Salon 2016: Connecting with Creativity

Our 5th annual Artscape Salon, presented by Rockport and Hines Tridel, not only sold out early, but was also our biggest and most successful yet! Over 300 attendees and 32 Featured Guests came to connect with creativity, and did it in style. The dinner-table talk sparked great conversations on how art and the city influence each other. Special and sincere thanks to all of our generous sponsors for making Salon 2016 our best yet.

All photos by Mauricio Calero Photography, except where noted. Scroll down for photos of some of the evening’s highlights and a link to the full Facebook album.

Left: Salon Committee co-chairs Daniela Palmieri, Senior Marketing Manager, Tridel, and Kathryn Randle, Development Manager, Rockport; Centre:Guests arrive in the beautiful sunlit Artscape Wychwood Barns; Right: Hand-made, Toronto-centric décor by the talented Kalpna Patel (photo via Instagram courtesy of ghostfaceknitta)

The fashion-savvy crowd mingled among the crystalline creations of DIY décor maven Kalpna Patel (aka ghostfaceknitta), setting the Artscape Wychwood Barns abuzz as the cocktail reception got underway. We couldn’t have done it without our fantastic Salon Committee members, led by co-chairs Daniela Palmieri, Senior Marketing Manager of Tridel, and Kathryn Randle, Development Manager of Rockport.

Left: Artscape Board Member Sonja Smits and Seaton McLean with their guests enjoying the cocktail reception; Right: Featured Guest artist Bruno Billio and guest arrive

Left (l-r): Gurleen Singh; Salon Committee member and physician Parambir Keila; fashion lawyer Anjli Patel; Right (l-r): Incoming Artscape Chief Operating Officer LoriAnn Girvan; Work in Culture Executive Director and Artscape Launchpad steering committee member Diane Davy; Artscape CEO Tim Jones; Artscape board member John Campbell

As guests enjoyed the signature cocktail “Porch Punch” – mixed by Global Whisky Ambassador Dave Mitton and featuring Lot No. 40 – they took in the chill vibes of DJ Sophie Jones and a parade of appetizing hors d’oeuvres by Daniel et Daniel.

Left: Chicken parmesan lollipops from Daniel et Daniel; Centre: DJ Sophie Jones works her magic; Right: Mixologist Dave Mitton whips up our signature cocktail, “Porch Punch”

Meanwhile, our Featured Guests were getting to know each other in the green room. We had time for a quick group shot, before emcee Jeremiah Sparks called them to join their tables.

Our Salon 2016 Featured Guests. Back row standing (l-r): Kehinde Bah, Guarav Sawhney, guest of Patrick J. Adams, Gary Taxali, Patrick J. Adams, Marcello Cabezas, John Turner, Vicky Milner, Vladimir Spicanovic, Jorge Molina, Bruno Billio, Scott Miller Berry, Karen Carter, Sarah Dougall, Thompson T. Egbo-Egbo, Alana Wilcox, Harrison Taylor, Andrea Mapili, Yasin Osman, Byron Abalos, Harley Valentine, Nicola Spunt, Clara Venice, Jeremiah Sparks, Vinay Virmani;Front row seated (l-r): Jessica Dargo Caplan, Anne Dixon, Jacquelyn West, Kristyn Wong-Tam, James Fowler, Winnie Luk, Jijo Quayson, Emily Rho, Julia Campisi, Broadbent Sisters

Left: Salon Committee members Anna and Julie Vander Herberg of Vander Brand, this year’s Creative Sponsor of Salon; Right (l-r): Featured Guest artist manager and store owner Gaurav Sawhney; Artscape Foundation board member Mazyar Mortazavi; Daniels Spectrum Managing Director Seema Jethalal; Featured Guest Remix Project co-founder Kehinde Bah

CEO Tim Jones shared some of Artscape’s vision, plans and current projects in development. He called on the audience to take inspiration from conversations happening tonight about the power of the arts and turn them into amazing catalysts for change across our entire city.

Left: Salon Committee member and Senior Manager of BILD Danielle Chin and attendees settle in for a participatory evening; Right: Artscape CEO Tim Jones welcomes everyone to dinner

It was time to get down to business – and dinner! This year’s meal offered a creative array of culinary riches from hot Toronto restaurants Little Anthony’s, 416 Snack Bar, Flock and Mamakas Taverna.

