The Artscape Wychwood Barns

Artscape has transformed the historic Wychwood TTC streetcar repair barns located in Toronto’s St. Clair and Christie Neighbourhood into the Artscape Wychwood Barns – a 60,000 sq. ft. multifaceted community centre where arts and culture, environmental leadership, heritage preservation, urban agriculture and affordable housing are brought together to foster a strong sense of community. The Artscape Wychwood Barns is surrounded by a 127,000 sq. ft. new City park. Construction began in March 2007 and was completed in October 2008, with the Official Public Opening took place on November 20, 2008. 

Since 2001, Artscape has been working in partnership with the City of Toronto and The Stop Community Food Centre to create the Artscape Wychwood Barns. The vision for the reuse of the repair barns was developed through a rigorous examination of precedents from other communities in the UK, Europe and North America, an extensive process of community consultations and Artscape’s own experience in creative community building. Artscape Wychwood Barns is now home to 26 artists and their families, 17 individual artists and 11 non-profit arts and environmental organizations including ANDPVA (The Association for Native Development in the Performing and Visual Arts, b current, Helene Comay Nursery School, Latino Canadian Cultural Association, Latin American-Canadian Arts Projects LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests, New Adventures in Sound Art, The Stop Community Food Centre, Storytelling Toronto, Theatre Direct Canada, and The Wychwood Barns Community Association.
 

 "Green Barn" Farmers Market

Walking into the Artscape Wychwood Barns "Green Barn" Farmers Market is like being a kid in a candy store. Local farmers, bakers, and producers of cheese, honey and jams sell fresh food and treats every Saturday morning, making it a one-stop-shop for all kinds of cravings. Grocery shopping has never made me more hungry.                                                                                                 

Walking up to the big beautiful barns, I was instantly approached by market regulars and swooped up for a Wychwood trivia-filled tour. For the people who spend their Saturdays shopping here, it isn't an errand - it's an event, and the whole family's coming.

Walking into the barns, it's hard not be struck by the industrial enormity of the place - not to mention the smell. Most farmers markets I frequent are outdoors, but at Wychwood, all the goodness is sold under one yummy roof. The market is set up in no particular order with honey sold next to fresh pasta, sold between prosciuttos, next to fish sandwiches, next to cheese. Some of the purveyors supply in no particular category as well, selling large spreads of pies, carrots, jam, cured meats and potatoes - all on the same table. It seems the thing to do at Wychwood is to find your favourite stand and let that family hook you up with whatever you're craving.

The Artscape Wychwood Barns "Green Barn" Farmers Market is located at 601 Christie Street, just south of St. Clair West, open on Saturdays from 8am to 12 noon.

Find Farmer’s Markets & more  click link  www.greenbeltfresh.ca

If you would like more information about the Cedarvale-Humewood Neighbourhood and presently available properties for sale/lease, click here or call me at 416-219-7583 (client line) or 416-487-5131 (office) or send me an email to susan@susanmacarz.com. Please specify "Cedarvale-Humewood Neighbourhood" in the subject heading and include specifically what you are looking for (Type & style, # of bedrooms,# of baths, parking, sale or lease, price range, time frame, etc.), this will allow me to provide you with the proper information that you are seeking.