Today, a grand opening was held for the City of Toronto's new Clark Centre for the Arts, located in Guild Park and Gardens in Scarborough. The centre was officially opened up to the public with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, and free open house. 

The Clark Centre is a new cultural facility designed by Taylor Hazell Architects that houses specialized art studios and gallery spaces. The Centre will offer up to 90 arts programs annually that will include art courses, workshops, and camps, while also providing facility rental options to the community.

Clark Centre for the Arts designed by Taylor Hazell Architects for City of TorontoClark Centre for the Arts designed by Taylor Hazell Architects

"The Clark Centre is an arts destination that will act as a hub for creativity, cultural engagement and community-building into the future. I encourage residents to come out and experience the Clark Centre for the Arts" said Mayor John Tory via a press release, currently isolating following a positive COVID test.

"The Clark Centre's mission is to engage people from a diverse spectrum of social, cultural and demographic backgrounds to explore the arts through exhibitions, workshops and public events. To the community at large, thank you for your dedication and inspiration. Congratulations for seeing the Clark Centre vision to its grand reality" said Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson, Councillor for Scarborough Centre, and Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee, who was in attendance at the event.

Paul Ainslie, Councillor for Scarborough-Guildwood where the Clark Centre is located, said "This is an exciting and historic moment for Scarborough, Guildwood and the City of Toronto! The community has worked hard to bring the Clark Centre for the Arts vision to reality and I am beyond excited to see the progress and enthusiasm from everyone involved."  

Nearby on the property is the Sculptor’s Cabin – a small historic building located near the front entrance of Guild Park and Gardens. It was renovated in the spring of 2019, and serves the community as a meeting place and information centre to promote civic and cultural engagement, and will also be reopened with community programming.

Sculptor’s Cabin of Guild Park and Gardens, image by Gary LiSculptor’s Cabin of Guild Park and Gardens, image by Gary Li

The Clark Centre will also feature artists-in-residence, the first of which are to be Thomas Brasch and Claire Browne. Brasch is a self-taught photographer who showcases his perceptions of beauty, turning the real into surreal. Browne, is an emerging artist who recently graduated from OCAD University with a Bachelor of Fine Art specializing in drawing and painting. Browne's art practice focuses on the themes of self-identity and heritage.

Clark Centre for the Arts designed by Taylor Hazell Architects . for City of TorontoClose up of Clark Centre for the Arts designed by Taylor Hazell Architects

The Clark Centre for the Arts' initial hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM.

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