Remember to Come Support The Neilson Park Creactive Centre at Sherway Gardens at the 12th Annual Garden Art Silent Auction

Starting tomorrow, June 1 until Sunday, June 17, come visit Sherway Gardens’ (Hwy 427 & the QEW) Twelfth Annual Garden Art Silent Auction for a chance to bid on an original piece of art! Local Canadian artists have transformed 30 folding White Pine Muskoka chairs and two children’s chairs into original works of art in support of the Neilson Park Creative Centre. The chairs will be on display in Sherway Square during regular mall hours.

Auction Items: White pine Muskoka chairs painted and decorated by local artists to be auctioned off by silent auction. (30 adult folding chairs that are easy to store and transport and two kids chairs)

Adult Chairs:
Bidding starts at $150 (increments of $25) - BUY IT NOW OPTION $500

Kid's Chairs:
Bidding starts at $100 (increments of $25) BUY IT NOW OPTION $350

Charity:  ALL proceeds to Neilson Park Creative Centre

For more information call 416-621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca.

Get the Reaction you Want from your Footwear with the new React^TM by Sof Sole Insole Line!

The average person creates over one million pounds of impact to their feet and legs while walking one mile. The ReactTM by Sof Sole insole line improves the performance and comfort of athletic shoes using the most widely recognized and advanced performance enhancing cushioning technologies. React^TM by Sof Sole is available for men and women exclusively at Footlocker.

ReactTM Airr Active
The React^TM Airr Active performance insole is engineered with the serious athlete in mind. From running to court sports, the React^TM Airr Active provides unsurpassed performance. The ergonomic design will accommodate all foot types and the air chamber and polymer gel technologies maximize performance, shock absorption, breathability and comfort.
• Polymer Gel Forefoot: Absorbs shock and reduces pressure points during toe off while running or playing court sports. Also helps keep the insole stable inside the shoe.
• Polyurethane Foot Bed: Provides lightweight and durable comfort for the entire foot.
• Encapsulated Air Chamber: Optimizes cushioning by decelerating impact forces on heel strike and rebounding on lift-off.
• Contoured Heel and Arch: Designed for athletes with neutral to high arches.
• Moisture Management: Proprietary technology wicks moisture away from the foot surface and keeps your feet cooler and drier.

The React^TM Airr Active is available for men and women exclusively at select Foot Locker Stores for SRP $29.99.

ReactTM Airr Support
The React^TM Airr Support structured performance insole is engineered with an ergonomic design that accommodates low and neutral arch types. Encapsulated air and polymer gel technologies combine with a stabilizing arch plate to provide the perfect mix of shock absorption and comfort with stability and balance.
• Polymer Gel Forefoot: Absorbs shock and reduces pressure points during toe off while running or playing court sports. Also helps keep the insole stable inside the shoe.
• Polyurethane Foot Bed: Provides lightweight and durable comfort for the entire foot.
• Encapsulated Air Chamber: Optimizes cushioning by decelerating impact forces on heel strike and rebounding on lift-off.
• Contoured Heel and Arch: Designed for athletes with low to neutral arches.
• Stabilizing Arch and Heel Plate: Centres the heel, provides support for the arch and guides the foot through the gait cycle.
• Moisture Management: Proprietary technology wicks moisture away from the foot surface and keeps your feet cooler and drier.

The React^TM Airr Support is available for men and women exclusively at select Foot Locker Stores for SRP $34.99.

Visit www.sofsole.com/react for more information.

Taste the Tradition of the East Coast

at Mariposa’s Lobsterfest Cruise, Saturday, June 16, 2012!

Seafarers and landlubbers alike can enjoy a traditional East Coast lobster dinner with Mariposa Cruises’ Lobsterfest Dinner Cruise on Saturday, June 16. Enjoy a buffet dinner and one serving of lobster aboard the Captain Matthew Flinders. 

During the three-hour cruise of the beautiful Toronto Harbour, feast on a fabulous buffet dinner which includes one serving of a succulent lobster with drawn butter while listening to lively music from a professional DJ. Refreshments will be served from the fully licensed cash bar.

Boarding begins at 6:30pm and cruising from 7:00pm – 10:00pm.  Prices per person are $99 + taxes & hsc. 

