At Gallery X, we believe that art is more than just something beautiful to look at—it’s a powerful way to stay connected to who we are and where we come from. For young people growing up in Scarborough, one of the most diverse communities in Canada, this connection to culture is especially important. According to Statistics Canada (2022), more than 70% of Scarborough residents identify as visible minorities, and over half were born outside of Canada. That makes Scarborough a place where many cultures live side by side—and where young people are often trying to balance the past with the present.
A new article by psychologists Cobb, Schwartz, and Martinez (2025) explains something that many of us already know deep down: keeping our cultural traditions, languages, and art alive isn’t just nice—it’s necessary. Their research shows that remembering and celebrating our roots helps us feel more confident, more connected to our families, and mentally healthier overall. This is called cultural continuity, and it’s a basic human need.
When young people are able to see their own cultures reflected in the world around them, it helps them feel proud and grounded in who they are. Studies show that youth who stay connected to their heritage are more likely to succeed in school, have better mental health, and build stronger relationships with their families and communities (Hou et al., 2021; Young & Marks, 2023).
That’s where Gallery X comes in.
We’re building a space—both online and in the community—where youth can explore and share their cultural backgrounds through visual art, storytelling, and creativity. Whether it’s traditional art from your grandparents’ culture or something totally new that blends old and modern styles, your art matters here.
Scarborough’s youth are already showing the rest of Canada what the future of culture looks like—bold, mixed, and full of life. Just take a look at the incredible talent at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts, where this year’s Music Theatre program performed Hadestown to a packed house, and where Gallery X Director, Peter Marsh, had the honour of opening the school’s Visual Arts Show in the very gallery that bears his name. Events like these show how Scarborough’s young people are using the arts to express their identities and shape a shared cultural future (Davis & Zhou, 2024).
Because when we keep culture alive, we stay strong. And when young people feel seen and valued, amazing things happen.
Wendy Marsh June 13th 2025
References:
Cobb, C. L., Schwartz, S. J., & Martinez, C. R., Jr. (2025). A theory of cultural continuity: Heritage culture retention as an important psychological motivation. Psychological Review. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rev0000561
Davis, T., & Zhou, L. (2024). Youth-led creative expression in urban multicultural communities: A case study of Scarborough. Canadian Journal of Urban Youth Studies, 12(1), 44–59. https://doi.org/10.2139/cjus.2024.01.003
Hou, F., Wu, Z., & Schimmele, C. (2021). Cultural integration and well-being among immigrant youth in Canada. Journal of Youth Studies, 24(5), 617–634. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2020.1723110
Statistics Canada. (2022). Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population: Scarborough. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/index-eng.cfm
Young, A. R., & Marks, A. K. (2023). Heritage identity and youth mental health: A meta-analysis. Journal of Adolescent Research, 38(1), 30–55. https://doi.org/10.1177/07435584221081234
