Recent commissions for work created by Workman Arts Members have provided these visual artists the opportunity to create interdisciplinary work with other artists in forms outside their normal practices, to work on a larger scale then previously possible, have their work seen by a much larger audience, and earn income from their art.

As part of Toronto's 2005 Metamorphosis Festival, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra commissioned a series of paintings from eight Workman Arts Members titled From Myth to Muse. These nine large-scale paintings were inspired by and depicted various stories from Ovid's Metamorphoses. The spectacular works were unveiled during a three-day concert series. John Ralston Saul, Honorary Patron, spoke at the opening and actor R.H. Thomson narrated the Metamorphoses stories during each performance.

This collaboration was not limited to the concert's 3-evening run. The work of the From Myth to Muse artists was introduced to a much wider audience. After the initial concert, the paintings were shown at the Metamorphosis Festival's March performance of the Toronto Consort, an ensemble dedicated to music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. In May 2005 the exhibition moved to the Paper Mill Art Gallery at Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum, was then displayed at the Ontario Lieutenant Governor's suites for six months and finally on to the National Arts Centre. The From Myth to Muse paintings have now been purchased by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and are part of their significant permanent collection.

"The fascinating paintings in this exhibition show that myths still have the power to capture our imaginations and connect us with eternal truths. These paintings invite us into a deeper world where symbols and poetry speak to the human condition."

- The Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

In 2006, Workman Arts artists were again commissioned to create work for Tafelmusik as part of their Bach and the Muses: Music, Poetry and Art concert series at Trinity-St. Paul Centre. The artists' work created a stunning backdrop for a concert series featuring works by Johann Sebastian Bach and text readings.

As part of the CAMH Transforming Lives Here redevelopment project of the 1001 Queen Street West site in Toronto, four Workman Arts artists have been commissioned to create WayFinding signage. The signage will be utilized at the existing facility as of January 2008 and at the redeveloped site scheduled for completed in 2012.

Workman Arts artists have exhibited their work at the Lieutenant Governor's Suites, the Barbara Frum Atrium at the CBC, the St. Lawrence Market Gallery, the Queen West Art Crawl, the Todmorden Mills Gallery, the Heritage Museum at the City of Toronto Cultural Division, the Papermill Art Gallery, Bloor Street United Church, as well as many other venues throughout the GTA.

To find out more about Member commissions and exhibitions contact Chris Mitchell at 416.583.4339.