East End Arts has launched a new program to support local artists, arts collectives and creatives! Scroll down to learn more about ArtLabs 2026.
ArtLabs 2026 Season!
Various Dates from April-November 2026
St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, 450 Broadview Ave.
ABOUT THE ARTLABS PROGRAM
East End Arts has launched a new program for local artists and collectives looking for creative space! ArtLabs is our umbrella program that offers free space and basic support for artists looking to launch a new idea or experiment within their artistic practice. You bring the idea, we provide the space for you to experiment and grow. This program prioritizes events and programs by creatives who are looking for space and time to devote to a new idea that will enrich their artistic practice. Thank you to the many talented people who applied to our inaugural 2026 call! Scroll down to learn more about the artists who have been selected to participate in our 2026 season.
*Note that all ArtLabs offerings take place at St. Matthew’s Clubhouse (450 Broadview Avenue), which is a physically accessible building with a walkway ramp to the front door, and accessible, gender neutral washrooms on site.
UPCOMING ARTLABS SESSIONS:
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Peer 2 Peer Showcase and Connect (for Toronto’s circus, dance, and street performance community)
Date: Tuesday May 26th, 2026
Time: Sharing Circle happens 6-8PM (doors open at 5:30PM)
Location: St. Matthew’s Clubhouse
Ages: 18+
Program Description: After recently completing a weeklong intensive Indigenous hoop dance program with Arik Pipestem and the Chimera Project Dance Theatre, Jake developed at 4-minute solo act fusing indigenous hoop dance with contemporary circus hooping. He plans to use the space at St. Matthew’s Clubhouse to continue exploring this combination of art forms and deepen the development of his 4-minute solo act. After his independent experimentation, exploration, and rehearsal, he will invite members of Toronto’s circus, dance, and street performance community to experience a sharing circle in the evening. This will allow for an east end space where artists can perform new or experimental work they have been developing to an audience of their peers where they can in turn receive valuable feedback, artistic criticism and live test new work to a small or medium sized audience. In this sharing circle, each audience member is a participant sharing their own in development work for feedback!
Artist Bio: Jake is an emerging Indigenous, queer, and francophone multidisciplinary artist originally from Timmins, Ontario, and a member of Mattagami First Nation. Specializing in circus and street theatre he performs across Ontario, animating public spaces, festivals, and events. He has trained street performance under INCIRQUE and contemporary Indigenous hoop dance with Arik Pipestem of The Chimera Project Dance Theatre. Performing as Jake in the Box, he created a 30-minute busker show of the same name.
Artist Website | Artist Instagram | Artist Facebook
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Sketchbooks (a showcase for performers)
Date: Thursday June 18th, 2026
Time: 6-9PM
Location: St. Matthew’s Clubhouse
Ages: All Ages and Backgrounds
Program Description: Sketchbooks is an open-stage event organized by Zest Creative for performers to showcase ideas they are working with in a relaxed, low-stakes environment. Inspired by comedy and poetry open mics, this event is designed as a way to get the community together and perform for each other for fun and practice. We encourage performers to take this opportunity to workshop new ideas, show snippets of works they have been in process with, or to simply take the opportunity to perform.
Artist Bio: Zest Creative is a contemporary dance and music collective with collaboration at the heart of everything we create. We aim to make works that seamlessly blend our two art forms together in a way that feels honest to who we are. Our current members are Hannah Barstow, Julien Bradley-Combs, Eva Connelly-Miller, Mary Patsiazis, and Maria Riaño.
Collective Instagram
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Free 2 Shine (mobility aids transformation workshop)
Date: Sunday June 28th, 2026
Time: 12-3PM
Location: St. Matthew’s Clubhouse
Ages: All Ages and Backgrounds
Program Description: “Free 2 Shine” Is a workshop open to 10 participants of all ages & artistic backgrounds who currently use mobility or disability related aids such as canes, splints, wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids etcetera. Although these can offer independence, they can also be sources of anxiety and insecurity. In this 3 hour workshop, we will transform them beyond their medical and cold aesthetic. With techniques such as embroidery, patches, stickers, beads and charms, we will learn to decorate, customize and express our uniqueness and personality through our aids. Free 2 Shine is celebrating the freedom our aids give us, as well as give us the tools to shine and be our full unapologetic self.
