Hello! Welcome to a journey of discovering the beauty and vibrant culture of Korea right here in Toronto. For Koreans living in Canada and anyone curious about Korean culture, we are introducing some wonderful local businesses and creative spaces that offer artistic inspiration and a cozy retreat in everyday life. Shall we step into these aesthetic spaces where tradition meets modernity?

1. Jami & Jam Jam Studio: Little, Warm Moments of Fun in Everyday Life

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, 'Jami' (meaning "fun" in Korean) and 'Jam Jam Studio' are spaces that literally add a little fun to our lives. When you open the door to the shop, a comfortable and cozy atmosphere immediately wraps around you, melting away the tension of daily life. Under the warm lighting, mirrors and lamps made using Korean glass art (KGAD) techniques sparkle brightly, offering visual delight. This is both a tasteful select shop where you can touch and feel the soft textures of stylish accessories and lifestyle items from independent brands like Belleri, Kode Jewelry, and Little Rush, and a creative workshop space where you can make your own artworks.

• Visit Tip: The glass art workshops provide all materials and detailed guidance so even beginners can easily follow along. Take some time out of the busy city to find peace of mind by fully focusing on creation, and browse the carefully curated items by versatile local artists!
• Name: Jami / Jam Jam Studio
• Address: 548 Richmond St W. M5V 1Y4, Toronto
• Instagram: @from.jami / @jamjam.to
• Hours: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)

2. Minhwa Canada: Korean Colors Blooming on Hanji

If you want to deeply experience the humorous and colorful charm of traditional Korean art, we highly recommend Minhwa Canada. Led by artist and instructor Min Soo Kim, this class introduces Toronto to Minhwa (Korean folk paintings) that capture the lives and wishes of everyday people during the Joseon Dynasty. Upon entering the studio, the distinctively deep, subtle scent of ink and the warm texture of hanji (Korean mulberry paper) will calmly settle your mind.

• Visit Tip: Try painting a Hojakdo (tiger and magpie) or Morando (peonies) yourself using traditional pigments and brushes. As you learn the barim (traditional shading/gradation) technique and watch vivid colors spread from the tip of your brush, you can feel the spirit of our ancestors who wished for longevity and good fortune. We recommend starting with fan painting in the beginner's class, and gradually expanding your skills to Munjado (ideograph paintings combining characters and patterns), Chaekgado (scholar's bookshelf paintings), or your own original Minhwa creations.
• Name: Minhwa Canada (MAAC)
• Website: www.minhwato.com
• Instagram: @minhwacanada

3. Pottery by Unha: Connecting with Tradition Through the Touch of Clay

You also cannot miss the classes at 'Pottery by Unha,' where you can deeply connect with clay while learning traditional Korean ceramic surface decoration techniques. Artist Unha Hill passes down traditional and highly expressive techniques such as Buncheong (grayish-blue slip-coated stoneware) and Sanggam (inlay). The sensation of touching moist clay spinning on the pottery wheel, and the deep immersion of delicately carving the surface with a sculpting tool and stamping intricate floral patterns, provide a sensory joy that is hard to experience elsewhere.

• Visit Tip: Small intensive bootcamps are held primarily at the Hamilton, Ontario studio, and she also conducts workshops in collaboration with local studios in Toronto, such as Spin Pottery Studio. Since the classes are small, spots fill up very quickly. If you want to experience the depth of Korean pottery and the healing power of clay, it is best to contact her and register early.
• Name: Pottery by Unha
• Address: Toronto Collaboration Venue - 145 St Luke Lane, Toronto (Spin Pottery Studio) / Main Studio - Hamilton, Ontario
• Instagram: @unhahill / @spinpotterystudio
• Email: unha_hill@hotmail.com
• Phone: 1-905-518-3621

Through these wonderful spaces helping Korean culture take root across Toronto, we hope you enjoy the pleasure of deeply connecting with the local community through the universal language of art!