Loop Gallery 5th Anniversary Exhibition, Moira Clark, Loop Gallery, 1174 Queen Street West, March 5-20, 2005

XEXE Gallery – Gallery Artists, Moira Clark, XEXE Gallery, Richmond Street West at Bathurst, March 5-28, 2005

Festival de Cinema des Trois Ameriques De Quebec, Lauren Dimonte & Mary-Theresa Lawlor, Quebec City, Quebec, March 2005

Sensations, Eric Louis, Open Studio, 333-263 Adelaide St. West, March 26, 2005, 1-3 pm, Fredericton, New Brunswick, April 7-30, 2005

Showtunes Instructor, David Warrack, will be the Musical Director for The Song is You! A Lyrical Evening with Oscar Hammerstein II. The show plays for one night only, May 19th at the Hummingbird Centre. Proceeds go to the Foodbank.

On February 9, 2005, Linda Kooluris Dobbs' portrait of Professor Vern Krishna was unveiled at the Law Society of Upper Canada. Linda Kooluris Dobbs is one of only two women ever chosen to paint a portrait for the society in the last 50 years.

At the beginning of our lives we learn to use our imagination to solve our biggest problem: "I want mama!" Babies create a 'transitional object' as a substitute for mom. Baby satisfies himself with a teddy bear or 'blankie' in her place. That way it's less painful not to have mama available when she's wanted. This is the primal act of imagination.

After retirement, it's equally important to exercise our imagination. Having the possibility of making one's own unique choices, as one does in artmaking, gives older people a positive view of themselves as productive, engaged individuals.We need to feel that we are capable of doing work that has value. We need an outlet for our talents. Learning in the arts is a wonderful way of ensuring that we find one. It also offers us camaraderie with kindred spirits.

The experience we've had sending artists out to Seniors' Centres and Residences confirms this. Every Saturday afternoon, ARAS teacher Lydia Panart works with seniors at the Bradgate Arms just across the street from the School.We are told this is the highlight of their week. One resident with Alzheimer's is creating remarkable paintings to the utter astonishment of her children. It's a reminder that even trapped in her silence, she still has the capacity to communicate – through her art.

Research has shown that participating in activities such as these adds years to people's lives. It gives them something to look forward to – a sense of possibility. Let the painting begin!

Lola Rasminsky, Founder & Director

From the basketball court of a Toronto Community Housing complex to the floor of the Toronto Convention Centre: what a ride it's been for the kids of the York Square Drum Squad. One of the Outreach programs of Arts for Children of Toronto, the Drum Squad was recently honoured with an invitation to perform at the opening of the Toronto Art Expo. Under the direction of Drumming Master, Muhtadi, they played traditional djembe drums and danced to the rhythms they have worked on for several months.

Since starting the African Drumming class a year ago, the children have performed at the Royal York Hotel, the Air Canada Centre and at Queen's Park. The program is financed, in part, by ProAction – Cops and Kids. Each week PC Johnny Mizzoni, of 12th Division, comes to York Square to drum with the children and youth. With this positive interaction, and performances at exciting events, the beat truly goes on.