Artist Bio: Carla Sierra Suárez is a Mexican multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto. She creates artworks in varying mediums such as textile, sculpture, printmaking, poetry and photography. Her holistic approach incorporates her fine arts training from OCAD, her background in the textile industry, as well as her passion for community arts. She is committed to creating safe and inclusive gathering spaces where community members can connect and learn to express themselves through art-making. Regardless of age, language or abilities.
Artist Website | Artist Instagram
PAST ARTLABS SESSIONS:
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Exploring Stop Motion with Found Materials (Animation Workshop, FREE)Date: Saturday April 25th, 2026
Time: 1-4PM
Location: St. Matthew’s Clubhouse
Ages: Youth 8-17
Program Description: This workshop, “Exploring Stop Motion with Found Materials” is a free beginner’s animation workshop for youth (ages 8-17) where participants create short stop-motion videos using found materials inspired by the urban environment, such as clay, leaves, rocks, string, etc., and drawing materials such as pencils, markers, crayons, etc. The program will be 3 hours long. The first hour will focus on animation principles and techniques, and the rest of the program will allow participants to test and play with the materials and become familiar with the app Stop Motion Studio. Participants use equipment they already have or can borrow (like a phone or tablet). Recording devices are mounted above the tables with tripods or stands. Workshop capacity is 10, and pre-registration is required, so sign-up early!
Artist Bio: Jassira De Almeida is an Angolan-Canadian emerging animator interested in experimental forms inspired by urban environments. Combining analog and digital techniques in her work, she’s inspired by pop culture, nature, and music. Graduating from OCADU’s Experimental Animation Program, she has shown her work in Animation Nights New York, an exhibition highlighting animation projects from filmmakers around the world. Currently she is an artist-in-residence at Vibe Arts.
Artist Website
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Stitch the Ravine: Embroidery Workshop (PWYC)Date: Thursday April 30th, 2026
Time: 6-8PM
Location: St. Matthew’s Clubhouse
Ages: Open to all ages
Program Description: Come and join local artist Vishwa Patel for a PWYC beginner-friendly embroidery workshop drawing inspiration from the wildflowers and plants native to the Don River Ravine. The evening begins with a short overview about the local ecology of the area, followed by a step-by-step guide to basic stitches. Then you’ll have plenty of time to work on your own miniature botanical tapestry at your own pace. Choose from two designs at varying detail – so every skill level can complete something beautiful. All materials are provided, including fabric, 4″ bamboo hoops, needles, scissors, and thread. This is a pay-what-you-can event and no one will be turned away – just come ready to stitch, connect, and take something handmade home! Pre-registration required.
Artist Bio: Vishwa Patel is a Toronto-based interdisciplinary artist with a BFA (Honours) from OCAD University. Blending miniature painting, embroidery, and geometry with contemporary materials, she explores diasporic memory and cultural continuity. Passionate about community arts programming, she serves on the committee of Friends of Global South Asia at the Royal Ontario Museum.
Artist Website | Artist Instagram
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A.F.R.O. Labs Takeover at Riverdale Mic
Date: Friday May 1, 2026
Time: 6:30-8:30PM
Location: St. Matthew’s Clubhouse
Ages: Open to all ages
Program Description: Join Jonathan Wilson and A.F.R.O. Labs for a curated takeover of Riverdale Mic. This session bridges the gap between performance and networking, offering an open poetry mic designed to spotlight spoken word artists in the east end while fostering a community of creative collaboration. No pre-registration is required! Doors open at 6:30, the Sign-Up Sheet will be at the front door if you are interested in performing (first come first served, with a maximum number of 12 performance spots to fill). Each performance must be less than 5 minutes long. Performances will start at 7:00pm sharp and go until 8:00pm.
Artist Bio: Jonathan Wilson is a Scarborough-based Systems Architect and the founder of A.F.R.O. Labs. His work focuses on building inclusive digital and physical infrastructure, merging strategic design with community-led entrepreneurship to empower the next generation of creatives.
Artist Instagram
