Five in Focus - Workman Arts Photography Exhibit (Toronto)

An installation of photography for Exposed 2012: Be.Here.Now – Part of Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival Launching on May 3, from 7 – 10 p.m., a collective of five Workman Arts photographers will present individual new works responding to the theme which the group will curate. 5 in Focus is part of Exposed 2012: Be.Here.Now, the Gladstone Hotel’s annual photography exhibition for Scotiabank’s CONTACT Photography Festival. The project is being facilitated by Workman Arts’ Visual Arts Manager Chris Mitchell, displayed in the Gladstone Gallery (1214 Queen West, second floor) from May 3 to May 29, 12 – 5 p.m. daily. Workman Arts photographers Mark Belvedere, Catherine Jones, Ralph Martin, Marta McKenzie and Annette Siep turn the lens on themselves to bring into view personal and unshielded aspects of self – physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual. Through self-conscious self-exposure, participating artists reveal their hidden insecurities and personal obsessions as they create a collaborative installation that aims to surge past stereotypes – exploring such questions as: Who and what defines a personal success or failure? What is mental health? When does a drive become an obsession and an obsession, an addiction? Opening Reception: May 3, 2012, 7-10 p.m. The Gladstone Hotel – 1214 Queen West, Second Floor www.workmanarts.com Workman Arts: Workman Arts is a proud partner of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Workman Arts (WA) facilitates aspiring, emerging and established artists with mental illness and addiction issues to develop and refine their art form through its arts training programs, public performance/exhibit opportunities and partnering with other art organizations. As well, WA promotes a greater public understanding of mental illness and addiction through the creation, presentation and discussion of artistic media. Among its many projects, WA produces the annual Rendezvous with Madness Film Festival and Being Scene Annual Juried Art Show. WA provides training programs in Theatre, Film, Visual Arts, Literary Arts and Music on a year round basis to its 250 member artists. The company regularly produces theatre productions that are presented locally, nationally and internationally. Productions include Edward the “Crazy Man” and “Third Eye Looming.” Celebrating 25 years, 5 in Focus is one of a series of Workman Arts programming taking place April 2012 – June 2013. Tweet