A huge art fair is taking over downtown Toronto this weekend!
Art Toronto is back at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for its 24th edition from Oct. 26-29, and is known as one of Canada’s most important annual art events since it was founded in 2000.
The huge art fair includes modern and contemporary artwork from 110 galleries across Canada, U.S. and abroad, including 17 new first-time exhibitors.
New artists joining the fair this year include Andrew Rafacz (Chicago), Bonny Poon /Conditions (Toronto), and Nil Gallery (Paris).
“This year, Art Toronto has real gravitas. Over the past year, we concentrated on expanding our network with world-class museums and galleries to bring their programs to Toronto. With a diverse group of galleries, many of which are bringing new and exciting artists, we have an excellent mix of young and established artists and galleries at every price point,” Art Toronto Director Mia Nielsen said in a statement.
Principal partner RBC has created a new multi-year program within the fair called “Discover,” which supports eight galleries that will be showcasing some of the best emerging artists across the country.
The eight galleries selected for this year’s program are: Fazakas Gallery (Vancouver), Galerie Nicolas Robert (Montréal), Katzman Art Projects (Halifax), Lalani Jennings Contemporary Art (Guelph), Macaulay & Co. Fine Art (Vancouver), McBride Contemporain (Montréal), Rivalry Projects (Buffalo), and Unit 17 (Vancouver).
This year, iconic art curator Kitty Scott was chosen to curate the second annual Focus Exhibition at the fair. Titled “Good Foot Forward,” the large group exhibition includes masterpieces by 15 artists who are represented by participating Art Toronto galleries.
The fair has two different public stages on the main floor allowing for world class talks, panel discussions and curator tours throughout the weekend. Scott will discuss feminism in art in a discussion on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. on the Event Stage, while Canadian Indigenous artists (Caroline Monnet, Rene Condo and Meryl McMaster) will speak about their upcoming projects on the Platform Stage on Oct. 28 at 12:30 p.m. A full list of all the live events can be found here.
Also this year, all eyes will be on the global launch of the Jack Bush catalogue raisonné. The collection features a comprehensive record of paintings produced by the late Canadian artist. The catalogue documents more than 1,800 paintings, including information on provenance, exhibitions, bibliography, and excerpts from Bush’s own diary.
Returning for a second year to the fair is “Content,” a section dedicated to showcasing and selling books produced by non-profit institutions and independent artists.
Art Toronto is open Friday and Saturday from 12 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m.. Ticket prices range from $15-125 per person, and can be purchased here.
