Prime Highlights:
The centre provides a creative space for faculty, graduate students, and artists focused on environmental arts, justice, and positive social change.
The centre is dedicated to Indigenous art and activism, reflecting research in Indigenous climate justice and language revitalization, led by Professor Deborah McGregor and other collaborators.
Key Background:
York University’s Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) has enhanced its creative and research initiatives with the grand reopening of the Wild Garden Media Centre, located within the Health, Nursing, and Environmental Studies building at Keele Campus. The renovated centre, supported by a $100,000 grant from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), aims to offer faculty, graduate students, and those involved in environmental arts and justice an advanced platform for arts, media, and research projects that promote positive social and environmental change.
The newly upgraded facility features significant improvements to the main gallery workshop, Crossroads, including state-of-the-art lighting, gallery-standard walls and flooring, and a sound recording area. Additionally, the centre now houses a multi-purpose space for painting and printmaking, as well as a computer lab with video, image, and sound software.
The Wild Garden Media Centre is dedicated to supporting Indigenous art, activism, and environmental justice, and is named in memory of artist and activist Dian Marino, who was also a former EUC faculty member. The renovation project, led by Professor Deborah McGregor, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice, incorporates research from McGregor, Alan Corbiere, and Lisa Myers, with a focus on Indigenous climate justice, language revitalization, and art.
The centre’s impact is already evident in the ongoing work of faculty and students, including projects like Angele Alook’s Indigenous Climate Action videos, Myers’ “Sounds Like Land” podcast, and Paulette Moore’s podcast “Auntie’s Dandelion.” An official re-opening will take place on March 18, 2025, coinciding with the EUC’s Eco-Arts & Media Festival, which invites artists to explore themes of environmental degradation and colonial impact.
