Donativo protegido
My Story
My name is Cathleen Calica, I’m the gallery director and curator of 187 Augusta. I’ve had the tremendous honour of creating, holding and preserving space for so many in the community these past three years. 187 has offered countless workshops, programs and events, engaging over 2000 community members and over 500 artists in the past 3 years.
I took ownership of 187 three years ago, opening 187 Augusta with the former collective members of Tayo Collective.
I dreamed of a place for creatives, artists to cultivate their work, find a place to belong and be celebrated especially IBPOC (Indigeneous, Black and People of Colour) & 2SLGBTQ+ folks to creativly express themselves and experience healing through art and community.
Before it was 187 Augusta, the gallery was a creative hub, another influential creative space for Queer Creatives formerly known as VideoFag. In 2016, I graduated from Kapisanan’s Clutch Arts Mentorship Program and co-founded an arts collective, the Tayo Collective. During that time I was looking for a space to do my very first art event called ‘Living in Technicolour’ to celebrate femmes of colour, giving them an opportunity to showcase their phenomenal creative work. This experience radically changed my perspective. I realized I was longing to establish a space for community, collaborate and create space for future community members and support each other by celebrating each other.
Since then I’ve seen first time performers play on bigger stages and book major gigs in the city and beyond, artists showcasing their work in prestigious galleries and events around the city, I’ve seen 187 packed full with cheering crowds, tears, laughs and stomps from dancing. I’ve seen people find their voices, find home, find healing and come together, here; even in the darkest times. I’m now reaching out to the community to get through these times and begin again.
Testimonials from the community!
Jazz @ 187- 2018
Convenience Curated by Belinda Kwan & Tak Pham
Photo by: Morris Lum
March 2017- During the construction of 187 Augusta
Former Collective: TAYO Collective - Martin Aquino, Rowell S, Alesha Aquino, Dinah Teston, Nina Escalente, Sean Kua, Pam Dungao, Paolo Dungao, Jessica Cheong, John Smith & Me. Mia: Dot Manuel, Theo
What does "Womxn" mean to you?
Living in Technicolour - December 12-16, 2016
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155035888251802&id=516176801
Recap of Living In Technicolour by Dinah Teston
About 187 Augusta
As the Gallery Director for 187 in these past 3 years, I’ve had to take on multiple roles, tasks and responsibilities throughout 187’s lifespan. I’m involved in the planning, development and coordination of these workshops and programs, offering direction and guidance to facilitators to ensure programs are delivered aligned with the mission, mandate and overall vision of 187 Augusta.
187 previously hosted grantwriting workshops by CUE and ArtReach, live shows by Jane Street Speaks and lives shows featuring JC3-A Jazz Music Group, Hanhan, Luna Li, Lost In Sound, Maylee Todd and Kyvita, M.I.Blu, Allie Moves, and Fly Lady Di. 187 has also hosted creative workshops for Art Starts, Girls Art League and workshops geared towards health and wellness and community care in collaboration with Akin Collective, play readings, community meets for POC folks, language lessons, pop-up markets for emerging entrepreneurs and solidarity actions for Black and Indigenous communities. I expanded the 187 community by building meaningful and lasting relationships with artists and artist collectives that continue to today.
I've made key decisions in terms of 187’s governance and organizational structure and managed and coordinated all programming. I established partnerships with various creative organizations, cultivated valuable and lasting relationships with local business owners and community members in Kensington Market and collaborated with other grassroots organizations (Tea Base, P40 Collective, The Black Artists Union, working in consultation with community leaders).
"Come as You Are" - Art Show by Tiana Smith, June 2019
Come As You Are - Tiana Smith, June 2019
Filipinx Gathering - Elder Talks, 2019
JC3 - Jazz@187, May 2017
BRUHA/BRUXA Market , October 2019
New Moon Circles in 187 Augusta, May 2017 - Feb 2020
Diasporasian Futures ShowCase
by Project 40
2019
Why Now?
The donations raised will aid me directly as emergency support in this dire situation, as mentioned it would cover the cost of my rent, and costs associated with 187. I would be able to continue my work as a creative and continue supporting fellow community members with the resources that I have.
