Site 10: Crossing Paths with
Today and Tomorrow
@ 378 Aylmer Street North
Artspace gallery location, 2005-present day
An angled shot of the front of the current Artspace location. In the photograph you can see the front door of the Artspace building and off to the right side is it’s garden. The building has red bricks with multiple rectangular and square windows of varying sizes and a black frame around each. The garden is a vibrant green and inside of a light brown wooden display.
Scroll down to read a statement about the site written by Peg Town and a poem written by Jillian Ackert in the summer of 2024.
In the near-twenty years that Artspace has been at this location, I have met many staff and artists from Iga Janik to Eryn Lidster. The current Programming Coordinator and practicing artist, Jillian Ackert is the first person here with whom I have collaborated. We first met in 2018 at Aging Activisms, the program led by Dr May Chazan, Canada Research Chair in Gender and Feminist Studies at Trent University. Jillian was one of the researchers/facilitators and I was one of the participants. Five years later, look at us now.
In addition to her steadfast support and reflective questions, Jillian’s beautifully designed map and location posters add another level of interpretation and animation to my stories of Crossing Paths. In the spirit of collaboration and just for fun, we switched roles for this site at Aylmer Street. I wrote the reflective question, and Jillian shared her story.
As an artist here I’ve found
by Jillian Ackert
As an artist here I’ve found
a soft landing,
intergenerational mentorship,
crip community,
generous knowledge exchanges, over cups of tea,
and an abundance of wholehearted yes’s and why nots and you shoulds.
I’ve heard
stories of lives lived,
paths crossed,
and the good old days.
As well as,
collective dreaming,
and scheming,
and artistic aspirations voiced aloud,
received with warmth.
I’ve witnessed
wheels turning,
quiet revelations,
transformation,
connection,
wonder, awe,
and cups filling up.
I’ve felt
held.
A far away photograph of Jillian on the left and Peg on the right. They are standing in front Artspace and pointing at the door. It is a black frame door with glass, red brick around it, and windows on either side.
A close-up photograph of Jillian on the left and Peg on the right. They have their arms over each other’s shoulders and are posed in front of the Artspace building. Behind them is one of the front-facing windows and parts of the garden.
Reflective Question
What brings you to Artspace? What future do you imagine for this artist-run centre?
Site 1: Crossing Paths with History
Site 2: Crossing Paths with Performance
Site 3: Crossing Paths with Community
Site 4: Crossing Paths with Nogojiwanong
Site 5: Crossing Paths with Gardeners
Site 6: Crossing Paths with Collaboration
Site 7: Crossing Paths with Diversity
Site 8: Crossing Paths with Climate Change
Site 9: Crossing Paths with Infrastructure
Site 10: Crossing Paths with Today and Tomorrow
