July Updates
- ahlynialuk
- Jul 23
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 4
The summer is flying by and heating up all at once! We are excited to highlight some projects and programming which took place over the past month as well as help you plan your next local artistic experience!
Thank you to our operational partners for your ongoing support. Your critical funding and partnership provide crucial support for LAC in maintaining and growing capacity for ongoing development, implementation, and delivery of professional artistic programs and services for our community and the local arts sector.
We extend our gratitude to our strategic programming partners whose generosity helps us support the local arts community and artists with meaningful programs and opportunities.
PUBLIC ART PROGRAM
Chorus City (2025) is a community mural by Billy Bert Young located at the East Lions Community Centre. The mural that faces out to the playground at East Lions Community Centre came to be through The London Arts Council and the City of London. The piece itself is a tribute to London's UNESCO City of Music designation and reflects artists who are from, or have performed in, the city. "Three distinct panels present this convergence of musicians, from differing cultural backgrounds and musical genres, in a collective chorus."
Traces of Time Exhibition of Paintings by Artist Ani Sarian at RBC Place Gallery. Exhibition continues through June and ends in September this year.
Thursday, June 26 was an incredible coming together of community in celebration of two local artists for the Songlines Mural Unveiling at South London Community Centre.
This project in partnership with the City of London, London Music Office, and the Rotary Club of London highlighted the talented artistry of Maisa Mreiwed and Aruba Mahmud to the tune of DJ Deon Carter spinning local artists’ tracks courtesy of the playlist through London Music Office.
Thank you to everyone who came, celebrated, and showed their support at the unveiling last month! We hope you don’t miss an opportunity to experience these works in person — Joy by Maisa Mreiwed at the South London Community Centre and Colourful Communities by Aruba Mahmud at the South London Community Pool.
PROGRAMS AND LEARNING
While our Growing Together Through the Arts Workshops have wrapped up for the summer, we wanted to share a recent experience from pottery instructor, Darlene Pratt, and one of her class participants, Stacey Arthur.
"I always enjoy teaching people who are new to working with clay; they are so excited and eager to learn! The participants in the Growing Together workshops were lots of fun to spend time with and they all did a great job, despite little to no experience working with clay.
Several people took all four sessions and many expressed interest in taking any additional classes offered through the program. It's gratifying for me to watch people work diligently through the process of making something they can be proud of and use for years to come."
- Darlene Pratt
"I've participated in several of the art workshops through the City of London's Senior's Satellite program. They're a great way to sample different techniques and media. The amazing local artists who teach the classes are very well organized, patient and encouraging. It was so much fun to "play" for a couple of hours!"
- Stacey Arthur
Belong (Expansion) – Inclusive Arts Experiences Youth and Children Summer Workshops
Belong Expansion Youth Art workshops will be delivered this summer (July-August) at Arva Eco Park. Twelve workshops will be delivered in total between the July 8 and August 14. These workshops will be twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30pm - 2:30pm and cater to ages 4-14.
INDIGENOUS LONDON ARTS
Earlier this month we said farewell to a beloved team member, Janet Antone, Administrator, Indigenous London Arts and welcomed our newest team member, Emily Schuyler, Specialist, Indigenous London Arts!
Janet Antone, Administrator, Indigenous London Arts, has decided to resign from the London Arts Council to focus on her family and beadwork business (Ms. Antone's Beadwork). Janet joined the LAC team in 2023, and over the past two years, she has passionately guided the London Arts Council's Indigenous London Arts program and service area, further defining it as a distinct area, sovereign in its development.We learned so much from her knowledge and experience regarding how best to support our Indigenous community members and neighbours, and from her example of careful and compassionate guidance. Janet, we will miss you so much and wish you all the best in this next chapter!
Meet Emily Schuyler!
Emily is a multi-media artist from Oneida Nation of the Thames. She holds a certificate and advanced diploma in Fine Arts from Fanshawe college, and a Bachelor of Studio Arts degree from the Institute of American Indian Arts.
Emily creates mixed-media work that explores themes of identity and memory, by combining her cultural teachings, knowledge, and her experience as an Indigenous person living in the twenty first century using both traditional and contemporary methods of art making.
ARTS ACTIVATIONS
Check out local musical talent with support from The Paul Seed Fund! Join us for Lunchtime Music at Market Lane every Friday from 11:00am - 1:30pm. On Saturday mornings enjoy live music at Covent Garden Market Farmers' Market from 9:00am - 1:00pm. If evenings are more your vibe, come out to Saturday Night Live music from 5:00pm - 10:00pm. Sundays have some fun in store as well with Dundas Play from 11:00am - 4:00pm at Dundas Place.
This Sunday, July 27, is Busking Festival on Dundas Street! You won't want to miss this lineup of local bands, duos, and soloist performing in true busking fashion. For lineup and event location details visit the link below!
ARTS INVESTMENT
Now Open: EDI Micro Grants
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Micro Grants Program is designed to provide financial assistance for projects and initiatives of Individual Artists and/or Artist Collectives who have encountered barriers obtaining support within the current systems and structures of existing traditional funding mechanisms.
This program supports the following Individuals and Collectives of artists, creators, practitioners of traditional arts in all disciplines: Indigenous Artists/Collectives based in London, Ontario, and the surrounding First Nations (Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, Munsee Delaware First Nation, and Oneida Nation of the Thames), Artists/Collectives with English as their Second Language, and Culturally Diverse (Racialized) Artists/Collectives
based in London, Ontario.
Apply by August 15, 2025 at 4:30pm
ARTIST FEATURE
Earlier this month (July 4, 5, 6) London’s very own The Pairs played the prestigious Mariposa Folk Festival as it celebrated its 65th Anniversary.
The Pairs are a cornerstone of many of LAC’s programs including London Arts Live since its inception in 2016 and the LBMX Place Extravabandza event and mentorship program in 2024.
This extraordinary trio write, orchestrate and perform, through soaring harmonies. The Pairs successfully received support through the Community Arts Investment Program (CAIP) in 2019 and 2022 as well as support as Individual Artists in 2023.
You can find out more about The Pairs, their music, and their touring schedule at the button below!
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