We’re kicking off the JAYU Festival of the Arts (JFA) with a night dedicated to uplifting young artists across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) who use their craft to share their unique stories and perspectives. Rooted in human rights, social justice, and equity, we invite you to our Opening Reception to experience the transformative impact of art.

This year’s reception proudly features the JAYU Annual Juried Exhibition — an exhibition highlighting the work of iAM alumni and youth artists who’ve grown with us over the years. Through their art, they share powerful reflections on identity, resilience, and the world around them.

The evening will also include a panel discussion with featured artists, offering a deeper look into their stories, creative processes, and the journeys that shaped their work.

Come connect, celebrate, and be inspired as we open the festival with a night that captures the heart of JAYU.

FEATURED ARTISTS

Daria Khosravi
Emilya Guerrero
Eugene Woo
Nancy Correia
Parastoo Haddadi
Pushpa Saha
Vishwa Patel

MODERATORATED BY

Noor Khan
Noor Khan is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and producer with an MFA in Community Arts and BA in Community Development whose research-driven practice examines how human-made systems shape cultural and social life. Noor has been artist in residence at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (North Adams, MA), the Doris McCarthy Gallery (Toronto, ON), Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (Toronto, ON) and a fellow at Cranbrook Academy of Art (Detroit, MI). Their work has been supported by major arts councils.

AGENDA

Doors Open 6:30pm
Panel Discussion 8:00pm
Event Concludes 9:00pm

JAYU is committed to hosting an inclusive and accessible event for everyone. When registering, please mention if you require any accommodations or have any dietary allergies that can impact your time in our space. Light refreshments will be available.

This event comes to life thanks to the incredible support of our partners and funders! Thank you to the Government of Canada through Canadian Heritage’s Canadian Arts Presentation Fund and the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program Events Stream for supporting JAYU’s Annual Festival of the Arts.

This exhibition is also made possible with support from the Canada Council for the Arts, our iAM Core Lead Sponsor TD Bank, and partners including RBC, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, Co-operators, Canada Life, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Toronto, and St. George’s Society of Toronto. Huge thanks to all our supporters for helping us bring art, creativity, and community together!

About JAYU

JAYU is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of equity-deserving youth (ages 16-30) from the GTA. Through both year-round and festival programming, we support and elevate young, emerging artists by offering them professional development opportunities and platforms to showcase their work.

About JAYU Festival of the Arts (JFA)

JAYU Festival of the Arts (JFA) is a five-day celebration of creative expression informed by human rights, equity and social justice. Youth-produced and youth-led, creatives from across the GTA share their art with community and ignite meaningful conversations.

Contact the host of JAYU Festival of the Arts: Opening Reception

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