One of the highlights of this Saturday's Big on Bloor festival will be CultureWorks, sponsored by DIG IN, a community group active in the area since 2002. DIG IN was founded by Dyan Marie, a local artist who moved to the neighbourhood long before the area's current art boom.
While DIG IN has many interests, art has always figured prominently in the group's activities. DIG IN's former chair, Ann Homan, has an art-related business, while the current chair, Donna Cowan, has an arts connection through the National Film Board. Richard Mongiat, who is responsible for the underpass murals on Bloor west of Lansdowne, is an active DIG IN member. (Full disclosure: I am also a long-time member of DIG IN, but my only art connection is the group itself.)
According to the organizers:
Back for its second year, the CutureWorks line-up of major Toronto art institutions and local galleries brings provocative, fun, and interactive art and events to Lansdowne and Bloor. CultureWorks was conceived as a local project contributing to the cultural, social and economic vitalization of our Bloor Street West neighbourhood.
Click on the poster at the top for a list of CultureWorks participants.
