The Metro Toronto Convention Centre North is the place to be this weekend if you're an art connoisseur hoping to view — and maybe even acquire — original art.
Dubbed Canada's oldest and largest international art fair, Art Toronto is celebrating its 25th edition by hosting more than 100 national and international galleries, installations, project spaces, and more from Oct. 24 to 27.
Art Toronto's opening night is hosted by and directly supports Canada’s only museum devoted exclusively to Canadian art, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
Early birds are taking part in a "collectors first look" this afternoon before the gala event this evening.
"At the exclusive preview of the fair, you’ll have the privilege of being among the first to view and purchase stunning artworks and engage with fellow art connoisseurs," Art Toronto says on its website. "Savour delectable refreshments and light bites throughout the evening."
“No matter what you are looking for, you have the ability to find something really special at Art Toronto. There is a reason many collectors want to be first in the door," Stefan Hancherow, curator at RBC, says of opening night. "If this is your first time, I recommend soaking it all in, starting up conversations with gallerists, artists and all the wonderful visual art supporters and collectors at the fair.”
Visitors to Art Toronto this weekend will encounter installations woven throughout the fair, organizers said. People are encouraged to take their time, reflect and return.
Platform talks on art are scheduled throughout the day Friday from noon to 7 p.m.
Last year, contributions from attendees and opening night sponsors raised vital funds for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and also enabled the acquisition of seven new artworks for McMichael's permanent collection.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is the largest publicly funded gallery in Canada that focuses exclusively on Canadian and Indigenous art, both historical and contemporary.
The permanent collection consists of more than 7,000 artworks by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, their contemporaries, and First Nations, Métis, Inuit and contemporary artists who have contributed to the development of Canadian art.
For tickets to Art Toronto 2024, including multi-day passes, visit this link.
