VENUE
DESIGNER
FESTIVAL
PERMISSION
TO
CELEBRATE
Permission to Celebrate is an immersive exhibition that creates a harmonious space where work and humanness can coexist with unapologetic self-celebration.
It fosters abundance and empowerment by challenging societal norms of productivity and perfection while encouraging participants to pause, appreciate the present, and explore the intersection of daily life, personal growth, and creativity.
Our hope is that this exhibition empowers individuals to give themselves the permission to find time and space to unlock their potential, redefine intentional living, and find joy in the present moment amongst community and shared purpose.
VENUE
DROP-IN EXHIBITION HOURS
FRI, JAN 24 @ 6 – 9 PM
SAT, JAN 25 @ 12 - 4 PM
MON, JAN 27 @ 11 AM - 5 PM
TUE, JAN 28 @ 11 AM - 5 PM
WED, JAN 29 @ 11 AM - 5 PM
THU, JAN 30 @ 11 AM - 5 PM
FRI, JAN 31 @ 11 AM - 8 PM
DESIGNTO FESTIVAL
Opening
Celebration
Join us to kick off the exhibition and contribute to the installation.
FRI, 24 JAN @ 6 - 9 PM
Drop-In
Exhibition
Join us during the listed hours with free entry; contribute to growing the exhibition with your Permission Slips and Celebrations, or take a break in the Hypnosis Lounge with a hypnosis audio created especially for this exhibition.
Free & Paid
Interactive Workshops
Pre-register for free & low-cost sessions led by wellness practitioners, artists, and creatives to create meaningful breaks from our daily routines and digital lives while exploring new possibilities and perspectives.
Permission Slips Installation
Contribute to a collective tapestry of self-affirmation, reminders and notes of permission to do things differently.
Celebrate Yourself Experience
Pull a prompt card from the Celebrate Yourself Card Deck to celebrate yourself in a whole new way and document your celebration for our collective.
Hypnosis
Lounge
Take a break in the Hypnosis Lounge to listen to a hypnosis audio created to provoke more opportunities for self-celebration.
Closing
Celebration
On the final evening, join us for the premiere of the collective film of celebrations.
FRI, 31 JAN @ 6 - 8 PM
Shop Exclusive Products & Offers
Purchase the Celebrate Yourself Card Deck plus other curated tools, experiences, and products.
Select Pickup - local TORONTO area to collect at Miraki
Join for a Day of
Co-Working
Spend a day or week at Miraki Life Workspace by purchasing a co-working pass.
Use promo code: DESIGNTO25 to get a day pass discount
PLEASE NOTE:
these special rate co-working passes are only available for use during the exhibition on weekdays between Friday, January 24 to Friday, January 31 from 9 am to 5 pm
Register for
Celebrations + Workshops
Want to receive event updates?!
Join the email list below for updates pertaining to the Permission to Celebrate Exhibition for DesignTO Festival 2025!
BEHIND THE EXHIBITION
Possibilities Universe
Possibilities Universe is a space for self-discovery, creativity, and transformation, founded by Lauren Best to disrupt perfectionism and champion self-permission. It empowers individuals to reconnect with their intuition, embrace experimentation, and celebrate the beauty of imperfection.
As the creators of the Permission to Celebrate exhibition, Possibilities Universe offers immersive experiences that highlight the power of self-permission and self-celebration. Through workshops, guided reflections, and its celebrated Celebrate Yourself Card Deck, it fosters curiosity, mindfulness, and self-compassion, inspiring people to unlock their potential and envision authentic, joy-filled futures.
Lauren Best
Lauren Best is a Transformation Designer and Strategist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Multi Best-Selling Author, Founder of Possibilities Universe, and Host of the Provoking Possibilities Podcast. She has established herself at the intersection of wellness, consciousness, creativity, and business, using the power of visualization as a tool for dreaming big.
She has created Possibilities Universe to offer a supportive playground for seekers, dreamers, and creatives to expand their self-expression through tools and experiences that unlock potential within a universe of self-discovery, celebration, creativity, curiosity, and imperfection.
Her practice integrates Design Thinking Methodology, Subconscious Mindset Rewiring, Writing, and the Mind-Body-Heart-Intuition Connection. By provoking possibility and disrupting perfectionism, she guides people to trust themselves to make aligned decisions that honor their values and intuition.
Miraki Life Workspace
Miraki Life Workspace is a co-working and event space nestled in Roncesvalles. Born from a shared vision of fostering creativity, connection, and community, Miraki Life is more than just a workspace — it's a hub for collaboration, connection, and inspiration.
