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Leeay Aikawa

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For @onculturedays I’m doing a few exciting things with @townofoakville :)

One, there’s an illustrated scavenger hunt map that takes you around the city to explore a bunch of the public art! As you go around filling out the hunt, you collect stickers, which then get traded in for prizes. The more stickers you collect, the bigger the prize. This is to celebrate the towns’ online public art map launch. Pick up a map at a community centre in Oakville and get hunting 🏃🏻‍♀️

For me this project was:
1. Get familiar with a mostly unfamiliar map as a very directionally challenged person lol
2. Draw some fan art! Some of artists I know or know of, and some new names 🥰

This was so so so much fun to make, and if there’s anywhere else that needs a map like this or something like this please call me. Also putting it out there that I really want to make a stamp rally version.

#publicart #artscavengerhunt #illustration #printmaking #fanart

Sneaky peeky at some of the stickers. I won’t spoil them all for you, you gotta go find them yourself but I had a lot of thoughts doing this. Maybe a blog post when the event is over 😗

Two, Oct 3 Wandy and I will be in Oakville drawing each other and your dogs for Micah Lexier! Come find us!! Info on culture days site

Ink drawings that then got digitized and coloured before going on the map - names and stuff got changed from this version. I think the fire truck and the garbage truck are some of my fav drawings, even tho I’m not normally any good at drawing vehicles or mechanical things

Three. The online public art map launch inspired the illustrated scavenger hunt map, which then inspired this workshop coming up Sept 27, 12-2pm at Queen Elizabeth Park Cultural and Community Centre.

I made foam collagraphs of the towns community spaces, and variations of the artwork stickers, and printouts with all the artist names and titles and locations. Come pick your stamps, get a preview of the map and make a print of your fav oakville places and artworks!

It might give you a bit of a head start on the big scavenger hunt 😉

Look at all the artwork inspired stamps together! 😍

Also, FYI this list isn’t the complete public art list

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Last night, Simon Cole (@coopercole) joined us for our latest Open Studio, offering their expertise as a self taught and multifaceted arts professional to our #BEINGSCENE25 artists, Maneesa Veeravel (@witsandwounds), Bethany Carpenter, and Leeay Aikawa (@leeay)

Simon advised our artists on next steps for their artistic practice, whether it be how to push their work further or where they see our artists could take their work next.

We return with another edition of our Open Studio Series in a little over a week with Ignazio Colt Nicastro (@icnicastro), Toronto-based contemporary art curator, writer, and community builder, who joins us on Monday, August 17.

Get the unique opportunity to engage with our guest curator and participating #BEINGSCENE25 artists by coming to our gallery from 7-8 PM.

Monday, August 17, 2026
WA OFFSITE
32 Lisgar St, 2nd Floor (Room 12)
Toronto, ON

NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

To learn more, visit the link in our bio or go to workmanarts.com/events/open-studio-series/

#WorkmanArts #OpenStudioSeries #GuestCurator

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As part of #BEINGSCENE25, we dedicated a portion of the exhibition to 𝗜𝗰𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝘀

The 𝗜𝗰𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 has been created by Barbara Pascaluta in partnership with Toronto Community Housing @torontohousing (TCH) Revitalization Team and Workman Arts with the purpose to celebrate artists who use their art to overcome challenges.

It was inspired by the life and legacy of Ecaterina Pascaluta “Ica Pas” who was also a decades long TCH tenant, with the intent of uplifting and honoring artists by helping to utilize the power of their art to highlight and overcome injustices, challenges, and barriers.

Our 2026 Award Recipients are Leeay Aikawa @leeay and Michael Alemayehu @mickey__arts

𝘉𝘌𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘚𝘊𝘌𝘕𝘌 is now open through June 14, 2026.

🗓 May 7 – June 14, 2026
📍 Workman Arts OFFSITE Gallery,
32 Lisgar St, 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON
🕐 Gallery is open Wednesdays to Sundays, 1-6 PM

Learn more about the scholarship at workmanarts.com/partnerships/ica-pas-artist-scholarship/

#WorkmanArts #BEINGSCENE25 #IcaPas
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Images:
1—Collection of artworks by Ica Pas as part of the 25th Annual BEING SCENE Juried Exhibition. Photo by Henry Chan.
2—Leeay Aikawa @leeay , 𝘉𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶, 2024. Pine needles, found object, cotton thread. Image courtesy of the artist.
3—Michael Alemayehu @mickey__arts , 𝘔𝘦𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘭 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 2024. Coloured pencil on bristol paper. Photo by Henry Chan.

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When an artwork is created, it becomes an expression of an artist's inner world.

The artist considers how best to translate thought, emotion, memory, and experience into physical form.

Yet, there is no way to guarantee how art will be interpreted. Each of us approaches a work through a lens informed by our own perspectives and histories.

Acts of expression resist isolation by reminding us that understanding is not passive; it is something we practice. The practice is further enhanced when we do so in community.

Workman Arts (@workmanartsto) continues to support evolving our understanding of mental health and addiction by fostering opportunities for creation and presentation for artists with lived experience.

By supporting Workman Arts, you help empower uniquely talented artists while challenging and advancing evolving perspectives on mental health.

𝗧𝗢 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘

Please visit 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲/ or the link in our bio.

#MentalHealthMonth #WorkmanArts #BEINGSCENE25

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Our 2026 𝘉𝘌𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘚𝘊𝘌𝘕𝘌 Juried Exhibition is open this weekend during 𝗗𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼 @doors_opento , happening May 23 & 24

Visit our gallery space at 32 Lisgar St, Toronto (2nd Floor) from 1-6 PM, Saturday & Sunday

Add 32 Lisgar St on your #DOT26 itinerary and experience our gallery!

