions to the fabric of humanity. Caroline Leite will facilitate a conversation with Waleed Abdulhamid, exploring this exhibit by Sabrine S Hakam. REGISTER NOW Photos by Isorine Marc Sabrine S. Hakam | Instagram Sabrine S. Hakam is a Toronto-based artist and thinker whose style of symbolism-infused portraits foster discussions on identity, representation, and power. Sabrine holds a PhD in Geography (Arts) from King’s College London, as well as an MSc in Urbanisation and Development from the London School of Economics, an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Oxford, and a BSc from New York University. Her work situates itself at the nexus of academia and art in order to humanize the subjects of academic work.

< Back to Artists page featured at Jamii's events & workshops Artists Ayelen Liberona Dancer, filmmaker website Ayelen Liberona is a multifaceted dancer, filmmaker, culture maker and community weaver. She is the co-founder of The Wandering Eye, where she creates award winning films and site-specific experiences as powerful tools for transformation and social justice. She is also the co-founder/director of Becoming Praxis, an organization committed to developing Open Source Ritual Architectures and Pedagogies that re-story our relationship to land and to each other. << BACK TO ARTISTS

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SPECIAL EVENTS / An Evening of Opera and Mécénat SPECIAL EVENTS Fundraising Support Jamii's Free Arts Program! AN EVENING OF OPERA AND MÉCÉNAT May 30, 2025 - 7pm You’re invited to an evening of opera on the theme of joyful nostalgia featuring timeless classics by acclaimed soprano Jonelle Sills and mezzo-soprano Queen Hezumuryango, accompanied by pianist Timothy Cheung. This special night features selections from the Juno-nominated Colour of Joy alongside beloved classics such as Édith Piaf’s La Vie en Rose , the dreamy Barcarolle from Les contes d’Hoffmann , and Rossini’s dazzling “Nacqui all'affanno... Non più mesta” from La Cenerentola . Experience opera like never before! Up close and personal, in the warm and intimate setting of The Jamii Hub. After the performance, enjoy a lively Q&A with the artists, sip a glass of wine, and take the opportunity to mingle with the performers and the Jamii team. This event is part of Jamii’s Mécénat Series. “Mécénat” is a French word meaning patron of the arts, a nod to the role you play by attending! A portion of your ticket is a donation that directly supports Jamii’s free arts programming for the community. What could be better than an evening of opera, meaningful conversation, a glass of wine, and knowing you’re uplifting community arts through your presence? Your ticket includes: A live performance by world-class opera artists. One complimentary drink (wine, beer, or non-alcoholic) - Additional drinks are available to be purchased at the event. Light snacks throughout the evening. The opportunity to support Jamii’s mission of making the arts accessible to all. About Jamii Jamii is a Toronto-based arts organization dedicated to fostering togetherness through the arts. Proceeds from this event directly support free arts programs that bring creative experiences to people of all ages in our community. Tickets: $75, including a $50 charitable receipt. Get your tickets now - only 40 seats available. Performers: Jonelle Sills, soprano Queen Hezumuryango, mezzo-soprano Timothy Cheung, piano* *Pianist Timothy Cheung will be performing vocal accompaniment on a Yamaha digital piano for this performance. Charitable Tax Receipt: Each ticket is eligible for a $50 charitable tax receipt, plus any additional donations you have made. You will receive a charitable tax receipt within one month after the transaction is completed. Donations are non-refundable . Cancellation and Refund Policy: Concert tickets ($25 value) are refundable up to 24 hours before the event starts. Please email info@jamii.ca to cancel your ticket and request a refund. All proceeds will support Jamii’s free arts programming, enriching lives throughout the St. Lawrence community. With only 40 tickets available, secure your spot today for an evening of opera while supporting free arts programs for the community. Accessibility Info: The Jamii Hub is a barrier-free space with wheelchair-accessible washrooms. If you require any accessibility accommodations or have questions, please kindly inform us when you are reserving your ticket. Photography & Videography Notice: This event is being photographed and video recorded for promotional and documentation purposes. Photographer and videographer will be identifiable. By entering the event premise, you consent to be photographed and filmed. