July 17: Corridor Connections - Artist Sean Martindale Engages With Community to Envision the Future of the Pan Am Path

TORONTO, July 13, 2015 /CNW/ - On Friday July 17, join Toronto artist Sean Martindale, the No.9 Contemporary Art and the Environment, and Centennial College for the unveiling of an important community mural that examines the use of the Scarborough Hydro Corridor's sprawling grasslands as a local attraction.

Martindale mentored students at Centennial College and Wexford Collegiate's School for the Arts, through a series of workshops to develop the permanent wall installation at Centennial College's Ashtonbee Campus. The project embodies what can happen when local residents come together to create art that is meaningful, giving the community a sense of ownership and engagement. The artwork looks at the meaning of the word "corridor" as a "connector," in this case of people and communities.

"The Corridor Connections Wall Art Installation, or "Between the Lines", both literally and figuratively reflect its environment," says Martindale. "Through wordplay, and a unique use of the three-dimensional space and materials, the piece encourages closer inspection, and multiple interpretations from different perspectives."

Sean Martindale is an internationally recognized interdisciplinary artist and designer. His interventions activate public and semi-public spaces, exploring the connection between art and the environment and encouraging engagement, often focused on ecological and social issues.

WHEN:	Friday July 17, 2015: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Rain or Shine
WHERE:	Centennial College's Ashtonbee Campus, Scarborough 75 Ashtonbee Rd., Toronto ON, M1L 4C9 Link to: https://www.facebook.com/events/1437861879858048/

ABOUT No.9 Contemporary Art and the Environment:

No.9 Contemporary Art and the Environment uses art and design to raise awareness of environmental concerns, delivering programs that encourage the use of creative thinking to resolve environmental issues and promote a sustainable lifestyle. Centennial College is Ontario's first community college, established in 1966, primarily serving the eastern portion of the Greater Toronto Area through four campuses and seven satellite locations.

BACKGROUND: About The Pan Am Path & Art Relay

The vision of the Pan Am Path is to combine the power of art and sport to create a living path across Toronto. From May 16 to August 15, 2015, the Pan Am Path will come alive with a city-wide Art Relay of installations and events. Each week, the festival travels across Toronto celebrating some of the city's greatest assets: diversity, nature, arts and active outdoor living.

The Pan Am Path was started by a group of Toronto artists and city-builders in collaboration with the City of Toronto. On July 18, 2013, Toronto City Council endorsed the Pan Am Path as a Host City Showcase Program of the Games. The Pan Am Path is an 80-kilometre continuous trail for walking, running, cycling and wheeling that connects the city from east to west. Legacy construction to improve and create new connections along the Pan Am Path will continue through 2017.

The Pan Am Path App is a wayfinding mobile app that matches your geographic location on the Path to music that is rooted within that community via 4 local music-streaming stations. Other Features include: a full map of the path, directions to nearby local businesses and a calendar of Pan Am Path Art Relay programming.

Friends of the Pan Am Path is the main organizer of the Pan Am Path Art Relay, motivated by the chance to celebrate the best of the region: art, nature and diversity -- while also creating a meaningful legacy of the 2015 Games for residents.

The Pan Am Path Art Relay is proudly supported by the City of Toronto, Toronto Foundation, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Toronto Star, Toronto Arts Council, Trans Canada Trail, Canadian Heritage, Toronto Pearson, United Way Toronto, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Laidlaw Foundation, Lotus Leaf, & Westbury National.

For the full Pan Am Art Relay event calendar map, app and participating organizations, please visit: http://www.panampath.org.

NEXT-UP IN THE RELAY: July 25 - J'Ouvert Performance and Carnival on the Pathway - Thomson Memorial Park

See a parade and performance of Pan American dance and music led by Ballet Creole. Ballet Creole collaborates with Samba Squad and members of the Ontario Steelpan Association to provide live musical accompaniment for the parade. To get involved, contact [phone] or [email protected]. Performance starts at 2 p.m. in Thomson Memorial Park. Rain date: July 26.

SOURCE Friends of the Pan Am Path

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Chrysanthou, [phone], [email protected]; Julia Che, [phone], [email protected]