“Portrait of a Neighbourhood” preserves Regent Park’s history and voices. Regent Park, Toronto’s oldest social housing community, has undergone significant redevelopment over the decades. The Regent Park photo gallery “Portrait of A Neighbourhood”, developed by the Focus Media Arts Centre over the years, serves as a vital record of this transformation. Through the lens of Regent Park resident youth photographers and program instructors like David Zapparoli and Tyrone McLean Wilson, the project captures Regent Park’s evolving landscape, ensuring its rich history is preserved for future generations.
Beyond mere documentation, these photographs challenge negative perceptions of the neighborhood, providing a deeper narrative that highlights resilience, community, and cultural identity. The project is not just an artistic endeavour—it is a civic act, preserving marginalized voices and ensuring their stories remain part of Toronto’s collective memory. Photography, as both a historical record and a form of social commentary, reinforces Regent Park’s place in the city’s ever changing neighbourhoods and people.