Interview with Daniel Nicholas Francisco Cardoso (DC) by Emese Krunak-Hajagos (EKH)
Daniel Nicholas Francisco Cardoso
EKH: You just opened The Artist Studio a few weeks ago on Wade Avenue. Where did you get the idea from?
DC: It really all began when the studio I was working out of (Open Studio at 401 Richmond) closed for renovations for a good part of the year. My colleagues and I essentially had nowhere else to go, and I soon came to realize how much studio space was needed in the city, especially space with specialized equipment and support for working artists. Additionally, the pandemic closed down several studio spaces in the city, and artists were left figuring it out on their own. I was also at a crossroads in my career. I had plans to do a Masters, but with the declining jobs and opportunities within the post-secondary world, I knew I had to pivot. This opportunity for a business came up, and with the support of my husband, Alejandro, who is also a working artist, we decided to venture into owning a studio together, and supporting artists. Thus, The Artist Studio was born!
EKH: Could you please tell us about your background, your education, artistic career, teaching and as a studio owner and manager.
DC: I am a graduate from OCADU, with a BFA specialized in Printmaking. I am also one of the last people to take part in the Florence Off-Campus program from OCADU, in which I went through a year of self-directed studio practice in Florence, Italy. It was there that I began my work in studio management, when I volunteered at SRISA (Santa Reparata International School of Art) in exchange for studio access. This exchange was invaluable to my practice and to this day, the connections I made, and lessons I learned continue to influence me.
After graduation, I began to work out of Open Studio – I started teaching classes on linocut and etching, as well as assisting artists in specific projects. Open Studio was instrumental in my career – their support and trust allowed me to grow as both an artist and educator. From the experience I gained there, I was able to get the job as a Teaching Assistant and later Class Assistant in the printmaking department of OCADU. Both these opportunities taught me a lot about studio management, teaching, and the kind of support artists need to grow their own careers. I now have years of experience under my belt in education and studio management and am confident I can run a studio.
My husband, Alejandro, brings the other side of the coin. He works for an art consulting firm, as well as an Editions and Archive Specialist for an established local artist. This experience has brought him knowledge in the backside of studio management and art organization. He brings with him years of experience in documentation, cataloguing, sales, and exhibitions.
Together, we carry all the skills and experience needed to run a space like The Artist Studio.
Alejandro (left) and Danny (right)
EKH: When I visited the studio, I was really impressed with its size, organized appearance and the various opportunities it can provide for artists. Could you please give us more details.
DC: Our space at 87 Wade is very accessible by transit, which was important for us. It also boasts a combined size of over 2400 square feet, which allows us to have multiple mediums and various equipment, as well as dedicated private spaces. We were able to renovate this unit into what it is now, thanks to family and community coming together. We are grateful for every single person that has had a hand in making this space possible. It truly takes a village, and we have an incredible group of friends that have supported us in this endeavour.
In terms of supporting artistic practice, we offer three main routes:
- First and foremost is affordable access to studio space with specialized equipment. Our goal is to provide access to multiple mediums/disciplines in one space, so artists don’t have to go to multiple studios to get their work done. We currently have access to a black and white photo darkroom (complete with two enlargers and all the equipment necessary), etching press (for printing etchings, linocuts, woodcuts, and more), an acid bath for copper plate etchings, and a washout unit and screen-printing tables. As we grow, we will be getting our own exposure unit to expand even further.
- Secondly, we have a gallery in which members can submit to exhibit work. Keeping our members with an ongoing practice, and activating the space with new exhibitions that bring new collectors is a big goal for us.
- Finally, we provide professional services and professional development for artists. This includes workshops and residencies in which artists can learn new mediums within the space, as well as assisting artists in documentation, cataloguing, giclee reproductions, etc.… If there is a way to support an artist’s practice, we will make it happen!
EKH: On your website I also read that you provide many different memberships with access to studio facilities. How does it work?
DC: We have different tiers of access that accommodate every stage of an artist’s career and budget. Our dedicated room memberships come with a private space in which artists can permanently work out of. Currently, our small and medium-sized dedicated memberships are sold out. We have two of our Master memberships remaining, which come with a large room and access to the entire facilities.
We also offer our shared memberships, in which artists have access to the main shared space and all facilities. These are our most affordable options that grant artists access to everything they’d need to create their work. In these tiers, we have an option with a year commitment, or a month-to-month basis, depending on the needs of the artist.
The membership tiers were set out this way so artists with any range of budget could still have access to studio space and equipment.
EKH: Besides the studio spaces you also organize exhibitions. Are the exhibiting artists also members of the Studio or is there a call for them?
DC: For our inaugural exhibition, we reached out to our direct network of artists, to help activate the space and bring a wide range of people into the studio. Going forward, our members will have first access to exhibition calls, before they go to the public. We also set out a certain number of slots per exhibition specifically for our members. We will continue to make public calls for exhibitions to ensure new artists and art lovers continue to discover us!
EKH: Your statement says “Build by Artists for Artists” – I love that. I think it states your commitment to the artist community in Toronto. What are your expectations, even dreams for the future?
DC: As working artists ourselves, my husband, Alejandro, and I know what the needs of this industry are, and we are both fully committed to help build the artistic community in Toronto. We dream of international collaborations with other studios (residencies and exchanges for mutual growth). We dream of participating in art fairs and being able to showcase our members’ work. I see this business growing into other locations and expanding the mediums and facilities we provide! All in all, we want to get artists paid and create new opportunities for growth and career development. I am basing this on my experience with Open Studio, and how they have fostered my career, and we just want to provide more! There are never enough opportunities to go around for all artists that live and work in this city, and our dream and goals are to create new chances for artists to expand and thrive in their careers. I think all of us are tired of the starving artist trope – artists are some of the most hardworking people I know, and they deserve a livable and steady income!
EKH: Would you like to add anything else?
DC: I want to thank several artists, including Dan Olsen, Yael Brontman, and Bruce Parsons – a lot of the furniture and equipment was inherited thanks to them, and the trust they put in us to bring new life to these mediums. I also want to thank our entire network and community of artists and colleagues that have donated their time, work, advice, and guidance – without them, none of this would be possible. Finally, I want to say a big thank you to my family – they spent every weekend and even weekdays after work coming and renovating this space. Their support has been beyond generosity. We have built The Artist Studio with help from our community and network, and our mission is to give it all back to every artist in the city and beyond!
*To contact The Artist Studio please go to their website www.theartiststudio.ca, where you can have more information about joining, using the Studio or renting a room.