PADDY LEUNG
Artist, Educator & Cultural Worker
I create participatory art projects and learning experiences that centre care, equity, and collective storytelling. My practice brings together art, education, and community engagement to support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, racialized youth, and intergenerational connections.
Paddy Leung is a Toronto-based artist and arts educator working at the intersection of community care, cultural production, and social justice.
Their practice is rooted in collaboration, accessibility, and relationship-building, with a strong focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion, youth engagement, and public participation.
Through workshops, exhibitions, and large-scale community projects, Leung creates spaces where people can connect, share knowledge, and imagine more caring futures together. Their work has been presented in galleries, schools, and public spaces in partnership with arts organizations, school boards, and community groups.
Available for Projects, Workshops & Commissions — across Canada & Internationally.
︎ News ︎Studio ︎ Life ︎News ︎Studio ︎ Life ︎ News ︎Studio ︎ Life ︎ News ︎Studio ︎ Life ︎News ︎Studio ︎Life
07/10/ 2025 ︎ ︎︎
Workplace Social Event: Tie-Dye Workshop
Project Title: Tie-Dye Workshop
Organization: Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Discipline: Textie Art
Location: ︎WVRST, 609 King St W, Toronto,
Group: Law Students (Young adults ages 18+)
Dates & Time:
Friday, July 10,2023
︎ 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
As part of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP's law student program engagement, Paddy Leung designed and facilitated a tie-dye workshop at WVST. Over 40 participants dropped in during the 2-hour session to learn three simple tie-dye techniques and create personalized designs on branded t-shirts to take home.
Interested in hosting a tie-dye workshop for your team or event?
Tie-dye workshops are perfect for workplace social engagement, team building, and community events. Best scheduled during the spring and summer months.
Workshop Requirements:
- Access to water/sink
- Outdoor space preferred (or indoor space large enough for participants to work comfortably)
- Tables & chairs for folding and working on t-shirts
For more questions or inquiries to book a tie-dye workshop please contact me!
07/10/ 2023 ︎ ︎︎
Union - Squeegee Painting
Union Station Patio Activation
In summer 2023, artist and facilitator Paddy Leung developed and led Union | Squeegee Painting, a free, drop-in public art experience hosted at Union Station’s patio as part of its year-round artistic and cultural programming. Designed for Union Station’s evening crowd, the activation reimagined the familiar “sip & paint” format into a playful, accessible, and process-driven experience.
Rather than focusing on refined painting techniques, Leung introduced squeegee painting, an intuitive method using squeegee bottles to explore colour, movement, and chance. This approach removed the pressure of technical skill and invited participants of all ages and experience levels to engage freely with painting. The format proved especially welcoming for families, first-time art makers, and passersby drawn in by curiosity.
Public engagement was central to the activation. Leung performed live squeegee painting demonstrations on stage, transforming the act of painting into a shared, performative moment. The demonstrations quickly captured attention across the patio, drawing crowds to the tables where participants created their own vibrant works. Throughout the evenings, the space became animated with colour, conversation, and collective energy.
Union | Squeeze Painting took place on Wednesday, July 10, 2023, and Wednesday, August 23, 2023, from 5:00–8:00 PM, at Union Station in downtown Toronto. The project highlighted the power of accessible, low-barrier art-making to activate public space and foster moments of connection, play, and shared joy.
To learn more about their events: torontounion.ca
03/28/ 2023 ︎ ︎︎
The 519 - Youth Working Group: Art Showcase
Project Title: Youth Working Group Art Showcase - CABARET
Organization: The 519 & Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Discipline: Youth Art Exhibition
Location: ︎ 12 Alexander St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1B4
Admission: FREE to everyone!
Dates & Time:
Tuesday, March 28,2023
︎ 4:30 - 7:30 PM
Link for more details:
01/24/ 2023 ︎ ︎︎
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Ottawa Art Gallery: Keen and Creative
Inspired by Yue Moon’s lantern concept design, Paddy Leung developed a virtual workshop in collaboration with Ottawa Art Gallery to support their seniors' programming. Following months of creative exploration in Chinese art and culture, participants' work was featured in an exhibition showcasing their artistic journey.
Read the full Art Show Statement by Ottawa Art Gallery below.
Keen and Creative
A Celebration of Chinese Canadian Art with Yet Keen Senior's Day Centre
The artists at Yet Keen Seniors Center have been working hard for the past year participating in OAG Community Art Workshops. Thanks to support provided by Ontario’s Seniors Community Grant Program, we collaborated with Chinese Canadian artists across the province in person and online to learn about their practices and techniques. These artists include Don Kwan, Xiaojin Yan, and Paddy Leung. We also looked at artworks by Howie Tsui, Marlene Yuen, and Sami Tsang for inspiration.
This exhibition offers a glimpse into our creative process during the past few months. Common themes that surfaced include the integration of Chinese cultural practices and stories within everyday life in Canada, feelings of inclusion and exclusion, the importance of community support and the beauty of togetherness. We are so pleased to share our creations with you! Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy, and wealthy year of the Rabbit.
Read the full Art Show Statement by Ottawa Art Gallery below.
Keen and Creative
A Celebration of Chinese Canadian Art with Yet Keen Senior's Day Centre
The artists at Yet Keen Seniors Center have been working hard for the past year participating in OAG Community Art Workshops. Thanks to support provided by Ontario’s Seniors Community Grant Program, we collaborated with Chinese Canadian artists across the province in person and online to learn about their practices and techniques. These artists include Don Kwan, Xiaojin Yan, and Paddy Leung. We also looked at artworks by Howie Tsui, Marlene Yuen, and Sami Tsang for inspiration.
This exhibition offers a glimpse into our creative process during the past few months. Common themes that surfaced include the integration of Chinese cultural practices and stories within everyday life in Canada, feelings of inclusion and exclusion, the importance of community support and the beauty of togetherness. We are so pleased to share our creations with you! Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy, and wealthy year of the Rabbit.
01/20/ 2023 ︎ ︎︎
TIFF: Silver Screening - Food For Thought
Project Title: Food For Thought
Organization: Toronto Film Festival: Silver Screening
Discipline: Mixed Media & College Workshop (In-person), Art Facilitator
Location: ︎ 350 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3X5
Group: Seniors
Limited Capacity: 50 participants
In celebration of Lunar New Year, Toronto International Film Festival's senior programming series, Silver Screening, screened Ang Lee's Eat Drink Man Woman. To amplify and enrich the film programme, Paddy Leung was invited to facilitate an in-person workshop exploring cultural connections to food and memory.
Food For Thought was designed as an accessible art-making experience where participants used provided table mat templates, drawing, and collage materials to create visual representations of their favorite dishes. At the end of the workshop, participants displayed their artwork at the theater entrance, inviting the public to reflect on the intersections of food, memory, and identity
08/ 2022 ︎ ︎︎
Around Art & Land: Youth Workshop Series
Project Title:
Around Art & Land
Organization: North York Arts & ArtworxTO
Discipline: Mixed Media Painting Workshop (In-person), Art Facilitator
Location: ︎ Downsview Park (70 Canuck Ave.)
Age Level: 14 - 18 years old
Limited Capacity: 24 youth (12 per cohort)
As part of ArtworxTO and North York Arts' response to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, Paddy Leung co-facilitated a workshop series for youth ages 14-18 exploring connection to the land and solidarity with Indigenous peoples.
Cohort I
Cohort II
Youth created poems about nature and commitment to the land, then embedded them into wooden crates through mixed media painting. Each participant took home an individual crate while contributing to a collective installation for We CAN do it! Community Interactive Art Exhibition. The program provided meals, TTC tokens, certificates, and volunteer hours.
Organization: North York Arts & ArtworxTO
Discipline: Mixed Media Painting Workshop (In-person), Art Facilitator
Location: ︎ Downsview Park (70 Canuck Ave.)
Age Level: 14 - 18 years old
Limited Capacity: 24 youth (12 per cohort)
As part of ArtworxTO and North York Arts' response to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, Paddy Leung co-facilitated a workshop series for youth ages 14-18 exploring connection to the land and solidarity with Indigenous peoples.
Cohort I
- Spoken Word with Patrick Walters: Aug 2 & 9, 2022 | ︎ 1:30-4:30pm
- Visual Art with Paddy Leung: Aug 17 & 24, 2022 | ︎ 1:30-4:30pm
Cohort II
- Spoken Word with Patrick Walters: Aug 4 & 11, 2022 | ︎ 1:30-4:30pm
- Visual Art with Paddy Leung: Aug 18 & 25, 2022 | ︎1:30-4:30pm
Youth created poems about nature and commitment to the land, then embedded them into wooden crates through mixed media painting. Each participant took home an individual crate while contributing to a collective installation for We CAN do it! Community Interactive Art Exhibition. The program provided meals, TTC tokens, certificates, and volunteer hours.
11/11/21 ︎ ︎︎︎
Visual Arts of Mississauga: Food For Thought
Project Title: Food For Thought
Organization: Visual Arts of Mississauga
Discipline: Arts & Craft Workshop (In-person), Art Facilitator
Location: ︎ 4170 Riverwood Park Ln, Mississauga, ON L5C 2S7
Age Level: 3-99 years old ~ FREE for everyone!
Limited Capacity: 15 - 25 participants
Reminders: Please bring recycle materials to create your dish! ︎
Dates & Time:
Saturday, November 13, 2021 - Person Program
︎ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
︎2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(Wheelchair accessible)
Thinking about community care on all of the levels: How do we protect our planet to grow and eat food? How do we feed each other? How do we provide space for us to safely make our work?
We welcome everyone back to Visual Arts of Mississauga for a fun-filled art program where participants will create their favourite dishes out of arts & crafts materials hosted by PUFF Paddy. In this program the community will have an opportunity to connect with one another and share their cultural identity, personal stories, and/or their passion for cuisine while exploring their creativity. Paddy will demonstrate some simple artistic approaches to help everyone get started with their project. All the art materials will be provided by VAM.
We encourage our participants to bring recycled materials such as newspapers, magazines, egg cartons, paper toilet rolls, paper towel tubes, plastic containers, cereal boxes and anything you wish to include to create your dish.
All artwork created in this workshop will be on special exhibition at Visual Arts Mississauga in the studio on November 20-21,2021.
Sign up and register for your spot now:
We welcome everyone back to Visual Arts of Mississauga for a fun-filled art program where participants will create their favourite dishes out of arts & crafts materials hosted by PUFF Paddy. In this program the community will have an opportunity to connect with one another and share their cultural identity, personal stories, and/or their passion for cuisine while exploring their creativity. Paddy will demonstrate some simple artistic approaches to help everyone get started with their project. All the art materials will be provided by VAM.
We encourage our participants to bring recycled materials such as newspapers, magazines, egg cartons, paper toilet rolls, paper towel tubes, plastic containers, cereal boxes and anything you wish to include to create your dish.
All artwork created in this workshop will be on special exhibition at Visual Arts Mississauga in the studio on November 20-21,2021.
Sign up and register for your spot now:
9/20/21 ︎ ︎︎︎
The Bentway: Kindness Rocks
Project Title: Kindness Rocks
Organization: The Bentway
Discipline: Hybrid Program, Art Facilitator
Location: ︎55 Fort York Blvd. Toronto, ON M5V 4B3
Age Level: 3-99 years old ~ for everyone!
Limited Capacity: 15 - 25 participants per workshops timeslots
Reminders: Please dress warm, wear a mask and bring a rock :)
Dates & Time:
Wednesday, October 6, 13, 20 In - Person Program ︎3:30 - 6:00 PM
(Wheelchair accessible)
Date & Time:
Wednesday, October 27 - Online Program ︎4:00 - 5:30 PM
(ASL Interpreter provided)
Help us spread love and kindness beyond the walls of your home by painting rocks to contribute to Kindness Rocks! With your help, Kindness Rocks will reflect community spirit in the form of a rock garden as part of The Bentway’s Community Incubation Program, bringing joy to everyone who visits.
Join Paddy Leung for rock painting workshops at The Bentway Studio at Canoe Landing (55 Fort York Blvd.) every Wednesday in October from 3:30 - 6:00 PM. Learn how to prepare the rock surface, outline the designs, mix paints, and apply various painting methods. We will use bright colours, symbols, patterned designs, words of encouragement, and anything that spreads joy or positivity. At the end of the program, participants can collect them to keep, or trade with others. Kindness Rocks is a public art program with a collective vision of transforming a space to bring hope, connectedness and play!
Sign up and register for your spot now:
For more information about The Bentway’s events & programs, visit:
www.thebentway.ca
08/19/21 ︎ ︎︎
MIXTO Festival: Family Workshop
Project Title: 𝓢𝓤𝓝 𝓯𝓵❁𝔀𝓮𝓻 [ Sun Flower]
Organization: MIXTO Festival
Discipline: In-person Workshops, Art Facilitator
Date & Time: Sunday, August 22, 201 ︎ 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Location: ︎ Lynx Music 260 Emerson Ave, Toronto, ON
Age Level: For everyone! (3 - 99 years old)
Workshop Duration: 30 - 45 Minutes
Drop in Time Slots:
- Workshop # 1 ︎ 3:00 - 3:45 PM
- Workshop # 2 ︎ 4:00 - 4:45 PM
- Workshop # 3 ︎ 5:00 - 5:45 PM
The SUN serves as a symbol of rebirth and hope for many cultures across the world. It is our source of energy, a brilliant emblem that represents happiness and growth.
MIXTO Festival invites sun-worshippers of all walks of life to join PUFF Paddy for an immersive arts and craft workshop on Sunday,August 22, 2021 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM. Participants will create a FUN and simple paper plate SUN craft, perfect for summer time! You will learn to mix your colours, draw patterns inspired by nature, and build your SUN flower from scratch. All materials will be provided at the site, all we need is YOU and your family and friends. Come shine like the SUN and discover your creativity and brilliance!
For more information about @mixtofestival please check out: www.mixtofestival.com
MIXTO Festival invites sun-worshippers of all walks of life to join PUFF Paddy for an immersive arts and craft workshop on Sunday,August 22, 2021 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM. Participants will create a FUN and simple paper plate SUN craft, perfect for summer time! You will learn to mix your colours, draw patterns inspired by nature, and build your SUN flower from scratch. All materials will be provided at the site, all we need is YOU and your family and friends. Come shine like the SUN and discover your creativity and brilliance!
For more information about @mixtofestival please check out: www.mixtofestival.com
06/29/21 ︎ ︎︎︎
VIBE Arts: ︎Summer Program
Project Title: ︎ Reduce, Reuse, Remake Summer Program
Organization: VIBE Arts
Discipline: Virtual Summer Program, Art Facilitator
Dates & Times :
Organization: VIBE Arts
Discipline: Virtual Summer Program, Art Facilitator
Dates & Times :
-
Every Tuesdays from July 6 - August 16
︎
1:15 - 1:45 PM | ︎
2:15 - 2:45 PM
︎ Boys and Girls Club of Humber
︎ Grade 1-8 -
Every Wednesdays from July 7 - August 18
︎ 1:15 - 1:45 PM
︎Warden Woods Community Centre
︎ Grade 1-8
-
Every Thursdays from July 8 - August 19 ︎
3:00 - 3:30 PM
︎ Jane Finch Community & Family Centre
︎ All Ages
A continuous theme from the pop up workshops for VIBE Arts, participants will discover alternative ways to create art using plastic bags and recyclable household materials. Paddy will demonstrate various ways to create a loom and introduce two weaving projects. In addition to our studio classes, we will have special guests such as environmentalist educator and photographer. Followed by an online exhibition displaying all participants' artworks.
05/19/21 ︎ ︎︎︎
VIBE Arts:
︎Pop Up Workshops
Project Title: ︎ Reduce, Reuse, Remake Pop Up Workshops
Organization: VIBE Arts
Discipline: Virtual Workshops, Art Facilitator
Dates & Times :
Introducing a special series of summer pop up workshops developed for VIBE Arts: Reduce, Reuse, Remake support by The City - Waste Reduction Community Grant. Participants will learn some creative ways to be resourceful and find new ways to create art using simple materials that they can find at home. In addition to the pop up workshops there will be longer summer programs starting in July to mid August.
Stay tune for more updates!
Organization: VIBE Arts
Discipline: Virtual Workshops, Art Facilitator
Dates & Times :
-
June 1, 2021
︎ Grade 6 , 7, 8
︎ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ︎Holy Child Catholic School -
June 3, 2021 ︎ Grade
All Ages
︎ 3:00 AM - 4:00 PM ︎ Jane Finch Centre -
June 9, 2021 ︎
Grade 1 - 8
︎ 4:00 - 4:45 PM ︎ Boys and Girls Club of Humber
︎ 5:00 - 5:45 PM
-
June 10, 2021 ︎ Grade
1 - 8
︎ 3:00 - 4:00 PM ︎ Warden Woods Community Centre -
June 11, 2021 ︎ Grade
4 & 5
︎ 2:30 - 3:30 PM ︎ Queen Victoria Public School
Introducing a special series of summer pop up workshops developed for VIBE Arts: Reduce, Reuse, Remake support by The City - Waste Reduction Community Grant. Participants will learn some creative ways to be resourceful and find new ways to create art using simple materials that they can find at home. In addition to the pop up workshops there will be longer summer programs starting in July to mid August.
Stay tune for more updates!
