AstroSankofa Arts Initiatives

Home
Canada
Toronto, ON
AstroSankofa Arts Initiatives

Each initiative will reinstate the power of arts and the Black community's connection to their ancestral roots to improve the future.

Building off of the illustrated vision of Carnegie Hall's first-ever commission art piece by interstellar artivist and visual griot Quentin VerCetty in 2020-2021. AstroSankofa Arts Initiative is an artist collective and nonprofit organization that aims to expand imaginations with creative exploration of the connection to the past, present and future through the West African concept of sankofa. The

practice of this is called “Sankofanology.” Sankofanology is at the heart of the organization's work as it relates to Afrofuturism, which centres stories and practices toward the healing, growth, evolution and exponential potential of people of African descent. As a collective and not-for-profit organization, the aim is to provide diverse opportunities for creatives to share their artistic gifts within various community settings both in public art and web3 multi-metaverses. The initiatives include but are not limited to the curation and production of exhibitions, public art installation productions, conventions and panels, and Web3 interventions such as non-fungible token projects and metaverse expeditions. AstroSankofa Arts Initiative is the steward of the Black Speculative Arts Movement Canada ®©™ activities and events, founded and coined by Quentin VerCetty in 2016. AstroSankofa Arts Initiative will continue to build with the national network of associated Black Speculative Arts Movement artists throughout Canada and the international branch chapters and communities associated. The innovation of what we bring forward adds spectacular feats for the Black Speculative Arts Movement in Canada.

08/22/2026

☄️A little something for the community by the community has touch down!☄️

🛰AstroSankofa Arts Initiatives, Jane Finch Centre and Jane Finch Mall invite you to the unveiling of "Lillianna’s Providence" — the newest public artwork adding colour, story and spirit to the Jane-Finch community. 🎨✨

Created by Jane-Finch’s very own Arianna Simmonds (ARI) and Sahle Robinson (SAHL-GOOD), featuring special guest artist MaLiCiOuZ from Montréal, Lillianna’s Providence explores guidance, protection, faith, community and the strength of generations.

This unveiling also marks something special for the artist Ari with her first lead mural & for AstroSankofa's 10th public art project of 2026! 🌌 Ten projects, countless artists and community members, and one continuing mission — creating equitable opportunities for Black artists while transforming public spaces through art, mentorship and imagination.

So join us

📅 Friday, August 28 | 6:00 PM
📍 Jane Finch Mall — East Side (Back parking lot - towards Fit 4 Less along Yewtree Blvd)

The gathering will be hosted by our very Chelse St.Rose

Funded by United Way Greater Toronto - Community Action Grant, trusteed and supported by Jane Finch Centre, and presented in partnership with our space station headquarters aka studio at Jane Finch Mall.

Come celebrate the artists, the community and another piece of Jane-Finch & Toronto history with us. 🖤✨

08/21/2026

🎨 The murals are the outcome. The artists, mentorship and journey are the story.

A look back at StreetARToronto’s On the Move! — a major moment for AstroSankofa and our growing community of public artists.

The project brought together 10 Black professional artists and 20 youth and emerging artist mentees, creating space for artists to work, learn, exchange knowledge and build alongside one another on a major City of Toronto public art project.

We’re proud of the AstroSankofa artists and affiliates who contributed their talent, experience and mentorship throughout the project, helping to make On the Move! a powerful example of what intergenerational public art practice can look like.

Curated by Phade and Julián Carvajal, the project brought artists together to transform the Bloor and Wallace area through murals, storytelling and community engagement.

🎙️ Voiceover by our very own Baby Jada (Jada Wallace
🎥 Shot by the Finding Your Heart (FYH🫶🏾 ) team

Big love to all the artists, mentees, curators and community members who made the journey possible.

The murals mark the moment. The journey keeps moving. 🛸

08/20/2026

15 weeks and our modules are stacked! ⭐️ One idea, fully realized. Here’s what’s inside the RISING TECH curriculum and steps towards the bursary for your startup. Applications close soon. Apply today at risingtech.ca 🙏🏿🙏🏽🙏🏻

08/19/2026

Curious what actually happens over 15 weeks? ✨Here’s the breakdown, from your first workshop to pitching on Demo Day. 3 days left to apply. Apply today at the link in bio. 🏁

08/18/2026

This past weekend gave me a chance to witness what happens when art, history, community and purpose meet on the same wall.

