CVS artists and Harold Tomlinson at the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Center in Oakville for “Art from the Heart”

By: Sarah Weredynski

It has been a very busy and exciting year for the artists of Creative Village Studio. Harold Tomlinson, the facilitator of Creative Village Studio, along with Community Living Toronto staff and volunteers, work countless hours providing a space for individuals to create original pieces of art each day. Creative Village Studio has become a very important part of the community, allowing individuals to express their creativity through painting, drawing, photography, knitting, sculpting and even music.

To start the year off, Creative Village Studio won the ‘GEM of Etobicoke’ award for Community Service in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Ward 6. The award was presented to Harold and the artists of Creative Village Studio by MPP Peter Milczyn (Etobicoke-Lakeshore).
Throughout the years, Creative Village Studio has formed partnerships with other artists and groups. This year Creative Village Studio hosted an art exhibition for Artists without Barriers. Creative Village Studio also hosts the Music Studio for recitals three times a year for their members and the community.
Creative Village Studio began a rotating art exhibition at Visual Arts Brampton, exhibiting 6 times, over the course of the year. In September, Creative Village Studio collaborated with Kaeja Dance to encapsulate the immigration/migration of the Syrian refugee crisis through dance and art, which was presented at Montgomery’s Inn. In October, Conrod Skyers’ pieces were part of a small group showing at the Ben Navaee Gallery on Queen St. East. In addition, Creative Village Studio artists successfully sold many pieces of art at Community Living Toronto’s Community Rocks event on December 3, 2016.
Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre (JCHAC) hosted the 6th annual, ‘Art from the Heart’, which ran from February 17th to March 19th of this year. JCHAC supports artists of all ages, stages, cultures, needs and abilities. It is an exhibit we have been involved in since it began. Participation in ‘Art from the Heart’ gives the artists at Creative Village Studio a sense of pride and accomplishment. Creative Village Studio artists have a large local following in Oakville and the surrounding area. We have been recruiting other artists to be involved in this show by including other Community Living associations and community members.
We are also displaying “From Our Perspective” at Montgomery’s Inn, in the Tea/Community Room. Montgomery’s Inn is our newest community partner. This exhibit had run from March 1st to March 29th, 2017.
Lastly, Creative Village Studio artists were honoured when they were approached by Brands Canada to make 45 awards to be presented to their volunteers and sponsors.

Stop by Creative Village Studio, meet the artists, enjoy their art on display or even purchase a one of a kind original creation.
If interested in taking part in classes at Creative Village studio, visit http://mycommunityhub.ca/  for programs offered and to register online.
For more information about Creative Village Studio,

contact Harold Tomlinson at 647-351-4362

or visit

 https://cltoronto.ca/hubs/creative-village-studio/