PANEL DISCUSSION
Jane's Walk continues to spark important conversations about the future of our city and the well-being of its people.
We're honored to be joined by celebrated Toronto residents who are creating real change in our city for 2 dynamic panel discussions that will take place over the Festival weekend.
Please register at the links below.
MAY 8
KEEPING KENSINGTON WEIRD
1:00 PM
Eastern Standard Time
CYNTHIA ROBERTS
Designer and Cultural Producer
MODERATOR
CATHLEEN CALICA
Multi-disciplinary Artist
MARIE SOTTO
Artist
MEENA RIZWAN
Multi-disciplinary Artist, Writer, and Activist
JERROLD MCGRATH
Managing Director, UKAI Projects
This panel discussion will examine the intersection between public space, technology, and community development, exemplified in Kensington Market artists’ responses to the pandemic. Kensington Market is a vibrant and culturally diverse neighbourhood in the heart of Toronto where engaged artists and community groups work together to prevent gentrification and celebrate the sense of place. Through participatory projects, the people of Kensington have found creative ways to address their needs, keep weirdness thriving, and redefine public spaces. Weird, in this case, is a reflection of the extraordinary character of a neighbourhood and its people.
MAY 9
WHOSE PARK IS IT ANYWAY?
1:00pm
Eastern Standard Time
JEAN-PAUL BEVILACQUA
Lawyer and Educator
MODERATOR
LORRAINE LAM
Outreach Worker
Sanctuary
CLAIRE STEVENSON-BLYTHE
ESN Volunteer and Urban Planner
LAURIE HERMISTON
Co-Founder
Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin (They Feed the People)
Whether it's encampments or supervised injection sites, choosing a parking lot over affordable housing units, there are prevalent notions of what are proper and acceptable uses of land and space in our cities. Through a discussion on community, belonging, notions of safety, and concepts of ownership, this panel seeks to understand tensions that exist in societal and political realms about just who exactly public spaces are for.
Jane once said, "Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” By hearing from those doing the work on the ground, we will aim to find out how Toronto (and the Jane's Walk audience) can walk this walk.