June – July 2026
Art on my Mind 2026: Live Performance Incubator
Off-site at Black Creek Community Farm
Workshops in June and July hosted by Kibra
Showcase on Saturday, July 18 @ 4 – 6 pm
featuring Kibra, Rachel Smith, Dan Espina, Adriel Bennett, and D’Andre Wilson
From June to July 2026, The Goldfarb Gallery will be presenting Art on My Mind 2026, a live performance incubator for four emerging singers. Taking place at the Black Creek Community Farm, this artistic development initiative will be led by acclaimed R&B singer and songwriter Kibra who will offer personalized coaching and mentorship sessions to prepare participants to perform with a live band. The workshops focus on honing articulation, diction, and pitch discrimination, as well as perfecting rhythm, tempo, and overall synchronization of the performance. Special attention will be paid to building and shaping the mood of a live performance along with fostering a strong emotional and deep empathetic connection with the audience. The program also includes a workshop facilitated by musical director and keyboardist Rachel Smith who will introduce participants to the fundamentals of the rehearsal process, including an orientation on how to communicate with band members using both verbal language and hand signals. Smith will also assist singers with channeling the purpose and spirit of their music to the audience.
Workshop participants will be prepared for a culminating live performance. The Goldfarb Gallery and the Black Creek Community Farm will present the showcase in conjunction with the Black Creek Community Farm Festival, and feature performances by Kibra and the Art on My Mind workshop participants. Each artist will be accompanied by a band led by Rachel Smith with guitarist Dan Espina, bass player Adriel Bennett, and drummer D’Andre Wilson. The showcase will demonstrate the impact that personalized coaching and mentorship can have and celebrates the growth and artistic development of our program participants.
Toronto-based singer Kibra is quickly making a name for herself as one of the most exceptional voices in Toronto’s R&B scene. Known for captivating audiences, Kibra stands out for her distinctive blend of soulful melodies and unparalleled vocals.
Rachel “Rae” Smith is a Jamaican British singer and pianist with nearly 25 years of experience. Whether through live performance, arranging, composition, or production, she brings a collaborative spirit and a deep musicality to every project.
Special thanks to the Toronto Arts Council for generously supporting the Art on My Mind 2026 Performance Incubator and Showcase. We extend our gratitude to our community partner, Black Creek Community Farm, for hosting our workshops and collaborating with us on the presentation of the showcase.
Art on My Mind has been a recurring program of The Goldfarb Gallery for the past decade. Organized by Allyson Adley, it is one of the many programs of ours responsive to the needs of the Jane Finch neighbourhood. Special thanks to the Toronto Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Foundation for generous support. We extend our gratitude to our community partner, Black Creek Community Farm, for hosting our workshops and collaborating with us on the presentation of the showcase.
