WHAT IS THIS?

We Must Love and Support One Another is a public art project that fosters community connection through three drop-in workshops, a large-scale temporary text-based installation, and an artists' talk.

In 2019, Guillermo Del Toro wrote, “Optimism is radical. It is the hard choice, the brave choice. And it is, it seems to me, most needed now, in the face of despair –.” This project embraces that sentiment, bringing together over 200 community members to create an artwork rooted in radical optimism.

The workshops welcome youth, families, adults, and seniors to gather, create, and share. Participants will make bold banners and signs using colourful materials, shaping a collective statement of care, solidarity, and joy. These workshops provide an inclusive, intergenerational space for creative expression and dialogue, reinforcing the power of optimism as action.

From the workshops, a single sentence or phrase will be selected and it will be installed as a large-scale text artwork on a chain-link fence along the entrance to Raymore Park. This site-specific installation will be a bold symbol of unity and collective care. An artists’ talk and a celebratory community parade will take place along the Humber River after the artwork has been installed with participants from all the workshops invited back to reflect on the experience.

WHERE IS IT?

The workshops and the art installation will take place at Raymore Park on the grass close to the parking lot closest to the intersection of Tilden Crescent/ Raymore Drive. If you come from Weston Lions Park, you will walk along the Pam-Am path, crossing over the Raymore bridge either by foot or bicycle.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE?

It’s free! Funding has been secured from the Ontario Arts Council, and Councillor Frances Nunziata and Stephen Holyday have assisted with permits for the city.

HOW MANY WORKSHOPS ARE THERE?

Three workshops will take place as part of this project. Each workshop will focus on a certain demographic, but you are welcome to attend any/ all of them! A mix of art supplies, prompts, and art-making support will be provided. It’s going to be fun! No experience required.

Workshop 1 - FAMILIES AND CHILDREN (but everyone welcome) - Friday, April 18, 1-4 PM
Workshop 2 - YOUTH (but everyone welcome) - Saturday, April 26, 1-4 PM
Workshop 3 - ADULTS AND SENIORS (but everyone welcome) - Saturday, May 3, 1-4 PM

WHAT IF MY FRIEND, FAMILY MEMBER, OR CHILD DOESN’T SPEAK ENGLISH?

Speaking, writing, or communicating in English is not a requirement to participate in this workshop! If you communicate in another language, your voice and sense of who the community is equally important to us all. Please come!

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?

If it is raining, or looks like rain, the workshop will be shifted to an indoor space. An announcement will be made by 11 AM and updated on both this website and on the Weston Neighbours Facebook page.

ARE THERE BATHROOMS?

There is a portable toilet in the parking lot near Weston Lions Park - about a 4-minute walk from the workshop. If the workshops shift to indoor space because of the rain, then accessible washrooms will be available within the building.

WILL THERE BE FOOD?

Some snacks and drinks will be provided to participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

PHOTOGRAPHY

The workshops will be photo-documented to fulfill grant reporting requirements and for marketing future events.

WHO’S CARRIE?

Hi! I’m Carrie Perreault - an artist and neighbour who has lived in Weston for six years :) I am a multidisciplinary artist, producer, community organizer, and administrator with an MFA from the University of Waterloo. I have a decade of experience in managing operations in the interior design/ architecture industry. I produce large-scale projects, including multi-faceted events, and work across performance, sculpture, installation, and publishing.

Join us for a hands-on workshop exploring phytograms—a process that uses plants and analogue film to create unique, nature-made images. No art experience is needed!

Together, we’ll gather leaves, flowers, and other natural materials along the Humber River and use them to imprint images directly onto 16mm film strips. Using eco-friendly developers like coffee or vitamin C, we’ll process the films on-site and watch as the patterns, textures, and silhouettes of plants emerge.

After the workshop, we’ll head to Crossroads Theatre (34 John St Unit B, York, ON M9N 1J3) for a screening of our films from 5–6 PM. Bring your own snacks and drinks!

What to Expect:

• A 2.5–3 hour guided session in nature

• Gathering plants and learning how they interact with film

• Creating and processing your own 16mm filmstrip

• A film screening at Crossroads Theatre

• The option to take your film home or have it digitized

Important Notes:

• Participants will help clean up and bring artmaking supplies to the theatre after the workshop.

• As guests in the park, we will leave it in the same or better condition than we found it.

• Children are wonderful, but this workshop is for participants 18 years and older.

• Your spot in the workshop will be confirmed by email. If the registration form is missing from this post, it means the workshop has reached maximum capacity.

• While your personal plans may change, please let me know ASAP if you can’t attend, as there may be a waiting list. Please respond to the email that confirmed your participation.

This is a chance to slow down, connect with nature, and experiment with a simple but magical film technique. Space is limited.

Meeting Spot: Cruickshank Park parking lot - entry on the north side of Lawrence by car, or take the wooden stairs down to the park from Little Ave.

This workshop has been generously funded by a Better Together Grant from the Weston Village Residents Association.