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VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3

June 2012

Message from Director of Power Plant Department:

The Power Plant continues to be grateful for your support and enthusiasm throughout the years. We have been indebted to the generosity of our volunteer team who, throughout this year alone, has given us more than 600 hours of their time! We are pleased to announce that our volunteer roster keeps growing, and we're really excited to work with all of you this year. We have an exciting summer ahead. The Power Plant's All Year, All Free 25th anniversary programming continues with two exciting exhibitions: a major group exhibition, curated by Curator & Head of Programs Melanie O'Brian. Tools for Conviviality explores individual and collective agency in contemporary art and life. It features ten artists from Toronto, Vancouver, Paris and Vienna that create and engage tools to affect change and reconsider social behaviour.

Front row L-R: Christy Thompson, Linda Chalmers, Robin Boyko Middle row L-R: Ed Kanerva, Ann Whittall, Gatane Verna (Director), Sarah Heim, Melanie OBrian, Tiffany Cox, Daniela Esposito Back row L-R: Jon Davies, Paul Zingrone, Garth Johnson

The multi-faceted Dissenting Histories: 25 Years of The Power Plant project continues this summer with more From the Archives presentations, a conversation between artist Vera Frenkel and curator Ihor Holubizky, and a new artist project by Toronto-based Dave Dyment that mines the gallery's archives. We look forward to seeing you at The Power Plant this summer. Your time is invaluable to us and helps make our exhibitions, opening receptions and special events so much more enjoyable. Gatane Verna, Director, Power Plant

Genevieves Update:
Every year, the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration grants the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards in order to [recognize] individual volunteers for continuous years of commitment and dedicated service to an organization. On June 20, Dorothy and I once again attended the awards ceremony to applaud the Harbourfront Centre volunteers whose contributions and commitment were acknowledged and celebrated. Congratulations to our six dedicated volunteers who received the award this year: Bobsie Ebbs, Lidia Jarmasz and Kitty Jones for five years of service, Carol Kehm for 10 years, and Barb McLeod and Pamela Neblett for an awesome 25 years! Please read their reactions to receiving this honour below.

From L-R: Pamela Neblett, Barb McLeod, Lidia Jarmasz, Bobsie Ebbs, Carol Kehm and Kitty Jones

What was your first thought when you found out you were receiving the Ontario Volunteer Service Award? Barb McLeod (25 years): How exciting! Only six people are allowed to represent an organization [each year] I was honoured to be one of the six people representing Harbourfront Centre. It's something to celebrate, a milestone, an achievement. Pamela Neblett (25 years): Oh my goodness! Another one! I am so in awe of receiving such a prestigious award. It means more to me than any degree. I am giving back to society. Ive given back more than 25 years of my life! Carol Kehm (10 years): I have always thought that Harbourfront Centre appreciates its volunteers. This award is provincial, so that makes it even nicer. Bobsie Ebbs (5 years): I was honoured and humbled. Lidia Jarmasz (5 years): I was surprised, shocked, and delighted. Kitty Jones (5 years): I was pleasantly surprised that I was being recognized as a volunteer in Ontario. I wasnt aware that the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration recognized volunteers; I thought such recognition was only done by the organization for which one volunteers. What a great gesture. Have a great summer! We look forward to working with you at the summer weekend festivals! Genevieve Peng Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteer Recognition Party April 27, 2012

Carol and Kelly welcoming the guests.

Above right: Jeronimo De Miguel, Assistant VP, Manulife Financial Corporation explaining Manulifes ongoing commitment to supporting volunteerism at HFC. William J. S. Boyle, CEO, Harbourfront Centre, expressing his appreciation for the volunteers contributions.

From top clockwise: Dragon Dance performance by Northern Legs and Southern Fists Martial Arts Club; Maria, Katie and Karen waiting for Mr. Lin-Seng Tseng and Ms. Betty Chan to write their names in Chinese characters. George Rodaro, Director, IT, getting his fortune told at the Fortune Telling Activity facilitated by Julia Yu.

From L-R: Sindy, Lydia, Rebecca and Sean, all dressed in red for the year of the Dragon. Jenny, Adrianna and Gloria admiring the Chinese translation of Jennys name beautifully written by Mr. Tseng.

From L-R: Ruth, Carissa, Anne (School Visits teacher), Julia Fielding (Head of Education), Margaret, Kurt and Cynthea

Karen accepts her custom print from Larry Lewis, who gave away his painting of a dragon as a lucky draw prize.

Joe Di Clemente, Director, Integrated Communications with Anne

The singing and dancing dishwashers: Janice, Angie and Pamela

HarbourKIDS

HarbourKIDS: Circus
Hello all you beautiful people! I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much for all your work on HarbourKIDS: The Toronto International Circus Festival. This was the tenth anniversary of this festival (the fifth year at Harbourfront Centre), and as you probably noticed, it was our biggest and best Circus festival yet. The weather was gorgeous, the kids were happy, the parents were happy, smiling faces everywhere and you played a huge role in that. Thank you for wrangling lineups, supervising strollers, tying ribbons on clown hats, tidying up LEGO, and for everything else that you did. See you in the fall for HarbourKIDS: Folk! Katherine Sanders, Coordinator, HarbourKIDS

Candice having fun at the balloon activity

Kristen demonstrating at Garden Jane

Lisa helping a little patron at LEGO

Valentina assisting at the craft activity

Lorena at Garden Jane

Lynn doing face painting

Lidia making buttons

Left: Teresita at Hula Hoops

Left: Tram at the hat activity

Myera at the buttons activity

Call for Volunteer Storytellers:

Miss Lous Room is celebrating its fifth anniversary this summer! Originally opened on July 26, 2007, the room celebrates the life, stories, and cultural impact of the Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverley affectionately called "Miss Lou" by friends, colleagues and admirers in her native Jamaica and around the globe. In honour of the occasion, we will be hosting a reception in Miss Lous Room during the Island Soul festival. It will also mark the beginning of a new phase of programming in Miss Lous Room that will deepen our engagement with families.

Pamela Neblett

This programming includes the continuation of our storytelling programme as well as the addition of art and drama activities centred on the telling of stories. We need volunteers to help us run the story telling and activity programmes. We will offer lots of training and support and it will be lots of fun, so please sign up. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Brittney Filek-Gibson at bfilekgibson@harbourfrontcentre.com

Forest of Reading Message from Geoffrey Taylor:

The support of volunteers is invaluable in all our programming, and this years Forest of Reading Festival of Trees, along with ALOUD: a Celebration of Young Readers, was no exception. On May 15 and 16, we welcomed more than 8,000 young readers to the Harbourfront Centre site for a variety of award ceremonies, workshops, and activities that celebrate our shared love of reading. More than 90 authors and illustrators were nominated as part of the festive event with awards going to 12 authors and illustrators in categories that encompass English and French languages, fiction and non-fiction, and age categories from kindergarten to grade 12. We received positive feedback from authors, teachers, and students alike, all of whom felt welcomed at Harbourfront Centre by you, our dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. We simply could not have hosted such a large, bustling, and successful event without your hard work and support. We hope youll continue joining us for future literary events, and we thank you for your tireless dedication. Geoffrey Taylor Director, Authors at Harbourfront Centre

Balloon Tent Fun:

If you were down at HarbourKIDS Circus, you know that the balloon tent was a favourite spot for both the public and the volunteers. The Balloon Genius, her husband, and two sons worked their magic for three busy, busy days. Lines were long, but moved quickly. Volunteers were kept busy and entertained. The Balloon Genius is a World Champion balloon artist. She has performed in Canada, the U.S., China and Europe. She comes back every year because she thinks HarbourKIDS Circus is one of the best events she has attended. It has lots to offer entire families. She loves HFC volunteers because they are so helpful with keeping lines organized, helping children think about what they would like the artists to make for them, and keeping the families moving efficiently. Volunteers loved working in the tent because it was so busy and the artists created a wonderful team spirit. - Lynn Allen
The Balloon Genius team

Show Your Colours!

Don't forget to wear your colour-coded volunteer button during each of your shifts this summer. These buttons, which were distributed at the volunteer recognition party, will allow more experienced volunteers to easily identify new volunteers, who may need guidance and support.

Volunteer Contributor

Volunteer Enthusiast

Volunteer Leader

Volunteer Contributor (new volunteer)

Volunteer Enthusiast (has contributed 60 hours or more)

Volunteer Leader (committee member)

Please make sure your name is legible, as the buttons will eventually replace the name tags that the volunteer office currently prints for each festival. If you did not receive a button, please ask the volunteer registration assistant for one. We have a limited number of buttons available.

Harbourfront Centre History: The Crafts Corridor Past, Present and Future
In October, 1972, the federal government acquired 86 acres of land between York Street and the National Yacht Club, just west of Bathurst Street. This is where Harbourfront Centre began. In 1974, specific attractions and activities were undertaken to draw people down to the site. One of these undertakings was craft demonstrations. Zuzana Badovinac, a textile artist, and her husband Roman Badovinac, a sculptor, were part of this craft initiative.

Zuzana Badovinac, above, and her husband Roman (left) at the Crafts Studio, 1974

Zuzana is with our Social Activities committee and she and her husband Roman often help with the dcor at our volunteer parties. Eventually the craft studios were moved inside to 235 Queens Quay West. The building now houses four studios: textile, glass blowing, jewellery, and pottery.

Starting July 1 and continuing until October 7, the Crafts Corridor will be undergoing another change. Volunteer Craft Animateurs will be available to help the public appreciate more fully the Artists in Residence programme that they are witnessing. The animateurs attended training sessions beginning May 31 to learn about the programme and the artists who work in the corridor. They were given some background about the various crafts and artists so that they may pass on this information to the public as they stroll down the corridor. The goal is to involve HFC visitors in a more meaningful way with what they see happening in the studios.
Front row, L-R: Adrianna, Helen, Ming and Larry Back row, L-R: Meichen, Melanie Egan (Head of Craft Department), John and Terry

Mark Your Calendars:

Expressions of Brazil July 6-8

SoundClash Festival July 13-15

Hot & Spicy Food Festival July 20-22

Classical IV: Strings July 27-29

Island Soul August 3-6

Planet IndigenUS August 10-19

TELUS TAIWANfest August 24-26

Ashkenaz Festival August 28- September 3

Volunteer E-Newsletter Sub-Committee: Lynn Allen, Coordinator/Writer; Lidia Jarmasz, Writer/Editor; Nida Haroon, Design/Layout; Tom Bilenkey, Coordinator, Photography Team; Dario Bernal and Genevieve Peng, Advisor/Editor. Photos courtesy of Tom Bilenkey, Ricky Yu, Reynaldo Garcia and Dario Bernal

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