Turtle House Art/Play Centre is a Special Arts Program
for Children and Parents Coming from Regions of Conflict
Previous Turtle House Programs
Since January 2008 Turtle House has provided a welcoming and inclusive environment for Newcomer/refugee families from different ethno-racial, cultural, language and faith backgrounds.
Turtle House Family Arts Program
Through art, conversation, and shared meals, parents and children have connected with each other, built relationships with other families and with Turtle House artists and volunteers.
Our second program Turtle House Ceramics – a ceramics training program for Newcomer refugee artists and non-artists has been running since 2017 with support from Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council Artists in Communities and Schools Projects, and the Gardiner Museum.
In April 2019, Turtle House Ceramics held in the Gardiner’s lobby a
wonderful reception and exhibition titled “Mixed Feelings: Leaving Home, Finding Home” to celebrate Refugee Rights Month.
While we as an organization are now disbanding, we are happy to say that the vision and mission of Turtle House will continue to thrive as our programs have found new homes with like-minded organizations.
Continuity of Our Programs
Click here for the CAS2020 digital catalogue.
We partnered with Working Women Community Centre to apply for Federal Funding for the Turtle House Family Arts Program through the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The application was successful and the program has received conditional funding for the next five years. Working Women Community Centre will retain the name “Turtle House Family Arts” as they administer it over the years.
We partnered with FCJ Refugee Centre to participate in the Gardiner Museum’s Community Arts Space 2020 Project (See the CAS2020 “Community is Essential” digital catalogue) The end date of our ceramics project was adjusted to account for pandemic related delays and the final stage of project management has transitioned to FCJ Refugee Centre.
FCJ Refugee Centre welcomed the opportunity for their community to participate in the art programming that they would otherwise not have had access to. We are hopeful that they will receive funding to continue the ceramics training program beyond this project.
Your donations over the years have been critical in enabling us to offer our very valuable programs free of charge to children and parents coming from regions of conflict, as well as to Newcomer refugee artists.
Thank you for your support throughout the years!
Fallsview Casino Comes to Canada — A New Partner for Turtle House Art/Play Centre
Hello, I’m the proud owner and voice behind the Turtle House Art/Play Centre. It fills me with excitement and gratitude to share that Fallsview Casino is expanding its presence in Canada and has become a valued partner of Turtle House Art/Play Centre.
At Turtle House Art/Play Centre, we are dedicated to supporting newcomer and refugee families—particularly children and parents from regions of conflict—by offering arts-based programs that foster creativity, connection, healing, and belonging. Over the years, we have offered invaluable programs like the Turtle House Family Arts Program and Turtle House Ceramics, offering painting, clay work, music, and conversation circles that help families integrate and thrive.
- Creative Workshops: Family arts sessions where parents and children create together through painting, puppetry, music, ceramic clay and more.
- Ceramics Training: A ceramics program designed for newcomer and refugee artists and non-artists alike, a foundation for creative expression and community, which later culminated in exhibitions like “Mixed Feelings: Leaving Home, Finding Home.”
- Community Connection: Through art, we cultivate supportive gatherings, discussion circles, and celebrations—building intercultural dialogue and collective resilience.
Now, I’m thrilled to announce that Fallsview Casino, Canada’s iconic gaming destination, has joined hands with us. Their recent expansion into the Canadian digital gaming landscape brings exciting opportunities and resources.
Through our collaboration, we look forward to combining two seemingly distinct worlds—artistic community empowerment and Canada’s regulated online gaming sector. It may seem unusual, yet both can share a commitment to enriching lives:
- From Fallsview Casino’s perspective, such a partnership reflects a meaningful community investment, supporting social cohesion beyond their core business.
- For Turtle House Art/Play Centre, this means increased sponsorship and promotion, allowing us to offer more free programs, train volunteers, and reach more families in need.
Since the launching of fallsview casino online, Canadians have gained access to a regulated, secure, and reputable digital platform that echoes the standards of Canada’s renowned Fallsview Casino Resort. Now, this same platform aligns with our mission to support vulnerable newcomer families through the arts.
As the owner and steward of Turtle House Art/Play Centre, I warmly welcome Fallsview Casino as our sponsor. Their support empowers us to continue offering healing, safe, arts-based environments for families striving to build new lives here in Canada.
Ultimately, I’m honored to say that Fallsview Casino is now a proud sponsor of Turtle House Art/Play Centre.
“I thank you so much for this program because I and my children enjoyed it so much…I hope there will be a program in the summer”
Mother who participated in the Turtle House Program with her children
