STORY GARDEN
Story Garden: An evolving gallery show that invites visitors to create and share stories like we tend to a garden. The installation consists of watercolour and mixed media works. Collaboratively designed and created by Scarbrite Collective—Frannie Potts and Sylvie Stojanovski.
As with the seasons, the gallery will consist of four phases to bring your stories to bloom.
The Seedling : The beginning of your story — the moment everything starts. In the seedling room, take a marker and respond to the themes on the wall. Plant your story seed!
The Sprout of that Seed: What comes next? How does that seed grow? What does it look like? How is it nurtured? How does it end? Sprout your ideas by continuing your story or someone else’s on a leaf. Use a piece of double sided tape to attach your leaf wherever you’d like to see it grow.
The Bloom: Your story is almost complete! Unclip a flower from the wall. In the centre of your flower, write or draw the theme of your story seed. On the petals, expand on elements from the sprout stage to complete your story.
The Sharing: Bring your bloom to the world! share the elements of your story in a performance for all to see, or maybe just a select few. Up to you!
This project was produced by Community Arts Guild and was created In partnership with Scarbrite, with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Scarborough Arts and Native Child and Family Services.
Story Garden is a community-engaged theatre project that focuses on the power of shared storytelling while considering:
What are the stories we want to preserve and pass on?
How can we re-imagine old tales?
What new legends do we want to create?
What stories do we need to hear right now?
This project explores stories both as theme and form, focusing on narrative and text-based community-engaged theatre. Through workshops, storytelling events, and performances, we bring together professional storytellers, playwrights, and community members to build storytelling skills, explore folktales and legends, and share personal experiences.
WHEN: Throughout May 2025 with facilitated sessions on May 14th, 18th, and 21st, as well as Doors Open Toronto on May 24th + 25th 2025
WHERE: Cedar Ridge Creative Drive - 225 Confederation Dr, Scarborough, ON, M1G 1B2
HOW MUCH: FREE
Approaches include:
Workshops with professional artists and community members
Storytelling events and performances in different neighbourhood spaces
Playwriting initiatives featuring community performers alongside professional actors
Playreading and storytelling gatherings