Taking inspiration from the ways in which urban nature collides with the built environment under the Gardiner Expressway, participants at these workshops are invited to experiment with these same practices, materials, and ecologies. Learn about circular design practices through DIY sculpture and textile artmaking, engage with the lands as part of the Gardiner’s ecosystem to create artwork, and gain gardening knowledge to support Indigenous plants, pollinators, and more-than-human neighbours in urban space.

Free, all are welcome to register for one or all sessions.

Register for Eco Art Workshops here: https://thebentway.ca/beyond-concrete/eco-art-workshops 

The Animal Parade Workshop with Red Pepper Spectacle Arts

• Saturday, June 10, 1-4pm

Join Red Pepper Spectacle Arts as they lead a community arts workshop where participants are invited to create their own animal mask or welcome flag celebrating Little Amal’s visit to The Bentway. Mask making will reflect animals from the local geography and stencilled welcome flags will consist of messages of love and hope. Participants are encouraged to join the procession and share their creations in The Bentway Animal Parade the following day, Sunday June 11. 

Family friendly (Youth under 16 must be accompanied by a caregiver). Drop-ins welcome. All materials Provided

Gardening Workshop 1: Seed Starting with Greenest City

• Saturday, June 24, 1- 4pm

Greenest City, a program of West Neighbourhood House, builds healthy, inclusive neighbourhoods through education and empowerment to preserve, protect and improve the environment. Join us for an interactive seed-starting workshop to plant and care for local greenery while learning about gardening as a political action based on stewardship and the importance of building relationships with the Land and our more than human neighbours.

Family friendly (Youth under 16 must be accompanied by a caregiver). All materials Provided

Inflatables 101 with Studio Rat and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority 

• Saturday, July 8, 1-4pm

Inflatables 101 is an educational workshop designed by Studio Rat that explores the experiential and impermanent qualities of inflatable architecture in relation to single-use plastics and circular design thinking. During this hands-on experience, Studio Rat will walk participants through the step-by-step process of making a 20’ inflatable bubble by using a mix of reclaimed plastic sheeting and plastic bags. In collaboration with Toronto Region Conservation Authority, participants leave with a deeper understanding of plastic and our complicated relationship to it: where it comes from, and where it is going, participants leave with a deeper understanding of plastic and our complicated relationship to it: where it comes from, and where it is going. 

Youth under 16 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Participants are requested to BRING THEIR PLASTIC BAG COLLECTION from home

From Here to Wear with Norwin Anne

• Saturday, July 22, 1-4pm  

From Here to Wear is an inclusive space where curious, like-minded people can repair, rework and swap clothing while also learning about the impacts of “textile waste”. This workshop intends to promote a reuse culture with our clothing while also offering various activities that encourage more sustainable and intentional creative practices.

A small clothing swap section (Conscious Wardrobe) will be alongside workshop stations that focus on different methods and techniques to transform textiles into DIY plushie (Playing with Scraps), and DIY T-shirt Shopping Bag (Thank you for reusing this t-shirt). 

Youth under 16 must be accompanied by a caregiver. No sewing skills required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own t-shirts for transformation and “mendable” clothing items to learn minor repair and recreation techniques.

Insects of the Bentway with Anne Purvis

• Saturday, August 5, 1-4pm

Please join us for a Butterfly and Bee exploration walk! Where are the sources of nectar and pollen in our neighbourhood and who is exploiting them for food? Where did those creatures come from? Were they with us all winter?  We will start out at the Multispecies Lounge on the Bentway Studio Terrace with some introductory games and activities to explore some of these questions. This will also help us sharpen our observations to find the best habitat in our neighbourhood.

Youth under 16 must be accompanied by a caregiver

Experimental Photography: Lumen Printing and Photograms with Julie Pasila and Gallery 44

• Saturday, August 19, 1-4pm

In this workshop, inspired by the work of season artist Genesis Baez, we’ll explore the environment beneath the Gardiner Expressway and Canoe Landing Park through the use of experimental photographic processes and foraged and found materials. Working with the cameral-ess processes of lumen printing and phytograms, participants will create ephemeral images in collaboration with the landscape. 

No previous experience is required. All materials will be provided. Youth under age 16 must be accompanied by a caregiver.

Gardening 2: Greening your Grounds: Gardening for Birds, Butterflies and Beyond

• Saturday, September 2, 1-4pm

Helping the environment starts in your balconies, backyard, and public spaces! Learn how to attract and protect native pollinators, such as Monarch butterflies and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. We’ll visit the Multispecies Lounge on The Bentway Studio Terrace and explore the beauty and importance of native plants. Participants will receive free gardening fact sheets and start native wildflowers from seed in hand-decorated paper pots.

Family-friendly. Youth under age 16 must be accompanied by a caregiver.

City Sketching with Julie Ourceau

• Saturday, September 16, 1-4pm

This City Sketching workshop at The Bentway is open to people wishing to learn or improve their drawing skills in Urban Sketching. During this workshop you will learn to develop your sense of observation to depict a bit of everything that surrounds you in your sketchbook, this could include nature, buildings, people, market scenes, architectural details. 

Family-friendly. Youth under age 16 must be accompanied by a caregiver. All level of experience welcome. Materials will be provided.