The Menu includes:

• One serving of lobster per guest

• Freshly baked breads and rolls

• Corn on the cob with butter

• Potato salad

• Tangy coleslaw

• Fresh greens salad

• Carving of Roast Beef

• A grand selection of desserts and sweets

Seafood provided by MartimeLobster.ca.

For more information visit www.mariposacruises.com or call 416-203-0178.

Shedding Light on the Recent Minsitry of Health cuts to Health Care by Dr.Herzig

As you are aware the Ministry of Health (MOH) has made a number of recent cuts to health care that will have a huge impact on vision care in Ontario. Dr. Herzig (the Herzig Eye Institute) has  put together some points to shed some light on how this will affect us:

1. MOH has significantly reduced fees paid to doctors for technologically advanced tests which have improved treatment of sight-threatening diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and glaucoma. They have also limited the number of times that a doctor can perform the tests despite medical evidence indicating that they need to be done more frequently.

2. This will take us back to the way these eye diseases were treated 20 years ago. The result of this government interference will be that many patients will lose significant vision and some will become legally blind.

3. They have not only indicated that they will not pay for these tests to be done as frequently as they should, but have also made it illegal for patients to pay for the tests, taking away a human right to seek the best care possible.

4. The MOH has significantly reduced the fee for anesthetic care during cataract surgery. Many anesthetists have already indicated that they will not be available for cataract surgery. Most cataract patients, being elderly, have some medical problems. The absence of anesthetic coverage will not only increase anxiety levels for both the surgeon and patient, but will also increase the medical risk. Some patients may die as a result of the government interfering with proper medical care.

5. Many doctors will leave Ontario and new doctors will start their practices elsewhere as a result of these draconian government changes. This will result in longer wait times to get specialized care and make it more difficult to find a family doctor than it already is.

Romance is in the Air with Mariposa’s
Romance on the Harbour Dinner Cruise

Let Mariposa Cruises set the stage for an unforgettable night of romance with the Romance on the Harbour Dinner Cruise aboard the Mariposa Belle on Friday, June 1, boarding at 6:30pm.
 

Take in the sights of Toronto’s skyline from the water and enjoy a romantic buffet-style dinner followed by dancing, all while enjoying the beautiful sun set on Toronto during a three hours cruise along Toronto’s waterfront.  A full cash bar and professional DJ will be on board. 

Boarding begins at 6:30pm, followed by a buffet-style dinner, and dancing from 7:00pm-10:00 pm.  Prices per person are $72.95 + taxes & hsc. 

The menu includes:
• Mediterranean Dips and Tasty Breads
• Mixed Baby Greens Salad
• Caesar Salad
• Seven Grain Salad
• Carving of Roast Beef
• Fresh Herb Grilled Chicken
• Grilled Vegetable Rotolo
• Chef’s Catch of the Day
• Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Market Fresh Seasonal Vegetables
• Sweet Endings: Gourmet cakes, tortes, freshly baked pies, Mini pastries, squares, home baked cookies
• Freshly brewed regular & decaffeinated coffee
• Orange pekoe & assorted herbal teas

For more information visit www.mariposacruises.com or call 416-203-0178.  

 TORONTO ON THE WATER EXHIBIT

DOORS OPEN ON TORONTO'S WATERFRONT

Toronto’s Waterfront played an important role in the development of our city and through out Doors Open on Toronto’s Waterfront, visitors will be able to see and experience the excitement of the Waterfront like never before with a historical journey through Toronto on the Water, a unique photo exhibit in Queen’s Quay Terminal until featuring over 100 archival images displayed publicly for the first time ever.   

The exhibit will launch at Doors Open Toronto on Saturday, May 26 and will remain on display throughout the main level of Queen’s Quay Terminal until Labour Day.  Admission is FREE.

Visitors to the Queen’s Quay Terminal can trace our visually stunning waterfront history through Toronto on the Water, a photo exhibit that features over 100 archival images on loan courtesy of Toronto Star Archives, Toronto Port Authority, City of Toronto Archives and Queen’s Quay Terminal.

