Caetani Centre Fosters Inclusive Artist Community with Creating Space Exhibition

Caetani Centre showcases youth, studio, and community artists in the Creating Space Exhibition this April.

The Caetani Centre is excited to present a new art exhibition that celebrates the creativity and talent of youth and the Centre's growing community of artists. The Creating Space - Artists of Caetani exhibition will showcase work from both emerging young artists and established artists who are part of the Centre's studio community.

The exhibition is named after the Centre’s youth artist program, Creating Space, and features artwork created during a series of workshops and open studio sessions held at the Caetani Centre over the winter months. This includes pieces from the youth participants and workshop facilitators.

“We’re excited to highlight the diverse range of work being created at Caetani,” said Creating Space coordinator Salinger Snarf. “This exhibition offers a chance to showcase the passions and skills of each artist here, with a variety of mediums represented. It’s also an opportunity for young artists to share their work with the community where they’ve been making it.”

Youth art submissions for Creating Space include 3D mixed-media sculptural pieces from the Self-Construct Textiles and Mixed-Media workshop led by Snarf, as well as handmade tule paper, paintings and paint palettes from the Painting Our Roots workshop, facilitated by local syilx artist Sienna Belanger-Lee. Additional works include mixed-media written word pieces from the Paper Trails workshop, led by jaz papadopoulos, and Indigenous syilx art and design by Odessa Clough.

Alongside these works will be a selection of pieces by Caetani studio artists, including sculptural woodwork by Cuyler Page, textile pieces by Cheryl Webster, and paintings by Gabrielle Strong.

“We’re also proud to feature several works by Sveva Caetani, our benefactor and the late, great artist whose legacy continues to inspire us,” said Snarf. “Sveva was a mentor and teacher, supporting many young artists throughout her life. It’s only fitting that we represent her work in this exhibition.”

Creating Space was designed to provide youth with opportunities to explore a variety of art-based skills, including curating an exhibition. Guided by Snarf, participants learn how to write artist bios and statements, select work for an exhibition, and understand the fundamentals of art curation and installation.

“The youth not only create their own work, but they also curate pieces that aren't their own. This gives them hands-on experience in shaping how they want the viewer’s experience to unfold,” Snarf explained.

A soft opening for Creating Space will be held during the First Friday Art Trail on April 4, from 12 PM to 4 PM. An official opening reception with the artists will take place on April 11, from 6 PM to 8 PM. Regular viewing hours will be Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 AM to 4 PM, from April 8 to 29 and Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 AM to 4 PM, from May 1 to 10. The exhibition will be closed on April 30th due to a private event.