Kristin Weckworth, the charming and beautiful co-founder of Magic Pony was recently interviewed on Boots and Pine. Boots & Pine is a  love poem to Toronto created by photographer Arden Wray - an ode to the creative, interesting people who populate its diverse neighbourhoods.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Saskatoon. AKA, the city of bridges and the Paris of the Prairies.

What brought you to Toronto?
One night while I was dreaming, a wizard appeared and told me that I was half of a spell that hadn’t happened yet, and that I needed to go East and find him so that the spell would be complete. In the morning, there was a beautiful winged creature in my backyard. It greeted me by nodding its irridescent horn and offering me a ride. We flew through the clouds for many many hours and when we landed I was in Toronto.

What do you do for a living?
I conjure and curate through Magic Pony and Narwhal. Magic Pony is a contemporary art+design shop full of delights for all ages and Narwhal is an art gallery that hosts exhibitions and special projects. Through both spaces I collaborate with many inspiring creators to produce art exhibitions, limited edition multiples and publications.

How did you get started?
The wizard from my dream turned out to be Steve Cober and the spell we created together was called Magic Pony. This was in 2003. Six years later, while swimming in the ocean, a horned whale appeared and spoke to us. It told us that it was time to unite and to create another spell. As an ode to the talking horned whale, we named our second art space Narwhal.

What’s your favourite thing about your neighbourhood?
I love the Junction! It is the perfect balance of supportive small town aura mixed with progressive entrepreneurs who are making good things happen. I also really love Narwhal. It’s pretty incredible to have a gallery and backyard all together and allows me to feel both part of the city and the country simultaneously.

What’s the last treasure you found?
My sweetheart, Noel Middleton, and I took a trip to the west coast in July which was a very special time for us. We decided to spend our last morning on the beach. Just before we had to leave for the airport, I found a tiny rock in the sand that looked just like a wise old man. He’s been living in my pocket as my spirit guide ever since.

If you were going to eat your last meal in Toronto, where and what would you eat?
I would ask Banh Mi Boys and Bakerbots to cater a picnic on Toronto Island for all my favourite people.

If you could have a sleepover with anyone who has ever existed, who would it be?
TOTORO ☉.☉☂ *･゜ﾟ･*☆ ♫･*:.｡. .｡.:*･☆’’。*。*.。’☆*

If your life was a TV show, what would be the theme song?
Strange Magic by ELO

What does Toronto need that it doesn’t have now?
More imagination, colour, weirdness, nature, bike lanes, and affordable living. It would also be great if Toronto had more adventurous art collectors.

Visit Magic Pony at 680 Queen St. West and Narwhal Art Projects at 2988 Dundas St. West.

Follow Kristin @kdove on Instagram.