Art gallery hosts support program despite being temporarily closed 

The Art Gallery of Windsor is putting its programming online. 

This year, the AGW will be hosting multiple events online.  One of them being Thrive: A Drop-In Arts Programming for Youth which is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.  

According to the AGW website, the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded $108 million to 629 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario. 

Thrive kicked off at the beginning of 2021 and is held twice a month. 

Derrick Biso, the host, said the program aims to offer young people, particularly 2S-LGBTQQIA+ youth and their allies, a welcoming and respectful place to meet, learn and grow through art and culture.  

They said the two sessions held so far have been successful. 

“It’s been really good. We seem to enjoy our company amongst each other, so we’re just rolling with it as it goes,” said Biso.

The meetings are held on a popular group-chatting app called Discord. Once there, they engage in art-based activities and explore art works in the Art Gallery’s permanent collection, as well as socialize and chat with each other. 

The activities so far include being involved in diverse types of drawing exercises that help the participants relax and not take themselves too seriously. 

Abbey-Lee Hallet, the audience engagement coordinator at the AGW, said the program was particularly important. 

 “I think just having that early access to programming that affirms identity… is so wonderful,” she said. 

The requirements to attend are a good internet connection, the Discord app, a working microphone and camera. 

It will be held every Tuesday and is expected to continue toll the summer in August. To attend or join the Discord group, go to the Art gallery of Windsor website at www.agw.ca/event/1771.