Learn more about 𝘉𝘌𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘚𝘊𝘌𝘕𝘌 at workmanarts.com/being-scene/

📸: @henry.chan.photo

#BEINGSCENE25 #WorkmanArts

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The #BEINGSCENE25 Juried Exhibition honors the legacy of Ica Pas @ica_pas through the awarding of the 𝗜𝗰𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

This award is dedicated to Ica Pas and all the other artists in Toronto Community Housing (TCH) @torontohousing buildings who may fight silent battles and use their art to overcome and make it through another day.

Our 2026 Award Recipients are Leeay Aikawa and Michael Alemayehu.

Workman Arts celebrates 𝟮𝟱 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 of 𝘉𝘌𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘚𝘊𝘌𝘕𝘌, opening this Thursday, May 7 and running through June 14, 2026.

🗓 May 7 – June 14, 2026
🎉 Opening Reception: Thursday, May 7, 6pm–8pm
📍 Workman Arts OFFSITE Gallery,
32 Lisgar St, 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON

Learn more about the exhibition at workmanarts.com/being-scene/

#BEINGSCENE25 #WorkmanArts
—
Images:
1—Leeay Aikawa @leeay , 𝘉𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶, 2024. Pine needles, found object, cotton thread. Image courtesy of the artist.
2—Michael Alemayehu @mickey__arts , 𝘔𝘦𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘭 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 2024. Coloured pencil on bristol paper. Image courtesy of the artist.

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Always a student, never a master.
"The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. I try to take classes with fellow yoga instructors and I maintain a connection with my Hatha teacher from my Yoga teacher training. For me, it is important to be reminded what it feels like to attend a yoga class and as a bonus, I might learn something I can include in my classes. This keeps my own practice fresh and tune to my present needs." Amyris (@yogawithamyris )

Join Amyris for Gentle Hatha on Tuesdays at 11 am to find something new to learn together.

#gentlehathayogaclass #gentlehathayoga #gentlehatha #yogatoronto #torontoyoga

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"Shed the “winter coat” from body & mind 🌿
Spring is Kapha dominant season (March–June), when we can feel heavy, sluggish, and stagnant. Let’s move, breathe, and awaken energy for the season ahead!" Leeay Aikawa

Join Leeay at her regular classes or try her new classes:
Hatha Yoga — Thurs 8:15 am
Creative & Intuitive Flow — Sat 11:45 am

#creativeflowyogaclass #creativeflowyoga #hathayogaclass #yogatoronto #torontoyoga

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We're very excited to announce a new type of yoga class to the schedule, starting this Saturday!
Leeay's new Creative and Intuitive Flow class introduces you to an intuitive, fearless and fluid style of yoga that emphasizes synchronous breath and creative transitions. These, together with a slightly swifter rhythm of movement than other classes, transform the practice into a playful moving meditation.
Familiarity with Sun Salutations is recommended for this class, and because of the pacing, it would be less suitable for beginners.
We hope you can join Leeay this Saturday. Book at our website:
https://www.yogagrove.ca/class-schedule.html

#yoganewclass #newyogaclass #creativeflowyoga #yogatoronto #torontoyoga

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Meet Leeay! She is an artist and yoga teacher based in T’karonto/Toronto, originally from Japan. For her, yoga is a means to ‘be’ in her body and ‘know’ her spontaneous being from within.
By being in touch with nature, seasonal sequences, and regularly practicing yoga, she constantly attempts to mobilize elemental creative forces and direct the contents from (un)conscious to express itself. Experiencing the release of physical, emotional, and mental tensions, which is healing. In her classes, she gives clear cues followed by gentle hands-on adjustment.

Leeay teaches Hatha, Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga. Also, she will share the teaching of Yoga & Mindfulness for Parents & Kids with Maggie Duan starting Saturday February 7.
Check our schedule on our website to book with her.
https://www.yogagrove.ca/class-schedule.html

#hathayogateacher #vinyasayogateacher #ashtangayogateacher
#YogaInstructor #inpersonyoga #inpersonyogaclasses #onlineyoga #onlineyogaclass #yogatoronto #torontoyoga

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Discover the Joy of Yoga Together! Join Maggie and Leeay for a dynamic yoga experience tailored for both parents and adolescents. Whether you're stretching out together or sending the kids solo, our classes offer a perfect blend of movement and mindfulness to energize and relax. Each session is designed to meet you at your level, ensuring fun for everyone involved.
Plus, enjoy a 10% discount on kids' passes with the promo code YOUTH_DISCOUNT. Breathe, stretch, and grow with us! Book your spot at our website:
https://www.yogagrove.ca/class-schedule.html

#FamilyYoga #yogaforkids #inpersonyoga #onlineyogaclasses #MindfulnessForAll #yogatoronto #torontoyoga #torontoyogacommunity

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｡(✿‿✿)｡ 𝒢𝒶𝓇𝒹𝑒𝓃 𝒱𝒶𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓉𝓎 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟧╰(◡‿◡✿╰)

Site-responsive installations by:
@leeay
@danansthumbs
@buomhof
@dliddington
@moonseesyou
@j_aime

Exotica exhibition and screening by:
@faith.alexandra.marie
@kiwithestripper

Exhibition documentation by:
@cleacg
@lfdocumentation

Bartending by:
@ mom
@frankieprice.tattoo
@stazzzyyyyy
@christinaprettti
@e.mcwire

Volume VII hosted by:
@toptop.projects
@treverferever
@cchdean

All the help in the world by @cody_rawlinson

Thank you everyone who came and supported!

Garden Variety Forever 💚

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