Turtle House participants build connections through clay at the Gardiner
For the past few Monday nights, as the rest of the Museum begins to quiet down, a hum of activity builds in our Community Clay Studio as people trickle in and start working with clay—hand building, glazing, and painting away.
The participants are a diverse group, ranging from students to seniors, professional artists to first time clay-makers, all of whom are connected by one thing: their shared status as newcomers to Toronto from refugee backgrounds.
They’re together at the Gardiner with Turtle House Art/Play Centre, an arts-based organization that offers a variety of programming to newcomer children and families from regions of conflict, providing them with fun and relaxing ways to express themselves as they settle into their new homes.
On the last evening of Turtle House’s nine-week clay program at the Gardiner, the Community Clay Studio is brimming with activity as everyone puts the finishing touches on their artworks.
One of the participants, Karina, is expertly glazing a round vase.
“I love working with my hands and the feeling of having clay and being connected with art,” she says. Karina has a background in ceramic art, and signed up for the program in hopes of connecting with the artistic community in Toronto.
“I love to be with other artists and the support of this program—having a place to do art here is important to me.”
On the other side of the studio, another participant, Omar, is painting a sculpture that has just come out of the kiln. He’s also an experienced artist, having graduated from a painting program at a university, and like Karina, he values the opportunity to connect with the local community.
“It’s a good chance for me, as a newcomer, to meet people. I feel like we are a creative family making art together,” he says.
Tamam McCallum, the Executive Director at Turtle House, stresses that the goal of Turtle House’s programs isn’t to offer art therapy, but rather to provide a recreational time for newcomers to socialize, make connections, and work on art together.
Carine, a college student who’s graduating later this year, is especially grateful for the chance to get creative without the stress of school.
“I’m studying graphic design, and I just love art in general. I’ve always wanted to try ceramics, so when I heard about this [program], I came,” she explains.
“I like not having to worry about grades—it’s not work…I love having a few hours to relax and create.”
The studio is filled with excited energy as the participants wrap up what they’ve been working on for the past nine weeks, sharing a snack, conversation, and laughs in the process.
“I think art crosses all kinds of boundaries—all barriers, languages, and other things,” says Tamam as she watches over the hustle and bustle of the studio.
“It connects people.”