River Seasons: Walk & Workshop with saysah

Artist saysah leads a rejuvenating workshop day that celebrates the transition from winter to spring through the lens of our vital waterways. We’ll begin with a walk, taking time to reflect on our deep connection with water and its essential role in our ecosystem. As we stroll, we’ll engage our senses and consider how the winter months have impacted the land and waterways and influenced our thoughts and feelings. Participants will be invited to bring with them one of the clay offerings from saysah’s installation in the gallery, to place in the Highland Creek—created with clay harvested from Lake Ontario, the offerings will be returned to the waterway as the river empties into the lake.

After the walk, we’ll gather indoors in a cozy circle for discussion. This space will encourage open dialogue about our individual and collective relationships with land and water, exploring themes of relationality, temporality, transitions, and the stories that shape our experiences.

This workshop invites you to deepen your understanding of your connection to the beyond-human world and foster a sense of belonging and interconnectedness as we embrace the season of renewal that spring brings. Join us for a day of connection, reflection, and community.

Space is limited, registration is required. If you have accommodation needs, please let us know through the registration form or by contacting dmg.utsc@utoronto.ca.

Part of this program will be held outdoors; please dress for the weather. The Ma Moosh Ka Win Trail is wheelchair accessible; the trail that continues beyond is an uneven, partly-paved path. This program will include opportunities to sit down/rest. Light refreshments will be provided.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

saysah moves through the world with a deep intention to be in right relationship with their body, the land, and the communities they belong to. They are always in the process of (un)becoming—an ever-evolving learner, maker, and mover. As a multidisciplinary and multisensorial artist, saysah’s practice weaves together different forms of expression, all guided by sensory exploration. They find joy in mulling over layers of embodied knowledge systems and re-membering what has been left for us. Through their work, they build spaces for co-creation, where community-building, ritual-theatre, and archive come together in a shared approach. These elements are deeply informed by earth and water as vital teachers and collaborators—saysah honours these guides by moving with a commitment to reciprocity.