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News Release

July 05, 2006

U of G Prof Turns Toronto Wading Pools Into Art

A University of Guelph studio art professor is making waves with a project that is transforming 14 Toronto wading pools into art July 7 to 9. Wade 2006, an annual project that aims to get artists out of their studios and into neighbourhoods and to show people urban spaces are theirs to play in, was conceived and is curated by Prof. Sandra Rechico and artist, writer and architect Christie Pearson.

The exhibit attracted more than 3,000 people in 2004 when it filled 11 pools with blue jello and pool noodles. Highlights from this year’s project include a wading pool filled with clear plastic bags of water to encourage playful exploration, a pool filled with wool that participants will transform into felt, and a spectacle of human-generated fountains.

The 14 artists and performers are from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Events, installations and performances are all free and will be staggered over the weekend. A full schedule is available at www.wadetoronto.com.

Rechico is an installation artist who lives and works in Toronto. Her work has been exhibited across Canada and abroad and has been featured in Canadian Art Magazine, Parachute and Flash Art International. She recently completed a residency and exhibition at the Institute of Modern Art in Australia and two projects in Holland. Rechico has long been active in the Toronto Art community through her involvement with Open Studio, Mercer Union and as the co-founder and past-president of the Red Head Gallery.