Relive memories of Toronto’s vibrant waterfront at Toronto on the Water.  There’s a Diving Horse at Hanlan’s Point in 1907 and demure bathing beauties at Ward’s Island in 1908. Workers dig industrial foundations in 1917 in the seemingly ever-growing Portlands. In 1920, iceboats sit in a frozen bay that is now dominated by the Toronto Harbour Commission. 

Always a sports town, in 1926 baseball fans converge on Maple Leaf Stadium on the Bathurst Street flats. In 1929, the Fairmont Royal York reigned briefly as the highest building on the Toronto skyline. By the 1930s, the new Terminal Warehouse dominates the waterfront. Now Queen’s Quay Terminal, the building with its stately pillars is a virtual ’World Under One Roof’, controlling everything from shipping and warehousing to distribution and merchandising.

For more information visit www.qqterminal.ca or www.waterfrontbia.com.

Boogie Down to Classic Dance Tunes with Mariposa’s Retro Night Dinner Cruise 

Mariposa Cruises - Saturday, May 26

You should be dancing! Relive the best songs of the 70’s and 80’s and enjoy a sunset buffet-style dinner with Mariposa Cruises’ Retro Night cruise! Soak up the sights of Toronto’s spectacular waterfront aboard the Mariposa Belle on Saturday, May 26 at 6:30pm.  For more information call 416-203-0178 or visit www.mariposacruises.com.   

Boarding begins at 6:30pm, followed by dinner and cruising from 7:00pm-10:00pm.  A professional DJ and full cash bar will be available on board. Prices per person are $72.95 + taxes & hsc.


The Menu includes:
• Mediterranean Dips and Tasty Breads
• Mixed Baby Greens Salad
• Caesar Salad
• Seven Grain Salad
• Carving of Roast Beef
• Fresh Herb Grilled Chicken
• Grilled Vegetable Rotolo
• Chef’s Catch of the Day
• Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Market Fresh Seasonal Vegetables
• Sweet Endings: Gourmet cakes, tortes, freshly baked pies, Mini pastries, squares, home baked cookies
• Freshly brewed regular & decaffeinated coffee
• Orange pekoe & assorted herbal teas


Don't miss your chance to dance the night away to the best of the 70's and 80's on this wonderful sunset cruise!

SUPPORT THE NEILSON PARK CREATIVE CENTRE AT SHERWAY GARDENS AT THE 12TH ANNUAL GARDEN ART SILENT AUCTION JUNE 1-17

Visit Sherway Gardens’ (Hwy 427 & the QEW) Twelfth Annual Garden Art Silent Auction for a chance to bid on an original piece of art! Local Canadian artists have transformed 30 folding White Pine Muskoka chairs and two children’s chairs into original works of art in support of the Neilson Park Creative Centre. The chairs will be on display in Sherway Square during regular mall hours from Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 17. For more information call 416-621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca.

WHEN:   Chairs are available for silent bidding during regular mall hours from Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 17

WHERE:   Sherway Gardens (Hwy 427 & the QEW) in Sherway Square

AUCTION ITEMS: White pine Muskoka chairs painted and decorated by local artists to be auctioned off by silent auction. (30 adult folding chairs that are easy to store and transport and two kids chairs)

ARTISTS: Local artists include designers, painters, printmakers, quilters, handweavers, calligraphers, sculptors and cartoonists, instructors, artists running their own full-time studios, and representatives of many arts organizations. 

Adult Chairs

Michael Arredondo-  Mississauga
Victoria Marie Baez-  Etobicoke
Jennifer Barolet-   Etobicoke
Toni Caldarone-   Toronto
Janet Devlin-    Port Credit
Ashlee Elizabeth-  Etobicoke
Lindsay Eve-   Etobicoke
Kathleen Haushalter-  Etobicoke
Jan Hawthorne-   Etobicoke
Edna Hildebrandt-  Etobicoke
Judy Huyer-   Etobicoke
Bill Ireland-   Etobicoke
Jeff Jones-   Port Credit
Lucie Kirchknopf-  Toronto
Marcela Maciel-   Mississauga
Debra Macmillan-  Port Credit
John Ming Mark-   Etobicoke
Tracy Martin-   Etobicoke
Mira Martinez-   Mississauga
Cheryl Mount-   Oakville
Trevor Mount-   Oakville
Camille Muller-   Toronto
Nancy Newman-   Toronto
Lisa Nolan-   Mississauga
Brian Pelley-   Etobicoke
Judith Pelley-   Mississauga
Marilyn Pike-   Toronto
Niroshini Pillai-   Burlington
Eva Roosman-   Toronto
Margaret Stawicki-  Mississauga