I’m currently out of work due to the COVID crisis, my contract work and part-time jobs have been cancelled and all of 187’s event bookings/rentals were cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis--this was all anticipated income that would have been used to cover the cost of rent from April to June 2020. The government’s COVID-19 emergency relief plan and benefits are not sufficient for me to cover the cost of my rent and sustenance at this time. I find myself in the position of needing to crowd source the financial support necessary to continue sustaining my livelihood and survive.
Speaking My Truth
I identify as a queer filipina womxn. As a small business owner and newcomer, I have experienced barriers because of my positionality. I’ve experienced financial barriers accessing higher education to advance my career in the creative nonprofit sector, I’ve also experienced barriers accessing employment opportunities to provide for myself and support 187. My work experience as an entrepreneur with these intersections of identity (in addition to being underpaid) is often completely discounted or severely criticized by prospective employers, collaborators and folks in positions of power. When we opened 187 we made the choice to remain as a non profit organization and offer programming that was free, low cost or pay-what-you-can so that community members could access programming without financial barriers, there have been considerable obstacles in operating the space without consistent funding. Additionally, the cuts to arts and culture funding under the Conservative government has made less funding available for creators and grassroots collectives like 187. It has been a learning to balance and maintaining the demands of an active space, my wellness and livelihood. I'm proud of the work I've done with 187 and look forward to what the future holds.
THANK YOU FOR READING ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
Here's a secret-We're offering gifts for contributors and donors
You can sign-up here
Thank you to the offering gifts from our communities in the Toronto.
- Jen Maramba
- Adrienne Mak
- Barron Pan
- Jasmine Atienza
- Healing Hands Farms
- Lexy Baluyot
- Chew Magazine
- Alexis Venerus
- Alesha Aquino
- Maria Iscel
- Pablo V
- Karen Darricades
- Lukayo Estrella
- Tea Base
- Cat Calica
- Marie Sotto
- Lydia Li
Thank you to all our Contributors and Donors
My name is Cathleen Calica, I’m the gallery director and curator of 187 Augusta. I’ve had the tremendous honour of creating, holding and preserving space for so many in the community these past three years. 187 has offered countless workshops, programs and events, engaging over 2000 community members and over 500 artists in the past 3 years.
I took ownership of 187 three years ago, opening 187 Augusta with the former collective members of Tayo Collective.
I dreamed of a place for creatives, artists to cultivate their work, find a place to belong and be celebrated especially IBPOC (Indigeneous, Black and People of Colour) & 2SLGBTQ+ folks to creativly express themselves and experience healing through art and community.
Before it was 187 Augusta, the gallery was a creative hub, another influential creative space for Queer Creatives formerly known as VideoFag. In 2016, I graduated from Kapisanan’s Clutch Arts Mentorship Program and co-founded an arts collective, the Tayo Collective. During that time I was looking for a space to do my very first art event called ‘Living in Technicolour’ to celebrate femmes of colour, giving them an opportunity to showcase their phenomenal creative work. This experience radically changed my perspective. I realized I was longing to establish a space for community, collaborate and create space for future community members and support each other by celebrating each other.
Since then I’ve seen first time performers play on bigger stages and book major gigs in the city and beyond, artists showcasing their work in prestigious galleries and events around the city, I’ve seen 187 packed full with cheering crowds, tears, laughs and stomps from dancing. I’ve seen people find their voices, find home, find healing and come together, here; even in the darkest times. I’m now reaching out to the community to get through these times and begin again.
Testimonials from the community!
Jazz @ 187- 2018Convenience Curated by Belinda Kwan & Tak Pham Photo by: Morris Lum
March 2017- During the construction of 187 AugustaFormer Collective: TAYO Collective - Martin Aquino, Rowell S, Alesha Aquino, Dinah Teston, Nina Escalente, Sean Kua, Pam Dungao, Paolo Dungao, Jessica Cheong, John Smith & Me. Mia: Dot Manuel, Theo
What does "Womxn" mean to you?