I want to give a heartfelt thank you to Kalkidan Assefa for what you poured into the Queen’s Bush Mural.

“I watched the long days, the blazing sun, the ladder, the paint, the conversations and the care you carried throughout this project. What stayed with me most wasn’t only your talent—it was your humility. The way you listened. The way you respected the history. The way you understood that these weren’t simply faces being painted on a wall. These were people’s ancestors. Their families. Their stories.”

And thank you to everyone who made this project possible—the organizers, historians, community members, families, volunteers, supporters and every person who understood why preserving this history matters.
Projects like this remind us that public art can do more than beautify a space.

It can restore memory.
It can make us question the ground beneath our feet.
It can introduce the present to a past it may never have been taught.
And it can make a child stop in front of a wall and ask:
Who are these people?

And because this mural exists, somebody will be there to tell them.
Kal, these are your flowers, brother. Thank you for using your gift with intention and reminding us that talent becomes something much greater when it is connected to purpose.

From Flowers for the Man Who Paints:
Sometimes greatness
is covered in paint,
standing on a ladder,
quietly making sure
the ancestors
can see themselves.
So these are your flowers, brother.
Written in these words.
Carried through my voice.
Because inside every colour
you placed on that wall,
you reminded us:
We were here.
We are here.
And because of artists like you
we will not be forgotten.

David D. Pistol

08/13/2026

📡 AstroSankofa is proud to support the unveiling of Black legacy in the Queen’s Bush Settlement! 🎨✨

On Saturday, August 15, join us in Wallenstein for the official unveiling of The Song Continues, a monumental new mural by lead artist Kalkidan Assefa (| DRPN SOUL |) honouring the enduring legacy, resilience, and contributions of the early Black settlers of the Queen’s Bush.

Presented by Hearts Open for Everyone (HOPE) and Earthscape Play (Earthscape Playgrounds), together with the Queen’s Bush Settlement Mural Advisory Committee, the unveiling brings art, history and community together for a full day of celebration.

🎶 Live performances by Tracy Lee Johnson, Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley, and Joy in the City
🖼️ Mural viewing & immersive storytelling
📖 Interactive Black history activities & driving tour maps
🎨 Hands-on activities and a dedicated kids’ zone
🍲 Caribbean food & ice cream

We’re especially excited to have members of the AstroSankofa constellation contributing to this important project:

🛰️ Quentin VerCetty (Quentin VerCetty) along side youth from AstroSankofa creating an augmented reality experience that will complement the mural and extend its storytelling beyond the painted surface.

🎨 Patricia C. Simone (Simone Patricia) provided mural assistance, helping bring this monumental work to life.

👩🏾‍🚀 Kaliyah V. is a young aspiring muralist from Markham. She got a chance to meet the artist and get mentored on how to contribute a few sprays to the mural.

📸 + 📽️ David D. Pistol (David D. Pistol) is supporting the project through documentation and media, helping preserve and share this history for audiences beyond the unveiling.

📍 Earthscape Play
7215 Wellington Rd 86, Wallenstein, ON
🗓️ Saturday, August 15, 2026
⏰ 11 AM – 3 PM
🎟️ Free & open to all

Come celebrate a history that deserves to be seen, remembered and carried forward. The song continues—and so does the legacy. ✨

08/10/2026

Applications are coming in and we can’t wait to get to know you all! ⭐️
Friday Aug 21 is our deadline to apply, and every applicant will receive a request for interview to learn more about you, your idea and how we can support your goal.

Share with someone who should apply!

08/09/2026

RISING VR gave us five years of building with Black creators in immersive storytelling ⭐️ Now we’re RISING TECH, same mission, wider lens. Swipe through to see how we got here and where we’re headed. Applications close August 21.

Apply today: risingtech.ca

08/08/2026

StreetARToronto ‼️ NEW LOCATION‼️

Due to rain, we will now be meeting at Northern Contemporary gallery at 420 Roncesvalles!

We can’t wait to celebrate this incredible mural and the over 40 artists who worked to make it a reality! 🎉

🗓️: Saturday, August 8th
⏰: 11:45am - 2:15pm
📍: Northern Contemporary Gallery (420 Roncesvalles)

Address

1911 Finch Avenue West
Toronto, ON
M3N2V2

Telephone

+16472479908

Website

http://www.astrosankofa.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when AstroSankofa Arts Initiatives posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to AstroSankofa Arts Initiatives:

Want your establishment to be the top-listed Arts & Entertainment in Toronto?