The field house at Leslie Grove Park will be the Artists’ Network’s third location in five years.
Housed on Queen Street East in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood for more than two decades, the organization’s most recent home was a bright, 1,500-square-foot gallery behind the Dark Horse café at 638 Queen St. E., west of Broadview Avenue, which it shared with the Riverside Business Improvement Area. However, Streetcar Developments, which owns the building’s at-grade commercial space, decided to move forward with other plans for the space and about a year ago let the two organizations know they’d have to vacate. Initially, move out day was set for June 1, but Streetcar offered the Artists’ Network, which until about five years ago was known as the Riverdale Artists Network, a reprieve after learning it was struggling to find a new home. Longtime supporter Coun. Paula Fletcher heard about the situation and this spring put forward a member’s motion at Toronto city council calling on the city to help the organization by identifying any underutilized city properties on or near Queen Street East that could be used by the Artists’ Network. Fletcher’s motion was adopted without amendments on Wednesday, May 15. She continued to help the Artists’ Network by introducing a motion to grant the organization a lease at 1158 Queen St. E. as well as funding for renovations at the new location. “I am committed to working with Ward 14 residents, business owners and community agencies to build vibrant, healthy and inclusive neighbourhoods,” she said in a Sept. 13 release. “The Artists’ Network has played an important role in the community for the past 20 years, organizing the annual Riverdale ArtWalk, a popular art show. This will enable the organization to remain in the East End and to continue providing critical support to artists.” Chair Kate Taylor said they couldn’t be more grateful for the all the help they received during this time of uncertainty.“We can now concentrate on delivering educational sessions and exhibition opportunities to our member artists and to the community.”
The organization also thanked Streetcar Developments for providing the group with a home for more than two years. https://www.toronto.com/news-story/9606453-artists-network-paints-a-new-story-in-leslieville/City Council approves the 2026 City Budget this week. Read my budget breakdown.
We considered luxury home tax rates, priority signalling for LRTs and streetcars, a maximum heat bylaw along with our next five-year climate plan and the Portlands Energy Centre.
Major items included snow clearing, Ontario Line truck safety, blue bin collection, removal of provincial tenant protections, zoning changes to allow for more residential retail and more.
