TOAF65, Photography by Marlowe Porter.
Stories Are Unfolding
In a full circle
Dear Friend of TOAF,
One thing we keep hearing from everyone after the Fair is that the energy this year was palpable. You could feel it the moment you stepped onto the Square.
We heard that FIFA tourists found their way to the fair, taking art home as souvenirs from their visit to Toronto. TOAF artwork found homes in Scotland, the Netherlands, Germany and more… What a way to remember a city.
We heard about a senior artist who returned to TOAF for the 65th after a long hiatus, and sold out their entire booth.
We heard from artists who had to pull work from local galleries and shops, or dig into an older body of work, because everything they had brought to the Fair had found new homes.
Some artists told us this was the best show they’d had in decades. And we saw SOLD dots popping up everywhere. At the end of the day, the core of the Fair has always been connecting artists and art lovers for this exact purpose. And this time, the 65th’s special programs, initiatives, and festivities made this happen on a grander scale.
The online sales were also very strong over that weekend and are just getting started.
We are content.
The weather was, for once, perfect. We even heard that an artist paid an Etsy witch for good weather 😉
A Family Affair
For so many of us, TOAF isn’t just an event. It’s generational.
Artists bring their families and friends along for support, year after year. Long-time artists, collectors, and donors’ families made the trip, some driving, some flying in, just to be here for this milestone anniversary.
We’ve watched artists return decades after their first show, now with their own children exhibiting alongside them. We’ve heard from artists who first came to the Fair as kids, tagging along with a parent, and who are now showing their own work in the same Fair. The same goes for many of our visitors.
Our team is part of the thread. Every one of us has, at some point, volun-told our own families and friends to pitch in.
This is exactly what makes TOAF so special. Its legacy, history, and emotional connections run deep in the city and the community — and everyone shows up for each other, year after year.
More stories to unfold…
With love,
anahita & TOAF Team
P.S. You still have a few more days to order these limited-time, stunning scarves—specially designed for TOAF65 by award-winning artist Yaw Tony. An intimate, versatile artwork to remember these special birthday festivities by.
With Deep Gratitude
None of this happens without the people and organizations who believe in it.
Special thanks to the Koffler Foundation and now three generations of the Koffler family, for their generosity and continuous support since the fair’s inception in 1961.
Thanks to the Lindy Green Family Foundation, Lead supporter of the Art Encounters Access and Outreach program, who were the first to invest in this work — and to TD Ready Commitment, The Clearview Foundation, Guardian Partners Inc. and Element Event Solutions for helping us build the most extensive access program of any art fair in Canada.
Thanks to the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Government of Québec, City of Toronto, Rogan Foundation, Rudolph P. Bratty Foundation, and Estate of Barbara Shadbolt, along with all our Award donors, $65 Gift donors, and supporters.
Thank you to the TOAF65 Advisory Committee and our Board of Directors for being the best champions and advocates we could ask for.
We’re grateful to our many incredible programming and community partners, new and returning — with a particular shout-out to the curators of our special programs, and to our jurors, who shaped this Fair with thoughtful care. Thank you as well to our award supporters and award judges for their careful selections.
Thank you to our wonderful team, our 250 volunteers, our media and community partners, DM Public Team, Wild Media Co. Coral Cove Team and a big shout-out to Monnet Design, who delivered yet another spectacular and sleek concept for TOAF65.
Thank you, everyone for showing up for artists and our community with such care and brilliance.
And finally, to all of the artists.
The generosity, imagination, and care you bring to your work fuel our drive.
You’ve brought an extraordinary amount of heart to this year’s Fair.
You are the reason why we gather.
You are the reason why TOAF exists.
And after 65 years, you remain the heart of everything we do.
A Joyful Glimpse of TOAF65
TOAF65 Memories
Relive the magic of this year’s Fair through our Facebook photo album, beautifully captured by photographer Marlowe Porter.
TOAF65 in the News
Visitors Survey
Win a $250 Gift Card
Your feedback is essential to TOAF’s growth, and we truly appreciate your time. The survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Please submit it by Aug 16.
We’re passionate about making TOAF better and deepening our impact on the community. Your honest feedback and collaboration help us improve, and is crucial when advocating for space, government funding, and sponsorships. Complete the survey for a chance to win a $250 digital gift card to buy art on TOAF.ca!
Thank you to our Volunteers
To our incredible volunteers, we could never do this without you. Thank you for your helping hands, beautiful smiles, and welcoming spirit. Your warmth is an integral part of what makes TOAF so special. A shout-out to Entripy for the sunshine-yellow volunteer t-shirts that kept the volunteers looking bright all weekend! ☀️
From Photo Ed
photoED Magazine is a proud supporter of TOAF!
photoED Magazine celebrates the creative possibilities of lens-based art while actively amplifying the voices of underrepresented creatives.
We’re thrilled that TOAF provides us with introductions to lens-based artists for our pages!
Find out more: @photoED Magazine www.photoeditorial.art
Visit Sankofa Square
A full season of free weekly events at Sankofa Square! For the first time, we’re introducing a full season of curated weekly programming, bringing a new rhythm to the heart of downtown. From June through early September, the Square comes alive with music, film, wellness, markets, and cultural celebrations that reflect the energy of the city.
Happy 65 (TOAF)
Wrap yourself in a tale told twice.
Introducing our new double-face scarf in silk twill with hand-rolled edges (100% silk).
This piece is a celebration and a dedicated scarf to TOAF and the city we love, Toronto. The piece highlights monuments in the city, such as AGO, Nathan Philips Square, CN, TTC, etc…
— Yaw Tony
