COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Moving In
Program Manager and Performance Director
Nuit Blanche 2024
In 2024, I designed, developed, and delivered a sweeping programmatic plan to engage with the Mabelle Avenue (Toronto, Etobicoke) residents and co-create a meaningful public performance that would mark the "moving in" to our new ground-breaking building at Mabelle Arts. Our performance initiated the first-ever Major Institution location in Central Etobicoke for the Nuit Blanche festival and attracted more than 1000 visitors.
Featuring the Mabelle Movement Ensemble led by Bee Pallomina, musician Joseph Shabason, dancer Andrea Nann, performers Afsaneh Zamani and Daniela Galaviz, and artist-in-residence Chico Togni.
I have been working in art education and community engagement for over 17 years. I never tire of watching people surprise themselves with their own creativity and watching a group of strangers become friends through collaboration. My underlying goal with every single arts project or program is to foster connection and belonging to build social capital and stronger communities. Below is a very selective sample of my work in community over the past few years. I am most excited by longterm performance projects, involving diverse participant groups, that culminate in public exhibitions.
Walk with Amal at Mabelle Arts
Performance Director
Partnership with Luminato Festival 2023
In 2023, I was privileged to direct the global public performance sensation, Walk with Amal, at Mabelle Arts in collaboration with our program partners and resident participants. This project blended perfectly with our Welcome to the Neighborhood's program work with newcomers and refugees in Toronto, as Amal's mission is to bring visibility to the refugee crisis around the world.
The performance scenery, costumes, and props were created by newcomer participants groups, who also attended and performed in the walk. We were most grateful to welcome our partner, COSTI, and their refugee hotel residents.
Iftar Nights Community Performances
Program Designer and Performance Director
Winter 2024
I directed our Iftar Nights performance and community-engaged workshops for our annual intercultural Ramadan celebration at Mabelle Arts. We offered this celebration along Mabelle Avenue in Toronto and also toured this production and workshop to Montgomery's Inn. Our guests were a mix of local residents and newcomers and refugee participants.
Featuring performers Afsaneh Zamani and Parastoo Amanzedeh and musicians Rahaf Alakbani, Esmaeel Abufaker, Nagmeh Farahmand
Community Arts Workshops
Program Management, Facilitation Training and Facilitation
A selection of photos from recent workshops and events under my management, training, and/or support
Featured groups:
-Mabelle Avenue Seniors
-Newcomer Artist Training Cohorts 2023-2025
-Supporting Newcomer Artist Facilitators
-Rexdale Community Health Centre
-Polycultural Immigration Services
-Davenport Perth Neighborhood Community Health Centre
-Arab Community Centre of Toronto
Mobile Iftar Nights
Winter 2023
In partnership with COSTI Immigrant Services
Audience members were given homemade treats to take home for Iftar.