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'Why me!' Those were the words I exclaimed when my teacher told me that I was going to be doing the talk show for my house that session. I was 13 going through a bunch of insecurities and the last thing I wanted was to stand before 700 students in my boarding school and flop. It didn't help that I was terribly shy and got tongue-tied in front of people. But my teacher didn't care about that. It was funny because he knew first-hand just how bad I was at speaking in front of people and yet he chose me despite the many orators that he could choose from. He told me that I could do it, that this was going to be a learning opportunity and a chance to spread my wings beyond academics. He also mentioned that I had no choice in the matter and I just had to suck it up like a big girl. That was the start of 2 rigorous weeks of preparation. For the first time in my life, I was in a situation that I couldn't get out of. If I didn't prepare enough, I was going to flop in front of all my teachers, friends, fellow students, and most importantly my crush! Which 13 year old wants that? So, I did what I do best- put my all into the task in front of me. I went to the library during breaks and night prep. I went to the computer lab when it was my class's turn and I followed my English teacher everywhere so that I could learn how to put words together in the most captivating way. I also took my time to look at past winning speeches that others did and broke it down with my teacher so that I could adapt the key aspects into my own speech. One week after I received the dreadful news, my speech was ready and now came the difficult part; practicing in front of my friends. They were the most supportive people you could find anywhere but they never took anything seriously apart from exams. They were going to poke fun at my mistakes (all with good intentions of course) and try to make the situation as light as possible. No matter how hard I tried to make them take this seriously, we ended up laughing at my mistakes and shyness. I didn't like it, but I have to admit that it was great that I didn't have to be serious all the time. Every day, we made progress and I got more confident in the way I talked until one day my friends gave me a round of applause. I knew then that I was ready for the crowd that awaits and I thought to myself that if I ended up stammering and sweating on stage, the one thing no one can say was that I didn't put the work in. Luckily, that didn't happen. The week was finally over and D-Day was here. It was a Saturday so I practiced till the sunset and dressed up in my school uniform. I can't count the number of times I looked in the mirror and told myself 'You've got this' or how many times it felt like my heart was beating out of my chest. By 7pm, I met up with my teacher and we went over the speech for the last time. He told me that I should not look at the faces of the people I was talking to because that would freak me out. Instead, he advised me to look at the top of their heads or just focus on a single object or person and just talk to that. It sounded a bit silly to me because how won't I look at their faces? He stayed with me throughout until 8pm came and I had to go on stage. I was speaking first before other contestants took the stage and it goes without saying that I was absolutely trembling. It brings a smile to my face everytime I remember. I never thought I would do it but I end up not looking at anyone. I focused on one of the light lamps and when I needed to look at people for impact, I searched for the faces of my friends in the audience. Time went by and soon, I was giving my closing notes. I took a deep breath, faced the people in front of me, and I started to hear people clapping. Were they seriously cheering for me??? I looked for my teacher in the audience and he had the biggest smile on his face. I looked at my friends and they were mouthing some comforting words to me. I finally turned back to the audience, took a bow and left the stage. All the stress, anxiety, self-doubt, and nervousness of the past 2 weeks washed off in an instant. My teacher came to meet me and told me that I did an incredible job and I knew how picky he was with giving compliments so that made me feel much better. The rest of the night was a blur and the 4 remaining speakers went on stage. Now, we had to wait 10 minutes for the result and that came with another bout of anxiety. I reminded myself that even if I didn't win, I sure as hell did my best and I will not be a sore loser. When the time elapsed, we got called to the stage again and we were commended for our efforts. The judges took their sweet time announcing the results to build up anticipation and at that point, I wished I could go and grab the results from his hand. While I was thinking about how annoying the announcer was, I heard him say my name 'Nancy Ajayi' and snapped back to reality. Was I last? Did I get disqualified? The remaining contestants were looking at me and for good measure, the announcer repeated the news Nancy Ajayi, you are the winner!! Thinking about it now, I remember how I couldn't contain my joy as I walked over to the judge to take my prize. There was a slight jump in my step and you wouldn't know that I was the same girl shaking in anxiety when the show was about to start. I went back to my position with my cheeks hurting and I just couldn't stop smiling no matter how hard I tried. The remaining contestants were giving their positions and the talk show came to an end. Throughout that night, I was on a high and nothing anyone said or did was enough to dull my happiness. That day taught me that there wasn't anything I couldn't do if I put my mind to it. It taught me to have confidence in myself and stop beating myself down too much. To make the night even better, my crush said something to me that I won't say now but you can bet that it was something good. I went to bed the happiest girl in the world and became a constant speaker during talk shows. That, is my happiest memory. What's yours? Don't forget to leave a comment if you enjoyed this.

