As an avid cyclist and art fan I’ve been anxious to take part in Art Spin since it got rolling last year but so far my schedule just hasn’t aligned with this monthly summer event. And so it will be again tomorrow night (June 30) when a rag tag band of art lovers sets off from Trinity Bellwoods Park without me for a tour of neighbourhood galleries and studios. I already have the July 28 date blacked out in my calendar.
Founded last year by visual artist Rui Pimenta, (far left) Art Spin is 100 per cent free and staffed entirely by volunteers. Says co-organizer Casey Hinton (centre with her sister Layne Hinton, right), “We do it for the love of it. We’re all artists and/or curators and avid cyclists, and we have so much fun putting these tours together. Also, it’s a really fantastic way to participate in the Toronto arts community. We’re able to promote art, choose what should be on display, encourage and work with emerging and young artists, provide unique opportunities for artists to be seen – and as artists and curators ourselves, it is an amazing way to network, meet gallery owners, artists and other creative types with whom we are lucky enough to work and collaborate.”
Tomorrow’s Art Spin will be lead by trumpeting cyclist Michael L. Johnson and includes stops at Birch Liberalato, Diaz Contemporary, a special tour of Walnut Studios, a performance by the Radiant Bass Ensemble and a visit to Artscape’s Shaw Street Centre for a variety of installations and performances. The tour gets rolling at 7 pm sharp and ends around 9 pm followed by an informal after-party. The adventurous are invited to t-art up their bikes with the help of Bike Pirates who will also assist with minor repairs, absolutely free, beginning at 6:30 pm.
Toronto needs more people like Rui Pimenta, the Hinton sisters, Michael Johnson and recent recruit Vanessa Brazeau, who pour their collective energy into something positive and community-building like Art Spin. I can’t wait to meet them July 28 and fyi, the final Art Spin of the season is scheduled for August 25 so if this kind of thing is up your alley, save the date.
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