The BQNA presents "A Breath of Air” at the Arcadia Art Gallery
- BQNA
- Mar 29
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
April 5-27, 2025
"A Breath of Air" is an interactive community art event celebrating the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association (BQNA) 35 years of community building, and focusing on the importance of the environment for Earth Month in April. The BQNA has also launched the first petition to regulate harmful ultrafine particles in Canada.
Sign the petition to regulate Ultrafine particles!
Ultrafine particles (UFPs) present a unique and serious threat to human health due to their tiny size and ability to carry toxic chemicals deep into the body. And unlike larger particles that are typically trapped in the upper respiratory tract, UFPs can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream where they can impact various organs, including the heart and brain.
Recognizing the growing evidence of the harmful effects of UFPs, the World Health Organization and European Union have recommended guidelines and more stringent measures to control these pollutants.
Upcoming events
University of Toronto Air Quality study
Wednesday, April 23, 7:00 p.m.
After three years of air quality measurements conducted by the University of Toronto research team, the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood (BQN) learned that emissions from the nearby island airport are increasing air pollution exposure in their community. The data revealed that concentrations of airborne ultrafine particles (UFP) are higher across the BQN than they would be in the absence of the airport. Dr. Hatzopoulou will tell the story of the partnership with the community while taking everyone through the different phases of the project. Then open it up to questions and open discussion.
Marianne Hatzopoulou is a Professor and Chair of the University of Toronto's Civil & Mineral Engineering Department. She is also a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Transportation Decarbonization and Air Quality, Director, Positive Zero Transport Futures and Head of the Transportation and Air Quality research group (TRAQ)
Carolyn Sealfon "Playing with Air" – exploring the science of the invisible yet vital air all around us with fun hands-on experiments and playing with more abstract ideas.
Since 1990, the mandate of Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association has been to help improve the quality of life in the community. To celebrate this goal, we are building on this mission by hosting a series of guest speakers through the month and gathering ideas through engagement, activities and presentations to improve community health, safety and social life.
From April 5 to 27, Bathurst Quay community will be invited to create an interactive timeline and visual history of their neighbourhood on Toronto’s waterfront. Residents will be invited to contribute stories, poems, photographs, memorabilia and artwork to generate a multi-faceted and expressive portrait of the neighbourhood, and its many milestones.
As this collective ‘canvas’ develops through the month of April, different events will present opportunities for gathering knowledge and reflecting the heart of the community, with a goal of finding creative ways to improve our air quality, environmental health, economic and social well-being.
A Breath of Air’s opening is Saturday April 5, 3-7 p.m., followed by a program of events on select weekends when the gallery will be open from 1-5 pm, and on Wednesday evenings, from 7 p.m. onwards, until April 27.
Opening day photos
Confirmed community programming
All events take place at the Arcadia Art Gallery, 680 Queens Quay West, Toronto, M5V 2Y9
Saturday, April 5, 3 - 7 p.m. | Opening, Breath of Air |
Wednesday, April 9, 6 p.m. | Carolyn Sealfon, Community Improv |
Saturday, April 12, 1:15 p.m. | Bev Thorpe, Ultra Fine Particles and Community Health |
Saturday, April 12, immediately following the 1:15 p.m. presentation. | Grace Grothaus, We Are Air Aware (York University) |
Sunday, April 13, 2 – 5 p.m. | Chris Birkett and Joan Prowse, Songs and Songwriting for Earth Day |
Wednesday, April 16, 7 p.m. | BQNA, General Members Public Meeting |
Saturday, April 19, 1 p.m. | Carolyn Sealfon, Playing With Air |
Tuesday, April 22, 1 p.m. | Earth Day celebration for young and old. |
Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. | Dr. Marianne Hatzopoulou, U of T Air Quality Study |
Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m. | Camila Cacera, Community Gardening (Planting a Seed) |
Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m. | Camila Cacera, Community Gardening (Planting a Seed) |
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