Art Socials: July 2
Get ready for an all-ages drawing night full of games and activities. Characters are the heart of any story. They’re also one of the most fun things a person can draw! But what goes into making characters that really stand out? Join professional comic book artist Josh Rosen as he shares character design techniques used in comics and animation, and engage in fun drawing exercises based around inventing characters of your own.
Art Socials: June 25
The gateway of visual art mediums, collage is as individual as it is accessible. This whimsical workshop led by local collective Collage Grad encourages free-expression and experimentation using a curated selection of rare and vintage print media. Curiosity and playfulness are the only prerequisites as you learn to cut, paste, and curate different materials..
Art Socials: June 11
In this workshop, you will learn some of the basics of creating miniature foods using polymer clay. Together with instructor Kiana Simmons, participants will mix clay to achieve realistic colours, shape the pieces, and add details using clay and clay tools. You will take home a tiny wooden box of miniature food and the skills to continue exploring polymer clay miniatures at home! All supplies will be provided, and you may even have some extra clay to take home.
Art Socials: June 4
This workshop will be something to write home about! Print your own letterpress postcards using two antique platen presses set up with an image and text. Learn from local printmaker Phoebe Todd-Parrish about traditional typesetting from wood and metal type, how it was used historically and how it can still be used today. Add colour to your image and write on your postcard to share a memory of summer with a friend or loved-one using this analog technology!
Art Socials
Every Wednesday from June 4 to August 27, 2025.
Looking for a fun night out with a creative twist? Our weekly Art Socials at The Bentway Studio are back by popular demand. Learn the basics of screen printing, watercolour painting, letterpress, and more while connecting with neighbours. No experience necessary!
Roller Skate Lessons: August 15
August 15 6pm-7pm and 7pm-8pm
Learn how to roll with us! This summer, we’re offering weekly roller skate lessons for those who are looking to gain basic skills. Our expert instructors will help novice skaters build confidence on wheels and navigate our figure-eight trail.
Roller Skate Lessons: August 1
August 1 6pm-7pm and 7pm-8pm
Learn how to roll with us! This summer, we’re offering weekly roller skate lessons for those who are looking to gain basic skills. Our expert instructors will help novice skaters build confidence on wheels and navigate our figure-eight trail.
Roller Skate Lessons: July 18
July 18 6pm-7pm and 7pm-8pm
Learn how to roll with us! This summer, we’re offering weekly roller skate lessons for those who are looking to gain basic skills. Our expert instructors will help novice skaters build confidence on wheels and navigate our figure-eight trail.
Roller Skate Lessons: July 11
July 11 6pm-7pm and 7pm-8pm
Learn how to roll with us! This summer, we’re offering weekly roller skate lessons for those who are looking to gain basic skills. Our expert instructors will help novice skaters build confidence on wheels and navigate our figure-eight trail.
Roller Skate Lessons: July 4
July 4 6pm-7pm and 7pm-8pm
Learn how to roll with us! This summer, we’re offering weekly roller skate lessons for those who are looking to gain basic skills. Our expert instructors will help novice skaters build confidence on wheels and navigate our figure-eight trail.
Roller Skate Lessons: June 20
June 20 6pm-7pm and 7pm-8pm
Learn how to roll with us! This summer, we’re offering weekly roller skate lessons for those who are looking to gain basic skills. Our expert instructors will help novice skaters build confidence on wheels and navigate our figure-eight trail.
Roller Skate Lessons: June 13
June 13 6pm-7pm and 7pm-8pm
Learn how to roll with us! This summer, we’re offering weekly roller skate lessons for those who are looking to gain basic skills. Our expert instructors will help novice skaters build confidence on wheels and navigate our figure-eight trail.
Roller Skate Lessons
Two sessions: 6pm-7pm and 7pm-8pm from June 13 to September 5, 2025.
Learn how to roll with us! This summer, we’re offering weekly roller skate lessons for those who are looking to gain basic skills. Our expert instructors will help novice skaters build confidence on wheels and navigate our figure-eight trail.
Roller Skate Parties
June 27, July 25, August 29, September 26, 2025.
Meet us under the Gardiner to move and groove at our monthly Roller Skate Parties! Whether you have superfly moves to share or are working on the basics, all are encouraged to cruise our figure-eight trail together.
Roller Skating with SUSO Skate Co.
June 11 - September 28, 2025. Wednesday-Friday: 4pm-8pm, Saturday-Sunday: 1pm-7pm, Roller Skate Parties: 6pm-10pm
Our friends at SUSO Skate Co. are back this summer, making The Bentway Skate Trail the best place to rock and roll! Book your skate rental and time slot ahead of time on the SUSO website, then come on down for good vibes and memorable moments. Whether you’re trying roller skating for the first time or have moves to show off, SUSO has you covered.
Casting a Net, Casting a Spell Art Workshop with Celeste
Meet artists María Fernanda Camarena and Gabriel Rosas Alemán, who together form the Mexico City-based duo Celeste, for an afternoon of art activities! Inspired by their installation Casting a Net, Casting a Spell – a large-scale quilted canopy evocative of a suncatcher – come explore the power of the sun through family-friendly creative exercises.
Canopy Connections: Sunset Concert with The Taylor Academy
Students from The Taylor Academy – Canada’s leading classical music training program – share their music. Enjoy their showstopping virtuosity under the cover of the Moving Forest canopy and enjoy a beautiful sunset that will sweep you into the weekend.
Canopy Connections: Sunset Concert with The Taylor Academy
Students from The Taylor Academy – Canada’s leading classical music training program – share their music. Enjoy their showstopping virtuosity under the cover of the Moving Forest canopy and enjoy a beautiful sunset that will sweep you into the weekend.
Canopy Connections: Sunset Concert with The Taylor Academy
Students from The Taylor Academy – Canada’s leading classical music training program – share their music. Enjoy their showstopping virtuosity under the cover of the Moving Forest canopy and enjoy a beautiful sunset that will sweep you into the weekend.
Sun/Shade Curators’ Tours
May 24 & 25, 2:00pm-3:30pm. June 19, July 17, August 21, 6:30pm – 8:00pm.
Go behind the scenes of our Sun/Shade outdoor art exhibition by joining a curators’ tour with The Bentway’s Programming team. Learn about the inspiration behind the season, the creation of each artwork, and how they fit together. Sun/Shade explores new ways of collaborating with the sun, as well as the importance of shade, in our urban spaces.
Sun/Shade Opening Night Party
Get ready to feel the heat at the summer’s coolest party! Join The Bentway, Fashion Art Toronto, and Canada’s Drag Race’s Jada Shada Hudson under the Gardiner for a Sunglasses at Night fashion show, celebrating the opening of The Bentway’s latest outdoor art exhibition. Runway shy? Come dance, mingle, and enjoy the show!
Art Socials: August 20
Try your hand at watercolour painting with local artist Sarah Aranha. You’ll learn some basic watercolour techniques and then put them into practice by painting watercolour postcards inspired by The Bentway’s seasonal theme Sun/Shade.
Canopy Connections: Doors Open at YZD Experience Centre
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Meet us for a tour at the YZD Experience Centre and catch shade under the Moving Forest canopy along route to learn more about the project and significance for our public spaces.
Canopy Connections: Weekends at YZD
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What could be hiding in the tree canopy? Join artist collective, The Buck Teeth Girls Club to explore what ecosystems can exist as a byproduct of the shade, from the tops of the trees to down below the ground. Tracing shadows of the moving forest onto paper and pavement, come and draw in the spaces all that exists in relation to the trees!