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded on video, please kindly inform the photographer and videographer. If you have concerns or questions, please get in touch by emailing info@jamii.ca GET YOUR TICKETS Photos by Jae Yang Jonelle Sills Canadian Soprano Jonelle Sills (pr. Ya-Nell) is one of the most exciting young sopranos of her generation. A JUNO Award nominee with The Canadian Art Song Project for Known to Dreamers: Black Voices in Canadian Art Song  for Classical Album of the Year, she has also been named one of CBC Music’s 30 Hot Classical Musicians Under 30. Jonelle has made acclaimed debuts with leading companies, including the Canadian Opera Company as Mimi in La bohème , a performance that was lauded as being a “beautifully sensitive Mimi with careful control and colour” (The Globe and Mail). Other notable roles include Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus ) and Donna Anna (Don Giovanni ) with Edmonton Opera, Micaëla (Carmen ) and Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)  with Vancouver Opera, and Anna Glawari (The Merry Widow ) with Toronto Operetta Theatre. She has also appeared in recital with the Viano Quartet at the Prince Edward County Chamber Festival. Her company debut with Toronto’s Against The Grain Theatre in Vivier’s Kopernikus earned her a 2019 Dora Award as a member of the ensemble. Queen Hezumuryango Originally from Burundi, Queen Hezumuryango holds both her Master’s degree and Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Montreal and is a returning member of the Canadian Opera Company’s 2024-2025 Ensemble Studio. Performance credits include Ebba Sparre in La Reine-garçon (COC), Mercédès in Carmen (COC), and Rosina in The Barber of Seville (Highlands Opera Studio). She was a semi-finalist in the OSM Competition in 2021 and won an Encouragement Award at the Eastern Region of the Laffont Competition in 2023. In 2024, she was named one of CBC’s “30 hot classical musicians under 30” and nominated for a Dora Award for her work in Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha. Timothy Cheung Born in Hong Kong, Timothy Cheung is a pianist and vocal coach based in Toronto. A graduate of multiple prestigious young artist programs—the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, the Merola Opera Program, and Music Academy of the West—he has gone on to work extensively in Canada and the United States. At Palm Beach Opera, he served as the Principal Coach and the Head Coach of the Benenson Young Artist Program. At Teatro Nuovo in New York, formerly Bel Canto at Caramoor, he works in a hybrid role of music staff and administrator. He has been the music director for many outreach programs at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. He has also worked as a music staff member for Houston Grand Opera. Mr. Cheung holds a Master of Music in Collaborative Piano and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Western Ontario.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES / SPECIAL EVENTS / SEWING WORKSHOP: LEARNING ALTERATIONS SPECIAL EVENTS Fundraising All proceeds will support Jamii's free arts programs! SEWING WORKSHOP: LEARNING ALTERATIONS May 11 Thank you to everyone who signed up for the 3-Day program on Sundays, April 6, April 13, April 27 and our 1 - Day Intensive on May 4th. As result of the high demand, we have added another day! Learn to Tailor Your Own Clothes! Ever wished your clothes fit just right ? Join our hands-on Machine Sewing Alterations Workshop Using a sewing machine, you'll learn practical techniques to tailor and repair your clothes with confidence. and learn how to make your wardrobe work for you! 🪡 What You’ll Learn: Shorten or fix hemlines on dresses, skirts, pants, and jeans Adjust clothing fit by taking in side seams or adding darts Replace or install zippers and closures (buttons, hooks, eyes, and more) No experience? No problem! This beginner-friendly workshop is perfect for anyone who wants to save money, upcycle their wardrobe, or learn practical sewing skills. 1-DAY INTENSIVE Sunday, May 11 10:00 am - 4:30 pm (Includes a 30-minute lunch break and up to 1 hour of extra work time with an assistant) 📍 Location: The Jamii Hub (264 The Esplanade) 💲 Cost: $150 (Includes all materials + a sewing machine to use during the workshop) 🧾 Bonus: Receive a $75 charitable receipt for tax purposes! This is a fundraising project for Jamii's free arts programs! By purchasing a ticket, you'll not only learn how to make alterations with a sewing machine but also help us bring free arts programs to The Esplanade community and beyond! Limited Spots – Only 10 Seats Per Program! This small group setting means plenty of personal guidance from our expert facilitator, Mariam Ahmad . With years of experience in garment construction and alterations, Mariam brings a patient and hands-on teaching style, making it easy for beginners to follow along. Mariam is a skilled seamstress with