The Artist

Ruth Howard, Toronto, Canada

Ruth Howard is the founding Artistic Director of Jumblies Theatre + Arts: a radically inclusive, community-engaged arts organization based in Toronto. With Jumblies, she created and produced multi-year Toronto residencies, resulting in large-scale performances and lasting offshoots, and many other projects with places and people in Toronto and across Canada. In 2023, Ruth stepped down from Jumblies' leadership, continuing to work as an independent artist and consultant.

Step into an evolving installation where 20 years of our community creations, artifacts, stories and artworks interweave to imagine and build a new tomorrow.

The Project

“Mementos & Marvels” invites audiences into an evolving installation that connects Mabelle Avenue’s past, present, and future through community-made art, storytelling and participation. Curated by Ruth Howard, past Artistic Director of Jumblies and founder of Mabelle Arts, the project features photography, lanterns, puppetry, textiles, video, ceramics, poetry and interactive sculptures created with Mabelle Avenue residents, and the many people we have welcomed to our Avenue. Inside Mabelle Arts’ studio, audiences explore a retrospective gallery shaped by over 20 years of community artmaking. Outside in Mabelle Park, artists and audiences work together to build and transform a temporary structure using installation materials, prompts, rituals and shared memories. Throughout the night, the work changes as new elements are added, carried away, burned, recycled or returned to the installation. The project explores how communities preserve stories, celebrate change and imagine the future together.

Acknowledgements

Mabelle Arts would like to thank all associated Jumblies and Offshoot organizational staff, artists and many participants whose hands crafted the works that make up this installation.

Contact the Deanna Di Lello with any questions: Deanna@mabellearts.ca