Whether you’ve just made Toronto your home or you’re a local, you’re likely to enjoy the boons that come with living here: plenty of job opportunities, a well-connected infrastructure and plenty of entertainment opportunities worthy of a big city. When it comes to the art world, Toronto doesn’t disappoint as there are numerous venues that support artists and the quest for artistic expression locally. Since we specialize in art, we’ve done the legwork for you so can check out some of the best art galleries in town now (in no particular order): 1. Art Galllery of Toronto With a whopping 95,000 works in its collection, the Art Gallery of Toronto takes the cake for the best in of its kind in town and is also one of the most prominent art museums in North America. When you visit it, you get a chance to admire contemporary art such as Untilled by Pierre Huyghe, The Massacre of The Innocents by Peter Rubens, but also works of art signed by Indigenous Canadian artists. Current exhibitions include I am here: Home Movies ad Everyday Masterpieces, Jorian Charlton: Out of Many, Esery Mondesir: We Have Found Each Other and more. 2. Art Museum at the University of Toronto The Art Museum distinguishes itself by providing one of the amplest spaces for visual art exhibitions in Toronto. A series of events and exhibitions featuring interdisciplinary scholarship, innovative research and knowledge of the art reflecting Toronto and Canada’s pledge to support the arts. The Art Museum’s programs pride themselves in supporting emerging artists and curators both through mentorship and experiential learning opportunities. The Museum’s programs also foster developing histories and contemporary artists whether at local or international level. Additionally, interdisciplinary projects on topics reflecting contemporary culture are in focus at this distinguished institution. 3. The Bau-Xi Gallery Originally starting out in Vancouver with a view to foster gallery representation of Canadian artists on the West Coast, the Bau-Xi Gallery also opened a sister gallery in Toronto in 1976. It showcases stunning current art. You’ll find artworks by artists from across Canada who explore various mediums. It is committed to promoting and presenting unique fine art, with an emphasis on excellence. You can find Bau-Xi Toronto across the street from the Art Gallery of Toronto. 4. Daniel Faria Gallery You’ll find the Daniel Faria Gallery nestled among industrial buildings in the middle of Bloordale Village. It boasts two exhibits already, with a third one currently featuring Douglas Coupland, a Canadian artist who’s earned the recognition of the Canadian art world. The owner, Daniel Faria, has been active in the gallery world for over a decade and has drawn from his experience in visiting international galleries from New York or Lisbon before striking out on his own. Other artists whose works have been featured here include Shannon Bool, Kristine Moran and Chris Curreri. 5. The Cardinal Located in the storefront of a historical building on Toronto’s West Side, The Cardinal is a place where the arts can thrive. The gallery’s focus is on fine art photography as well as being a welcoming space for the local art community, with an emphasis on cozy boutique background. As one of the few places that help to promote photography in Toronto, it prides itself on supporting high-end limited-edition prints. 6. Onsite Gallery The Onsite Gallery is part of the OCAD and its mission is to showcase art reflecting contemporary thought-provoking works of art. It is a curatorial platform supporting art, design and design media. It is dedicated to both the OCAD U community and the general public, and it looks to effect social and cultural change. Its other goals include advancing the foals, aspirations and priorities of OCAD University and collaborating with professional artists, designers and curators all the while supporting excellence in visual culture among others. 7. Zalucky Contemporary The brainchild of Juliana Zalucky, Zalucky Contemporary is an art gallery located in the Junction in a storefront on Dundas St. West. It aims to showcase different styles of current art that draw from various mediums with a focus on minimalism. The first showcased exhibition – Small Monuments by Laura Moore – featured several generations of computer mice sculpted from soapstone. Jordan Bennett’s Artist and Curators’ Talk – Mural Launch and Solo Exhibition launch is slated for opening Wednesday, June 15, 2022. 8. Arsenal Contemporary Arsenal Contemporary is a private gallery founded by Pierre and Anne-Marie Trahan meant to promote and develop contemporary Canadian art through exhibitions that are curated in-house but also by international curators. Originally opened in Montreal, the gallery is now present in Toronto and New York. The Toronto location is located in Junction in a refurbished industrial building. The impressive 7,000 square space location is a well-known spot for hosting large-scale art exhibitions as well as other cultural and philanthropic events meant to extend the pool of local art enthusiasts. 9. Koffler Gallery Another noteworthy space dedicated to the arts, the Koffler Gallery can be found inside Artscape Youngplace on Shaw near Ossington and Queen. This location features a large variety of creative spaces featuring art works such as a mobile cycling exhibit to a chalkboard wall, with a focus on community. The Koffler Gallery is both an in-person- and digitally-friendly type of space dedicated to the arts. It is aimed at audiences spanning all ages and backgrounds with a focus on sparking dialogue on critical ideas and general issues relevant to contemporary times. 10. Ryerson Image Center As a collaborative institution with the Toronto Metropolitan University, the Ryerson Image Center acts as a liaison for the cultural network of Toronto and the national and international photography community. They develop programs aimed at students, faculty, artists, historians, curators and the general public. Through their 4.500 square feet of exhibition space and more, they have an exhibition program that tackles social, cultural and historical issues alongside their research program which supports inquiry into primary resource materials and provides access to lectures, symposia and publications dedicated to the history of photography. Now that you’re familiar with Toronto’s art gallery scene, let us which art gallery location you’ve already visited or plan to visit.

