One Year After Devastating Fire, Black Woman-Owned Fresh Paint Studio Is Still Fighting to Rebuild

Toronto studio operates temporarily while carrying rent, a mortgage and a significant insurance shortfall

TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- Nearly one year after a devastating fire forced Fresh Paint Studio + Café from its home, founder and visual artist Roxane Tracey is still fighting to rebuild the creative space she spent more than a decade establishing.

The Black woman-owned business operates from a temporary Scarborough location while paying rent, a mortgage and expenses on its fire-damaged building. Available insurance funds are insufficient to complete repairs and restore the original studio.

"We survived the fire, but the struggle did not end when the flames were extinguished," says Tracey. "A year later, we are carrying the cost of a building we cannot use while paying rent so we can continue serving our community. It feels as though we are building the business all over again."

Before the fire, Fresh Paint Studio provided a welcoming space where people could create and connect. Its workshops, corporate team-building activations, youth programs, community projects and wellness experiences welcomed people of all artistic abilities.

The fire disrupted programming, reduced capacity and created ongoing financial and emotional strain. Yet the studio continues delivering experiences in offices, schools, community spaces and partner venues.

"People see that a business is operating and assume everything is fine," says Tracey. "They may not see the expenses, uncertainty and emotional weight behind that survival. We are still standing--but it has taken enormous toll."

Fresh Paint Studio is asking individuals, corporations, schools and community organizations to support its recovery by booking team-building and wellness experiences, hosting mobile activations, registering for programs, purchasing Creative Brain Break Art Kits or gift certificates, sponsoring experiences, forming partnerships and sharing its story.

Toronto media are invited to visit the temporary studio, interview Tracey and document the realities of rebuilding a small cultural business after a disaster.

About Fresh Paint Studio + Café

Founded by Roxane Tracey, Fresh Paint Studio + Café offers art experiences, creative wellness activations for corporations, schools, communities, families and individuals.

www.freshpaintstudio.ca
Instagram: @freshpaintTO 
2229 Kingston Road, Unit A, Toronto

Photos, video and interviews are available upon request.

SOURCE Fresh Paint Studio + Cafe Inc.

Media Contact: Roxane Tracey, Founder and Creative Director, [email protected], 647-927-0764