years of experience in garment construction and alterations. She combines her Eastern heritage and ancestral textile traditions with modern techniques to create beautiful, nostalgic designs. Mariam’s patient, hands-on approach ensures you’ll get the best guidance throughout the workshop. Just bring yourself! We’ll provide everything else. Plus, if you stay for the extra time, feel free to bring your own clothes to work on! Secure your spot today and start transforming your wardrobe! GET YOUR TICKETS Photos by Ghader Bsmar MARIAM AHMAD Mariam Ahmad is a BIPOC artist who learned to sew as a child on hand-pedalled Singer machines alongside her grandmother. Her work blends her Eastern heritage with ancestral textile traditions, creating romantic silhouettes that carry a sense of nostalgia. Beyond sewing, Mariam explores her artistic passions through photography and web design. As a mother, she draws inspiration from motherhood and her love of literature, infusing her creative journey with depth and meaning.

Culture Cloths HEADWRAPS - MARCH 2025 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / TUESDAY DISCOVERING / CULTURE CLOTHS / DISCOVERING Tuesday 7 pm Culture Cloths HEADWRAPS March 2025 March 11, 2025 Lead Artist: Sharon Zarita Adhiambo Headwraps have long been more than just a fashion statement. Across cultures, they symbolize identity, heritage, resistance, and self-expression. Worn with pride, headwraps tell stories of belonging, defiance, spirituality, and resilience. For this edition of Culture Cloths, we invite you to a conversation that unfolds through fabric. Join us as we explore the deep cultural and historical significance of headwraps in a community-engaged talk moderated by Sabrine S. Hakam with guest speaker and March Cycle lead artist by Sharon Zarita Adhiambo. This is an experience for anyone interested in the cultural and historical significance of headwraps—whether you wear them, admire them, or simply want to learn more. Open to everyone 16+, with a special welcome to fashion enthusiasts and cultural explorers. No materials are needed—just bring your curiosity! Come for the conversation, stay for the connections (and of course, tea and snacks!). Culture Cloths is part of Jamii's March Cycle evolved around lead artist Sharon Zarita Adhiambo’s theme "Grounded", which includes workshops like Monday Dancing, Tuesday Creative Writing, Tuesday Book Club, Wednesday Sewing, Thursday Crafting, Thursday Painting, and Friday Singing. “Through these workshops, we let art and community exchanges guide the discovery of what grounds us, or what we need to find grounding on, and pass this discovery to someone else's journey.” - Sharon Zarita Adhiambo. REGISTER NOW Photos by Afnan Yakot, Jae Yang Sharon Zarita Adhiambo | Instagram Sharon Zarita Adhiambo is a Kenyan arts administrator, consultant and creative leader whose heart beats for holistic development of people and communities through artistic experiences. Zarita has worked in the arts sector in Kenya and Canada producing projects centered on self expression, social integration, and cultural celebration. Her work is grounded in creating barrier-free spaces where everyone can explore the artist in them while remaining authentic in their identity and stories. Apart from being an arts worker, she strengthens the industry as a mentor and advocate for arts progression. Zarita holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Arts Administration from Humber College and is currently the Arts Program Officer at Assembly Hall, City of Toronto. She is also the founder of Sekoya East Africa, a non-profit that provides emerging crafters and other artists in Kenya accessible professional development resources and mentorship to advance their careers locally, produce artwork with a global influence and have a peer community to belong to. Since 2019, she has worked with Jamii in various capacities and projects with the most recent being The Little Esplanade. She is delighted to join Jamii’s community this March as a guest curator alongside other incredible artists.  Sabrine S. Hakam | Instagram Sabrine S. Hakam is a Toronto-based artist and thinker whose style of symbolism-infused portraits foster discussions on identity, representation, and power. Sabrine holds a PhD in Geography (Arts) from King’s College London, as well as an MSc in Urbanisation and Development from the London School of Economics, an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Oxford, and a BSc from New York University. Her work situates itself at the nexus of academia and art in order to humanize the subjects of academic work. Photo by Sabrine S. Hakam