Children’s Chair

Helen McCusker-  Mississauga
Paul McCusker-   Mississauga

BIDDING:   Silent bidding only. There will also be a “BUY IT NOW” feature – allowing customers to take the item off the bidding sheet by paying an asking price. ALL items will remain on display until Sunday, June 17. All successful bidders will be notified by phone on Monday, June 18. (The Bid Book is located at the entrance to the display at the south end of Sherway Square). 

ADULT CHAIRS:
Bidding starts at $150 (increments of $25) - BUY IT NOW OPTION $500

KID'S CHAIRS:
Bidding starts at $100 (increments of $25) BUY IT NOW OPTION  $350

CHARITY:  ALL proceeds to Neilson Park Creative Centre

SELECTED ARTISTS:  This year’s artists include painters, printmakers, quilters, handweavers, calligraphers, sculptors, cartoonists, instructors, artists running their own full-time studios, and representatives of several arts organizations.   

INFORMATION: Call 416 621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca





EXPERIENCE MORE OF THE WATERFRONT'S CAPTIVATING SHIPS WITH DOORS OPEN ON THE WATERFRONT

As a continuation to the exciting news from yesterday's post that 15 participating ships will open their doors (and their gangways!) for FREE, here are some more ships that will be available for viewing to the public on May 26 and 27.

Mariposa Cruises Fleet:

2012 marks the 25th Anniversary of Mariposa Cruises. Originally operating with three small boats prior to 1987, Mariposa Cruises came into being with the purchase of The Mariposa Belle in that year. The fleet includes: Captain Matthew Flinders, Klancy II, Mariposa Belle, Northern Spirit, Oriole, Rosemary and Showboat.

The Captain Matthew Flinders is the flagship of the Mariposa fleet. Built in 1984 in Port Adelaide, Australia, the 144-foot luxury ship arrived in Toronto in 1989 and boasts the largest passenger capacity (575 people) in Toronto. The ship is named after famous navigator Captain Matthew Flinders (1774-1814). In 1995, the ship sailed to Florida and operated as a floating casino. Since returning to Toronto, the ship is outfitted with new engines and was renovated in 2011. The Flinders has hosted a wide range of events including Mayors from Around the World, NBA Draft Pick, All Star Baseball Legends, and the Stanley Cup. Over the years, celebrities and musicians have enjoyed the Flinders –even Arnold Palmer hit golf balls off the outer deck of this magnificent vessel.

The Klancy II is the most recent addition to the Mariposa fleet in 2011. Built in St Thomas in 1989, the 68-foot Klancy is no stranger to the Toronto Waterfront and holds up to 100 passengers. Last year, the Klancy was chartered by Tourism Toronto to host the Rotary Club convention bid team and played a part in Toronto winning the bid.

The namesake of the company, the Mariposa Belle, built in 1970 in Wheatley, Ontario, is an icon in the Toronto Harbour. The Mariposa Belle is a 68-foot riverboat-style paddle wheeler. With her unique promenade decks, the Belle has hosted thousands of events over her colourful history, including Miss Teen Canada. She is an integral part of the Education Afloat program for many Toronto school children. This boat is steeped in Toronto's waterfront history!

The Northern Spirit was built in 1983 in Warren, Rhode Island, and was formerly the Pride of Norfolk and the Pride of Toronto.  The 138-foot Northern Spirit joined Mariposa Cruises in 1994 after an extensive renovation.  Like the Flinders, the Northern Spirit has the largest passenger capacity in Toronto and is Transport Canada-approved for 575 passengers.  The Spirit has hosted notable events and musical acts over the years.

