We are so excited to share that during the 2023 Roncesvalles Polish Festival, taking place September 16 & 17, 2023, the Roncesvalles Village BIA (RVBIA) and the Roncesvalles United Church (RUC) will work in cooperation to host a live art exhibition featuring teachings by in the oral tradition by Indigenous Artist and Elder, Philip Cote, MFA.

Over the course of the festival weekend Philip Cote will demonstrate his live wood carving technique and relay to the audience his process and the stories he is carving.

About the artist: Indigenous artist Philip Cote, MFA, Young Spiritual Elder, Artist, Activist, Historian and Traditional Wisdom Keeper.

Philip Cote’s participation in this initiative is very meaningful to this neighbourhood, as he is also the lead artist on a mural commissioned by the Roncesvalles Village BIA titled the 8th Fire (located at Roncesvalles Ave and Garden Ave).  This massinve 110 foot long mural has become a much photographed spot in our community as well as an often used meeting point for our annual Orange Shirt walk down Roncesvalles in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Philip is also the artist who designed and painted Wall of Welcome inside the Roncesvalles United Church, the first of its kind in Canada (and thought to be in the world), as noted by High-Park Parkdale MP Arif Virani in a session of parliament.

The project: Continuing with this theme of reconciliation and awareness, Philip will do live wood carvings using a wooden pew, previously located inside the Roncesvalles United Church, and purchased by the BIA for the purpose of being his ‘canvas’.

The location of the live carvings will take place outside in the Roncesvalles United Church (240 Roncesvalles Ave) parking lot (which faces Roncesvalles Ave) where festival attendees will be able to watch Philip while he works and listen to this well-known artist and teacher share his process, symbolism, and concepts behind his work in the oral tradition.

This project was funded primarily through Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives program (CSMARI) and the Roncesvalles Village BIA. Hosted by the Roncesvalles United Church.  Other festival funding made possible by the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto.