September Updates
- ahlynialuk
- Sep 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 29
Fall is officially here, and with it brings new opportunities, new ways to engage in our community, and a chance to look back on what has already taken place this month.
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.
INDIGENOUS LONDON ARTS
In Conversation: Janet Antone and Emily Schuyler, Specialist Indigenous London Arts
Janet Antone interviews Emily Schuyler about her experience as an Indigenous artist navigating questions such as "What constitutes fine art?" while Emily shares stories from her past that illuminate some of the hurdles and injustices (including microagressions and racism) Indigenous artists face while reflecting on advice she would give to her younger self. The interview took place during Emily's training period with Janet Antone who was the previous administrator for Indigenous London Arts through the London Arts Council.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is a day for us to honour Residential School Survivors, the children whose lives were lost through Canada’s residential school system, and their families and communities.
The day is also a time for learning—a vital component of the reconciliation process—to deepen our understanding of the roots of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the ongoing impacts of residential schools, and our responsibilities to support Indigenous communities.
If you’re looking for a way to commemorate the day, consider the following:
PUBLIC ART PROJECTS
Artist Olukayode (Kay) Ojo, a Nigerian-born Canadian artist whose work blends contemporary and traditional African influences into a bold, abstract expressionist style exhibits work at RBC Place Gallery, London. His paintings have been exhibited in prestigious venues, including the 2022 Art à la Carte exhibition at the Legislative Building in Toronto. His works are also held in the collections of Museum London and The Art Emporium in Port Stanley. He has painted portraits of notable figures, including former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
The exhibit at RBC Place Gallery runs August 26 – December 20.
PROGRAMS AND LEARNING
Belong Youth Art Workshops
Belong (Expansion) Youth Art Workshops with an Indigenous Focus at N’shwaasnangong Family Centre are running every Wednesday from September 10 to November 26. The Indigenous focus of these workshops offer participants the chance to make art under direction from Indigenous artists. Participants will get the chance to design moccasin Vamps, print with medicine plants, work with beading, look at zine making as well as make painted medicine pouches and cradleboard brooches.
Expanded Belong Youth Art Workshops at Crouch, SLNRC, GCCRC, LUSO and NWLNRC. Programs are running from September 12 to December 20 at five different Community Centres across the city, Belong Youth Art Workshops run each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Relevant dates/timeline:
Crouch, 525 Hamilton Rd | Mondays 4:30 - 6:30pm, Sept. 15 - Dec. 8
SLNRC, 1119 Jalna Blvd | Thursdays 3:30 - 5:30pm, Sept. 18 - Dec. 4
GCCRC, 244 Adelaide St. South | Wednesdays 4:00 - 5:30pm, Oct. 8 - Dec. 17
LUSO, Stoney Creek Library, 920 Sunningdale Rd | Fridays 3:30 - 5:30pm, Sept. 12 - Dec. 5
NWLNRC, 1225 Wonderland Rd | Saturdays 2:00 - 4:00pm, Sept. 27 - Dec. 20
ARTS ACTIVATIONS
Extravabandza 2025! We had an amazing time at this year's Extravabandza, the grand finale to the LBMX Musicians Mentorship Program!
The participating bands, Saveria, Pot Is Drugs, Tyrone Traher and the Rottweilers, Bella Rosa and headlining artist Renforshort showed star quality in front of engaged audience members who were treated to exceptional talent both on stage and from the participating vendors (organized by TNT Tabanca owner Wendy Bhagwandeen), our talented DJs and MCs (from VybeKingz Entertainment), and the dedicated volunteers running each of the event activities.
Many thanks to our sponsor LBMX for making this possible, our dedicated community partners, City of London (Dundas Place), Fanshawe College, London Police Service, Downtown London, and our operational partners Ontario Arts Council and Canada Life.
Every week the downtown core is activated with live, local musical talent with support from The Paul Seed Fund. Check out the full schedule on our Activations Calendar.
ARTS INVESTMENT
2025 Community Arts Investment Program Recipient - Artist Collective - Literature
On June 3, 2025, the London Writers Society (LWS) launched its inaugural anthology, Out of the Woods: Voices from the Forest City, made possible by a grant from the London Arts Council. The short stories and poems in the collection were written by thirty-five authors from London and the surrounding area.
The London Writers Society was founded in 2007 to provide community, resources and exposure for adult writers who live in and around London, Ontario, including those newly interested in writing, emerging authors, writing educators, and widely-published authors.
As a non-profit organization focused on supporting the development of local writers, LWS presented the anthology to align with the #ReadLocal #WriteLocal campaign. It represents a major milestone for LWS. Proceeds from book sales will fund future professional development opportunities for LWS members. Copies are available through the LWS website, at local bookstores, or online at Indigo and Amazon.
OPPORTUNITIES
We're Hiring!
We are looking for an organized, dedicated, structured, and professional individual who can take initiative and further the London Arts Council’s mission and mandate in the areas of operations and communications.
Sound like you, or someone you know? Learn more about the Administrator, Operations and Communications position today!
Application deadline: Friday, October 3, 2025 by 4:00pm
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