ArtSync.ca is a dynamic online sanctuary for all those interested and involved in Canadian art: its creators, conspirators, critics, and cheerleaders. We’re working on content to supplement the archive we maintain of our affiliated television program, striving to excite and inform our audience about the local visual arts scene.
ArtSync TV is Toronto’s visual voice for contemporary art. Grounded in an awe for the art of this city, we’re committed to following, sharing, and celebrating the best of it with our Roger’s TV -Toronto and online audiences. Each week’s episode features brief interviews and clips from recent gallery openings and art events, and longer, in-depth discussions with artists or arts professionals.The show airs every Friday night at 10:30 on channel 10, with clips and uncut material available online shortly thereafter.
ArtSync is now officially registered as as a not-for-profit organization.
The ArtSync Team Comprises…
JUNI CUNEYT BIROL – Executive Producer
After starting his business life with a Master’s degree in architecture, Juni soon leapt to the fast-paced world of advertising, marketing and corporate promotion. He has worked for companies including Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Mobil, Unilever, and for all three bids for the Istanbul Olympics. As a photographer he has participated in many solo and group exhibitions. His directorial accomplishments include over forty documentaries for Turkish Airlines and the award-winning documentary “Breath”.
LORI STARR – Host
Lori is an art historian, museum educator, and arts executive with a long career in museums and cultural centres. She was Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the J. Paul Getty Trust and Getty Museum from 1986-2001 and senior Vice President and Museum Director, Skirball Cultural Center from 2001-2006. She holds an MA in Art History from University of Virginia, Charlottesville and a BA in Art History from Rutgers University. Earlier in her career Starr was Associate Museum Educator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Director of Continuing Studies in the Visual Arts and Lecturer, Museum Studies Program, University of Southern California. She is currently the Executive Director of Koffler Centre of the Arts, a position she has held since 2006. Additionally, Lori is also the current Vice President of Culture UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.
Lori unfortunately left for San Francisco.
MICHAEL HANSEN – Host
Michael holds an MFA based in installation and sculpture from Toronto’s York University. His practice is concerned with the interstice between audience and artwork, and particularly with noise as a catalyst for its elimination. He programmed a music/outside jazz/noise morning radio show in Toronto for over twenty years, and his art has shown extensively in Canada and abroad since 1985. He currently performs as an Electro Acoustic Improviser.
BARBARA ISHERWOOD – Host
Barbara Isherwood has an MA in Art History from the University of Toronto, where she currently teaches in the School of Continuing Studies. Her writing has been published in Canadian Art, Border Crossings, FiberArts, Metalsmith, Studio, Raw Vision and more. She has a particular interest in photography and fine craft, and was awarded the Ontario Craft Council’s Critical Craft Writing Award in 2005. Besides the visual arts, her other great passion is music, which is the focus of her program Catwoman Radio, heard Wednesdays, 5:00 to 6:00 pm on CIUT 89.5 FM in Toronto.
TALI DUDIN – Host
After attending several educational institutions, Tali abandoned the pursuit of a formal degree – but not the pursuit of knowledge. Her wide sphere of interests include life-drawing, writing and mycology.
PATRICIA GORA – Host
In 2010 Patricia joined the Ryerson University faculty as an Instructor in the School of Early Childhood Studies teaching various courses in visual arts, literacy development, technology and curriculum planning. Since 2006 Patricia has worked at the Art Gallery of Ontario as a museum educator. She has designed educational studio-art experiences in the form of workshops, courses, and summer camp programs that compliment in-gallery exhibits and explore theoretical and technical aspects of art making. Her teaching practice focuses on the symbiotic relationship between creativity and learning and how creativity may be encouraged in children. Patricia’s current research interests include studying yoga as a vehicle for mind-body integration to support children’s ability to focus in combination with art as a means to represent their inspiration.
HEATHER WHITE
Heather is a freelance writer, emerging curator, and professional dabbler in the arts. Holding a BA in Contemporary Studies and History (University of King’s College, Halifax) and an MA in Philosophy and the Arts (SUNY Stonybrook at Manhattan), she currently lives and works in Toronto.
ANITA SILVESTRI – Commumnications
With over ten years experience in the Sports and Entertainment Industry, Anita has organized and coordinated many social events, meetings and seminars.
Anita has a diverse background which matches her well rounded personality. She continues reinventing herself and brings something new to the market. She is self motivated and self directed, Anita’s multiple diverse certifications have provided her a definite blueprint for her success. Some of her educational background includes – Teaching,Travel and Tourism, Event Planning, Home staging and design, she is also a certified Aromatoligist.
She is someone who likes to share knowledge that might inspire others. In the event planning world Anita always works with a team. She believes in making things happen having that vision of what you want to accomplish and be able to articulate that vision.
CALWYN SHURGOLD – Camareman
Originally from Brantford Ontario, Calwyn developed an interest in performance and visual art as young man, experimenting with video, and later sketch comedy. At university he began performing Stand Up Comedy and discovered his love of acting. His combination of humor, video, and art often cross disciplinary boundaries and deal with themes surrounding Pop Culture, Canadian identity, and masculinity.
KATE FANE – Publication Intern/Web Editor
Kate is an aspiring editor and armchair art critic from Vancouver. Previously a student at Dalhousie University, she is currently pursuing a specialist degree in English Literature at the University of Toronto.
Design by Juni Cuneyt Birol
