Toronto Through Our Eyes

Community Showcase

Presented by the Canadian Positive Psychology Association and SeeingHappy

Showcase runs from August 15th, 2025 through October 17th, 2025

The Community Exhibition opens on November 18th, 2025

CONTEST SUBMISSION IS NOW CLOSED

We invite you to attend the community showcase.

Date: November 18, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 9 pm
Location: The Bentway Studio, 55 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON

PROMPT

Capture a moment in Toronto that radiates belonging, beauty, and hope. Look for everyday scenes, whether large or small, that spark joy, connection, or pride in our city. Let your photo tell a story of kindness, resilience, and unity, perhaps a neighbour lending a hand, a splash of colour in an unexpected place, or a gathering that bridges cultures. Frame it so that viewers see Toronto as connected, compassionate, and alive with possibility.

INSPIRATION

Toronto is often celebrated as one of the world’s most livable cities, yet many residents, especially youth and adults facing long wait times for care, are struggling with mental health challenges. In the face of these realities, we believe that art can be a powerful force for well-being.

Photography helps us:

Notice the beauty and kindness around us.
Create a communal work of art, building confidence and mastery.
Connect with others by sharing our perspectives.
Reframe challenges, countering the negative.
Tell stories that inspire others to imagine a brighter future.

By focusing our lenses on the moments and places that make us proud to call Toronto home, we create a collective archive of optimism, a reminder that hope, belonging, and unity are part of Toronto’s DNA.

And while this initiative begins in Toronto, its approach could be a model for any city in the world by inviting communities everywhere to pause, notice, and celebrate the positive in their own streets, neighbourhoods, and shared spaces.

BEHIND THE COLLABORATION

This unique collaboration brings together SeeingHappy and the Canadian Positive Psychology Association (CPPA). SeeingHappy is a non-profit organization founded in 2021 by Mandy Seligman, harnessing the power of photography to foster well-being and inspire positivity worldwide. Their mission is grounded in four core principles: Illuminate, Attend, Empower, and Inspire. Through a curated collection of over 10,000 photos and reflections, SeeingHappy captures the beauty, hope, and humanity found in everyday life—bringing the science of well-being into daily experiences through the arts.

This innovative blend of art and science has earned SeeingHappy international recognition, including the inaugural Positive Arts & Culture Division Award from the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA), honouring its unique contribution to the field of positive psychology.

Together, we aim to transform moments of inspiration into lasting habits that support both individual and community flourishing. Toronto Through Our Eyes is more than a contest—it’s a citywide movement designed to foster civic pride, a sense of belonging, and mental wellness through shared creativity.

SHOWCASE DETAILS

Eligibility: Open to all Toronto residents and visitors with access to a camera (cell phone or DSLR).
Theme: Hope, unity, belonging, and joy in Toronto.
Submission Period: 15 August 2025 to 17 October 2025
Community Exhibition: 18 November 2025 at The Bentway, 55 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3K9, Canada with all featured photos professionally printed by London Drugs PhotoLab
Prizes:
- 1st Place: $200 Amazon Gift Card + feature in CPPA and SeeingHappy newsletters, social media, and PR campaigns. Winners will also receive a free membership to CPPA.
- 2nd Place (two winners): $100 Amazon Gift Card each + feature in CPPA and SeeingHappy newsletters. Winners will also receive a free membership to CPPA.
Exhibitions: Selected photographs to be featured in potential pop-up community exhibitions across Toronto, with a major community exhibition in partnership with The Bentway. Prizes will be presented at the Winners’ Award Ceremony at The Bentway on 18 November 2025.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Technical Skill: Clarity, lighting, composition, and overall image quality.
Impact: Ability to capture the viewer’s imagination and evoke hope, unity, belonging, or joy.
Communication: How effectively the photo and caption work together to share a moment that reflects the theme and the spirit of Toronto.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Partnering Sponsors

The Bentway is a proud project partner, creating a space to highlight the stories and smiles that make Toronto special.

London Drugs PhotoLab is a proud sponsor, bringing the Toronto Through Our Eyes gallery to life by printing the stunning photographs that showcase our city’s beauty, resilience, and community spirit.