One of our delicious mains – Flock’s rotisserie chicken with Caribbean pepper sauce and roast vegetables

Left: Featured Guest, Partisans’ Director of Content and Culture Nicola Spunt, animates her table; Right: Sponsors Vieni Estates and Burdock kept everyone’s glass refreshed throughout the three-course meal

With each course, guests were surprised and delighted by the new featured speaker that joined their table to lead them in a rousing discussion with a core theme – how does art influence the city and how does the city influence art? People delved into conversations that were by turns animated, witty provocative and engaging.

Left: Featured Guest artist and curator James Fowler handed his 10X10 photography book to his tablemates; Right: Featured Guest actor, writer and producer Vinay Virmani inspires his companions with insights into Canadian filmmaking

Left: Artscape board member Erica Segal; Right: Featured Guest sculptor Harley Valentine shares his work with his tablemates

People took the action to social media, sharing the fun and inspiration beyond our four walls. See your side of the story and all the social media action on Storify.

Andrea DelZotto, Executive, Communications at Tridel, captures Tim Jones’ opening remarks

(l-r): Artscape Weston Hub steering committee member Laura Alderson; Councillor Frances Nunziata’s Executive Assistant Jennifer Cicchelli; Rockport Development Manager Kathryn Randle; Featured Guest and Suits star Patrick J. Adams; Judy Winberg; Rockport President Jack Winberg

Left: Marben’s ice cream sandwiches went fast; Right: Featured Guest playwright Jijo Quayson and guest

To wrap up the evening, we were fortunate to have talented musical performer Clara Venice take the stage. She enchanted the audience with “holo-glamorous” projections and a first-hand look at the Theremin in action.

Left: Special musical guest Clara Venice performing with TO skyline in backdrop;Right (l-r): Alexandra Stevenson with Artscape Director of Finance & Administration Alec Stevenson; Featured Guest musician and Artscape board member Thompson T. Egbo-Egbo; Salon Committee volunteer and Featured Guest artist Harrison Taylor; Amanda Laine

Featured Guest Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam and Artscape Lofts at PACE partner Michael Fox of Great Gulf with friends after dinner

Left: Fashion designer Paria Shirvani with Salon Committee volunteer and Head of Marketing and Communications, St. Joseph Communications, Media Group/Fashion Magazine Jacqueline Kendall; Right: Salon Committee co-chair Daniela Palmieri, Senior Marketing Manager, Tridel; Artscape Fund Development Coordinator Christie Kirchner; Featured Guest culture, content and experience producer Marcello Cabezas

No soiree would be complete without some gift-bag swag. We’re immensely proud that one of this year’s Featured Guests, Gary Taxali, won a Society of Illustrators Award for his Salon 2015 poster (congrats Gary!). He generously designed another remarkable poster this year and autographed them for guests as they headed into the balmy night, buoyant with creative ideas and seeing the city anew.

Left: Emcee Jeremiah Sparks enjoying the night; Right: Featured Guest and Salon 2016 poster designer Gary Taxali autographs his work

We want to thank our 32 Featured Guests for participating in this event and so graciously sharing their creativity, ideas and stories, and our wonderful volunteer Salon 2016 Committee, who dedicated their time and energy to make this sell-out event a pleasure for all.

Whether you’re already involved with us or this was your “first date” with Artscape, we hope you will increase your engagement with our work by:

Taking advantage of the events, programs and services that animate our buildings
Attending our future fundraising events – sign up and be the first the hear about them here
Engaging with us online via social media (Facebook & Twitter/Instagram), our website and our eNewsletter

View all the photos (and tag your friends!) on Facebook. See your side of the story – and all the social media action – on Storify

By the time the final gong echoed, guests were full, happy, inspired and ready to enjoy a charming picnic-styled dessert – Marben‘s famous ice cream sandwiches.

Facebook Photo Gallery

That’s a wrap!

Thank you again for supporting Artscape by attending Salon. We hope you had a fantastic time, and look forward to engaging you in other Artscape events, projects and fundraising initiatives in the future.