The Women’s Art Association of Canada (WAAC), founded in 1887, invites visitors to experience Doors Open Toronto 2026 through a vibrant weekend of art, music, and community inside one of the city’s historic cultural spaces. This year’s program brings together exhibitions, guided tours, live demonstrations, and performances that reflect both the legacy and evolving practices of WAAC’s artistic community.
Visitors can explore our Victorian-era building through guided House Tours and curated Art Tours, offering insight into WAAC’s architecture, history, and significant art collection, alongside access to spaces not typically open to the public. Self-guided Artists’ Studio Tours will allow visitors to meet our resident artists and experience their practices firsthand. Exhibitions, including a WAAC Photography Show, Members in Focus, presented as part of the CONTACT Photography Festival and a solo show by member Karen Roberts highlight the breadth and diversity of work across disciplines.
Throughout the weekend, our outdoor spaces welcome visitors to learn about and participate in making art. WAAC’s member artists will be offering insights into their creative processes through live demonstrations, including oil painting with Sharon Bacal, mixed media with Funmiloa Adeseun, drawing the natural world with Edie Bergl and Antony MacGinnis, portraiture by Audrey Smith, constructing a diorama with Martha Davis and many more.
As well, visitors can collaborate on two hands-on making experiences: A community textile project (led by Deniz Seker) and an all ages art project called Postcards from the WAAC. Families are warmly welcomed with a range of creative activities led by member artists Nina Silver, Carolyn Boyd, Xavier Allen and Gerry Withey.
A dynamic range of jazz, contemporary, and classical music will enliven the space throughout the weekend, with live performances staged in the Dignam Gallery. The lineup features two of our talented members, classical pianist Mekhriban Mamedova and opera singer Emma Pescalau, plus friends of WAAC, the swinging sounds of jazz guitarist Maurice Gordon and the fabulous singer-songwriter Lisa Hartt.
Visitors are also invited to explore WAAC’s traditionally appointed Library and its extensive collection of art books, browse the adjoining Book Sale (rain or shine on Saturday) featuring a wide range of titles, and enjoy access to the classical Sunken Garden, filled with statuary and offering a quiet moment of reflection amid the weekend’s activity.
Together, these elements create a rich and immersive program that celebrates artistic exchange, community connection, and the many ways art continues to shape and reflect the city around us.
