Summer's Heating Up at Artscape Gibraltar Point!

What’s happening at Artscape Gibraltar Point this summer? On Toronto Island, the air is warm, the birds are chirping and everything seems a little more laid back. We have a bunch of great group residencies led by Whippersnapper Gallery, OCAD U, the Science Fiction Writers Group and curator Lucas Soi. Plus, we’re hosting not one but two (and maybe THREE) art and music festivals!

This summer sees the return of Gibraltar Point: A Living Laboratory, is a summer credit course offered by OCAD U and led by interdisciplinary artist and teacher April Hickox. 14 students spend eight days at Artscape Gibraltar Point, working together to create site-specific artworks inspired by their surroundings. Check out their class blog to get a peek at what they’re up to.

This June, Whippersnapper Gallery is hosting a one-month artist residency at Artscape Gibraltar Point for four emerging artists. The residency will give them a special opportunity to live on the island, undertake site-specific research and create new work to be presented at the NEW TRADITIONS: Toronto Island Music and Art Festival on June 30, 2012. We can’t wait to see what new traditions will be created.

In July, Vancouver-based curator Lucas Soi is facilitating a group residency for nine artists working in a variety of practices. The thematic residency will examine how the role of the artist can affect change in society. Artists will participate in a daily schedule of group readings, discussions and film screenings, and enjoy guest lectures by visiting curators and writers from the contemporary art world.

And, of course, you can’t talk about group residencies without talking about the Science Fiction Writers Group! Every summer for over ten years, the Sci-Fi Writers have gathered at Artscape Gibraltar Point for their annual writing workshop. They spend their days writing solo and come together in the evening to critique each other’s work and enjoy some downtime in the kitchen lounge.

August 11 & 12, 2012 is the fourth annual ALL CAPS! Island Festival. The 2012 line up hasn’t been announced yet, but last year featured indie music acts like Wooden Sky, DD/MM/YY, Evening Hymns, and Jennifer Castle, plus artists like Yuula Benivolski, Scott Cudmore, Felix Kalmenson and Sasha Foster. Two days of music, art and camping is a great way to wind down the summer!

Have you ever dreamed of creating your own artist residency? Artscape Gibraltar Point has private accommodations for up to 18 people with shared studio spaces that are perfect for inspiring creativity and collaboration. We are now booking group residencies for Fall/Winter 2012 and beyond. To learn more, click here>