Their Neighbour’s Got Personality!

The Spotlight Project and Regent Park Focus would like to thank all of you who participated in and donated to the One Thousand Words Photography Fundraising Competition. Your support and creativity made this contest a great success!

We are proud to announce the winners of the competition. Congratulations to Ryan Raz and Maliha Noor! To view all the entries click here.

For the month of August, come to The Mad Bean located at 519 Eglinton Ave W. to view or purchase our winner’s prints. (Oh, and while you’re there try the best Americano in the city. Period.)

1st Place: Ryan Raz

Regent Park Something New Something Old
Photographer, inventor, scientist—some say mad—Ryan is currently founder of a fledgling biotech company, which is developing cancer imaging and cancer diagnostic tests. Photography is to Ryan a form of self expression and experimentation, allowing him to incorporate his scientific knowledge into his artistic aspirations, exploring non-conventional ways of capturing, processing and displaying images. Although Ryan does shoot digital for commercial work, for artistic reasons he mainly shoots natural light with medium format, 35mm, or an 8"x10" pinhole camera.

Currently Ryan is in a maximalist (anti-minimalist) phase where he creates layers of complexity through planned in camera double exposures.

Ryan has won the opportunity to exhibit his work at The Mad Bean from August 2nd to August 31st with framing and printing courtesy of the team at The Framing Depot and Le Pix. Ryan has also won a membership to The Artist Network courtesy of our judge Russell Brohier.

Runner-up: Maliha Noor

Childhood of Eternity
Maliha Noor believes that beauty lies within the eye of the beholder, yet it is the photographer’s job to figure out what that beauty is and how to present it.

A student at Marc Garneau Colligate Institute, Maliha was born in Pakistan but grew up in Toronto. As a photographer Maliha finds inspiration in many parts of her life. Her camera has become a vehicle to capture both the day-to-day occurrences and the exciting parts of life.

Her art is deeply influenced by her experiences in Pakistan. Life in Pakistan has taught Maliha not to take anything for granted and to use photography as a sign of her appreciation for everything that G-d has given her.

After she graduates high school, Maliha will attend university to study Business Management though she is committed to continuing to practice photography as her way to way to seize every moment and truly experience life to its fullest.

Childhood of Eternity was voted the runner-up receiving over 500 Facebook Likes from fans!

Maliha will also be exhibiting some of her work at The Mad Bean from August 2nd to August 31st with framing and printing courtesy of the team at The Framing Deport and Le Pix.

One Thousand Words was held in support of Regent Park Focus Youth Media Arts Centre – an amazing charity that uses media arts to promote healthy communities.

We are still accepting donations on behalf of Regent Park Focus. Click here to make your donation.

Click here to learn more about Regent Park Focus.

Thank You

A huge thank you to our sponsors:

• The Mad Bean
• The Framing Depot
• Le Pix
• The Artist Network

As well as our wonderful judges:

• Russell Brohier: Fine Art Photographer/Executive Director Artists' Network
• Melissa LaVallee: Sales Manager, Stephen Bulger Gallery
• Juliana Schiavinatto: Stylist/Editor-In-Chief, PULP Magazine
• Tanya Watt: Art Director, FLARE Magazine
• Elise Windsor: Photographer
• Shiren van Cooten: Regent Park Focus Board Member

And of course, thank you to everyone who donated their creativity and money to this amazing cause.