As the capital of Québec, Montréal is a major city with a lot going for itself: a rich job market and plenty of entertainment opportunities. Besides concert and event venues, Montréal has plenty of institutions that showcase local art either through a modern lens or a nod to the past. To help you find the next art-inclined venue, we’ve put together a list of some of the most acclaimed institutions that celebrate art in Montréal: 1. Montréal Museum of Fine Arts In existence since 1860, the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is the first art museum in Canada and a prominent one in North America. Its exhibitions include archaeology, fine arts, contemporary practices and more. There are over 80 exhibition galleries, an in-house publishing department, a public sculpture garden spread out over five pavilions. Created as a repository of Québec and Canadian heritage as well as international art, the MMFA comprises around 45K sculptures, paintings, photographs, multimedia installations and art objects reflecting the times from antiquity to the present day. Moreover, the MMFA is known for its work with community, health and technology sectors to enhance art awareness for all. 2. PHI Muse An arts organization founded in 2016, PHI Muse features artworks that straddle technology and art. It focuses on artistic initiatives, immersive installations and educational pursuits. They take a bold approach to art, where hybrid art is not celebrated, but encouraged all the while maintaining the dialogue with the public as a core tenet. PHI comprises the PHI Centre, PHI Studio, PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art and PHI Antenna, an editorial platform meant to reach the local community. Through its various initiatives, PHI seeks to create a future-looking and relevant space for art that promotes inclusiveness and dedication to quality. 3.Musée d’Art Contemporain The Musée d’Art Contemporain (MAC) of Montréal has been a part of the city’s art life for over half a century. It has hosted local and international works of art to the delight of a growing public. The artistic performances, exhibitions and festive events, the MAC aims to offer an insight into futuristic forms of art that capture the city’s essence and move beyond it too. As a visionary museum, the MAC is a leader in the Montréal artistic community as it engages with several local players. Additionally, it intends to extend its reach beyond Québec and into the international contemporary art scene. You can enter the Museum through the Galerie PVM via the Mansfield Street entrance. 4. McCord Museum A public research and teaching museum, the McCord Museum’s purpose is to research, study and preserve Canadian history. Taking its name from its founder – David Ross McCord – the museum is located in downtown Montréal, close to McGill University. The museum started out with its founder’s family collection of objects, but it has grown to boast an impressive number of items groups in various collections. It now hosts a collection of ethnology and archaeology, a costume and textiles one and the Notman photographic archives – the latter including 1.3M photographs and other early photography equipment. 5. Canadian Centre for Architecture The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) is a cultural institution founded in 1979 acting as an international research institution and museum. Their core belief is wrapped around the idea that architecture is a thought-provoking issue of public concern. They focus on putting together exhibitions and publications, developing and sharing collections as a resource. Moreover, the CCA is concerned with advancing research and offering public programs that further the idea that architecture impacts everyone’s life. The CCA is located in Montréal, where their main building, park and sculpture garden is located, helped by their website which acts as an extension of their work and collections. 6. Chateau Ramezay Château Ramezay is a history museum supported by a non-profit organization. Its mission lies in preserving, making accessible and safeguarding its collection of historical artifacts and providing educational and cultural activities in support of the history of Montréal. The museum opened to the public in 1895 and is the first building the Québec government registered as a historic monument. Collections are present both as permanent and temporary exhibitions. Additionally, they organize educational activities aimed at presenting the culture, heritage and daily life of the people of Québec back in the day. Moreover, the Museum also features the Governor’s Garden, a typical urban New France garden. 7. Heffel Gallery Heffel Gallery is shaping up to be of the finest art auction houses in Canada, bolstered by a strong team of specialists. International auctions are held twice a year in May and November, besides the monthly online auctions showcasing impressive works of art. What’s more, Art + Auction named Heffel Gallery one of the top 10 auction houses in the world. Founded in 1978, Heffel Gallery has supported exhibitions and events at the Art Gallery of Ontario, National Gallery of Canada, Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, McMichael Canadian Art Collection and others. The Gallery pledges its support to collectors and the art community looking to highlight the Canadian art world.

