10 Belfield Road in Toronto was the venue for artistic training and skills development in modern Batik for some youth in the Toronto Ghanaian community during this summer.

This summer workshop for the youth dubbed ‘Modern Batik Couture’ was organized under the auspices of the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) and funded by the Toronto Arts Council.

The workshop which began on July 3, 2019 was facilitated by the renowned Batik artist, David Kibuuka from Uganda, and Lorena who is a versatile fashion designer based in Toronto. The co-ordinator and originator of the project was Mr. Joe Kingsley Eyiah, a seasoned educationist in charge of the GCAO Homework and Mentoring Club based at Apostles’ ContInuation Church which also donated space for the summer workshop.

All the thirteen registered participants ranging from the ages of ten to eighteen years designed marvellous works which would be exhibited at the forthcoming GhanaFest to be held in Toronto this August.

The closing ceremony was well attended by the Executives of GCAO on August 1, 2019. The President of GCAO took the opportunity to recognize the facilitators and the coordinator of the workshop by presenting them with Certificates  of Appreciation. The participants also received Certificates of Volunteerism from the GCAO.

The overwhelming interest that the products of this workshop have generated among some Ghanaian parents in the community has encouraged the organizers to begin planning another Batik Couture workshop for more youth in the Toronto Ghanaian community during next year.