Ink Movement was proudly established in 2012 in Mississauga. Since then, we’ve published 8 anthologies, hosted several art workshops and poetry slams, featured a wide variety of guests and showcased the artistic talents of over 1500 GTA youth.
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TIMELINE OF EVENTS
*Last Updated: September 2023. Check our social media for the most recent updates!*
Feb 2023 - Ink Movement had an in-person workshop at Studio 89, featuring Potato Potato and Valene Campbell a bestselling author in children books! We covered the writing and acting process as well as did many enjoyable activities such as an improv game and writer’s game! We also covered the publishing process and routes on how to publish your own book!
August 2020 - Ink Movement hosted their first ever virtual Poetry Workshop featuring guest performances from poets Jeffrey, Zayn Ojoawo, Zahra Rahman and Ayesha Dayala. The event was held with a focus on how spoken word and poetry can be tools of self-expression. The workshop took place over Zoom and featured tips on how to write a poem and develop structure, creative writing activities, with plenty of resources and support.
December 2019 - The Pathway PlanINK Winter Workshop was held in the Glass Pavilion at Mississauga’s Central Library. The evening was filled with an array of activities, from a panel discussion featuring students currently attending arts programs at local universities and colleges, making DIY hot chocolate gift sets in mason jars, and participating in a guided acrylic painting session.
September 2019 - Ink Movement’s Cultures Connect conference, themed "Art through the passage of time," was held in Central Mississauga, and strived to highlight how youth can use art to make a change in their community and in their own lives. Youth had the opportunity to learn new skills and gain a fresh perspective by participating in exciting workshops on a broad range of art forms, including Chinese calligraphy, Turkish water-marbling, spoken word poetry and henna.
March 2019 - The 5th annual Youth Poetry Slam was held in Mississauga Central Library’s Glass Pavilion. Performers from across the GTA came ready to showcase their phenomenal literary talent in front of guest judges Wali Shah, Chelsea Tao and Pujita Verma. The event was generously sponsored by the City of Mississauga Arts and Culture department.
November 2018 - Ink Movement held our annual Fall Workshop themed “New Leaf”. It was a night filled with wonderful art, food, and people, including a Bob Ross painting session, calligraphy lessons, traditional Haida artwork and a photobooth, along with snacks and warm autumn decor.
July 2018 - The 6th volume of Ink Movement’s Mississauga Youth Anthology themed “Dear World” was published. A launch event was held at the Art Gallery of Mississauga, featuring artist performances, networking, and Border Crossings, a workshop.
June 2018 - Souly Speaking took place at Sheridan College. This year’s conference was based on the idea that in order for youth to be an advocate for mental health, and to take care of their own mental health, they must have the tools and knowledge to do so. The workshops included spoken word, yoga, DIY slime, and Turkish water marbling.
April 2018 - Ink Movement’s 4th annual Youth Poetry Slam was held at the Noel Ryan Auditorium, located in the Mississauga Central Library, with the support of the Art Gallery of Mississauga and the City of Mississauga Arts and Culture Department. This event featured young talents from across the GTA, as well as judges including Wali “Flo” Shah, Nichole Noel, Rebecca Zseder, and Michelle Hillyard.
November 2017 - Ink Movement’s annual fall workshop themed, “Art in the 21st Century,” was held at the glass pavilion in the Central . Activities included smartphone photography, henna, mandala art, and “Save the Bees,” a collaboration with the Peel Environmental Youth Alliance, with snacks sponsored by Starbucks.
June 2017 - Time Capsule took place at the Central Library with the support of the Art Gallery of Mississauga, the United Way of Peel Region, and Visual Arts Mississauga. This year’s conference theme was "Art Through the Passage of Time", with the goal to form a connection between the new generation of young artists with the achievements of the creators and innovators of the past. The workshops included STOMP music, spoken word poetry, hip-hop dance, comic book art, and Turkish water marbling.
March 2017- The 3rd annual Youth Poetry slam was held in Ted Roger's Theatre at the Living Arts Center. This event featured young talents across the city, including judges such as Wali "Flo" Shah, Chelsea Tao, and Poet Laurette Anna Shin. Over 25 artists performed, and 70 people attended.
January 2017- Ink Movement receives a generous grant from the United way of Peel Region for the 2017 art conference, and the publication of the Volume V Mississauga Youth Anthology! The Youth Anthology will give the opportunity for youth ranging from ages 12-24 to have their art, photography, and/ or writing professionally published.
November 2016 - InkMovement hosts the second "Fall into Art" workshops. The workshops revolved around recycling and upcycling, featuring talented facilitators and participants. The two workshops were "DIYing" canvas bags, and pop can trinkets.
July 2016 - Ink Movement Mississauga is selected as one of the five recipients of the Global Youth Empowerment Fund. The $3350 grant will go towards the printing of Volume 5 of the Mississauga Youth Anthology which will embody the Global Goals for Sustainable development.
