Begg
Chloe Begg is a ceramic artist based in Toronto/Tkaronto. After receiving an M.Sc. in Sustainable Development and working for five years in the solar industry, Chloe pivoted to complete a certificate in Ceramic Arts from the Haliburton School of Art and Design in 2022. In early 2024, Chloe attended the Banff Centre for Arts as an emerging artist in residence. In the summer of 2024 Chloe participated in the City of Toronto’s Public Art Mentorship program, which will culminate in a six-month solo exhibition at the Toronto Sculpture Garden in April 2026. Chloe recently participated in the 2025 DesignTO Festival and The Artist Project in Toronto.
Chloe teaches ceramics and works as a studio technician across Toronto at Inspirations Studio, Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, and Riverdale Farm.
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Artist Statement
The undertone throughout my work seeks to make sense of the friction between embracing one’s authentic self and the need to feel a sense of belonging, connection, and acceptance within a community. As a queer person, I have often contemplated the pitfalls of bending myself to fit societal norms in order to be accepted by my peers. Recognizing that this is a universal human experience, shaped by each person's unique background, I am interested in exploring the dynamics of authenticity within groups - how people can fully be themselves while also feeling accepted by a collective.
Visually my sculptures integrate urban architecture and the grasp of nature in a large city environment. My art practice involves observation of my local surroundings; I am often overwhelmed by living in a large city, but I enjoy finding moments of solitude while on walks through the alleyways between busy Toronto streets and along the secluded shorelines of Lake Ontario. By bringing this quiet strength and familiarity into my work, I aim to create sculptures that feel known to people, but that are also unusual enough to bring up questions and interest in the forms.
The sculptures based on these themes and visual cues are sometimes modular, composed of two or more stacking parts, or they are single pieces that contribute a distinct persona to the collection, allowing it to be viewed as a community. The work can be understood as a whole, representing a diverse group of characters, or examined at an individual level. Either way, the strength of authenticity and connection are brought to the forefront to spark dialogue and create a space for contemplation and discovery.
Artist CV
Education
2022 - Ceramics Arts Certificate, Haliburton School of Art and Design, Fleming College, Haliburton, ON
Residencies
Jan 8-Feb 9 2024 - Banff Artist in Residence - Early Career, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Banff, AB
Mentorships
Jan - Dec 2025 - Cohorts.Arts Mentorship Program
June-Aug 2024 - Public Art Mentorship Program, City of Toronto, Toronto, ON
Grants
2025 - Year-long Mentorship Support, Professional Development for Arts Professionals, Canada Council of the Arts
2024 - “Applications of Wood Joinery in Modular Ceramic Sculptures”, explorations, TO Live, Toronto, ON
Solo Exhibitions
Apr-Oct 2026 - “Waiting Rooms and Roller Coasters”, Toronto Sculpture Garden, Toronto, ON (confirmed)
Jan 24-Feb 23 2025 - “Connections”, DesignTO Festival, Youngplace, Toronto, ON
Group Exhibitions
June 28 - Aug 31 2025 - “Women on Fire”, Deepwater Gallery, Wiarton, ON
July 24 2025 - "Good Time", Silent Auction for Princess Margaret Foundation, United Contemporary, Toronto, ON
May 8-11 2025 - The Artist Project, Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON
Feb 5-8 2024 - “Earth Slant”, Project Space, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Banff, AB
Dec 14 2022 - "Wrap It Up", Graduate Exhibit, Haliburton School of Art and Design, Haliburton, ON
Employment and Teaching Experience
2023-Present - Instructor and Studio Technician, Inspirations Studio, Toronto, ON
2023-Present - Visual Arts Instructor (Pottery) and Studio Technician, City of Toronto, Toronto, ON
Artist Talks and Presentations
Jan 31 2025 - Public Artist Talk and Workshop, DesignTO Festival, Youngplace, Toronto, ON
Jan 11 2024 - Public Artist Talk, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Banff, AB
Awards & Scholarships
2024 - BAiR Early Career Artist Scholarship, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Banff, AB
2022 - Ceramics Certificate Award, Haliburton School of Art and Design, Fleming College, Haliburton, ON