The idea for Miraki Life took root during a serendipitous trip to Paris, where founders Maria and Serena found themselves immersed in the city's dynamic atmosphere. Over cappuccinos, pasta and late-night conversations, they joked about starting a business that captured the essence of the Parisian community spirit and bringing it home to Toronto. Just seven months later, their dream became a reality, transforming into a vibrant space where ideas and relationships flourish.
At Miraki Life, we aim to provide a welcoming environment where professionals, creators, and visionaries can bring their ideas to life. Whether you're seeking a productive workspace, hosting a workshop, or attending one of our community events, Miraki Life is a place where everyone belongs.
Serena Mola
Serena is a commercial photographer and creative director with a deep passion for adventure and connection. With a keen eye for detail and a love for pushing boundaries, she thrives in the fast-paced world of fashion and visual storytelling.
An entrepreneur at heart, Serena is dedicated to fostering creativity and collaboration through Miraki Life, where people are encouraged to explore, connect, and grow. It was through this journey that Serena stepped out of the digital world and into the realms of arts and crafts, all while embracing exploration and new experiences along the way.
Maria Vassiliou
An entrepreneur with a passion for meaningful conversations and creative endeavours, Maria brings over a decade of experience in communications, marketing, and leadership. In addition to being an artist, she’s dedicated to reshaping discussions around grief and life transitions.
Through Miraki Life, she continues her commitment to creating spaces where people can connect authentically and thrive.
DesignTO Festival
DesignTO is a non-profit arts organization celebrating 15 years of designing a sustainable, just, and joyful future. From January 24-February 2, 2025, the DesignTO Festival features 100+ free events across Toronto, showcasing hundreds of artists and designers.
Known as Canada’s largest annual design festival, DesignTO has welcomed over 1 million attendees, reached 2.6 billion people through media, supported 6,500+ artists, and generated $120 million in tourism impact. “DesignTO isn’t just a festival; it’s an anti-loneliness machine,” co-founder Christina Zeidler remarked, underscoring the organization’s power to foster belonging and spark vital conversations about design’s role in shaping a better world.
CONTRIBUTORS
Wajeeha Abbasi
Facilitator of the Zine Yourself: Tell Your Story! workshop
Wajeeha Abbasi is a Toronto-based Brand & Visual Designer and Illustrator. Her work revolves around everyday narratives, creating visual bridges that explore themes of social issues, pop culture, and the philosophy of the Self and the Other.
She has received an award from Ladybird Books Publications and has exhibited at Art Toronto, Now Gallery, the London Design Festival, and Maker Faire. Over the years, Wajeeha has had the opportunity to collaborate on projects with brands like NASA, Coca-Cola, British Council, and UN Women, among others.
Wajeeha completed her Master's at the University of the Arts London (UAL) and her Bachelor’s at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS). Her professional journey includes creative and marketing roles at Ogilvy, British Council, and CareRx alongside her freelance practice.
Outside of work, she enjoys attending concerts, exploring new creative mediums, traveling, and spoiling her cat.
Reynold Thomas
Facilitator of the Reimagining Creativity workshop
Reynold Thomas is a visual artist, business owner and arts educator. His art is instantly recognizable for its distinctive use of colors and the seamless blend of abstract and figurative elements.
Reynold's unique artistic style is defined by his ability to capture on canvas what transcends reality. His paintings evoke emotions and feelings that are often difficult to put into words. He is known for creating art that tells stories that embody emotion.
Working as a professional artist for close to 15 years, Reynold has been part of international exhibitions including; The Mckenna Museum of African Art in New Orleans, Van Der Plas Gallery in New York and Brick Lane Gallery in London, UK, as well as 6 solo exhibitions showcased in the GTA. Reynold is deeply committed to sharing his passion for art with others and has strived to develop community engaging arts programs. He believes that art has the power to transform lives, and he strives to make his work accessible to everyone.
Reynold is a visionary artist whose work speaks to the soul. His art is a perfect blend of beauty and strength, and his unique style has earned him a place among the most talented artists of his generation.
Amanda Caswell
Facilitator of the Read Your Tarot for the Year Ahead workshop
Amanda helps brands and people explore emerging ideas and experiences before they have the right words.
She shifts brand identity as a namer, strategist and writer, and supports individuals as an integral coach, tarot reader, and mindfulness teacher.
Melody Liang
Facilitator of the Living Your Values Workshop
Melody is a therapist based in Toronto who works with couples and high-achieving individuals.
She specializes in addressing performance anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional disconnection.
Melody also facilitates workshops designed to help participants align with their core values and create fulfilling lives.
Passionate about fostering community and collaborating on meaningful projects, she integrates evidence-based practices with a focus on cultivating deeper connections and personal growth.
