Our Story

Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery (CRSG) is a volunteer-run registered charitable organization for the arts that works in partnership with the City of Toronto’s Cedar Ridge Creative Centre. We are situated in the Centre’s vibrant arts and culture hub, housed in a 1912 mansion nestled under the towering trees of the lush public gardens of Cedar Ridge Park.

The site provides a space where artists and artisans can experiment and share their creative work within the community, and beyond to our surrounding neighbours and Toronto. CRSG conducts outreach projects with the Community Arts Guild, Toronto Employment and Social Services, S.A.G.E, Precious Gems and other partners. 

Vision
To nurture emerging artists and welcome the local community to experience art, build relationships and share experience through the space we create together.

Mission
Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery (CRSG) mobilizes volunteers to provide support and opportunities for artists in Scarborough, catalyzing artists to build their creative and professional capacities. CRSG provides exhibition support, professional development and capacity-building for artists, and conducts networking and outreach opportunities within the local community.

 

Our History

Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery’s Evolution and our community of volunteers.

Cedar Ridge is on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit, the Huron-Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and home to many diverse Indigenous people. It is situated between Kingston Road and Lawrence Avenue East, just east of Scarborough Golf Club Road at 255 Confederation Boulevard in Toronto.

The present-day Arts & Crafts style home that comprises Cedar Ridge Creative Centre and Cedar Ridge Gallery was built as a summer home in 1912. Ownership of the property passed through two families (the Charles Cummings family, followed by the John Campbell Frasers) before it was acquired by the City of Scarborough in 1976 (Scarborough would later be amalgamated into the City of Toronto in 1988).

The story of how Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery came to be so closely associated with Cedar Ridge is woven into the vibrant history of the arts in Scarborough.

In 1932, Rosa and Spenser Clark established the Guild of All Arts at the former summer home of Colonel Bickford overlooking the Scarborough Bluffs. Over time, the Guild evolved and in 1968, The Guildwood School of Arts and Crafts was founded. The school operated out of Corycliffe Lodge and the Log Cabin on the grounds of the present-day Guild Inn, but as the school’s popularity swelled due to the numbers requesting classes, additional teaching space was sought. Bethune House, a City of Scarborough owned building, was available and the school relocated, changing its name to Guildcrest Studios.

In 1976, plans were underway to enlarge the Bethune location to provide more studio space. However, with the recent death of John Fraser in 1977, his estate, Cedar Ridge, was acquired by the City of Scarborough through a land swap with Metropolitan Toronto. The Guildcrest Studios were invited by the City of Scarborough to redirect their fundraising activities to renovate Cedar Ridge and thereby develop a gallery exhibition space and teaching studios.

Guildcrest Studios changed its name to Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery (CRSG) in 1978 and raised money for the sensitive renovation of the building. The beauty of the original home was retained in the main floor gallery spaces (the former library and living and dining rooms). The upper floor and basement area were developed into teaching studio spaces. Later, the carriage house was renovated into a large pottery studio, teaching space and a woodworking/sculpture studio.

 Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery operated the gallery and studios from 1978 until the City of Scarborough took over the daily operations of the property in 1986. In 1988, Scarborough was amalgamated into the City of Toronto; the City of Toronto now operates and programs Cedar Ridge Creative Centre.

CRSG continues to work out of office space at beautiful Cedar Ridge, where we work in partnership with the City of Toronto to program gallery exhibitions and host openings and other events for exhibiting artists. We continue to keep Scarborough’s arts guild tradition alive by supporting our member-artists, and promoting their work.