Cuts Hurt Kids

Artist(s)

Gloria Swain

Date

November 2020 — January 2021

Gloria Swain's exhibit, Cuts Hurt Kids, addresses how Doug Ford's cuts to the arts impact and hurt Toronto's marginalized youth. As an artist and community leader creating spaces for youth who do not have access to creative spaces, Gloria Swain has seen how much children need art to communicate and express themselves.

Gloria Swain writes: "As an older untrained artist, I remember how important art was to me as a child and how it helped me express myself without words. It was a journey of healing and hope, for me, and it continues to bring hope and helps me heal.

Art builds character and self-esteem during a time when today's youth face many obstacles and challenges in their young lives. Cuts to art, in our schools and communities hurt the kids, the community, and their future as artists. This work implies that the Ford government should put the children first because they are the future.

I am fortunate for Toronto Arts Grant funding during this uncertain time with COVID-19. This work reminds people that art is important during this time of isolation and social distancing."

About the artist:

Gloria Swain is currently the artist-in-residence at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), and her exhibit of abstract geometric paintings, A Burst of Colours, is showing at 401 Richmond's The Roastery Coffee House until December 31st.

You can follow Gloria Swain's work and updates on Instagram at: @gloria_c_swain_artist

A table with art supplies, including paintbrushes, paint tubes, and markers, has three cut-out paper hands lying on it. The paper hands are yellow, orange, and pink, with the words "Cuts Hurt Kids" written on them.
Several crayons lie scattered on a white surface, with three large dice and colorful letter cutouts spelling "ART" in the foreground. An assortment of creative supplies and artwork is visible in the background.
Three children's paintings on paper are laid out on a blue patterned tablecloth. The paintings feature colorful abstract designs, with one prominently showing a smiling face, another with various shapes and colors, and the third featuring patterns of red, blue, and yellow.
A child's hands are seen coloring in a drawing of a cartoon character on white paper. The character has green hair and a brown face, with a pink and blue outfit. Various colored markers, including red and black, are scattered around the drawing area.
A child uses a stencil to trace uppercase letters of the alphabet on a large piece of paper. The child is holding a marker in one hand and stabilizing the stencil with the other. The letters "A-I" are visible, and some drawings are faintly seen on the paper.

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