From an institutionalized recreation hall to an architectural and heritage hot spot, the Assembly Hall continues to provide a place for community expression of arts and culture.
The art gallery and theatre serves South Etobicoke with rental space that has become home to various local groups, who rely on the facility for their programming.
"The mandate is to act as a gathering place, for the Lakeshore community, where arts and culture are nurtured and celebrated," said Nawfal Sheikh, community cultural coordinator for the hall. On any given day, visitors can stroll through the art gallery for free and may cross paths with movie crews, poets or yogis.
"It’s a wide variety of arts and culture programming," Sheikh said. "It’s very diverse and touches on a range of different things."
The space has deep-seated roots in the area. It was constructed in 1898 as part of the Mimico Lunatic Asylum by patients who were used for labour. It served as recreation hall to the institution for decades, doubling as a space for church services and town dances.
The hall closed its doors with the institution in 1979, and remained vacant for years until the interest of local residents brought it back into spotlight. With a modern glass facelift that preserved the heritage brick exterior of the building, the hall reopened in 2001 to serve a much-needed role in the community.
"Having a space where arts and cultural groups can utilize it...that’s often a hindrance and a bit of a barrier to groups, especially when you are outside of the downtown core, and especially spaces that focus on arts and culture," Sheikh said.
Although primary used as a rental venue and art gallery, the hall has some signature events of its own, in partnership with local groups. By the Lake Book Club is a series of events running in October, where the literary-inclined have a chance to interact with a prominent Canadian author.
It’s a popular event with limited seating and it sells out fast; this year’s tickets go on sale end of June. The hall is also hosting Cultural Days Sept. 26 to 28 with Humber College and Lakeshore Arts, offering a multitude of free and interactive exhibits highlighting diversity.
The assembly hall gives rental priority and lower fees to cultural community groups. Residents can also get involved through volunteer positions, provided there are openings in one of the coveted spots. For volunteer or rental applications, and more information on events, email assembly@toronto.ca
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