March 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / MONDAY DANCING / FLAMENCO FROM SPAIN - MARCH 2024 DANCING Monday 7 pm A new dance form each month! March 2024 FLAMENCO FROM SPAIN March 4 - 11 - 18, 2024 Facilitator: Tamar Ilana Candace Kumar is offering a series of creative Filipino cultural dance workshops rooted in Igal dance. Igal is a meditative dance form originating from the Sama Indigenous communities across the Philippines and Maritime Southeast Asia. Igal connects us to land and the environment around us, encouraging us to slow down, move intentionally and listen to our breath. Participants will be guided through a sensory meditation, and exploratory movement exercises, and will learn a short structured piece. Embodying the theme TEKA LANG, come explore slowing down in the community and movement! REGISTER NOW Photos by Karen Lam, Mariana Hernandez Tamar Ilana Tamar Ilana is a Jewish-Indigenous multilingual singer and flamenco dancer. Tamar's music and fierce talent reflect her life growing up in multicultural Toronto; accompanying her ethnomusicologist mother, on village fieldwork expeditions and on stage as a child; and living in Ibiza, Barcelona, Paris and Seville. Tamar is a renowned flamenco dancer and multilingual singer, and in 2011 she founded her flamenco/global roots project, Ventanas. Together they have released three albums, been nominated for four Canadian Folk Music Awards including Best Traditional Singer, and toured Canada, US and Colombia. They are currently working on their 4th album and will be embarking on their first European tour in October 2023. Tamar has collaborated with such renowned artists as Jesse Cook, Measha Brueggergosman, Anna Colóm (Rosalía), Manu Soto, Jim Creeggan (Barenaked Ladies), Suba Sankaran, Meesha Shafi, and Margaret Atwood. Tamar has also been featured in award-winning international musicals in New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, the UK and Germany. Tamar Ilana is the Executive and Artistic Director of FabCollab, a performing arts organization based in Toronto, Canada. Tamar was one of the first Toronto-based artists to pivot to live-streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully making the transition to online as a presenter and performer. In August 2020 she co-founded FabCollab in order to continue this work, and, with FabCollab, has since created numerous programmes and presented over 200 IBPOC womxn and minority artists at iconic Toronto sold out venues, live streaming to audiences of 40,000+ in partnership with the National Arts Centre, Lula Lounge, Koerner Hall, Small World Music and the Aga Khan Museum and the Royal Ontario Museum. Instagram Photo by Cassandra Popescu

Culture Cloths TEKA LANG (JUST WAIT) - OCTOBER 2024 INDOOR ACTIVITIES / TUESDAY DISCOVERING / CULTURE CLOTHS / DISCOVERING Tuesday 7 pm Culture Cloths TEKA LANG (JUST WAIT) October 2024 October 15, 2024 Lead Artist: Patrick De Belen This Culture Cloths discussion will spotlight the intricate craftsmanship of piña fabric, with a spotlight on barongs and the versatility of malongs—garments deeply rooted in Filipino culture. Through his theme, “Just Wait” or “Teka Lang,” Patrick explores the art of slowing down and reflecting, much like the delicate process of creating these traditional textiles. By combining storytelling with Filipino weaving techniques, embroidery, and fabric, this installment encourages participants to appreciate the beauty of these cloths and connect with the cultural narratives they carry. Patrick is an award-winning poet, filmmaker, educator, and storyteller across many mediums. His work often explores themes such as mental illness, the Filipino-Canadian experience, social justice, youth empowerment, advocacy, grief, and healing. He is best known for his poetic collaborations with the Toronto Raptors, the NFL, CBC, as well as his two spoken word EPs and numerous cine-poems and independent films that he has written and directed. When he isn’t on stage or writing, Patrick serves as an educator and youth mentor, working with institutions such as addiction centers, mental health organizations, libraries, schools, and even jails—advocating for storytelling opportunities and platforms in as many spaces as possible. See you on Tuesday, October 5th to learn more about garments from Filipino Culture with Sabrine S Hakam and Patrick De Belen – 7pm at the Jamii Hub. REGISTER NOW Photos by Ghader Bsmar, Jae Yang Sabrine S. Hakam | Instagram Sabrine S. Hakam is a Toronto-based artist and thinker whose style of symbolism-infused portraits foster discussions on identity, representation, and power. Sabrine holds a PhD in Geography (Arts) from King’s College London, as well as an MSc in Urbanisation and Development from the London School of Economics, an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Oxford, and a BSc from New York University. Her work situates itself at the nexus of academia and art in order to humanize the subjects of academic work.

