June: Programming Launch
The 62nd Toronto Outdoor Art Fair is an abundant and elevated one — buzzing with art for all.
Your most loved art event of the summer returns this July 7 to 9, with over 350+ artists taking over Nathan Phillips Square. Prepare to be dazzled by the visual feast they will be presenting. If you’d like a deeper conversation, join an Art Tour led by passionate collectors and experts.
The second edition of Art Nest features site-specific commissioned installations. Fatma Hendawy Yehia curated these striking public artworks by five emerging artists.
Speaking of site-specific! We are delighted to present the new dance commission Leap (of faith) by Jenn Goodwin and her collaborators. Leap is rich in meaning, suspension and humour – you don’t want to miss this.
Our programming partners have truly knocked it out of the park this year. We will be hosting interactive activities by Gallery44, Myseum, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, and live painting by StreetARToronto artists. Young art lovers won’t want to leave the Square! Remind them to save their allowance to buy an original artwork from our special Budding Art Buyers program.
Small World Music returns to bring an electric selection of bands and musicians to delight your senses and get you into the groove of summer fun. Bring your dancing shoes and experience TOAF at night with after-hour DJ sets.
And, for the first time ever! Look for an awe-inspiring video art showcase on the stage featuring Alex McLeod, Toronto’s beloved digital artist. Alex has also curated a great selection of works by a number of dynamic video artists for this inaugural initiative.
Not in Toronto? Not a problem! You can find all participating artists as well as Exclusively Online artists on TOAF.ca from anywhere in the world. Join an Instagram Live artist chat or tune in on a digital studio tour to get to know our artists, and don’t miss the Online Fair Kick-off on Instagram with our dear friend, the exuberant Tiffany Pratt.
For Torontonians and neighbours, we know the pull of the cottage, beach, pool, backyard BBQ and patio drinks is real. But this is that one weekend you want to be here in the city to fill up your soul with all the art you can take, all in one place. You also know there will be the coolest urban beer garden, gourmet offerings, and exclusive TOAF craft beer by Sasha Sutherland X Henderson Brewing Co. waiting for you for that perfect summer vibe.
Take a look at our full programming schedule and start planning your visit.
Sign Up for Art Tours
Friday, July 7 at 10:00 AM | French Language
Co-presented by Le Labo
Car marcher ensemble, c’est le plus court chemin pour aller vers l’autre.
Dans un monde qui tourne trop vite, ralentir et retrouver un espace-temps naturel auprès des artistes se fait par le mouvement le plus naturel: mettre un pied devant l’autre. Rejoignez Dyana pour une marche lente, légère et profonde pour tous ceux dont l’envie de découverte et discussions démange.
Because walking together is the shortest route to the other.
In a world that moves too fast, slowing down and rediscovering a natural space and time with artists is the most natural of movements: putting one foot in front of the other. Join Dyana for a slow, light and deep walk for all those with an itch for exploration and discussion.
Saturday, July 8 at 10:00 AM
Get to know the next generation of artists pushing the boundaries of their mediums.
Every year, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair is a launching pad for numerous emerging artists. In 2023, there are over 100 emerging artists at the Fair. Danna Heitner, a Toronto-based art advisor with over 20 years of experience in the international art market, shares her ‘top picks’.
Saturday, July 8 at 2:00 PM
With over 400 artists exhibiting at TOAF, how does one know where to start looking? Anjli Patel has been collecting art (collaboratively with her husband) for more than a decade. She will lead participants on a walking tour that opens eyes to a broad range of artists working in diverse media and methods.
Sunday, July 9 at 10:00 AM | English & American Sign Language
Take a deeper look into the artwork of this year’s top award recipients and learn what made them stand out to judges. Get to know the artists in the insightful tour led by Lee Petrie, bringing 25 years of curatorial experience to guide us through the selection.
Sunday, July 9 at 2:00 PM
TOAF has included many nationally and internationally acclaimed Canadian artists during the early stage of their careers, including Barbara Astman, David Blackwood, Edward Burtynsky, Joanne Tod, and more. During this tour, gallerist and art collector Farnoosh Talee will take you on a journey to meet an exciting bunch of rising stars.
Collectors in Conversation: Geoff Plant-Richmond with Josh Heuman
Friday, July 7 at 3:00 PM
Collecting art can begin with daunting decisions. We may ask ourselves: Where do I start? What should I buy? What can I afford? This conversation will grapple with all the big questions as we tap into the perspectives of collector Geoff Plant-Richmond, who has valuable learnings to share from his 10+ years of consistent collecting of Canadian art. In conversation with fine art curator and consultant Josh Heuman, they will focus on some specific artworks in Geoff’s collection to further explore his collecting direction.