BRAMPTON ARTIST FINDS HER GROOVE

Brampton Arts Organization and Brampton Library recently selected Sima Naseem as the first artist in residence through the new Brampton Artist in Residency program.

Naseem is a Brampton-based Pakistani-Canadian mixed media and film artist who works with multiple media with a focus on animation, and public art. She enjoys telling stories of exploration, discovery, and her personal life. She uses bright colours and playful designs to create a positive impact on her community through inclusivity, diversity and inspirational imagery.

Always looking for new and creative ways to share her cultural and personal experiences through art, Naseem held weekly public office hours from September to November, offering mentorship to aspiring artists who are interested in developing their skills and create networking opportunities for fellow artists to explore collaboration in the future.

She also delivered free community-focused public arts programming through a series of workshops for youth aged 10 to 14 years.

At the end of the residency, Naseem and her youth co-creators will host a film screening to showcase their collaborative work. A gallery space will be set up during the event, displaying the puppets, sets, and artwork used to create the film. The weekly office hours, workshops, and closing event all take place at Four Corners Branch Library in Downtown Brampton.

“I am incredibly excited to teach my local community about stop-motion animation,” says Naseem. “In the process of creating this film, the youth of Brampton will have the opportunity to be directors, animators and artists in an effort to tell a meaningful story. Thank you everyone at Brampton Arts Organization and Four Corners Library for giving me the opportunity to share my practice with the community!”

“We are thrilled to welcome Sima, a talented local artist to continue to encourage art participation and support youth as they explore and grow their creative skill,” said Brampton mayor Patrick Brown. “I would like to congratulate Sima on her Residency at Brampton Library’s Four Corners Branch.”

“We are excited to have Sima join Four Corner’s Library Branch to showcase her work and inspire generations to explore their creativity,” said regional councillor Gurpartap Singh Toor. “Our Brampton Artist in Residence program is opening the door for local artists to continue to grow and develop at home. I wish Sima congratulations and look forward to seeing her influence on the community.”

“The Library is a place for community discovery, and what better way to discover the incredible artistic talent in our community than to be able to engage with the public creation of a piece of art!” said Todd Kyle, Chief Executive Officer, Brampton Library. “Through her work, Sima will help the Library inspire connections between citizens and ideas.”

 “We are so happy to bring this unique artist in residence program to Brampton for the first time in collaboration with our partners at the Brampton Library,” said Michael Vickers, Senior Program Lead, Brampton Arts Organization. “Sima’s talent and artistic skills will have a transformative impact on the local community and we look forward to seeing the results!”

The Brampton Artist in Residency program offers local professional artists, collectives, and arts organizations an $8,000 artist fee and free, dedicated private workspace to undertake a community-based artist residency at Brampton Library’s Four Corners branch.

This residency creates an opportunity to showcase the mosaic of diverse cultures and creative talents within Brampton.

What’s your story? If you’d like to share the story of your arrival in Canada, please write to desinews@rogers.com or call 416-695-4357.