BAND Gallery Extends Launch & Grow Exhibition into September, Supporting Permanent Home for Black Art

BAND Gallery’s Launch & Grow showcases over 25 artists and supports the creation of a permanent, accessible house museum for Black art in Canada.

TORONTO – Black Artists’ Networks in Dialogue (BAND) Gallery is extending its acclaimed fundraising exhibition Launch & Grow into September 2025, giving art lovers more time to support a transformative project for Black Canadian art. The exhibition, on display at BAND’s pop-up gallery at 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 128, brings together over 25 established and emerging artists from across Canada and abroad.

The works on view form a dynamic, highly collectible selection, and each acquisition fuels two important causes: it advances BAND’s capital campaign to renovate its historic 19th-century Victorian house in Parkdale into a fully accessible facility, and it directly supports the artists themselves.

A Fundraiser with Lasting Impact

Launch & Grow is more than a gallery show — it’s a rallying point for the community to help secure a permanent house museum dedicated to Black art and culture in Canada. Once completed, the renovated space at 19 Brock will feature professional galleries, studios, and space for live art events, ensuring that BAND can continue to exhibit, document, and support Black Canadian and diasporic artists for generations to come.

“Launch & Grow captures the essence of what BAND represents — community-centred support for tangible growth. It symbolizes the collective effort needed to amplify the voices of all Canadian artists,” said Karen Carter, BAND Co-Founder.

Featured Artists and Curated Spaces

The exhibition highlights an impressive lineup of talent:

• Vanley Burke – Internationally celebrated photographer often referred to as the “Godfather of Black British photography.”

• Christina Leslie – Toronto-based photographer whose work explores Black identity, family, and memory.

• Chiedza Pasipanodya – Multidisciplinary artist whose installations explore themes of migration, heritage, and resilience.

• Moridja Kitenge Banza – Conceptual artist whose works examine colonial history and cultural hybridity.

• Moses Salihou – Known for bold, abstract canvases inspired by his Cameroonian roots.

• Jermay Michael Gabriel – Emerging artist combining contemporary visual language with cultural storytelling.

• Leone McComas, Janice Reid, and many others — each contributing unique perspectives to the show.

The presentation spans multiple areas, from Moridja Kitenge Banza’s thought-provoking installations in the Main Gallery to Christina Leslie’s striking photography in the Fence Gallery.

The Role of Patrons in Shaping the Future

BAND’s Co-Director and Director of Curatorial Initiatives Joséphine Denis emphasizes the importance of public participation:

“Creating new possibilities and deepening connections has always been the raison d’être of our programming.”

Visitors and collectors purchasing works become active patrons of both the artists and BAND’s mission. The artists’ generosity — offering pieces to help fund the renovation — reflects the deep trust and commitment they have to BAND’s role in advancing Black Canadian art.

Visiting Launch & Grow

Gallery Hours:

• Wednesday: By Appointment

• Thursday – Saturday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The exhibition’s setting at 401 Richmond Street West provides an intimate, approachable environment for both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers. Guests can also explore the online exhibition page for a virtual view of works and additional background on the artists.

BAND’s Broader Vision and Legacy

Founded in 2010 by Karen Carter, Dr. Julie Crooks, Maxine Bailey, and Karen Tyrell, BAND Gallery has become a cornerstone in Toronto’s cultural landscape. Beyond exhibitions, the organization provides mentorship, live performances, and public dialogues designed to engage and inspire communities.

Most recently, BAND was featured in FEMI Magazine, where the Launch & Grow exhibition and the ambitious renovation of the Parkdale property were profiled as a cultural milestone for Black Canadian art.

With the extended run of Launch & Grow, BAND invites the public to join this historic moment — to help transform a Victorian house into a thriving, accessible hub for art, heritage, and community.

Launch & Grow runs through September 2025 at BAND’s pop-up gallery, 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 128. For more details, visit bandgallery.com.

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