The Summer’s Most Loved Art Fair Announces a Bustling Weekend of Programming with Something for Everyone
The Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) will be back at Nathan Phillips Square from July 12th to 14th for a weekend of fun and entertainment.
In its 63 years, TOAF has grown to become one of the most popular art events of the summer and continues to expand its cultural offerings. This year, Nathan Phillips Square will pulse with a spectacular showcase of 350+ artists, engaging conversations, thoughtful installations, featured exhibitions, and the sounds of music and rhythms of dance. A theme of our connection with urban spaces has organically emerged in this year’s programming, fitting for a gathering in a public space.
Independent artists remain the focus of the Fair, with over 350 artists from across Canada setting up in iconic white tents at the square to create an engaging showcase for visitors. Additionally, 66 artists are exclusively showcasing their work online at TOAF.ca. For the second year, there is a travel bursary program to support artists living outside of Ontario in attending and participating in the Fair through funding.
“Every July, TOAF pops up in the heart of Toronto to showcase the best of independent Canadian artists! More than the welcoming vibes, upbeat entertainment and stimulating conversations, we are an economic hub and launching pad for artists in the city and across Canada,” says Anahita Azrahimi, TOAF Executive & Creative Director. “We take great pride in following the successful careers of artists that start from the white tents or hearing about serious collectors who purchase their first work of art at the Fair. We encourage all of our visitors to take a chance and buy something you love. Outside of the 350+ outstanding artists, I can’t wait to see our audiences having a great time with our dynamic programming and building lasting connections with our artists.”
TOAF is a significant economic driver for artists, generating $2 million in income for them. Through the online platform, 1,400+ artworks have found new homes across Canada and the globe.
Notable statistics of the 2024 Fair include: Of the 376 artists, 32% are first-time participants and 40% are emerging artists. The majority of artists are female (72%) and 134 artists identify as BIPOC (36%).
TOAF will be staging a dance work titled “Three Turtles in the Square”, by choreographer Lina Cruz, a performance that humorously tackles environmental themes. Returning to the main stage is Small World Music with an electric selection of bands and musicians to entertain.
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair continues to collaborate with local art organizations to provide more free activities throughout the weekend. They will be hosting interactive activities by the Museum of Toronto and live painting by StreetARToronto artists. Young art lovers can buy original artworks from the Budding Art Buyers program. The 2024 Budding Art Buyers program is hosted by the Art Dealers Association of Canada. Donated artworks will be curated by ADAC board members and Toronto gallerists.
On Saturday July 13 at 11 AM, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair celebrates the year’s most outstanding artists by awarding $45,000 in cash and in-kind awards to participating artists. These awards are supported by a wonderful circle of donors and businesses and selected by art professionals.
HIGHLIGHTED TOAF63 PROGRAMMING
VISUAL ARTS
350+ Artist Booths
Browse and buy artwork from the 350+ juried artists from across the country. For 63 years TOAF has launched and sustained the careers of Canadian Artists, helping them get discovered and build networks. Enjoy the wide range of media, techniques and subjects. Student zone features a special Grad-Ex Pop up by OCAD U, artists include: Vicki Ying Shi; Byori Seo; Rylee Hollis; Grace Vali; and Tusharika Arora; and York U students for the first time.
Art Tours
Artists, curators, and collectors will take you on thematic guided Art Tours to share their insights and lead engaging conversations face-to-face with artists in the show. Tours are offered in English, French and American Sign Language throughout the weekend. Register for an Art Tour at TOAF.ca or join in the day of. Art Tours will start from the Main Info Booth at spot 359 – West of the Reflection Pool at Nathan Phillips Square.
- Art Tours and Talks
- Flânerie with Dyana Ouvrard (Francophone Programming)
- Art Walk: StART Mural Tour with Cindy Scaife
- Design Treasures with Vanja Vasic
- Best of Art Fair with Joshua Heuman (ASL)
- Breakout Artists with Dallas Fellini
- New Horizons: with Myta Sayo
- Starting Your Art Collection with Meghan Yuri Young
TOAF X StART
Watch mural and street artists do their magic live. Featuring Phade, Jennifer Messon. Marg Cresswell, Kreecha, Hyedie Hashimoto, and Jasmine Vanstone.There’s the opportunity to buy final works at the StreetARToronto shipping container.
Art Nest
This year’s Art Nest will feature works by 5 artists, Chris Harms, Stephanie Avery, Javid Jah, Safoura Zahedi, Martin Reis. The ambitious public art installations at TOAF63 are curated by Rafi Ghanaghounian, advised by Rui Pimenta.
The featured artworks reflect on the challenges and rewards of living in a cosmopolitan city.
MUSIC
The Rider Raiders: The Rider Raiders are a funky four or five piece brass band comprised of some of Toronto’s grooviest and most accomplished musicians. The band features Juno Award winning alto sax player Richard Underhill, lyrical jazz trumpet player Tim Hamel, world renowned drummer phenom Great Bob Scott, rising star sousaphone player Nolan Murphy and when they expand to 5 pieces, the incredibly dynamic young trombonist Charlotte McAfee-Brunner.
