- No products in the cart.
My recent installation titled "Queens and Kings - ReConnected STC" displayed as part of this years Nuit Blanche art exhibition displayed at the Scarborough Town Centre (STC), has received so much positive feedback that discussions and consideration on potentially making this exhibit a permanent feature within STC, has been circulating.
This blog has been created to showcase the wonderful comments I have received thus far, as well as, allow those of you who have seen the exhibit, to share your overall experience at the Nuit Blanche event as well share your comments and thoughts on having my art exhibit a permanent fixture within STC.
All of the positive comments supporting this initiative will be provided to those capable of making this happen so please leave a comment and share this post with others who may have seen the exhibit and shared their experience with you.
Below are a few of the comments that have been received thus far:
Scarborough Town Centre was delighted to host Mark Stoddart’s ‘ReConnectedSTC’ installation as a contributor to the 2019 Nuit Blanche exhibit and beyond. The diversity, accomplishment and societal contribution that Mark presents in his work evokes a sense of pride and inclusivity and we were privileged to participate in shining a light on the multicultural mosaic that Scarborough represents. - Lisa Resnic Marketing Manager
Gorgeous representations of the people who make up Scarborough today, and told the town center they should become permanent. Freeman added he was “gobsmacked by Stoddart’s beautiful, well-researched vision that celebrates Scarborough heroes,” which also incorporates Scarborough Mirror articles into the artwork on the pedestrian bridge between the town center and the Scarborough Centre Rapid Transit station. - Barry Freeman, chair of the University of Toronto Scarborough’s department of arts, culture, and media.
There were stories and photos our reporters and photographers brought to light, focusing on the issues affecting our community and the people who call it home. I'll admit this brought tears to my eyes; tears of joy, and gratitude, that our work was acknowledged with such thoughtful and creative expression. - Georgia Balogiannis is Editor-in-Chief for Metroland Media Toronto.
Magical moments are what make special memories. Having seen this exhibit with my photo alongside so many great community contributors was an everlasting memory that my family and I proudly shared. I thank Mark for recognizing the efforts of so many individuals in Scarborough and praise him for his great artistic work !!!! Mark, you rock. - Sam Moncada (SBA Scarborough Basketball )
I am so honoured and grateful to @mstoddart68 for featuring me in this dope exhibit paying homage to Scarborough royalty- his artwork is a major and anticipated part of this years #Reconnected #nuitblanche. During my undergrad at UTSC (UofT Scarborough) I gave 5 years to the Scarborough community - mainly through using arts and political education to community build and create a radical activist culture before I co-founded a Black Liberation movement in Toronto. Seeing my face in the entrance of STC is not only surreal but a full circle from all of the work that has been done over the years! Allah bless, thank you to everyone who has showed love and continue to hold me up! More movements to come inshallah. Thank you Mark for seeing me, honouring my heart work and giving me the platform to tell my story amidst the weaponized attacks of white supremacy and misogynoir that attempted to silence and discredit my voice and our truth! Seeing my face honoured in public this way when it was used against me when I shut it down for Black ppl truly is a documentation I honour and hold high and close to me🙏🏾this archive of memory is so powerful thank you 🙏🏾 - Yusra Khogali
Mark, you are truly an inspiration! Watching you evolve over the years is truly amazing. Your display of art has definitely blessed Scarborough and the gta. Keep shining and giving us the beautiful art that you do! Your creativity is outstanding…
Thank you for shinning a light of positivity on Scarborough Mark! Your exhibit was not only creative, more importantly it started a conversation with the audience You brought the community together in conversation with your creation, of celebrating the local faces with a sense of pride, exerts of the Scarborough Mirror took me down memory lane, another creative aspect of your exhibit. I truly hope STC keeps your artistic representation of Scarborough permanently on display for all to enjoy. It’s an awesome conversation piece and a wonderful way to celebrate Scarborough
Staring back at you is power, pride, beauty, defiance and love. Love for a part of Toronto that is not often the object of favorable attention but there it is in all its “ Marktastic” glory! Mark Stoddard ‘s panel art installation is both engaging and challenging. The imposing black and silver panels featuring Scarborough heroes front and center pulls in anyone who comes across the work compelling viewers to revel in excellence through meticulously arranged typeset. The challenging part? Try leaving the installation without feeling a deep sense of respect for the borough and the artist…impossible.
Scarborough. For some, the name immediately elicits a plethora of negative connotations. For others such as myself, the name elicits memories so wonderful, no news story could ever tarnish.
On October 5, 2019 I experienced my first Nuit Blanche. In Scarborough. At Scarborough Town Centre. I went there to support Mark Stoddart’s ReConnected STC project. I was in awe of the images of the Queens and Kings of Scarborough imposed on the windows of the same TTC walkway in the mall that I often frequented as a teenager. Having been born and raised in Scarborough, I couldn’t help but feel enveloped by a sense of pride. The juxtaposition of the images and clippings from The Scarborough Mirror was and is brilliant.
My first question was, “Is this going to stay up permanently?”, to which Mark replied, “I hope so”. Well, I second that. I hope so because in a time wso many youth are misguided, having them see powerful and positive representations of people who came from the same place, with similar experiences, is everything. It makes the feeling of hope more tangible and absolute. I hope so, because it will serve as a means to connect; to the past, to the present, and to the future. I hope so for the simple reason that it is a great representation of what Scarborough represents; diversity, rich culture, copious amounts of talent, strength, unity, community, unwavering pride, and so much more. What better place for this to remain than in Scarborough, at STC!!!!!