BLANK CANVASES
ABOUT US
At Blank Canvases, we use the authenticity of the artistic process to inspire art-making and creativity in those we teach.
our story
Blank Canvases began in 2011 as a partnership between a local studio and Niagara Street Junior Public School in Toronto. The Parents' Council approached our founder Ilene Sova, with a desire to have real artists come into the classroom to teach children how to be creative and express themselves in new ways. The pilot project had artists coming into classrooms every Monday for a year, resulting in a fruitful partnership. Word spread throughout the educational community, and other schools wanted to be involved.
Three years later, an official collaboration with both school boards soon evolved. Blank Canvases is proud to have expanded our lessons into over one hundred schools across the GTA. Outside of schools, we now actively bring fun and engaging art to our workplaces, festivals, events, and community gatherings.
Our Creative Mission
We have a dream to bring art into people’s lives. We encourage everyone to think and live creatively. We strive to show appreciation for local arts and culture through our art programming, centred on the important art made in Toronto.
We want to bring the arts into our schools, our workplaces, and our free time. We do this in a way that is supportive, non-intimidating, and inspirational. In doing so, we employ Artist Educators who believe passionately in the power of art to change and enrich the lives of those in our communities.
Our methods
Blank Canvases’ is a group of artists at its foundation, passionate about art pedagogy. We focus on art programming in Toronto and the GTA, from hosting classes, teaching lessons, running workshops, and much more. We lead with the following themes at the forefront:
Participatory Programs
Employ Professional Artists
Artistic Process Based
Local Artists Focus
Creative Upcycling
Sustainable Materials
Blank Canvases on Global News
