The 17th Annual Smart Start Student Art Show Showcases Art from Over 100 Talented High School Students from Across Metro Toronto Presented by Arts Etobicoke at Sherway Gardens April 6-13

Discover the artists of tomorrow at the 17th Annual Smart Start Student Art Show, presented by Arts Etobicoke and sponsored by Sherway Gardens (Hwy 427 & the QEW) and featuring works of art from students from various high schools across Metro Toronto. The exhibit runs from Saturday, April 6 through Saturday, April 13 in Sherway Square with a special Symposium on Wednesday, April 10 at 6:00pm.  For more information, call 416-621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca or www.artsetobicoke.com.

“The Smart Start Student Art Show has two exciting new initiatives: inclusion of artwork by at-risk youth and touring a selection of the show to the Toronto Western Hospital,” says Shira Spector, Student Art Show Coordinator, Arts Etobicoke. “We are delighted to offer the first hand experience of participating in a public exhibition to all young and emerging artists including those outside of the school system. Touring the show will give the young people greater exposure and bring a bit of the "outside world" to the inside world of the hospital.”

Over 100 high school students from schools across the Greater Toronto Area participate in the annual Smart Start Student Art Show which showcases their drawings, mixed media, paintings, printmaking, sculptures and photography. Arts Etobicoke organizes the show with the support of the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board.  The annual show is open to students from across Metro Toronto, giving students from grades 9 to 12 the opportunity to participate in a non-juried public exhibition. Harbord Collegiate Institute, George Harvey Collegiate Institute and Etobicoke Collegiate Institute are among the participating schools.

“Sherway Gardens is committed to arts development and understands the importance of providing these talented students with the opportunity to publicly exhibit their work,” states Lisa Resnic, Senior Marketing Director, Sherway Gardens.   “We are proud to host Arts Etobicoke’s annual Smart Start Student Art Show.”

The arts play a vital role in helping young people reach their full potential. The Arts Symposium Event on Wednesday, April 10 at 6:00pm gives students and teachers a chance to participate in a mini conference with arts and creativity workshops led by professional artists, discussion groups led by teen and professional artists and one-on-one critiques with professional artists. Following the conference, attendees and their parents are invited to a reception hosted by Arts Etobicoke.

During the show, visit the Smart Start Learning Centre area and observe and engage with art in new and different ways while learning about the creative process with the quick tips printed guide and participate in interactive activities including the People’s Choice Awards, a fun art appreciation exercise designed to give students positive feedback about their artwork. Open to students, teachers and the public. 

NEW for 2013

Arts Etobicoke is expanding their outreach to at-risk and homeless youth to increase the impact of the show. By connecting with organizations like Youth Without Shelter, Sketch and Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre, Arts Etobicoke will display the artwork of homeless youth and other at-risk youth who may not necessarily be enrolled in the high-school system.

After the Smart Start Student Art Show at Sherway Gardens, a selection of the student’s artwork will go on tour and travel to the atrium of the Toronto Western Hospital in partnership with the Artists’ health Alliance for the benefit of patients, their families, staff and caregivers where it will be on display from April 17-20. 

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and the Kiwanis Club of Kingsway Humber continue to partner with the Student Art Show, providing support for the enhancements to the show as well as the support of the Mercedes-Benz Financial Services volunteer team. 

image: Thomas Malichen-Snyder (Grade 10) - St Patrick CSS - Toucan

Laura Stein Interiors Receives Houzz’s 2013
"Best of Houzz" Award

Toronto-based design firm Laura Stein Interiors has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” 2013 by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design. Laura Stein Interiors won in the design category and was chosen by the more than 11 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.

The Best of Houzz winners are acknowledged by the Houzz community for delivering exceptional customer service and results. Design award winners are determined by analyzing the most popular professional images the Houzz community members have saved to their personal ideabooks on the Houzz site or mobile app. Laura’s work portfolio included some of the most popular images on Houzz in 2012. 

Laura Stein Interiors’ award-winning space featured in the "Best Of" ideabook was an incredible basement family room. The homeowners had a tall order, with the room needing to serve quadruple duty; they wanted the space to have storage for seasonal clothes, sporting equipment and all the kids’ toys. It needed to have an open play area where the girls could move around and space to accommodate larger toys like an art table or dollhouse. The room also needed to serve as a guest room for visiting family and friends, and above all, it needed to be a comfortable, bright, and cheerful family room for everyone to enjoy.

Laura Stein Interiors designed the area to accommodate all their desires. When guests arrive, the basement family room is quickly converted to a welcoming guest room with a pull-down Murphy bed. Night table trays pull out from the custom built-ins to hold a lamp or glass of water. With ample storage and cupboard space, toys and seasonal clothing can be neatly tucked away leaving plenty of floor room for moving around.

See the Houzz “Best of” ideabook featuring Laura Stein Interiors' award-winning basement family room here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5911008

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like Laura Stein Interiors, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and evaluating their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.

Family Day on Toronto's Waterfront - Feb 18

Celebrate Family Day on Toronto’s Waterfront presented by The Waterfront BIA on Monday, February 18 with FREE family fun along the Waterfront, ALL day long. 

Enjoy dog sport demos, pet themed face-painting, arts, crafts and lots of free games and prizes courtesy of Purina Dog Chow at Pawsway and free crafts and family movies at Queen's Quay Terminal! Visit www.waterfrontbia.com or call 416-596-9821 for more information.