Winter 2024 Community Projects/ Photo Exhibits/ WHAT WE REMEMBER WHAT WE REMEMBER Winter 2024 Winter 2024 Exhibited outside of The Jamii Hub at The Esplanade & Berkeley St “What we remember” a photographic journey through memory, connection, and the shared experiences that weave together an arts organization like Jamii. Conceived in 2023, this exhibition began as an invitation to nine artists, community leaders, and thinkers who have walked with Jamii from its inception in 2011 or joined in more recent collaborations. Their reflections are part of Jamii’s exploration within the Metcalf Foundation’s Staging Change think tank, which asked how we might unearth and celebrate the cultural and institutional memories that anchor us to a place, a group of people, a community. Through this invitation,“What we remember” evolved into an exhibition that not only preserves memories but also explores the nature of memory itself. How do we remember? How do memories shape stories? And how does Jamii, as an arts organization based in community, become the living archive of its people’s recollections? In selecting images from over a decade of artistic engagement and sharing their written reflection, “What we remember” showcases the memories and stories of Sarah N Ahmad, Usha James, Sabrine S Hakam, Sharon Zarita Adhiambo, Nova Bhattacharya, David Danzon, Zoie Edwards (Browne), Georgia Reynolds, and Isorine Marc. Each of them offers a unique glimpse into what they remember, how they interpret their experiences, and the narrative they choose to share. As you view this exhibition, we invite you to ask yourself what do you remember? How does memory shape your connection to Jamii and your community? How does memory look, feel, and transform when shared with others? Each story that we share is a piece of the puzzle that together forms our Jamiified journey on The Esplanade. Unveiled on Sunday, December 1, 2024 On display from December 2024 to July 2025 CREDITS Producer: Jamii Contributors: David Danzon, Georgia Reynolds, Nova Bhattacharya, Sabrine S. Hakam, Sarah N. Ahmad, Sharon Zarita Adhiambo, Usha James, Zoie Edwards (Browne) Photographers: Gillian Mapp, Isorine Marc, Jae Yang, Laura Dittmann, Murphy Owusu, Robert Deleskie Artistic Director: Isorine Marc Art Director: Iris Unlu Graphic Designer: Jeeya Ghandi REFLECTIONS Les moutons, 2011 - Photo by Isorine Marc Sometimes all it takes is an invitation. By David Danzon Co-founder and Artistic Director of CORPUS One of the fondest Esplanade memories I have is managing to convince a resident - who was complaining about the noise from her balcony - to see a CORPUS performance up close in David Crombie park. The lady did and then also came back the following evening. Sometimes all it takes is an invitation. I grew up in Paris in the seventies. My playground was my street. I found freedom and independence there. Like The Esplanade, my neighborhood had a similar openness to let people gather outside the comfort of their home. In France there is a culture of street theatre, considered an art form in its own right. Countless festivals are dedicated to it. Their aim is to bring people together to celebrate life through the arts,; to re-invent the street, give it a twist, own it, make it a surprising destination even for its residents. Store fronts, high-risers, sidewalks, street lamps and crosswalks all become set designs for theatrical content. The whole neighborhood is involved. The street never looks the same after that. And the memory of that transformation is long-lasting. More importantly, it builds community. Jamii’ strength lies in its desire to keep growing and evolving. It doesn’t engage in navel gazing but strives to experiment with new ideas, new ways to connect people,. The community is thus regularly exposed to new artistic and social propositions and grows alongside Jamii. It is a wonderful symbiotic relationship. The culture of The Esplanade is blooming. To continue thriving, it needs to be celebrated and nurtured. This is where Jamii plays a key role. As for memory, it is only impactful - indeed only exists in the minds of a community -, if it is shared. There is no better place to create and share memories than in a tightly-woven, open and safe community. With continuing performances and various urban interventions and social gatherings, Jamii has created the foundations for long-lasting and meaningful memory. Forty-One, 2015 - Photo by Laura Dittmann Interweaving Generations of Explanadians together By Georgia Reynolds Empathy Champion and Jamii Founding Board Member The Esplanade is where I have spent a large part of my adult life and my entire motherhood experience. Jamii has supported