Trailblazer Award Winner: Jocelyn Zin
Mend the Gap
Mend the Gap campaign aims to improve community engagement and decision-making among residents of Jane and Finch. This strategy encourages residents to actively participate in shaping their neighbourhood, with planners providing ideas and support. Through tear-off flyers, residents are invited to workshops and planning sessions, promoting involvement in development decisions. This collaborative effort aims to ensure neighbourhood infrastructure meets residents' needs, enhancing functionality, aesthetics and community identity.
In the Family of Things: A Trailer for 'Wild Geese' by Mary Oliver
The project aimed to create an engaging book trailer for Mary Oliver’s 'Dream Work', emphasizing central themes in the poem 'Wild Geese'. This was brought to life by blending digital and traditional animation with video and Procreate for initial sequences and enhancing frames with hand-painted acrylic and gouache. Nostalgic video footage, diverse voiceovers and ambient sounds from the Free Sound Project library were included to enrich the multimedia experience. These elements underscore the poem’s universal themes and invite viewers to connect deeply with the natural world, promoting mindfulness and emotional resonance.
Educator support: David Gelb
Thingyan Festival Abstract Poster
The poster aimed to evoke the theme of 'cleanse’ and attract Toronto residents to the festival, fostering interest in Burmese culture. These objectives were achieved by creating an abstract design that invites viewers to decipher its meaning. Fluid custom type mimics the cleansing qualities of water, a key component of Thingyan festivities. Textures from paint experiments with linoleum printing rollers add depth. Water-like outlines spell out the Burmese word for Thingyan (သင်္ကြန်), creating an element of mystery. This design lures the audience, encourages curiosity and incentivizes attendance, increasing public interest in Burmese culture.
Educator support: Zab Hobart, Trevor Campbell