Built in 1987 in Port Dover, Ontario, the Oriole is a replica of a Victorian era steamship (circa 1880-1920), with a rich oak interior, wrought iron detail and unique shape design. The Oriole is used for our popular Harbour Tour program and has a capacity of 184 passengers. The Oriole is featured in a fictional period painting by Ray Davidson entitled, "The Medora at Port Carling Locks.” Mila Mulroney, Nancy Reagan and the wives of G7 attendees also enjoyed a private afternoon on this boat. The Oriole has its own celebrity status having been featured in film and TV, most recently on CBC’s Redemption Inc.

 

One of the original Mariposa vessels, the Rosemary is the true southern belle of the fleet as she was built in Mobile, Alabama. Constructed in 1960, the Rosemary is 62 feet of style and sophistication and was completely renovated in 2008.  The Rosemary has modern furnishings and still maintains her former corporate yacht appeal.  A long list of celebrities have cruised aboard, including Angelica Houston, Sam Neill, Cicely Tyson, Marylou Henner and Gregory Hines.

The Showboat Royal Grace, or simply the Showboat as she is now called, is a petite version of the grand riverboats that sailed along North America's inland waterways in the 1800s.  Built in 1988 in Port Colborne, Ontario, she was a floating theatre here in Toronto for several years before joining the Mariposa fleet in 1993 and has a passenger capacity of 75

.

Nautical Adventures - Empire Sandy:

Today the Tall Ship Empire Sandy is an historical treasure on Toronto's Waterfront.   She was built in England as an Englishman/Larch class deep sea tugboat and went into service in July 1943.  She sailed on war duty in the Atlantic, Mediterranean Seas, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and the English Channel.  In 1982, a metamorphous was complete changing a WWII tugboat to a grand 1800 style Tall Ship.  As a Tall Ship she has sailed in all the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, Boston, New York, Bermuda, Bahamas, Cuba and other Caribbean seas. At 200 feet overall, 11,000 square feet of sail and 740 tons, Toronto's largest sailing ship the Empire Sandy offers a unique experience with an historical flare. 

Toronto Brigantine Tall Ships Fleet:

Toronto Brigantine has been a charitable organization since 1962. Their founding tenets were the development of leadership, discipline, and citizenship. They operate two brigantines, the 22m (72′) sail-training vessel (STV) Pathfinder, which was commissioned in 1964, and the training ship (TS) Playfair, which was built in 1972, named in 1973 by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Both were built as training vessels by Francis A. McLachlan in Kingston, Ontario. Each year the ships sail over 4,000 miles, spends over 40 nights at sea, and introduce 300 trainees to the tall ship experience.

Don't miss out on the chance to experince some of the Waterfront's most historic, beautiful and interesting ships on May 26 and 27! 

Gangsway Open! Come Experience the Waterfront's Most Distinctive Ships with Doors Open on the Waterfront

The charter boat business is one of the main tourism attractions at the Toronto Waterfront and has a rich history. There is no better way to experience Toronto than from the water!

All of the 15 participating ships will open their doors (and their gangways!) May 26-27 for FREE public dockside tours. The ships along the dock walls will be open for viewing from 10am to 5pm, subject to availability. 

The Great Lakes Schooner Company Fleet:

The Great Lakes Schooner Company fleet includes Challenge, the Kajama, and the Obsession III.

Challenge is a stunning 96-foot, three mast clipper schooner modeled after the original 1852 ship built in Cleveland, Ohio, and was constructed as a school vessel in 1980 by the Kanter Yacht Company in Port Stanley, Ontario.
She sailed from 1980 to 1982 as a passenger vessel on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and also in the Virgin Islands before being refitted in 1984 by her original builders.  Carefully preserving the traditions and designs of the past, her seven sails are set in the unique tradition of a Grand Banks Schooner, with her three masts of equal height, all stepped on the deck at different levels.

The Kajama, an historic 165-foot three-masted gaff-rigged schooner, was originally launched in Rendsburg, Germany as the Wilfrid in 1930, and has undergone an ambitious restoration that has returned the ship to her former glory.  Familiar in ports from Northwestern Spain, through Western Europe, and as far north as Norway and Russia, the Kajama had a long and successful career as a cargo carrying sailing ship.  She represents one of the few remaining and highly successful Nobiskrug coastal trading schooners known for their efficiency and profitability. The Kajama boasts over 7,000 square feet of sail, a large unobstructed deck, and a grand staircase leading to the below deck dining room. 