me as an adult, woman and mother. It has shaped me through the years. Jamii gave me many opportunities to express myself when I have felt insecure, unclear, or unmotivated and space to consider other perspectives. I have been an audience member, participant, board member, and advisor. This variety has broadened my understanding of the community and helped me grow as an individual. Jamii's consistent, creative and adaptive ways of generating, facilitating, and anchoring memories have contributed to my sense of belonging. By creating collective memories, Jamii provides a sense of connection. During the pandemic, this was particularly valuable. Small gestures like eye contact with a familiar face during a neighbourhood walk reminded us that we were not alone physically or emotionally. By focusing on creating memories in the community, arts organizations will naturally be more responsive to those they serve. Blending the "keepers of the history" with those who hold the future ensures the longevity of an organization by providing continued engagement at all levels; attracting different employees, artists, participants, and even funding. Internally, institutional memory is essential to measure impact and maintain momentum. With a creative engine and growing and changing team members, the essence and heart can be lost. Decision-making can become complicated with competing priorities, and organizational motivation can be impacted by missing moments to celebrate and anchor. Like generational memory being passed down in families, there are also "generations" of Esplanadians where storytelling can be passed on. Discover Dance, 2022 - Photo by Jae Yang Dances of Connection Nova Bhattacharya Dancer, daughter, space shifter, community convener and Artistic Director of Nova Dance As a dancer, I am transfixed by the notion of memory in motion and how memories shape and reshape us. In Jamii’s world, we are shaped by connections through every breath, step, and story. Jamii embodies community care and storytelling; in their choreography we fulfill our purpose as a dance company. Our collaboration began in 2019, when we brought dancer Neena Jayarajan to David Crombie Park, sharing her artistry with over 100 people. Among them were the inspiring young women of the Laini initiative, whose courage and dreams—running for office and creating employment for others—embodied the power of art to nurture leadership. During the pandemic, Jamii’s work left an indelible mark on my consciousness. Amidst the chaos, Jamii was offering art as a community lifeline, connecting hearts and fostering a sense of shared humanity. The world stood still, yet art continued to flow, seeping through the digital crevices of social media. In 2022, we returned to the park, the first of our public performances since the pandemic. Being together, sharing rituals rooted in reverence for Mother Earth, invoking a realm where the personal and universal converge—was a powerful reminder of what we had been missing during extended lockdowns. Boundaries dissolved as shared moments fostered oneness, transforming personal experience into communal joy. In 2023, we performed three shows, each ending in a joyous dance party, nourishing us with audience energy and shared celebration. In the highlights reel of soul-nourishing experiences with this cherished organization, these are moments etched into my heart—moments that symbolize connection and transformation. Community practice and belief in the arts brought us together; community practice and the enduring power of the arts are the ever beating pulse of Jamii’s dance. Their choreography vibrates with generosity, inspired creativity, and, above all, a sense of belonging. This is particularly important now, as the neighbourhood is transforming and will welcome new Esplanadians. Jamii has the opportunity to interweave different generations together to ensure the sense of community The Esplanade is known for continues through this transformation. Power in Portraits Exhibit, 2022 - Photo by Jae Yang Networks and Nodes By Sabrine S. Hakam Visual artist and Postdoctoral Researcher Collective institutional memory is a repository of experiences and shared histories that connect a community through their interactions with an institution. Artists become embedded within this network of shared memory through the art we create and how it speaks to the community. By creating opportunities for social interaction and connection, artists alongside community members and stakeholders, become carriers of an organization’s collective memory. Through my artistic interventions with The Esplanade community, I have become embedded within the institutional memory