The 17th Annual Smart Start Student Art Show at Sherway Gardens April 5, 2013

Discover the artists of tomorrow at the 17th Annual Smart Start Student Art Show, presented by Arts Etobicoke and sponsored by Sherway Gardens (Hwy 427 & the QEW) and featuring works of art from students from various high schools across Metro Toronto. The exhibit runs from Saturday, April 6 through Saturday, April 13 in Sherway Square with a special Symposium on Wednesday, April 10 at 6:00pm. For more information, call 416-621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca or www.artsetobicoke.com.

Over 100 high school students from schools across the Greater Toronto Area participate in the annual Smart Start Student Art Show which showcases their drawings, mixed media, paintings, printmaking, sculptures and photography. Arts Etobicoke organizes the show with the support of the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. The annual show is open to students from across Metro Toronto, giving students from grades 9 to 12 the opportunity to participate in a non-juried public exhibition. Harbord Collegiate Institute, George Harvey Collegiate Institute and Etobicoke Collegiate Institute are among the participating schools.

The arts play a vital role in helping young people reach their full potential. The Arts Symposium Event on Wednesday, April 10 at 6:00pm gives students and teachers a chance to participate in a mini conference with arts and creativity workshops led by professional artists, discussion groups led by teen and professional artists and one-on-one critiques with professional artists. Following the conference, attendees and their parents are invited to a reception hosted by Arts Etobicoke.

During the show, visit the Smart Start Learning Centre area and observe and engage with art in new and different ways while learning about the creative process with the quick tips printed guide and participate in interactive activities including the People’s Choice Awards, a fun art appreciation exercise designed to give students positive feedback about their artwork. Open to students, teachers and the public.

NEW for 2013

Arts Etobicoke is expanding their outreach to at-risk and homeless youth to increase the impact of the show. By connecting with organizations like Youth Without Shelter, Sketch and Rexdale Pro Tech Media Centre, Arts Etobicoke will display the artwork of homeless youth and other at-risk youth who may not necessarily be enrolled in the high-school system.

After the Smart Start Student Art Show at Sherway Gardens, a selection of the student’s artwork will go on tour and travel to the atrium of the Toronto Western Hospital in partnership with the Artists’ health Alliance for the benefit of patients, their families, staff and caregivers where it will be on display from April 17-20.

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and the Kiwanis Club of Kingsway Humber continue to partner with the Student Art Show, providing support for the enhancements to the show as well as the support of the Mercedes-Benz Financial Services volunteer team.

About Arts Etobicoke:
Established in 1973, Arts Etobicoke is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to engage communities with the arts through local artistic activities that are affordable, accessible and inclusive. A leader in serving and advocating for diverse artists of all disciplines, Arts Etobicoke also specializes in delivering high-quality arts education programs to people of all ages. From 13 groups in 1973, Arts Etobicoke today represents 70 cultural organizations from all disciplines in the community. It also serves 200 individual members, 16 youth Scholarship recipients, over 100 volunteers and more than 60 artists and clients in the Art Rental service. Through strategic collaborations with Toronto organizations such as the Toronto District School Board, University of Toronto Centre for Community Partnerships, and Milkweed Collective, Arts Etobicoke reaches thousands of elementary and high school students each year through its arts education programs.
Programs include: Art on the Move, inter-generational community teams produce original art-wrapped vehicles; AMPLIFY!, a new art & design training program for homeless youth in North Etobicoke, co-presented with Youth Without Shelter; Q MAP, a new after-school art drop-in program for LGBTQ youth in Rexdale; From 3 to 3, a literacy program based in North Etobicoke for children ages 3-8; Exploring Creativity in Depth for elementary school children; Smart Start Student Art Show for high school students; Presidents’ Legacy Scholarship Fund for secondary & post-secondary students; Art Rental & Sales service benefiting local artists & clients; a Storefront Gallery with a year-round exhibition schedule; The Art Alley Mural Project, 1000 sq. ft. mural with Amnesty International & former City of Toronto Poet Laureate Dionne Brand; free Saturday Storefront Art Classes for all ages and After-School Art Drop-In for children & youth.

About Sherway Gardens:
Sherway Gardens is owned by the Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited, one of North America's largest investors, owners and managers of commercial real estate. For more than 50 years Cadillac Fairview has been leading the way in commercial real estate with innovative design, development and management. Cadillac Fairview focuses on developing and managing high quality office properties and regional shopping centres in Canada and the United States, as well as international investments in real estate companies and investment funds. With a portfolio valued at more than $19 billion, Cadillac Fairview and its affiliates own and manage nearly 49 million square feet of leasable space at 87 properties across North America, including some of Canada's landmark developments, such as Toronto-Dominion Centre, Toronto Eaton Centre, Pacific Centre and Chinook Centre. Cadillac Fairview is wholly-owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, which invests to secure the retirement income of 295,000 active and retired teachers in Ontario.

West-end Toronto’s premier shopping destination, Sherway Gardens is well-known for its intimate environment and roster of influential retailers featuring the most coveted brands. With over 215 stores, including Michael Kors, Harry Rosen, Holt Renfrew, Tiffany & Co., Apple and Pottery Barn, the Sherway Gardens that shoppers have come to love is transforming into an even more exciting lifestyle destination. A $350 million revitalization is underway making room for new retailers, a brand new food court, plus four new full-service restaurants. For more information, visit www.sherwaygardens.ca.