Toronto Reference Library Blog

This winter, artists Elena Soní and Vanessa Barnett worked with women from the community to draw, paint, print, embroider and share their stories. This is what they created and it's now on display on the 3rd floor of the Toronto Reference Library.  

The exhibit will be on display from March 5 to April 5, 2018 and all are welcome to this free exhibit. This is a collaborative art project with funding from Toronto Arts Council and the Ontario Arts Council. 

You will have a chance to meet the contributors on Tuesday March 27, 6:00-7:00 pm at the 3rd floor of the Toronto Reference Library.

If you're interested in unleashing your own creativity, the library has rich collections that you can explore and tell your own story.

In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs: "Across the globe, women are embracing the entrepreneurial spirit and starting creative businesses. The Company of Women profiles over 100 of these influential and creative women from all ages, races, backgrounds, and industries".

DIY Rules for a WTF World: How to Speak Up, Get Creative and Change the World: "From the creator of the Pussyhat Project, which represents the Women's March and is the symbol of the Resistance, comes a manifesto for every woman to create her own distinct and original path to joy and success at impact."

In Praise of Difficult Women: Life Lessons from 29 Heroines Who Dared to Break the Rules: "All 29 women profiled fit Karbo's definition of a difficult woman: unapologetic, uncompromising, and undeterred by the obstacles of living in a sexist society. Each of the essays highlights the trickiest moments of its subject's life and how she blasted through whatever glass ceiling was in her way all told with Karbo's conversational warmth and sharp wit."

My very creative co-worker Irene introduced me to the writer SARK. I thought this book fit in wonderfully with the theme of the above exhibit.

SARK's New Creative Companion: Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit: "(D)iscover insight and suggestions for creating everyday magic in your life no matter what your everyday surroundings. You'll find stories, poems, and exercises that provide inspiration, self-reflection, and discovery – all cheerfully handwritten in SARK's trademark style and embellished with her vibrant illustrations."

Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: A Woman's Guide to Unblocking Creativity: "is about understanding blocks in the creative process and getting to the bottom of what causes them.  Author Susan O'Doherty, a psychotherapist specializing in helping artists of all sorts get unstuck, says that many of the things that block us are gender-specific: women's fear of success; competing in male-dominated fields; the stress of trying to do serious creative work while holding down a job and, often, caring for a family."