of Jamii. My involvement with Jamii began in 2023, with the unveiling of my first portrait series, Postcolonialism 101 . Later on, I led and facilitated a photo exhibition with young women titled Calyx , and I also launched the Culture Cloths series. With each artistic intervention, I have fostered new social linkages and nurtured old ones, thereby becoming a stakeholder in the collective institutional memory of Jamii. Collective institutional memory is dependent upon the experiences of and connections between community members within and with an institution. These connections take the form of shared stories, traditions, and even physical artifacts that hold meaning for the organization. The ‘spatial’ quality of collective memory networks exists in the fact that shared experiences are anchored in physical space. Communities are granted the agency to decide how they wish to see their space transformed through art. By understanding and nurturing community linkages through the arts, institutions can maintain a sense of continuity and connection to their past, while also adapting and evolving to meet the challenges and opportunities of the present and future. This shared memory can therefore be better understood through a metaphor of networks and linkages. The role of the artist is to act as a new node within the network. The intersection of art and community through an organization such as Jamii strengthens collective institutional memory networks. Joy in the Park, 2024 - Photo by Jae Yang Memory as a Placemaker By Sarah N. Ahmad Urbanist, placemaker and public art consultant If I had to pick one, I would say that Jamii’s ability to create joyful and meaningful memories for local residents, partners and audiences is its most striking attribute. Jamii uses art to encourage the intentional practice of collective memory - through the innovative revisitation of previous works, Jamii not only creates a database of shared memories, but also brings people closer by making them reflect on their role in the creation of something special. In the spring of 2023, the Jamii team invited me to participate in a gathering entitled a ‘Garden of Influence’. I remember each participant was asked to share their name and relationship to Jamii. Right off, I loved that we were being asked to consider our relationship to the place! And because relationships are often built upon shared memories, one participant stated her name and shared that she was “once turned into a sheep by Jamii” – a comment that resulted in confused laughter but eventually revealed the deeply creative, albeit humorous, ways in which performance has been used to engage and captivate the community. In May of 2024, I was asked to be the Artistic Advisor on the ‘Pavilion’ exhibit in David Crombie park. The process once again enriched me both personally and professionally. Today, I walk by the once derelict and forgotten site of the exhibit and it brings back wonderful memories of making and sharing space for art and togetherness. These experiences have demonstrated to me that Jamii is a socio-spatial anchor for memory in The Esplanade community. Moreover, by co-creating artistic experiences with the local community, Jamii has established itself as an activator of place and belonging. Through Jamii’s incredible relationships with residents of The Esplanade, I have developed a deep respect for the ‘Jamiified’ way of practicing community arts and creating memories. Seeing Evergreen Exhibition, 2022 - Photo by Murphy Owusu Hyper-local, Legacy and Magic By Usha James Executive Director of The Critical Thinking Consortium I moved close to The Esplanade in November 2021. It was a tumultuous time in the world and in my personal life. I was also feeling challenged to help my non-profit organization navigate pressures related to world events. I walked along The Esplanade and came across the striking basketball court mural for the first time. After some digging, I was privileged to connect with Jamii and engage with young women who were creating the photo exhibit later titled “Seeing Evergreen”. Although I was mostly an observer, it was a transformative experience for me. In the face of feeling helpless and overwhelmed by huge challenges that felt impossible to impact, my introduction to Jamii encouraged me instead to engage meaningfully and joyfully in ways that were “hyper-local”. That commitment, and my ongoing connection with Jamii, has since enriched my life. Memory is an interesting construct. From what we know, memory does not live anywhere in particular in the brain, but is reconstituted every time we think of the past. It is influenced by how we feel in the moment that we are remembering. This