Micayla Doria Episode

In the latest episode of the Empowerography Podcast, my guest is Micayla Doria. Micayla Doria is an accomplished Toronto based artist, graphic designer, event planner, photographer, and CEO. Graduated from OCAD University in 2010 with a BA in Fine Arts, Micayla worked as an interdisciplinary artist exploring and experimenting with mediums, techniques and processes within the field of drawing and painting, integrated media, as well as performance art. She learned to perceive, read and translate the visual world into personal forms of pictorial expression and representation by acquiring knowledge of theory, history and criticism. She was represented by Norman Felix Gallery in Toronto, and worked as an independent artist for commercial and residential clients across the GTA, painting murals, curating gallery shows, and organizing events in support of local charities. Her commissioned work is found across the GTA from galleries, to restaurants, to the walls of her clients. In this episode we discuss art, Celebrate Toronto, event planning, community, volunteer work, Futurebuild, growth and fear.

Micayla Doria is an accomplished Toronto based artist, graphic designer, event planner, photographer, and CEO. Graduated from OCAD University in 2010 with a BA in Fine Arts, Micayla worked as an interdisciplinary artist exploring and experimenting with mediums, techniques and processes within the field of drawing and painting, integrated media, as well as performance art. She learned to perceive, read and translate the visual world into personal forms of pictorial expression and representation by acquiring knowledge of theory, history and criticism. She was represented by Norman Felix Gallery in Toronto, and worked as an independent artist for commercial and residential clients across the GTA, painting murals, curating gallery shows, and organizing events in support of local charities. Her commissioned work is found across the GTA from galleries, to restaurants, to the walls of her clients. With great passion for the arts, history, and her home, Toronto, Micayla organized a gala in honour of Toronto’s 180th Anniversary in 2014, where she received an award from Deputy Mayor (Norm Kelly). With a great response from the public and media, Micayla decided to take her vision to the next level, and developed the non-profit organization, Celebrate Toronto. By 2017, Celebrate Toronto grew into an annual large scale inclusive festival, hosted at Nathan Phillips Square. It has partnered with the likes of the City of Toronto, Toronto Hydro, TD Bank, Google, to name a few, and to date has worked with over 250 small business and vendors, 85 artists, and has supported local charities (Daily Bread Food Bank, United Way, New Choir). Micayla’s extensive community involvement and volunteerism includes working with CAMH Engage, Woofapalooza, Vaughan Film Festival, After Breast Cancer Organization, National Pasta Month, The City of Vaughan. In 2019 Micayla received the Volunteer Recognition Award in Vaughan for her outstanding work and dedication in the community. Micayla has traveled internationally engaging in different cultures and supported valuable and sustainable community development projects abroad. Through the awardwinning Childreach International program, Micayla took an opportunity to engage in the Futurebuild Project and played an active hands-on role in valuable community-based projects in Tanzania, Africa. She gained a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development, as well as a unique insight into the lives of families living in the developing world. Her passion for adventure and culture has carried her through 5 continents, and 85 countries. This experience has nurtured her in becoming a culturally conscious community leader, where she continues to play an active hands-on role in valuable projects in Toronto. Micayla looks forward to continuing her career and volunteerism within the arts and tourism sector, and the development of her non-profit organization Celebrate Toronto, helping to create a platform for local businesses and artists.

Website - https://www.celebratetoronto.ca

IG - https://www.instagram.com/micayladoria

https://www.instagram.com/celebratetoronto