Beach Pavilion, Margaret Rankin, 2026, Collagraph print.
My First Artwork
Where Your Collecting Journey Begins
Dear Friend of TOAF,
TOAF is where many people buy their first artwork.
We hear this all the time: “I bought my first artwork at TOAF.”
And it makes sense. The fair is public. There are no walls. People feel at ease and welcomed. More importantly, you can talk to the artists directly. It’s all IRL.
The Collectors Collective, one of our signature 65th Anniversary programs, grew from that idea. We wanted to make art collecting feel less intimidating. More accessible. More inviting. A place for conversations between aspiring collectors, new collectors, seasoned collectors, and artists.
And this year, in partnership with the Art Dealers Association of Canada (ADAC), we’re bringing you a new initiative and exhibition called My First Artwork — curated by ADAC’s dealers and galleries, specifically for aspiring collectors who want to start or grow their collection.
It is a special one. And it is simply the perfect place to begin.
And if you’re not ready to collect yet, the step before that is getting to know the artists, their work, and developing your own taste. There is no better place to start than an Art Tour. Join one, start your discovery journey, and dive deeper. We have a great selection of tours for you to choose from.
Start planning,
anahita & TOAF Team
My First Artwork
When: Friday, July 10 & Saturday, July 11, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, July 12, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Centre of Zone A
Curated by gallerists and dealers from the Art Dealers Association of Canada, this exhibition brings together original works under $500 by TOAF artists. It’s the perfect place to start collecting, making that first purchase feel as exciting and approachable as it should be.
This curated collection from ADAC reflects the breadth of Canadian artists, from coast to coast, present at the Fair. Selected works span a diverse range of painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture — complementing both ADAC’s 60th Anniversary and TOAF’s 65th Anniversary.
Each artwork is priced for young professionals aged 20–35, making it easy to start or grow a collection within budget. Visitors can speak with ADAC representatives about building a collection, the works on view, and best collecting practices.
Start with an Art Tour
Date: Friday, July 10, 10:00 AM
Location: Stage
Put the map away.
Let’s explore the Fair differently.
Together, we’ll walk through Nathan Phillips Square and discover artworks, artists, and unexpected conversations along the way.
With a few simple prompts, let curiosity guide you through the aisles of Toronto Outdoor Art Fair 2026.
No need to follow a plan, just take your time, look closely, ask questions, and meet the francophone artists of the Fair.
This tour will be offered in spoken French.
Date: Friday, July 10, 2:00 PM
Location: Stage
Founder of The New Other, Kristofer Sakamoto-Marshall spotlights artists whose work tells personal, powerful stories that shift something in you.
Date: Friday, July 10, 4:00 PM
Location: Stage
Curator and art dealer Myta Sayo makes collecting feel personal. She spotlights emerging and established artists whose work makes you want more art in your life.
Date: Saturday, July 11, 10:00 AM
Location: Stage
Director of Development and Programming at the Textile Museum of Canada and Founder of IC Contemporary, Ignazio Nicastro spotlights breakout artists whose work invites you to look closer.
Date: Saturday, July 11, 3:30 PM
Location: Zone E, Booth E550
Join artists and cultural organizers from Tangled Art + Disability and the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf for a guided tour celebrating Deaf and disabled artists at TOAF65. Explore works at the Tangled and CCSD booths and discover exhibiting artists whose practices are shaped by Deaf and disability culture and who are reshaping the arts ecology through access, community, and cultural innovation.
This tour is offered in ASL and spoken English.
Date: Sunday, July 12, 10:00 AM
Location: Stage
Join Josh Heuman for an insider’s look at this year’s award recipients. Meet the artists, hear about their practices, and discover what set their work apart in the eyes of the judges.
This tour is offered in ASL and spoken English.
You Can Always Join the Collectors Collective.
Five memorable gatherings in, and there’s still more to come.
Next up: a Rare Studio Visit with Barbara Astman and curator David Liss at Koffler Arts on June 27, followed by the Quintessential TOAF65 Collector’s Tour & Groove led by Odessa Paloma Parker on July 11.
Become a member for early access, discounted tickets, and a chance to win a $650 artwork gift card — announced at Odessa’s tour.
Not ready to commit? Attend as a guest. Subscribe to the Collectors Collective newsletter to stay in the loop.