JER: JER is a Brazilian alternative rock singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist and music producer. Beginning her musical career at a young age, JER grew up around the semi-arid cities of Bahia, the magical Brazilian state known for music and celebration. JER is a champion who survives off her own skill and faith. Over the course of a decade she has cultivated several impressive musical projects that span different genres and across continents. Her participation in Canada’s musical scene is something continuous and wide reaching.
Coletivo Semente: Mari Palhares is a Percussionist who moved to Toronto from Sao Paulo, Brazil at the age of 19. Her interest in percussion led her to Maracatu (Afro-Brazilian percussion) at the age of 17. In 2007, already living in Toronto, she joined Maracatu Baque de Bamba, founded by Aline Morales (lead singer/director of the drumming troupe). Mari has since become the co-leader, a teacher and the producer of Baque de Bamba, as well as a well-known artist within and beyond the Brazilian community in Toronto.
DANCE
Three Turtles in the Square by Lina Cruz.
- Saturday, July 13 at 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM
- Sunday, July 14 at 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM
Be the first to witness Three Turtles in the Square. With a tender, dysfunctional love for nature and highly addicted to plastic, these intrepid and mischievous turtles roam the cities, springing out of bushes or walls, sarcastically celebrating their increasingly plastified dwellings. Cruz’s choreography, accompanied by original music, creates an enchanting spectacle for audiences of all ages.
Lina Cruz is a two-time Dora Mavor Moore Award winning Montreal choreographer. She joined the Montreal dance milieu in 1989, where she began developing her own creative work. After 15 years as an independent choreographer, Cruz founded Fila 13 Productions in 2003. She has presented her creative work in festivals and events at local, national and international levels.
KIDS ZONE
Budding Art Buyers
Budding Art Buyers program introduces a new partner, Art Dealers Association of Canada. ADAC is bringing their expertise with invoice, consignments, and provenance to Budding Art Buyers and providing educational and fun programming for children under 14 to get them started on their art collecting journey.
Power Kids by The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Join this year’s Power Kids workshop for a reflective exercise in self-expression where participants will create tactile, abstract self-portrait collages. This process is inspired by the Power Plant’s exhibition of June Clark’s reflective work.
FEATURED EXHIBITIONS
36 Questions That Lead to Loving TO, Green Spaces Edition
36 Questions That Lead to Loving Toronto Green Spaces, presented by Museum of Toronto invites visitors to explore the many ways Torontonians appreciate and find connection with green spaces in the city — highlighting the interplay of urban living with nature, parks, and wildlife.
StART Exhibition
Rooted in reconciliation, diversity, equity and inclusion, StreetARToronto (StART) has sought out and worked with artists from diverse communities since its inception in 2012, to create and showcase some of the best mural, street and graffiti art and artists globally. These artists and artworks have transformed Toronto’s public streets, laneways, and parks into a city-wide art gallery!
The photography exhibit showcases a diverse range of street art of many forms over the past decade. Vibrant photos take visitors on a journey across many of the murals and artworks across this great city. The current exhibit features the evolution of StART projects throughout its 12-year history, using Toronto’s unique architecture as its picture frame.
Blushing Bodies
Curator Jesse King has curated a feature exhibition of TOAF63 artists titled Blushing Bodies. This exhibition is a partnership between TOAF and Indigenous Curatorial Collective (ICCA) who bring their unique perspective and curatorial vision to TOAF.
ONLINE
This year’s rich online program will present 66 artists and a chance to participate in digital programming and view curated collections by artists and industry professionals. If you can’t join us in-person, tune into studio tours and live artist chats on Instagram and start meandering your way through TOAF.ca starting with the Curated Collections. We are sure that you will meet an artist who will inspire you and find a perfect piece of art for your world.
DETAILS
Fair Hours
Friday, July 12: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 13: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday July 14: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
For full TOAF63 programming visit the main cultural hub at www.TOAF.ca.
About Toronto Outdoor Art Fair Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) is Canada’s leading outdoor and online art fair. Established in 1961 to connect Canadian artists directly to the public, TOAF showcases 350+ emerging and established visual artists, including painters, photographers, sculptors and artists working in ceramics, textiles, jewellery and more. The event brings together 150,000 art lovers and enthusiasts who spend over 2 million dollars on art during the Fair. This free public event takes place every July – rain or shine – at Nathan Phillips Square in the heart of downtown Toronto. The Fair offers something for everyone: talks, tours, digital studio visits, curated collections, kids workshops, live painting, dance, music, art installations and food and drink experiences. Since 2020, TOAF’s online. Since 2020, TOAF’s online fair has become Canada’s in-demand e-commerce and discovery hub for artists across Canada.
