Aga Khan Boulevard Community Welcome Celebration

Date: Thursday, October 6, 8–10:30 pm
Price: FREE

As part of the Mayor’s Year of Public Art, the City of Toronto, Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Ismaili Centre, Toronto, Aga Khan Park, and the Aga Khan Museum are collaborating on several enhancements along Wynford Drive, which has recently received the ceremonial re-naming: Aga Khan Boulevard.

Join us for a special community celebration in the Aga Khan Park.  The event will begin at 8 pm with opening remarks followed by the welcome celebration performance led by Elder Whabagoon. The evening will feature Indigenous, Ismaili, and Japanese artists as well as a mural projection on the outer wall of the Museum, designed by artist, Javid Jah. The celebration reflects our collective commitment to fostering pluralism, connection, and cross-cultural understanding. 

The meaningful design concept by Toronto artist Javid Jah was selected by an advisory committee, following a competitive process. The committee, along with the public, selected the final integrated digital design concept by Jah which will be used on banners, crosswalks, traffic signal boxes, and the mural projection wall. These enhancements are meant to transform a section of Wynford Drive into a celebrated community feature.

The celebration is approximately one hour in length, followed by light refreshments.

The projection will remain for public viewing until 10:30 pm. Visitors can return October 7 to enjoy the projection from 8 to 10:30 pm. 

This event will take place outdoors in the Aga Khan Park, we encourage you to dress according to the weather. 

Co-Curators:  Elder Whabagoon and Cat Curran

Elder Whabagoon

Elder Whabagoon is an Ojibwe elder who sits with the Loon Clan. She is a member of Obishikokkang — Lac Seul First Nation and is a Keeper of Sacred Pipes, speaker, land defender, and water protector. She is now a Senior Curator for StreetARToronto (StART), a suite of innovative programs designed specifically for the streets and public spaces of the City of Toronto. She is a co-founder and lead Elder for Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag, a culturally grounded Indigenous youth employment and pathway to post-secondary program in the studies of landscape, architecture, and urban design. 

Cat Curran

Born in Thunder Bay, Cat Curran is an artist, curator, and filmmaker, whose passion for Indigenous art and history has led her to support many exhibitions and contribute to several advisory panels and public sectors. A former Gallery owner, Curran focuses on cultural engagements and film production, celebrating BIPOC artists and collectives.

Javid Jah

Javid Jah is an interdisciplinary designer, graffiti artist, and youth mentor who has painted and delivered an array of workshops across the world. Through experimentation with new digital fabrication technologies, his work combines grassroots activism, traditional knowledge, and construction science to champion the four traditional sacred sciences — arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy.