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Kensington Market & Heritage Designation featured in CBC post & I’m interviewed!

Max & Son: the original sign

The CBC has a great feature on new developments as to the Kensington Market Heritage Designation. In a really surprising show of unanimity, Toronto City Council voted 39-1 for a by-law halting demolition on ‘some’ commercial and mixed-use buildings in Kensington Market for one year. In spring 2016, the City commissioned a three year study, The Kensington Market Heritage Conservation District (HCD). From published reports to date, the goal is to develop a policy framework that can safeguard the neighbourhood’s important cultural heritage given the push to replace old low rise buildings with new mid- and high-rise condos.

Councillor JoeCressy, Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina, who brought the motion forward, is quoted: “So we’ve put in place the one year demolition freeze, which gives us that protection as we finalize and implement new heritage policies”

Local historian and long-time resident, Bruce Beaton, is also quoted:

“We’re not against change. That certainly is important to say,” Beaton said.

“People who live here realize historically that the place has always been changing,” says Beaton. “But a large scale change that might happen, say a large condo development, would change the environment here.”

And, I’m in here too!

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Kensington Market: Hidden Histories in Science Rendezvous 2018

This Saturday May 12, 2018, I will be showcasing Kensington Market: Hidden Histories in The SciArt Gallery, a feature exhibition in Sidney Smith Hall, UToronto, St. George St. entrance.

Looking forward to sharing our fantastic S.T.E.A.M. project, augmented reality app and interactive maps, with student scientists, future students and the curious. Stop by if you’re in the area! 11 am to 4 pm.

You can download the app on iTunes and Google Play. And because we are SO CLOSE to Kensington Market, you could walk to the Market to experience on the AR app on site.

The AR app & maps were created for CDN355 Digital Tools, Canadian Studies Program, University College, University of Toronto and information on the course is here.

Description of Science Rendezvous’ 2018 theme from the website:

“For 2018, the unifying theme of SR is “Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead!” and emphasis will be put on the Art that appears in all disciplines of S.T.E.M. From the vibrant shapes and colours of diverse living organisms, to the graceful designs of aerodynamic vehicles, and the stars and planets that paint our night sky, 2018 will see the inauguration of the SciArt Gallery. The SciArt Gallery will host artists from the Toronto area whom have been inspired by S.T.E.M. to create different forms of art. Here, artists will be encouraged to engage attendants in discussion about their work and what aspect(s) of science inspired them to start creating.”

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Heritage Award for Kensington Market: Hidden Histories Students!

Student researchers for Kensington Market: Hidden Histories augmented reality app recognized with Lieutenant Governer’s Youth Achievement Ontario Heritage Award

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Canadian Studies students received a Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Youth Achievement, presented by the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (second from right) and Harvey McCue, Chair of the Ontario Heritage Trust (far right).(Ian Crysler, courtesy of the Ontario Heritage Trust)

My UoT students received the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Youth Achievement from the Ontario Heritage Trust 2017!

I was absolutely delighted & honoured to attend the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award Ceremony at Queen’s Park, Feb. 23, 2017, where students from my Canadian Studies course were given the award by Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell and Ontario Heritage Trust chair Harvey McCue.

The story is now featured on the UoT Faculty of Arts & Science homepage. A few excerpts from Sean Bettam’s article:

“The Kensington Market: Hidden Histories app, which guides users through a dynamic tour of 12 locations in Toronto’s historic Kensington Market and brings to life the layers of stories embedded in the area, was made possible by students in University College’s Digital Tools in a Canadian Context course. A companion online interactive map archives histories of a total of 32 locations.”

“Receiving this award felt like it wasn’t just recognizing us students, but also the sites and locations in Kensington Market featured in our project,” said fourth-year student Arabhi Ratnajothy. “It is a reminder that so much of this city was built by immigrants who engrained themselves and their stories into the paths walked by today’s generations. We move towards the future by remembering the past.”

“Being selected for this award is such a terrific boost and affirmation for each of the students,” said course instructor Siobhan O’Flynn. “Having the opportunity to work on a project, be engaged in original research and contribute to the safeguarding of our city’s intangible cultural heritage as undergraduates is remarkable.”

“Throughout my years in the Canadian Studies program, I was always impressed by the fascinating research projects we were able to take part in with some amazing professors,” said recent graduate Nicole Paroyan. “I am so glad that a project spearheaded by Professor O’Flynn was recognized this way. None of this would have been possible without her.”

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Intangible Cultural Heritage Panel

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I was honoured to be invited to participate in the Ontario Heritage Trust, Intangible Cultural Heritage Day. Here on a panel talking about Kensington Market: Hidden Histories AR mobile app:

Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Digital Age, Panel. Ontario Heritage Trust.

November 22, 2017, Wychwood Barns, Toronto

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Featured! Kensington Market: Hidden Histories

Feature news story on KM:hh AR app
Kensington Market: Hidden Histories featured on UoT Home page!

 

 

Great feature story by Peter Boisseau, on the main UoT page!

Excerpt: “An augmented reality app that guides users through a dynamic tour of key locations in Toronto’s historic Kensington Market is now available for free download – thanks to U of T students in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Students enrolled in University College’s ‘Digital Tools in a Canadian Context’ course used original research and archival documents to unearth generations of Kensington Market’s vibrant legacy and transform it into an interactive database.

“Kensington Market is a microcosm of factors that have contributed to Toronto’s richness as one of the world’s most multicultural city, and reveals how Canada has changed over time,” says course instructor Siobhan O’Flynn, a lecturer in Canadian studies.

This is the latest example of how U of T students and researchers are taking the classroom to the city – and in particular to Kensington Market – to learn more about Toronto’s vibrant culture. The neighbourhood has also served as a way to introduce international students to the city….”