Living in Technicolour - December 12-16, 2016
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155035888251802&id=516176801
Recap of Living In Technicolour by Dinah Teston
About 187 Augusta
As the Gallery Director for 187 in these past 3 years, I’ve had to take on multiple roles, tasks and responsibilities throughout 187’s lifespan. I’m involved in the planning, development and coordination of these workshops and programs, offering direction and guidance to facilitators to ensure programs are delivered aligned with the mission, mandate and overall vision of 187 Augusta.
187 previously hosted grantwriting workshops by CUE and ArtReach, live shows by Jane Street Speaks and lives shows featuring JC3-A Jazz Music Group, Hanhan, Luna Li, Lost In Sound, Maylee Todd and Kyvita, M.I.Blu, Allie Moves, and Fly Lady Di. 187 has also hosted creative workshops for Art Starts, Girls Art League and workshops geared towards health and wellness and community care in collaboration with Akin Collective, play readings, community meets for POC folks, language lessons, pop-up markets for emerging entrepreneurs and solidarity actions for Black and Indigenous communities. I expanded the 187 community by building meaningful and lasting relationships with artists and artist collectives that continue to today.
I've made key decisions in terms of 187’s governance and organizational structure and managed and coordinated all programming. I established partnerships with various creative organizations, cultivated valuable and lasting relationships with local business owners and community members in Kensington Market and collaborated with other grassroots organizations (Tea Base, P40 Collective, The Black Artists Union, working in consultation with community leaders).
"Come as You Are" - Art Show by Tiana Smith, June 2019Come As You Are - Tiana Smith, June 2019
Filipinx Gathering - Elder Talks, 2019JC3 - Jazz@187, May 2017
BRUHA/BRUXA Market , October 2019New Moon Circles in 187 Augusta, May 2017 - Feb 2020Diasporasian Futures ShowCase
by Project 40
2019
Why Now?
The donations raised will aid me directly as emergency support in this dire situation, as mentioned it would cover the cost of my rent, and costs associated with 187. I would be able to continue my work as a creative and continue supporting fellow community members with the resources that I have.
I’m currently out of work due to the COVID crisis, my contract work and part-time jobs have been cancelled and all of 187’s event bookings/rentals were cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis--this was all anticipated income that would have been used to cover the cost of rent from April to June 2020. The government’s COVID-19 emergency relief plan and benefits are not sufficient for me to cover the cost of my rent and sustenance at this time. I find myself in the position of needing to crowd source the financial support necessary to continue sustaining my livelihood and survive.
Speaking My Truth
I identify as a queer filipina womxn. As a small business owner and newcomer, I have experienced barriers because of my positionality. I’ve experienced financial barriers accessing higher education to advance my career in the creative nonprofit sector, I’ve also experienced barriers accessing employment opportunities to provide for myself and support 187. My work experience as an entrepreneur with these intersections of identity (in addition to being underpaid) is often completely discounted or severely criticized by prospective employers, collaborators and folks in positions of power. When we opened 187 we made the choice to remain as a non profit organization and offer programming that was free, low cost or pay-what-you-can so that community members could access programming without financial barriers, there have been considerable obstacles in operating the space without consistent funding. Additionally, the cuts to arts and culture funding under the Conservative government has made less funding available for creators and grassroots collectives like 187. It has been a learning to balance and maintaining the demands of an active space, my wellness and livelihood. I'm proud of the work I've done with 187 and look forward to what the future holds.
THANK YOU FOR READING ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
Here's a secret-We're offering gifts for contributors and donors
You can sign-up here
Thank you to the offering gifts from our communities in the Toronto.
- Jen Maramba
- Adrienne Mak
- Barron Pan
- Jasmine Atienza
- Healing Hands Farms
- Lexy Baluyot
- Chew Magazine
- Alexis Venerus
- Alesha Aquino
- Maria Iscel
- Pablo V
- Karen Darricades
- Lukayo Estrella
- Tea Base
- Cat Calica
- Marie Sotto
- Lydia Li
Thank you to all our Contributors and Donors
Organizador
Cathleen Calica
Organizador
Toronto, ON