It's a very satisfying and long process to finish a book. It takes time, ideas, knowledge, and creativity of the author to put together a book whether it be any kind of genre. So, once the author is finally finished with the writing and publishing process, they eventually want to have an audience of readers that would read their book. With so much competition in the industry nowadays, it can be a little hard to capture the attention of the reader, and thus, one should go through the following points to promote their book, so that their work doesn't get wasted and is being read by people. Following are the Ways To Promote Your Book For Free: 1. Build A Social Media Presence: Get into as many social media and Social networking sites as you can. It would not only be a way for you to promote your own book through it but also help the readers to reach you! They would feel more connected! 2. Contact other Social Media Account Holders and Accounts: Remember to connect your other accounts to all the sites by adding the link to your social handles and website. This is a step that many people forget but is crucial as the person is likely to go to your given links from your page because it's more comfortable than searching. 3. Work on your blog: Now, the blogs on websites may not be as popular as social media for generation X but still, a whole lot of people go to blogs or the person's website to see their writing and thoughts. It's especially recommended to have a blog by authors through it readers can read their sample writing or articles and even get an email listing! 4. Use the best and the newest SEO techniques for optimization: It would be very hard to get listed on the search engines if your website or blog isn't designed with the latest SEO and SMO techniques. Some are free and the person can do that themselves but sometimes, people do Hire an outside team. 5. Create a wide and powerful email listing for your website or blog: As mentioned earlier, Websites and blogs get you a way to reach your reader's email inbox and that's a huge step to building a successful base. Remember to add the option to 'sign up' on your website for the readers of your blog. Many times, the owner would give the person samples of their work in exchange for their email sign-up! 6. Write Guest posts and articles on third-party apps and websites: Just search for places and websites that take outside guest writers for their site and get in touch with them with a pitch. This action would give you exposure that is an organic way to build an audience and do PR. 7. Go to Podcasts to talk about your book: You can ask the people who do book podcasts for a Podcast segment related to you and your book. It would not only get the word put about your book but would also help you connect with the listeners on a more personal level. 8. Ask for Reviews with book reviewers: If you are a first-time author and do not have a presence or connections, you can go and ask the reviewers of different book reviewing websites to review your book. You can either ask them to purchase the book. Or give them an ARC (Advance Reader's Copy) in either a hardcopy or softcopy for an unbiased review! It is one of the most common Ways To Promote Your Book For Free today. 9. Search and go onto book promotion websites and blogs: Just like other guest article-writing sites, there are also some book promotion sites as well through which you can list your book there. Some would be global and some would be location-based, so research thoroughly. You can also connect and add your art or material to the ArtsKeeper website! 10. Connect with your readers over social media platforms and re-post their reviews on your page: Just opening social media handles won't be enough, you'll need to be active on them as well. Whenever someone will post their review or thoughts about your book and tag you, you can connect and talk to them, it makes the whole process a lot more personal. Then, if the review is nice, you can also repost it on your own feed, so that other people will see and check out your book. Once you try these methods, the percentage of people's attention is likely to increase, which would be good for the book and the author. You can also use paid methods of PR and marketing and such but these free solutions themselves often also yield good results. Remember to check out the ArtsKeeper website for more information about the Art world!