June 2016 - The Volume IV Anthology Launch commemorates the 50 young artists published in this year's anthology. The submissions range from photographs, to poetry and short stories.
May 2016 - thINK Global finally arrives! This year's conference goal was to highlight the multicultural art scene of Mississauga. Youth ranging from ages 14-24 expereinced colourful art forms from different parts of the world in the 3 out of the 9 workshops they signed up for. The workshops ranged from Arabic Calligraphy to Latin Dance. Ink Movement would like to thank the Art Gallery of Mississauga (AGM) for their support, since without them the conference could not have been possible.
March 2016 - Ink Movement Mississauga hold it's second youth poetry slam in the Rogers Theatre at the Living Arts Centre. The event featured 17 performers from high schools across Mississauga, as well as 5 open mic performers at the end. The Rogers Theatre was full with over 120 audience members!
January 2016 - Ink Movement receives a $2000 Youth in Action grant from United Way of Peel Region for the publication of the Mississauga Youth Anthology, Volume IV. The Youth Anthology will give the opportunity for youth ranging from ages 12-24 to have their art, photography, and/ or writing professionally published.
December 2015 -Ink Movement hosts it's first Chipotle Fundraiser raising over $150. Youth from all across Mississauga made their way to the Chipotle location at Square One and informed the cashier that they would like to support Ink Movement. 50% of their purchase went towards our organization.
November 2015 - Ink Movement Mississauga successfully runs their first "Fall into Art" workshop series. The workshop series featured unique art forms for any skill range, along with experienced artists who facilitated each workshop. The three workshops were: Flipbook Creation, Smartphone Photography/Videography, and Intro to Calligraphy.
July 2015 - The third volume of the Mississauga Youth Anthology is launched at Central Library.
June 2015 - Ink Movement receives 103 applications for the 2015-16 executive team-- a new record!
May 2015 - The Art & Soul Initiative finally arrives! Around 60 attendees enjoyed a jam-packed conference. In the morning, attendees chose 3 of 9 possible workshops to attend, each one having an experiential component. In the afternoon, youth worked together in teams to develop creative materials for non-profit community partners, including Seva Food Bank, Our Place Peel, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
May 2015 - The Art & Soul Initiative finally arrives! Around 60 attendees enjoyed a jam-packed conference. In the morning, attendees chose 3 of 9 possible workshops to attend, each one having an experiential component. In the afternoon, youth worked together in teams to develop creative materials for non-profit community partners, including Seva Food Bank, Our Place Peel, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
March 2015 - Ink Movement Mississauga holds it's first youth poetry slam in the Rogers Theatre at the Living Arts Centre. The event featured 15 performers from high schools across Mississauga, as well as open mic performers at the end. Over 120 people attended.
December 2014 - Ink Movement receives a $1,600 Youth in Action grant from United Way of Peel Region to organize "The Art & Soul Initiative," a conference that will have youth collaborate to develop creative campaigns for, and in partnership with, local charities and non-profit organizations.
June 2014 - The 2014 Mississauga Youth Anthology is published by In Our Words, Inc. This edition is 104 pages and features over 50 young writers and photographers! Ink Movement also holds a fundraiser with Denny's, successfully raising $1000.
May 2014 - Ink Movement receives grants from the Hazel McCallion Foundation for the Arts, Culture and Heritage and Samuel, Son & Co. LTD.
April 2014 - Project Inkwell takes place at the Art Gallery of Mississauga and Mississauga Central Library. The conference exposes youth to a broad range of art forms, including found poetry, spoken word poetry, anti-oppression writing, songwriting, pastel art, glaze oil painting, and more. An impressive lineup of 20 established artists delivers workshops and presentations to over 70 attendees.
December 2013 - Ink Movement holds a coffeehouse with Aspire, Innovate, Motivate (AIM) Mississauga. Ink Movement collects over 1,000 books during a hoilday book drive for Goodwill and Peel Youth Village.
October 2013 - Ink Movement receives a $1300 Youth in Action grant from United Way of Peel Region. The grant is to organize a regional youth arts conference, "Project Inkwell".
August 2013 - Throughout the summer, Ink Movement holds a series of experiential writing workshops in partnership with the Art Gallery of Mississauga. Topics include spoken word poetry, free-writing, and resume writing.
May 2013 - The inaugural Mississauga Youth Anthology is published by Coach House Books, and sponsored by the City of Mississauga. The 68-page book features the works of 30 young writers and photographers. The design, layout, and typesetting is all done by youth as well. Cover credit: Zara Yow
May 2013 - A book launch is held at the Art Gallery of Mississauga during REBEL Youth Week. Authors read excerpts and sign books at the event. Wali 'Flo' Shah leads a spoken word poetry workshop.
May 2012 - Mississauga becomes the first chapter in Ink Movement's story. Ink Movement Founder, Maxwell Tran, approaches City Councillors with his idea for a book created by youth, for youth. He is directed to the City of Mississauga Culture Division, thus beginning a strong partnership with the City.