February 5 – March 28, 2026
Benefits to the Community
The objectives and programmes of the WSA provide an opportunity for individuals, corporate entities, benevolent organizations and foundations to support social development through the arts and to contribute, directly and indirectly, to the growth of a viable creative economy.
Celebrate Black Culture
Seven weeks of exceptional art, presentations, discussions, lectures, and music from February 5 to March 28, 2026!
Here are some of the events we have planned. More events will be added soon!
Black History Art Exhibition
February 5 to March 28, 2026
Meet the artists at the OPENING RECEPTION February 7, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Three artists celebrate beauty, resilience, and creativity through the power of visual art — honouring heritage, sparking dialogue, and building community through shared expression.
Angela Francis is a Canadian-Grenadian artist exploring idetity and heritage through vibrant, evocative works. She invites viewers into a world where heritage is honoured and art becomes a vessel for cultural fusion. “My fine art portrays a number of signature styles and themes and is a mixture of interpretations of emotions at the time of creating the piece. It is my visual form of communication, personal expression, gratification and her psycho-analytical representation of what I experience. I am hoping to express something deeper in the human experience than can be simply observed.” Visit her website for more information.
Ryan Osman brings his passion for storytelling, photography, and science. Ryan will talk in March (date tba) about his work with WATER FIRST. View his bio and list of exhibition experience here.
Jason George is a wildlife photographer, educator, and author. NEIGHBOURS IN THE WILD uses photography to look closely at diverse wildlife coexisting mostly near us in the Simcoe region. His interactive presentations, CHALLENGING PERSPECTIVES, take place on February 10 and 24 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. You can also go further and travel to Brazil to see Jaguars with Jason.
This presentation looks at how colonization has shaped food and food access in rural communities like Wasaga Beach. It highlights Black history and the growing African, Caribbean, and Black communities in Simcoe County. The talk encourages audiences to think about food as culture, identity, and belonging, and how we can make food systems more welcoming for everyone.
Gillian ‘Rawberri’ Scobie (She/Her) is a Cultural Food Access Coordinator and Community Service Navigator throughout Toronto and the GTA. She facilitates conversations and workshops focusing on the importance of cultural food access and literacy; while promoting black food sovereignty and culturally relevant nutritional literacy for black communities. She is also a key voice in advocating for systems change in food access and cooperative network. A resident of Barrie for over 20 years, she is now living in Scarborough and continues to be deeply involved in grassroots groups including Simcoe Muskoka Black Community Development Council, Making Change Simcoe County, Afri-Can FoodBasket and Black Food Sovereignty Toronto. Now having grown some roots in Toronto, her intention is to transmit those frequencies through wider spread community networking, involvement and solidarity.
“Iron Road” Image 16″x 20″ Framed 26″x 34″
1. Learning How Combining Your Passion and Interests Can Lead to Unique Opportunities
In BEYOND Borders, Ryan Osman shares how blending his passions for photography and environmental science has shaped a career without limits. A Photographer and Water Resources Specialist based in Wasaga Beach, originally from the island of Mauritius, Ryan demonstrates how following intersecting interests can create meaningful and unexpected pathways—from collaborating with athletes and creatives to working in water conservation with Indigenous communities through Water First.
2. Looking at Barriers and Opportunities
Drawing from his lived experience and professional journey, Ryan explores the visible and invisible borders that shape our lives—geographic, cultural, environmental, and systemic. As a member of the Uplift Black Artist Collective and a specialist focused on water sustainability, he reflects on how barriers can become bridges when we listen deeply, collaborate respectfully, and recognize overlooked voices and untapped potential.
3. Storytelling Through Photography and Science
Through powerful imagery and real-world environmental work, Ryan reveals how storytelling can connect people to place. Using his camera to quietly narrate the relationship between people and nature, he highlights the importance of environmental mindfulness while ensuring that every story—especially those rarely heard—is seen, valued, and remembered.
Ryan Osman is a Photographer and Water Resources Specialist based in Wasaga Beach, Ontario. Originally from the scenic island of Mauritius, Ryan uses his camera as a storytelling tool to quietly narrate the interactions between people and nature. His mission is simple yet powerful—to ensure that everyone’s story is heard, especially those whose voices might have been overlooked.
Over the years, Ryan has worked with a variety of athletes, organizations, brands, communities, and individuals to showcase their work/talents, as well as learn, and listen to their ideas, issues, and stories. Since 2019, he is a Water Resources Specialist with Water First, contributing to projects focused on water conservation in collaboration with Indigenous communities. Ryan is also a member of the Uplift Black Artist Collective since 2020.
Through his lens, Ryan highlights the beauty and the importance of being mindful of our environment.
BEYOND Borders – A Talk by Ryan Osman
March 4, 7:00 – 8:00 pm at the Stonebridge Arts Hub. Doors open 6:45. $10
Tickets:1 Select ‘2. Ryan Osman March 4 $10″, enter your contact information, number of tickets, and pay $10 using the ‘Custom Amount’ field.
Jason George
Challenging Perspectives
February 10 and 24, 2026 at 7pm
Jason George is a local wildlife photographer, inspiring presenter, teacher, and wildlife adventurer. He infects his audiences with a love for nature and creativity through captivating and thought-provoking stories and immersive activities. Jason is giving his popular and fun presentation, ‘Challenging Perspectives’ . You can also go further and travel to Brazil to see Jaguars with Jason.
Gwyn Beaver & Louis Lefaive
February 7, 2026 – Join us for a thrilling jazz performance from 7:30 – 8:30 pm! Doors open at 7:15 pm.
TO REGISTER AND SECURE YOUR SPOT: Click here to access ‘1. Jazz Concert 7Feb’, keep ‘Jazz Concert’ selected, enter your contact information, number of tickets, and pay $15 using the ‘Custom Amount’ field.
Gwyn Beaver holds a master’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Oklahoma. She was an adjunct voice instructor at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Tx. During further post graduate studies, Gwyn was a teaching assistant in the music department, as well as a vocal instructor for the Informal Classes Program at the University of Texas at Austin. She has been a featured artist with the Montréal Jubilation Choir and has worked with various jazz artists based in Montréal. Gwyn has performed with the l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Jongleur Opera, Fort Worth Opera, Cimarron Circuit Opera and was an apprentice with the Houston Ebony Opera.
Gwyn’s professional theatre credits include the Quarter Century Theatre and the Newmarket National 10-Minute Play Festival. On-camera credits include commercial work, and the TV series See No Evil and Fear Thy Neighbor. She is a stagiaire with the Union des Artistes and is represented by Collin McMurray & Associates.
Louis Lefaive‘s live gigs range from solo, duests and trios with various musicians to performing with his family band called Ariko. Ariko’s fiddle based repertoire is rooted in traditional music coloured by zydeco, jazz, and popular genres.
Louis is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist and he has performed at various Jazz Festivals over the years.
Lefaive also owns his own recording studio where he has recorded his own originals as well as albums for a variety of other artists.