Artist in Residence - MacGregor Park
In 2005, at a request from people in the neighbourhood wanting to reclaim a deserted and run down public park, Kristen Fahrig began an artist residency at MacGregor Park.
Located on Lansdowne Avenue north of College Street, this park had become in recent years the focus of unsavory activities and a thorn in the side of residents who did not feel it was safe for their children.
The Toronto Parks and Recreation department offered her the use of the small field house from which she runs a Saturday afternoon Art Club with community co-ordinator Anna Galati.
Maestre Maninho Costa gives samba percussion classes for young people at the park. Activities centre around celebrations in the yearly cycle: creative kite-making and theatre workshops in the spring, a Canada Day party, the city councilor's summer barbeque, a costume parade and story-telling at Hallowe'en, a Winter solstice procession and bonfire in December.
The MacGregor Park Art Club has developed collaborations with the Art Department at West Toronto Collegiate, the local high school.
MacGregor Park also hosts the Cooking Fire Theatre Festival.
Supported by: Toronto Arts Council, Toronto Parks & Recreation, Friends of Dufferin Grove Park and the Ontario Arts Council