The Obsession III is a 78-foot motor yacht. She has been on Toronto’s waterfront since 1993 after she went through a complete rebuild from the former vessel M.V Mystique. Mystique was originally built in 1967 in New Orleans by Halter Marine Services. The Obsession III is now located on Toronto’s waterfront.  One of the most talked about features on Obsession III is her fully retractable roof.

Jubilee Cruise Lines Fleet:

Jubilee Cruise Lines celebrates their 25th Anniversary in the Toronto Harbour and their signature vessel, the Jubilee Queen is Canada's largest river showboat. Launched in 1986, she is a replica of a luxury sternwheeler that sailed the waters in centuries past. The Jubilee Queen was built in New Brunswick and sailed into Toronto in 1988 via the Hudson River canal systems. The route from New Brunswick to New York via the coastal waterway wasn’t without risk. Sailing the Jubilee with its low freeboard hull in areas exposed to high Atlantic waves required all main deck windows to be boarded and sealed to protect against wave damage and flooding.  The Jubilee’s tall roof stacks were removed to clear low bridges in smaller canals originally built to accommodate river barges. The Jubilee Queen has entertained over 400,000 guests since 1988, and continues as a very popular choice for dinner cruise enthusiasts.

The Ste. Marie was initially built as a small fishing vessel operating out of Sault Sainte Marie. Her keel was laid in 1964 with registration in Midland, Ontario, operating in the fishing industry until refit as a tour boat in 1986. The Ste. Marie was relocated to the Toronto waterfront in 1994 following modifications that lengthened the boat by 25 feet. A second floor open observation deck was built to permit fabulous unrestricted viewing while providing shelter from sun or rain. With her open bow and upper observation deck, along with her cozy interior forward cabin, she has become a very popular tour and small group charter vessel.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post on the many other extraordinary ships that will be available to experience through Doors Open on the Waterfront!


CELEBRATE MOTHER'S DAY WITH EAT MY WORDS AND MARIPOSA CRUISES!

 

 Metro Toronto - May 10, 2012
Eat My Words Cupcakes and Treats at Sherway Gardens

Saturday, May 12 at 9:30am until supplies last

www.sherwaygardens.ca

Mariposa Cruises Mother's Day Brunch & Dinner Cruises

Treat mom to a special Mother’s Day brunch or dinner cruise aboard the Captain Matthew Flinders on Sunday, May 13 and experience Toronto from the water! The Mother’s Day Brunch cruise begins boarding at 11:30am, while the Mother’s Day buffet-style Dinner Cruise begins boarding at 5:00pm. 

www.mariposacruises.com

Happy Mother's Day!!

DREAM HOME R-HOUSE

THANK YOUS

COME ENJOY THE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS DURING DOORS OPEN ON TORONTO'S WATERFRONT PRESENTED BY QUEEN'S QUAY TERMINAL MAY 26 & 27

Doors Open on Toronto’s Waterfront presented by Queen’s Quay Terminal in association with The Waterfront BIA features 15 distinctive ships and two historic buildings on Toronto’s waterfront during the 13th Annual Doors Open Toronto celebration sponsored by the Toronto Star on May 26 and 27, 2012.

The Toronto Harbour Commission building will be open to the public and the Queen’s Quay Terminal will feature Toronto on the Water, a FREE exhibit of archival photographs showcasing the history of Toronto’s waterfront. 


FEATURED BUILDINGS ON TORONTO’S WATERFRONT
Designed as the Toronto Harbour Commissioners headquarters and occupied by its successor, the Toronto Port Authority, 1917’s Toronto Harbour Commission building is a fine example of Beaux-Arts Classicist architecture.  Constructed of concrete and faced with Indiana and Queenston limestone, it was designed by noted Toronto architect Alfred Chapman and built out into the harbour before infill later moved the water’s edge several hundred metres south.  It is noted for its exterior details, such as Corinthian columns and spandrels, as well as its beautiful, original walnut-paneled boardroom and marbled entranceway.

