Sherway Gardens’ (Hwy 427 & the QEW) current Gallery in the Garden exhibit entitled Milkweed I presents a selection of works in various media by members of The Milkweed Collective. Work from artists Amy Capern, Patricia D'Agostino, Luci Dilkus, Sylvia Elliott, Janine Kinch, Elaine Kruger, Patricia McPhail, Robin McPhail-Dempsey, Nancy Newton, Ina Puchala, Brenda Sturino, and Louise Zych will be on display until May 2, 2009. Call 416-621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca for more information.

Featuring a variety of abstract and realistic works, Milkweed I includes 21 pieces of art from artists from the Milkwood Collective in a wide range of media including photography, acrylic and oil paintings, pastels, monoprints, mixed media and collage and showcases works by:
• Amy Capern art therapist (Toronto)
• Patricia D’Agostino painter, educator (Toronto)
• Luci Dilkus installation and mixed-media artist, teacher (Toronto)
• Sylvia Elliott painter, shiatsu therapist (Tobermory ON)
• Janine Kinch painter, creativity facilitator (Picton ON)
• Elaine Krueger painter, educator (Toronto)
• Patricia McPhail artist, educator (Toronto)
• Robin Dempsey dancer, expressive art therapist in training (Toronto)
• Nancy Newton painter (Toronto)
• Ina Puchala painter (Toronto)
• Brenda Sturino printmaker (Toronto)
• Louise Zych painter, teacher (Toronto)

Based in the Greater Toronto Area with members from other parts of Ontario, the Milkweed Collective is dedicated to practicing the arts and promoting personal growth in a community context. Formed in 1995, the group includes award-winning painters, poets, installation artists, photographers, authors and educators. The Milkweed art shows and workshops on the creative process have inspired children, youth, and adults to discover their individual potential and celebrate their gifts through the joy of making and appreciating art.

Selected Highlights about the Milkweed Collective:
• In 1999 the Milkweed Collective collaborated with the Metro Toronto Task Force to Bring Back the Don by giving a two-day workshop on “Bringing Psyche to the River in the City.”
• In 2000 Milkweed presented a show of multi-media art at the Neilson Park Creative Centre (NPCC) in Etobicoke and workshops on creativity for children and adults.
• In 2002 Arts Etobicoke sponsored Milkweed to give the Exploring Creativity in Depth program to students from area schools.
• In 2004 the Collective was funded by the Toronto Arts Council to be Artist-Group-in-Residence at the NPCC.
• Milkweed was awarded grants by the Arts Education Program of the Ontario Arts Council and the Ontario Trillium Foundation to provide the Exploring Creativity in Depth program in 2005 and 2006.
• In 2007 the Trillium Foundation awarded Milkweed, in collaboration with Arts Etobicoke, a five-year grant for providing the ECD program in the schools of Etobicoke.

For more details on the Milkweed Collective, please visit their website at www.exploringcreativity.ca.

About Sherway Gardens’ Gallery in the Garden:
Sherway Gardens’ Gallery in the Garden was established to showcase local artists. The Gallery in the Garden operates all year round and each exhibit is on display for approximately 6 weeks. The Gallery in the Garden is located at Sherway Gardens’ door 3 entrance.