Brooke (she/her) began Likely General in 2013. She fills the shop by selecting all artists, makers & goods, programs all workshops & events, and curates all exhibitions in the Likely General Gallery. Outside of running Likely, she is a poet and musician and a death doula.

Favourite shop music: synonyms of beauty

Community organization to support this month (and always): Emily's House is the only hospice for children and families in Toronto. It's a beautiful organization that always needs our support.

Favourite Likely General memory: I love our annual Kids Art Show. Seeing bright minds under 12 support each other without competition to raise money for a cause of their choice reminds me to listen, to slow down, to trust in every process, to lean into our source of real hope for the future.

Salina (she/her) is our seafoam hummingbird and a breath of fresh-air! A vibrant force at Likely and a deeply empathetic soul, Salina has an exceptional eye for colour and shape, a heart for community, and a spirit that can uplift you on the heaviest days. We are so grateful for Salina!

Favourite playlists for the store: a whole lot of Sade, and often times a personal playlist that the shop inspired me to make, tears of love

Recommended community organization to support: Philip Aziz Centre & Emily's House <3

Memorable Likely moment: Meeting Brooke for the first time at Likely was a moment I'll never forget. How she creates such a welcoming environment and treats everyone that enters as friends in her home makes the space so special for the whole community. 

Justine (she/her) has been with us the longest. An incredible glass artist who creates one of a kind talismans and has been shown internationally, Justine is a powerful compassionate force!

Favourite playlist to play in the shop:
Khartoum Arrivals (Sudanese Pop + Folk) from Basma on NTS, Herbert Walker, or Jennifer Castle

Native Arts Society, lead by Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction is an organization I find really beautiful. They are an Indigenous 2S/Queer/Trans collective who just opened a gallery space and studio in the city. This space highlights the works of some of the Indigenous unhoused folks in our city and helps to advocate for fair pricing for their art.

Memorable Likely moment:
Having the privilege to showcase my stained glass work and short film I created, Emotional Armour in the Likely General Gallery space for the month of October in 2020. Which was also the month I conveniently started working in the shop! I had created a series of wearable stained glass pieces, half of which were in Iceland for a group exhibition that I couldn't attend, that Brooke kindly invited me to share in the shop. In the short window of time between lockdowns when we were open to the public I got to shyly sit back and watch folks come in and experience my work. Very memorable and very meaningful.