March 8, 2022… VIBE Arts and TO Live present NExT: The Future of Art Exhibition 3.0, an online and in-person exhibition celebrating Black Futures, March 16 – 31, 2022.
The Future of Art Exhibition 3.0 will run online and in the Gallery at the Meridian Arts Centre (5040 Yonge St, North York), in accordance with local COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. Join us for the exhibitions launch and artist talk Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 6 PM. Please register in advance here. This event is free to attend. If you’re unable to make it, we will be holding a virtual artist talk on Zoom Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 6PM. Register here.
NExT: The Future of Art Exhibition 3.0 is a celebration of the works by artists participating in VIBE Arts’ 2021-2022 Black Youth Mentorship Program. Short for Network and Explore Together, NExT was built on the vision to build, connect, and strengthen networks of Black artists throughout the GTA and to increase the visibility of Black Youth Artists in public Canadian exhibitions. This program supports the truth that Black perspectives are essential in shaping the future of the arts.
“VIBE Arts creates invaluable opportunities for young Black artists, and when the exciting work of these talented 2021 NExT participants was first displayed in the windows of the St Lawrence Centre last year, TO Live was proud to play a part”, said Josephine Ridge, Vice President of Programming. “The success of that installation led to these plans to show the work in our Gallery and to provide further support to ensure that the stories, art and filmed performances of these passionate artists be experienced by many more people.”
NExT Artists have participated in a 9 month mentorship program which included 1-on-1 mentorship sessions with our roster of professional artists and creatives, attended professional development workshops and networking opportunities, as well as received funding to create new work that is now being exhibited to the general public.
2021-2022 NExT Artists:
Chawntay Barrett, Glowz, Jadyn “machiinegunfunkk” Hardie-Bardy, Janine Ilya, Jasmine Vanstone, Kanisha Dabreo, Mennen, Myles Isley, Prince, Shahaddah Jack, Tristan Sauer
2021-2022 NExT Mentors:
Akua Delfish, Anique Jordan, Anthony Gebrehiwot, Britta B, Darkie, Darren Anthony, Desiree Mckenzie, Kofi Frempong, Nayo Sasaki-Picou, Rich Kidd, Yemina Salome
VIBE Arts’ NExT Program is made possible by TD Bank.
NExT: The Future of Art Exhibition 3.0 is made possible with support from AIR MILES and Entro.