is healthy and generative, but also worrisome if there are some legacies we hope are remembered accurately. Identifying, developing and documenting Jamii’s “thinking strategies” could be important in supporting institutional memory. They include the processes we use to make decisions, gather guidance and feedback from the community, or weigh possible options. Thinking strategies include routines that we engage in, templates that we use, strategies that we enact. Clearly articulating and housing these in places that are accessible to various parts of the organizational ecosystem can support individual and collective decision making and shared leadership. They are a small part of a rich legacy that Jamii creates with every new magical moment. Lemon Bucket Orchestra, 2014 - Photo by Laura Dittmann People, the treasures of Jamii By Sharon Zarita Adhiambo Founder Sekoya East Africa and International Arts Worker, Consultant and Leader I walked into Jamii in 2019 as the Outreach and Project Coordinator, straight from the Arts Administration and Cultural Management program from Humber Polytechnic. I had experience in community arts from Kenya and Jamii allowed me to succeed as an international arts worker by allowing me to take space in the organization. I realized quickly I wasn’t the only one whose value is magnified, Jamii as a community arts organization treasures its people - who they are, their skills and creative abilities, their needs and offerings. Staff, volunteers, artists, audiences, businesses, partners and community at large. It is impossible to have memories of Jamii without thinking of its people. Memories of people who walk in as community members with no artistic experience but work together to produce projects. Artists who share their talents generously not knowing someone in the audience will be impacted. Producers who transform local spaces to magnificent art stages. Memories of youth volunteers trusted to usher or assist in coordination then years later grow into production roles. People from minority groups creating, leading and showcasing work with a sense of belonging that is rare in the arts industry. Local businesses and organizations who become key partners of Jamii. Today Jamii basks in the fruits of a genuine and intentional people-centered arts leadership, curation and development. Jamii’s people have become the carriers of institutional memory, using previous experiences as a roadmap to guide the next person or project. Jamii will always have depth and impact because this kind of institutional memory doesn't fade. I come to Jamii now as an artist and audience member, each time marveling at the success it has had in transforming me, transforming us - its people. I am inspired to carry this value of people in my own artistic journey, passing on Jamii’s ripple effect. Grease Remake, 2014 - Photo by Laura Dittmann Straight Out Of Esplanade Zoie Edwards Raised by The Esplanade, cultivated by community I am passionate about people and community. I was raised by The Esplanade, playing and riding bikes through the neighbourhood from day to night. I remember a sense of freedom and joy that has led to lasting connections and friends who are family. Community is about connections, and Jamii is the thread that welcomes those connections to be formed. I have participated in many Jamii projects, worked as a Project Coordinator, and now have a role as a Board member. I am humbled by how deeply Jamii means community and the impact it has played in all aspects of my life. I love to see the park animated by Jamii projects and neighbours enjoying the community together. I am grateful for the shared stories and experiences that people are invited to enjoy through Jamii. I will never forget the nerves of uncertainty and optimistic excitement I felt starting my first Jamii project process, and the joy and confidence I felt at the end when the creation was shared with others. Engaging with Jamii broadened my thinking and stretched spiritual muscles I didn’t know existed. Working together with artists and neighbours to co-create is like a bridge Jamii welcomes, giving people a unique opportunity for togetherness. The shared experience, trust built through the process and connection to something greater than yourself is nourishment for the soul. I truly believe that The Esplanade and Jamii have a big part in shaping the person, wife, sister, neighbour, aunt, mother, and professional engagement consultant that I am. Collectively, Jamii and the community have shaped my heart, and this is because of the community spirit, art, and collective experiences enjoyed with others. My heART is forever with Jamii and The Esplanade.