The Encampment (Toronto Version 2012) has been commissioned by City of Toronto, for the War of 1812 Commemoration and Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity.

This version will express and engage the public in the civilian history of The War of 1812 and be presented on the grounds of Fort York National Historic Site.

200 tents will be set-up referencing the 200 years reflective of the War of 1812 Bicentennial.

At its inaugural presentation, commissioned by Scotiabank’s Nuit Blanche 2006 in Toronto, and curated by Clara Hargittay, The Encampment looked at the history of mental health on Queen St. West between 1870 and 1940 and was set up in the gully of Trinity Bellwoods Park. 68-tents were set-up referencing the controversial Bill-68 passed by the Ontario Parliament in regards to treatment of mental health.

In 2007, The Encampment was presented in New York City in partnership with Open House New York on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island opposite the United Nations and looked at the island’s history of quarantine from 1800 to 1970. 100-tents were set-up referencing the 100 beds that were available in the existing historic, yet abandoned, small-pox hospital.

In 2008, it was presented in Ottawa in partnership with the Canadian Association for Community Living and the National Capital Commission, looking at the history of intellectual disability from 1820 to 2008. 70-tents were set-up referencing the established IQ under which an individual is considered intellectually disabled.