Set at 23 Prince Arthur Ave. in Toronto, the Dignam Gallery served as the picturesque backdrop for the “Keeping Dreams” exhibition was a showcase of resilience and the pursuit of happiness through diverse artistic mediums. The exhibition took place from March 22 to April 13, 2024.
Curated by the Women’s Art Association of Canada (WAAC), a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organization with a mission to support artists of all ages and educate students in the arts, the exhibition aimed to foster dialogue, empathy, and connection among viewers.
In addition to serving as a platform for artists to share their narratives and creative expressions, the Women’s Art Association of Canada (WAAC) plays a crucial role in fostering an environment that promotes women’s participation in the arts.
“Keeping Dreams” emerged as a testament to WAAC’s commitment to nurturing artistic talent and fostering a culture of inclusivity. Featuring works by various artists, the exhibition explored personal narratives of triumph over adversity.
Among the attendees was Laura Gohl, who took in Ted Scott’s artwork.
Scott, Ted. “Once Upon a Time.” Inkjet print photograph. Dingham Gallery.
Alongside Scott’s thought-provoking pieces, Clare McIntyre’s “Between Rocks” offered a vivid portrayal of nature’s raw beauty. Born in Newfoundland and now based in Toronto, McIntyre reflects her deep connection to the rugged landscapes of her childhood in her work.
“My paintings come from deep observation,” McIntyre later said via Zoom. “They are a meditation on the chaotic forces of nature.'”
“I was moved by the cleverness of the picture,” Gohl said. “It’s not often you see someone depict the concept of disappearing in art.” Ted Scott’s “Once Upon a Time,” an inkjet print photography series, captured the essence of memory and loss, evoking a sense of nostalgia and reflection among viewers.
McIntyre shared insights into her artistic journey and the inspiration behind her work.
“I’m drawn to unbounded and uncontrolled nature that bursts with life,” she said. “It’s a reflection of the constant transition and adaptation we experience in life.”
The Keeping Dreams exhibition served as a platform for McIntyre to share her unique perspective on resilience and happiness. “For me, art is a form of communication that transcends language,” she said. “I hope viewers find grounding and solace in my work, allowing them to momentarily escape the chaos of everyday life.”
Beyond its artistic merits, the Keeping Dreams exhibition exemplified the power of art to inspire resilience and foster connections within the community. Moreover, the exhibition reflected the significance of free art spaces in fostering community engagement and providing platforms for emerging artists to showcase their talents to a diverse audience.
Adriana Lee, the in-house art resident at WAAC, emphasized the accessibility of the artwork.
“All pieces showcased at the Keeping Dreams Exhibition are available for purchase,” she said. “For inquiries, the Women’s Art Association of Canada can be contacted directly.”
Art plays a crucial role in fostering cultural enrichment and social cohesion within society. Research conducted by the University of Arkansas in 2018 demonstrated that engaging with narrative art forms, such as literature, theatre, and visual arts, can enhance empathetic understanding and perspective-taking abilities. The study involved a series of experiments where participants exposed to narrative art showed significant increases in empathy scores compared to control groups, as measured by standardized empathy scales.
Women’s participation in the arts has historically been marked by challenges and inequality. According to Lara Perry and Victoria Horne, authors of Gender, ArtWork and the Global Imperative: A Materialist Feminist Critique, gender bias and discrimination have also significantly limited the opportunities for female artists to gain recognition and representation in art institutions and galleries.
In the realm of the art market, female artists continue to confront persistent challenges in securing recognition and equitable representation. However, recent insights from Arun Kakar, the art market editor for Artsy, an online platform and marketplace dedicated to art collecting, shed light on a promising trend amidst this landscape.
Kakar’s analysis in “The Art Market Recap 2023” revealed that, despite the hurdles, twenty-one of the top 50 works by ultra-contemporary artists sold at auction in 2023 were created by female artists.
The exhibition at the Dignam Gallery leaves visitors reflecting on the themes of resilience and hope depicted in the artworks.For more information about the Women’s Art Association of Canada and future exhibitions, visit its website.