Queen’s Quay Terminal was originally a cold storage warehouse facility.  The Terminal Warehouse, built in 1926 by Moores and Dunford (NYC) and was later converted to a condo/mall complex in 1983.  The Terminal Warehouse was the first poured concrete building in Canada and one of the largest buildings in the country.  The project architects, Zeidler Roberts Associates of Toronto were respectful of the essential design character of the building and its references to Art Deco were carefully maintained during all the alterations.  The New York Times called it an example of successful revitalization efforts in Toronto during the 1980’s.

Visit www.waterfrontbia.com for more information.

Gallery in the Garden: Colour Shift
at Sherway Gardens until June 9, 2012

Colour Shift, Sherway Gardens’ current Gallery in the Garden exhibit is a collective of abstract paintings and photographs that features Toronto based artists Lisa Hickey, Sann Sann Lam, Salomon Khammi, Karen Taylor, Kate Taylor, Joe Calleja and Scott Garant. The exhibit is on display until Saturday, June 9 in the corridor at door 3.

The Colourshift Collective joined efforts at the end of 2010 with a shared goal of improving the opportunities to exhibit abstract art.  Members of the collective engage in a variety of media and styles, working in acrylic, oil, mixed media, encaustic and photography.

Recent exhibitions of the group include: "Abstraction" at  Ben Navaee Gallery, 2011; "New Growth" at Gallery 1313, 2011; "Bright Lights, Big City" Gladstone Hotel Art Bar, 2011; UpArt Contemporary Art Fair, 2011; "Stolen Moments" at the Propeller Gallery, Mar 28 - Apr 8, 2012 and "Flux" at the Gladstone Hotel Art Bar, Apr 12 – 23, 2012. More of their work can be seen at  www.colourshiftcollective.ca

Toronto painter Lisa Hickey uses vibrant monochromatic and analogous hues, tempered with luscious traces of complimentary colours to create both depth and luminosity. Using these dualities of colour and texture she entices the viewer to pause and look closer. Lisa has a B.A. in Fine Art from McMaster University in Hamilton, and an M.A. from the University of British Columbia.  She is a recent graduate of the Cultural Careers Council of Ontario’s “Business of Art” course, and belongs to the Artist Network of Riverdale. Her paintings can be viewed at lisadhickey.ca/

Sann Sann Lam is a Toronto mixed media artist who works intuitively, layering colour and texture in a dynamic rhythm of conscious expression to create her vision of who we are. Incorporating caulking with acrylic paint gives the portrait the physical element needed to convey aspects of age and maturity, reversing how we form our impressions of each other. Sann Sann’s art works are in private and commercial collections across Canada, New York and the Bahamas. Some of her pieces can be seen at sannsannlam.com

Toronto encaustic artist Salomon Khammi is originally from Colombia and draws on his childhood experiences in Colombia to form the initial inspiration of his artistic direction. The colours of the region, the Kametza and Inga people and pre-Colombian artifacts are still very present in his memory and are continually being fused into whimsical yet elaborate images. Repeated linear forms and circles are integrated from his structured architectural training to complete the contemporary rendition of these images. View his work at salomonkhammi.com

Karen Taylor, a Scottish artist now working in Toronto, is heavily influenced by the English Arts and Crafts movement and Art Nouveau, especially Charles Rennie Mackintosh, whose works are an integral part of her native Glasgow. Acrylics give Karen the freedom to express these organic, sinuous forms whilst also allowing her to build up depth using translucent layers reflecting many years working with pastels. See her work at karentaylorart.com

Toronto painter, Kate Taylor, specializes in abstract landscapes.  She has a BFA from the University of Western Ontario. Committed to capturing colour and energy in her mixed media acrylic paintings, Kate often works with an epoxy coating to increase the play of light and reflection. View her pieces at katetaylorstudio.com

Joe Calleja was born and raised in the west end of Toronto.  Joe has always had a creative bent. He studied theatre and stage design, writes poetry, and is a graphic designer and fine art photographer. More of his photography can be seen at callejaphotography.com

Toronto photographer, Scott Garant has a background in photojournalism and has studied photography at various colleges in Ontario. His creative energy is fuelled by a background that includes painting. Scott’s work can be seen at garillaarts.com

For more information call 416-621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca.