Critical Distance

We are pleased to introduce Lara Arabian .arabian, one of the featured participants in Making Otherwise, an upcoming roundtable at the end of May exploring how artists and cultural workers sustain thoughtful, intentional practices in a time shaped by digital acceleration, overproduction, and extraction.

Lara is a trilingual Toronto-based artist by way of Beirut, Lebanon, upstate NY, and Paris, France. A Dora nominated actor, she’s worked with companies across Canada including: Citadel Theatre, Modern Times, Outside the March, Aluna Theatre, Neptune Theatre, Canadian Stage, Theatre Passe Muraille, TfT, Studio 180, Pleaides Theatre, Cahoots, Pandemic Theatre, Nightswimming. She completed her acting training at the Banff/Citadel Professional Theatre Program.

As a writer, she’s been a member of the Banff Playwrights Unit and Nightwood Theatre’s Write from the Hip program. She’s a multiple Dora nominated writer for Outstanding New Play (Youth Division) as part of the writing team for Les Zinspiré.e.s 8, 10, 11 & 12 (Théâtre français de Toronto).

Lara is also a passionate arts educator and is on the faculty at both George Brown and Sheridan College. At Sheridan, she served as the chairperson of their Expanding the Lens series, dedicated to centering historically marginalized voices.

Lara’s presentation would land somewhere between a reading and a full performance. Join us next Sunday, May 31, 2026, from 4–6 PM to be part of the conversation.

Critical Distance is open extended hours for Doors Open!Visit us in Suite 122 for The Contingent Image, Part Two, featuring a remixed install by artist John Climenhage, and a new participatory program available to visitors on demand. Integrating sight and sound, REALTIME is an invitation for visitors to look at the pace of listening, and participants who opt in to sharing their reflections will receive a small gift from the artist and curator as a token of appreciation for contributing to this exhibition-as-research. Plus, selected new and recent critical arts publications from , , , , and many others. We’re in good company with a building full of artful activity this Saturday — see below for more info!

Get • Doors Open at 401 Sat May 23, 10AM–5PM!

Explore the building and community of tenants, join a tour, wander the galleries, shops, explore artist studios, and more! Fuel your visit with snacks from our licenced café, and enjoy the inner courtyard & green rooftop. Family-friendly and free!