Caitlin Taguibao

I grew up in south Scarborough but often visited Agincourt to spend time with my mom’s side of the family, who are of Chinese (Cantonese) descent. Informally known as “Asiancourt,” this neighborhood was the hub for all our family’s favorite restaurants. My mom’s side of the family would often meet at Dragon Centre on early weekend mornings, waiting for a table to free up for dim sum in the enormous banquet hall at the back of the mall. I enjoyed sitting by the koi fish pond at the entrance, taking in the smells of the plants by the windows and the herbs from the nearby shop.

Sometimes my sister, cousins, and I would run to the bakery and stare in awe through the window at the large cakes on display, hopeful that our parents would buy us a few pounds of the little butter cookies they had for sale.

Overall, the mall felt safe due to its small size, circular layout, and easy-going atmosphere. Having never gone to China, it was a hint of a world way beyond what I knew or could imagine at the time. There were so many interesting shops to find knick-knacks, household goods, and stationery/art supplies that I couldn’t find elsewhere in the city. I am sad to see that the mall is slowly being shut down to be redeveloped into condos.

Close by, I would also go to the Agincourt Recreation Centre for brush painting and art classes. It was here that I was introduced to painting with Chinese watercolors, brushes, and rice paper. Over large washes of color, I learned how to create compositions with black ink and linework, painting scenes of animals and nature. I remember having one of my paintings up on the door of the program room, feeling proud to have my work on display for all the parents to see when they picked up their kids. While I also did other drawing classes at this community center, it was the brush painting that interested me the most as a child and has stuck with me the most to this day.

The community center was also a place where my mom would often take me to meet my cousin for swimming or to play at the playground after my art or his swim class. Even though I didn’t live close by, the community center was very familiar to me, and I associate it with playfulness, learning, and fun.