The Learning Zone

The Indigenous Visual Culture Program and the Library’s Learning Zone collaborates once more to bring you The Materials Trading Post!

It’s a swap and trade event in which you can share your knowledge, ideas and materials. This event invites us to embrace the idea of sharing over waste.

Donate or exchange any unused or lightly used art and design materials from paints, pastels to protractors and inks. We will be accepting a broad range of art supplies.

Sorry, we will not accept books, clothing or any other unrelated items.

Unable to attend the day of the event but you want to contribute? Donations can be brought to:

The Indigenous Visual Culture Office, Room 410, 4th floor at 113 McCaul Street or The Learning Zone, Room 110, 1st floor, 113 McCaul during regular hours.

Join us in the Learning Zone Wednesday November 18 between 1 – 4 pm for refreshments, to share ideas, inspiration and the exchange of materials.

All are welcome!

Join us at the Learning Zone Tuesday November 11th, 5 – 7 pm, for the book launch of Indigenous Poetics in Canada presented by The Indigenous Visual Culture Program at OCAD U. With special guests editor Neal McLeod, authors Lillian Allen and Lee Maracle, with introductions by Mark Dickinson.

Neal McLeod, Associate Professor in the Indigenous Studies Department at Trent University was raised Cree on the James Smith Reserve in Saskatchewan. McLeod is also a National Aboriginal Poetry Award recipient for his first book of poetry, Songs to Kill a Wihtikow.

Authors Lillian Allen, Canadian “dub poet” and prolific First Nation writer Lee Maracle are among the twenty-eight contributors to Indigenous Poetics in Canada.

Featuring work by academics and poets, the book examines four elements of Indigenous Poetics. First, it explores the poetics of memory: collective memory, the persistence of Indigenous poetic consciousness, and the relationships that enable the Indigenous storytelling process. The book then explores the poetics of performance: Indigenous poetics exist both in written form and in relation to an audience. Third, in an examination of the poetics of place and space, the book considers contemporary Indigenous poetry and classical Indigenous narratives. Finally, in a section on the poetics of medicine, contributors articulate the healing and restorative power of Indigenous poetry and narratives.

The Learning Zone is pleased to announce the return of Materials Trading Post, a collaborative art supply swap event where ideas, knowledge and materials are shared.

Here’s how it works, bring in left over or underused supplies to exchange them for new ones or enjoy the creative process — experiment with new materials and techniques.

If you are unable to attend this event but would like to donate art supplies and materials, please contact us to arrange an alternate drop-off time. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated!

Mark off your calendars for Wednesday January 22nd between 1 – 3 pm. We look forward to your visit.