05/05/21 ︎ ︎︎
Workman Arts: Project Toolkit
Project Title: Project toolkit
Organization: Workman Arts
Discipline: Virtual Workshop, Facilitator
Date & Time : May 27, 2021 ︎3:00 - 5:00 PM
Are you an artist who’s looking to expand your skills in entrepreneurship alongside your creative practice? In this workshop, Entrepreneurship for Artists: Creativity Meets Business, participants will be introduced to the fundamental pillars of business management and administration. Participants will be guided through a series of topics ranging from financial management, branding, and marketing, which are essential to sustaining and further advancing one’s creative practice.
For more information about the workshop please check out:
04/28/21 ︎ ︎︎
Guest Artist Talk -
Peel District School Board
Project Title: Art for Change - Artist Talk
School: Peel District School Board ︎ Louise Arbour Secondary School
Discipline: Virtual Artist Talk, Guest Artist
Date & Time : May 12, 2021 ︎2:00 - 3:00 PM
In celebration of Asian Heritage Month, PUFF Paddy was invited to speak about their artistic practice to Louise Arbour Secondary School as a way for students to learn more about art and culture.
03/31/21 ︎ ︎
︎
Yue Moon II - Last day to see the lanterns🏮️!
Project Title: Yue Moon II
Organizations: STEPS Public Art & Chinatown BIA
Discipline: Public Art
Location Details:
- ︎Yummy Yummy Dumplings & Lait Night (79/81 Huron St.)
🏮️ 13 Lanterns designed by PUFF Paddy
🏮️ 234 artworks made by the community members - ︎Rosewood Chinese Cuisine (463 Dundas West Street
🏮️ 5 Lanterns designed by PUFF Paddy
🏮️ 90 artwork made by the community members - ︎Uncle Otis (329 Spadina Avenue)
🏮️ 2 Lanterns designed by PUFF Paddy
🏮️ 36 artwork made by the community members
03/ 17/21 ︎ ︎ ︎
Guest Artist Talk: CreateSpace
Project Title: Art for Change - Artist Talk
Organization: STEPS Public Art - CreateSpace
Discipline: Virtual Artist Talk, Guest Artist
Date & Time: March 25, 2021 ︎4:00 - 6:00 PM
Building upon last year’s Yue Moon project, artists PUFF Paddy and Winnie Truong explored themes of cultural identity and community using new media, fabrication, and craft in the facilitation of virtual group workshops, resulting in the presentation of two unique, community co-created public artworks. To cap off the 2021 Lunar New Year Celebrations and another successful iteration of Yue Moon, artists PUFF Paddy and Winnie Truong, gather on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 4:30-6pm EST for a virtual artist talk reflecting on recent projects, community identity and engagement during periods of isolation.
For more informaiton about:
03/03/21 ︎ ︎
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︎
The 519 & VIBE Arts - EarlyON: Mini PUFF Club
Project Title: Mini PUFF Club
Organizations: VIBE Arts & The 519 - EarlyON Child and Family Centre
Discipline: Virtual Programs, Art Facilitator
Dates & Times:
-
March 10, 2021 ︎ 4:00 - 4:30 PM
︎ Livestream on The 519 - EarlyON ︎Name Plate
-
March 17, 2021 ︎ 4:00 - 4:30 PM
︎ Livestream on The 519 - EarlyON ︎ Coffee Filter Art
-
March 24, 2021 ︎ 4:00 - 4:30 PM
︎ Livestream on The 519 - EarlyON ︎ Printmaking
-
March 31, 2021 ︎ 4:00 - 4:30 PM
︎ Livestream on The 519 - EarlyON ︎ Tissue Paper Painting
PUFF Paddy will be conducting a Facebook Livestream arts & crafts programs for The 519 - EarlyON Child and Family Centre representing VIBE Arts in the month of March. The little participants will learn how to create some easy and fun crafty activities to develop their artistic skills. To find out more about the arts & craft programs, make sure to follow The 519
- EarlyON Child and Family Centre Facebook Page.
02/ 09/ 21 ︎ ︎︎
CBC Arts: Mini Paper Lantern
Project Title: How to Make a Mini Paper Lantern
Organizations: CBC Arts
Discipline: Multimedia - Video Arts & Crafts Tutorial
A new web series called CBC Art Makes, artists & creatives produce how-to video tutorials to share fun home projects and keep everyone inspired during the pandemic. PUFF Paddy creates mini lanterns inspired from last year’s Yue Moon advanced lantern design.
To learn more about the project check out :
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To learn more about the project check out :
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