Well we are trying to get a good start this year so we have posted a Call to Artists on our web site.  We are looking for Performance based groups and Installation/sculpture artists for the street.  This year’s festival is September 8 to 12, 2010.  I know, I know, it’s only January but if you remember how warm it was last year it might help you through our winter.  We will be getting to the visual artists and bands in a while and the vendors will be early Spring.  If you have anything you wish to contribute in any way contact us.  More news to come so stay connected. mm

Come to the Junction Forum for Art and Culture’s Annual General Meeting:

October 1, 2009
7 – 8 pm
Corner of Dundas & Pacific Aves
Train Station platform

We will be accepting applications from interested people to join the board of directors. A sign up sheet will be available at the AGM, however, it is a competitive application process and we currently have a limited amount of vacancies.

The Junction Forum for Art and Culture (JFAC) is an incorporated, non-profit organization whose main project is the development and presentation of the annual Junction Arts Festival.  The JFAC Board is made up of cultural producers, artists, residents, business owners and politicians all of whom are connected in some way to the Junction.

JFAC is supported by the Toronto Arts Council, the Department of Canadian Heritage and private sponsors.

www.jfac.org
www.junctionartsfest.com

Contrary to what the media would lead you to believe, not everyone in Toronto went to the TIFF this weekend.  We leave estimating numbers of attendees to the festival up to the media.  Last year the media stated that 200,000 people attended.  So with what was seen at this year’s festival, by those that attended and not by Eye weekly web reports, this year’s numbers would be way up regardless.  As Carmen Victor so succinctly put it, “ The street was impenetrable at many times!!!”  I think that pretty much sums it up.  Iif anyone asks us how many people were there in 2009 my reply is going to be a borrowed quote and ” way more than last year.” And I’ll leave the rest to the media.  M.M.

Well, there goes another one and what  a week that was!  First of all, it was probably the nicest summer weekend we’ve had all year, weather wise.   The crowds were all in very good spirits and that really contributed to the amazing vibe.  At night the festival was very well attended and so it should have been.  The music generated each night at the main stage was as good as you would hear anywhere.  The bands were awesome and so was the sound provided by our great  crew.  We finished all of the beer and everyone behaved.  Congratulations to all of our musicians and crew.

The festival during the day was blessed by great crowds, very talented musicians, dancers and our comedy troupes, great weather, lots of artist vendors and involvement from most of the businesses – which I felt really added a new flavor to the street.

There was lots of art to choose from both outdoors and indoors, at the Academy of Realist Art and in the various booths set up.   Everyone had their own favorites and the judges chose three from the Juried Art Exhibit, the winners were announced on opening night and presented with awards from the Academy, Picture it Framed and Latitude 44. We had our first Sculpture Garden at Mavety Street with three very cool pieces and I hope this is the beginning of something more for the future.   We believe it is time to create a designated area for all our outdoor visual arts.

There’s so much to talk about and to digest for next year.

A very warm and grateful thank you to all our volunteers for making the festival run so well.   We really could not have done it without them.  From what I understand, most of them if not all came from the community and proved that they are the best group of volunteers any festival could hope to have.

There will be more words later, now we sleep. M.M.

The big band sounds were flowing;  As was the beer and wine.  The oysters were amazing   The streets were busy with well dressed people.  Some of the Red Hot Art Spots were packed.  The Juried Art Exhibit was more than packed and the work was some of the best yet.  The speeches, by Mayor David Miller, Councillor Bill Saundercook, MPP Cheri Di Novo, Police Inspector David Saunders and a rep from Gerard Kennedy’s office, were short and enthusiastically received.  Even my speech kept people awake (so I was told)

The Juried Art Exhibit winners were announced but if you weren’t there,  you’ll have to wait until the press release for that information.

The Starlight Orchestra filled the star filled night with great music and we wished could have had a dance floor.   Generally a good time was had by all.  The week is going to rev up a notch or two tomorrow night with Spider Jones and Paul James and so much more.

We have the best volunteers. What more can be said !?

Oh yeah, 09/09/09 doesn’t happen for another 1001 years.  Now to sleep. M.M.

A very unfortunate mistake was made in our haste to get the Festival Program guide out in time.  Somehow Robert Hilts’ name did not end up on our board list in the program. Now, errors occur all the time and things get missed but in this case it is most unfortunate in view of what Mr. Hilts has brought to the Festival this year.  Robert’s new energy at JFAC has been one of the main motivators in keeping us moving forward. People who know him understand his great energy and insights into the art world.  He has been very important in bridging issues that come up and how tirelessly he has focused that energy on helping to make this year one of our best. I feel very bad about this and I hope that this posting makes everyone aware of his importance to the board, to the festival and to the neighborhood.

Other than that, we are all still very excited about the upcoming festival. Robert included.  We hope you can come out to the 5 day celebration.

Have a great Festival. M.M.