The Power Plant

We welcomed emerging artists for an inspiring evening of art, conversation, and connection. Members enjoyed an exclusive tour led by Adelina Vlas, Head of Curatorial Affairs and co-curator of Charles Campbell and Lap-See Lam's exhibitions, offering thoughtful insights into the creative processes behind the works. The evening was filled with lively discussions and meaningful connections with the curators, The Power Plant staff, and emerging artists.

Emerging artist members joined a contemporary art bus tour to The Power Plant, IC Contemporary, and the Art Gallery of Burlington for an in-depth exploration of current exhibitions. The tour began at The Power Plant, followed by the Art Gallery of Burlington, where participants explored Time Isn’t Real, curated by Suzanne Carte, and Dry Thunder, by Misbah Ahmed, curated by Sarah Edo. The final stop was IC Contemporary, featuring Tresses in the Tide, a solo exhibition by Eva Birhanu and Ignazio Nicastro. Curators shared insights into the works, fostering engaging discussions as participants connected and reflected on the exhibitions throughout the journey.

The tax workshop with Shantae Cunningham of Cobella Financial offered artists practical insights on deductions, HST/GST, grants, and filing T4s. Designed for both those new to filing taxes and those needing a refresher, the session used real-life examples to simplify complex tax topics. A lively Q&A allowed participants to ask specific questions and gain clarity on their tax obligations. Attendees left with a clearer understanding of the tax process and valuable strategies to navigate it more confidently.

An evening of art, ideas, and connection at The Power Plant. Director Carolyn Vesely welcomed the group and introduced the RBC Emerging Artist Program. Curators Adelina Vlas and Noor Ale led a walkthrough of exhibitions by Anna Boghiguian and Abdelkader Benchamma, followed by a lively reception that sparked new creative connections.

Toronto-based artist Eunice Luk opened our first Artist-to-Artist series with a talk on artist multiples, drawing from her work and Slow Editions. She shared insights into creating artist books and multiples, with a reception afterward where emerging artists connected with her to discuss the intricacies of production.

Emerging artists gained valuable financial insights at a free virtual workshop with tax expert Sunny Widerman from Personal Tax Advisors. Sunny shared essential tips on GST-HST, deductible expenses, and tax strategies, empowering artists to confidently manage their creative businesses. This engaging session offered practical knowledge for financial success.

Psychosynthesis Psychotherapist and artist Dana Brass led an inspiring personal development workshop, helping artists explore their creative identities. With her expertise, Dana guided participants through an experiential reflection on values and principles, fostering self-awareness and solidarity. The workshop offered valuable opportunities for both personal and artistic growth.

RBC Emerging Artist members attended an exclusive Artist-to-Artist with the exhibiting Terence Gower at The Power Plant. Gower shared the paths that shaped his artistic journey and offered practical insights on navigating the art world, providing a candid look at its challenges and opportunities.

Sarah Cullen, Founder of Mothra Residency, led a dynamic Artist-to-Artist for the RBC Emerging Artist Members Program. She shared her experiences with Mothra, its manifesto, and her advocacy for parent artists, drawing on her extensive involvement in initiatives supporting local and international artist-parents.

Dr. Nate Charach facilitated the workshop From Despair to Regeneration: Honoring Our Pain to Heal the Climate Crisis, inspired by Joanna Macy's Great Turning concept. Participants practiced transforming climate despair into empowerment, fostering solidarity and action. The session emphasized the power of collective action, primarily through art, in healing the planet.

Shaheer Zazai shared the highs and lows of his artistic journey with RBC Emerging Artist Members at The Power Plant. His candid Artist-to-Artist talk sparked an intimate conversation, with participants asking questions and connecting over the challenges he faced in his career.

We were excited to welcome international curator Mari Spirito, Executive Director of Protocinema. Spirito explored how a micro, trans-regional art organization can bridge belief systems and the challenges of curating beyond gallery walls. Members gained a deeper understanding of how curating can engage with diverse cultural contexts and the potential of art to connect across borders.

The Power Plant presented Garden of Breath, an installation by RBC Emerging Artist Alumnus Vladimir Kanic, addressing the climate crisis through innovative, living sculptures. The exhibition showcased how art can engage with urgent social and environmental issues, reinforcing the gallery’s commitment to supporting emerging voices in socially engaged art.

Members visited the Aga Khan Museum for a tour of Light: Visionary Perspectives, where curators Pita Pourvash and Marianne Fenton generously shared their insights, along with a valuable Q&A on curation and installation. The exhibition, marking the museum’s 10th anniversary, is a not-to-miss experience, exploring the transformative power of light through immersive installations.