Carnival Portal, an exhibition curated by Dwayne Dixon, featuring work by Candice Dixon, Jenny Baboolal, Fiona Compton, Vince Fraser and Quentin VerCetty will open at Yorkdale on June 22 as part of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art, 2021-2022. Carnival Portal runs until September 4.

The Carnival Portal will be launched with a fashion show on June 25, 1:30 – 2:30 pm at Yorkdale Mall, near the center court.

Register here: https://www.artworxto.ca/event/Exhibition-Launch-Carnival-Portal

Carnival Portal is an exhibition that presents a series of alternate stories as you travel through time and space. From its oppressive origins to its infectious expression of love and unity, visitors will experience a sensation that is, quite frankly, otherworldly. This exhibition will expand your understanding and appreciation of Caribbean carnival culture and its ancestral journey through the lens of future generations.

Complementing the exhibition, ArtworxTO has partnered with Art Starts to produce a series of workshops exploring different facets about Carnival. Running every Saturday in July from 2 –

4 pm, workshops will include Soca dance classes, cooking classes, poster making classes, and Carnival makeup tutorials. Workshops are free to attend but space is limited, so registration via Eventbrite is required.

Carnival Portal is part of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art, 2021–2022 a year-long celebration of Toronto’s exceptional public art collection and the creative community behind it. Working closely with artists and Toronto’s arts institutions, the City of Toronto is delivering major public art projects and commissions, citywide, from fall 2021 to fall 2022. Supporting local artists and new artworks that reflect Toronto’s diversity, ArtworxTO is creating more opportunities for Torontonians to engage with art in their everyday lives. This year, explore your city and discover creativity and community–everywhere. Visit artworxTO.ca for full details.

ArtworxTO Hubs are spaces for artistic and community activity led by the next generation of curators, collectives and artists. Through exhibitions, activations, workshops and experiences, the hubs amplify local artistic identities, recognize their global vibrancy, and empower creative communities. Year-long hubs are located at Downsview Park, Scarborough Town Centre, Cloverdale Common and Union Station.