THE KIDZONE is HANDS-ON at the 2008 JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL

Toronto, ON, August 20, 2008 – The Junction Arts Festival (September 3 to 7, 2008 in Toronto), produced by the Junction Forum for Art & Culture, presents a cultural extravaganza like no other and the KIDZONE, taking place during the weekend Dundas Street West street closure on Saturday, September 6 (12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) and Sunday, September 7 (11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.), encourages participation and creation and is interactive, entertaining and engaging for the entire family.

Now attracting 150,000 visitors annually, the 2008 Junction Arts Festival, which practices and encourages reducing, reusing and recycling throughout the entire festival location, is set to throw the party of the year as the Junction celebrates its centennial of becoming the City of West Toronto in 1908.

The KIDZONE (supported by Scotia Bank of Canada), located at the west end of the Dundas West festival footprint (Quebec Avenue entrance), will present free daily workshops, demonstrations and performances featuring activities in the visual arts, movement, music, film, martial arts and more including the Art Gallery of Ontario (brand new to the festival this year), the National Film Board of Canada Mediatheque, the Academy of Realist Art and the Junction community stage.

There is no registration required for all workshops.

States Junction Arts Festival Executive Director Michael Menegon, “We’re parents ourselves, so we created a KIDZONE that we think parents want to bring their children to; a place where kids can use their imaginations, get physical and learn about their community. And it’s free!”

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) will present their Community Home Mural program and Home Button Project in the AGO tent (Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.).

Join the Art Gallery of Ontario’s Gallery School in creating a mural celebrating home and inspired by the Junction Arts Festival, and draw or write what home means to you and then make it into a button! Learn about the new AGO, win tickets to visit and talk to our ‘AGO is A GO’ community ambassadors.

The National Film Board of Canada Mediatheque (NFB) will present their Get Animated workshop at the NFB Family Animation Station (Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.).

Participants will bring their ideas to life using simple animation tools and techniques and learn about the world of animation filmmaking, exciting animation films and activities. Use your hands and try out fun animation tricks, games and more with your family and the NFB animation workshop team.

The Academy of Realist Art (ARA) will present Kids Art Lessons at the Academy of Realist Art tent (Saturday, 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.).

ARA Instructor Diliana Popova will teach the children and teens who would like to begin developing their artistic skills. Participants are introduced to a variety of mediums and techniques through educational and fun projects including portrait drawing, painting with pastels and watercolours.

JUNCTION COMMUNITY STAGE LINE-UP (Dundas St. West and Quebec Ave.).

Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7 (various times, check updated schedule):

Aathi Muni Agasthiya Silambakkoyil Martial Arts
Creative Children Dance Studio
High Park Martial Arts
Hip Kik Belly Dance
Rhythm and Motion
Vivacci Dance Studio

The 2008 Junction Arts Festival will take place along Dundas St. West between Keele St. and Quebec Ave., and will feature free fun and creativity in eight distinct categories; the Visual Art Exhibitions (starting Wednesday, Sept. 3), the Movieola Movie Night (Thursday, Sept. 4), the outdoor Live Music Stages (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and the Dance/Street Performance Artists, the Poetry Peepshow, the KidZone, the Green Village, and the Historic City (during the weekend on Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7).

Please note: Visit the Junction Arts Festival website regularly for more details and updated schedules of all events at, www.junctionartsfest.com.