Bigger and better. Toronto Outdoor Art Fair expands nationally and announces a dynamic in-person program for all art lovers.
Mark your calendar from July 8 – 17 as TOAF kicks off with a virtual experience followed by a full takeover at Nathan Phillips Square July 15 – 17.
Toronto – Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) returns from July 8th to July 17th with a brand new hybrid experience, bringing together art lovers and artists from across Canada. TOAF61 will kick off on July 8th with a ten-day online art fair followed by a full in-person art and entertainment fair at Nathan Phillips Square on July 15-17th, all free and open to art lovers of all ages.
In two years, TOAF online became Canada’s fastest-growing digital platform as a national platform for Canadian art from all regions. TOAF61 is celebrating this massive achievement by hosting an Online Fair with 400+ jury-selected artists from across Canada and beyond; 100+ artists will be Online Only. This is an excellent opportunity for enthusiasts from across Canada to participate in and explore Toronto’s most loved art fair virtually.
From July 15th to 17th, TOAF61 takes over Nathan Phillips Square for the much-anticipated return of the in-person 300+ artist showcase. In addition to the open-air fair, the cascading stage will be jam-packed with live music, thought-provoking contemporary dance, and the awesome vibes of TOAF’s unique Beer Garden.
“Toronto Outdoor Art Fair is back, bigger and better than before!”, says Anahita Azrahimi, TOAF Executive & Creative Director. “For the first time in Toronto’s Outdoor Art Fair 61 year history, we are expanding nationally with the online fair as well as bringing TOAF to Nathan Phillips Square with an even more dynamic program than ever before. If you haven’t been to a TOAF before, this is the year to check it out!”
Full TOAF61 Fair Programming
Virtual Programming
Collect art and support artists from every corner of Canada, at all career stages and on every budget, online at TOAF.ca.
Kick-Off with Tiffany Pratt
Friday, July 8 at 12:30 PM – Instagram Live
Join artist and designer Tiffany Pratt on Instagram Live for an energetic chat with TOAF61 artists to launch the 61st Toronto Outdoor Art Fair. Kick off the Online Fair with a virtual introduction to this year's roster of artists, and get ready to join us July 15-17 at Nathan Phillips Square!
Artist Studio Tours
July 8 – 17
Tune in online at TOAF.ca for digital Studio Tours recorded by select TOAF61 artists. Meet the artists and discover the creative process behind your favourite artworks in these dynamic ten-minute videos.
Instagram Live Artist Chats
July 8 – 17
Artist Chats enrich the TOAF community by connecting artists and engaging our online audience. Follow @torontooutdoorart for 20-minute casual conversations on IG Live between TOAF61 artists exploring similar themes in their work.
Nathan Phillips Square Programming
There is something for everyone at Nathan Phillips Square and everybody is welcome. TOAF61 has no admission, no art speak, and no intimidating walls. Instead, we are offering a full weekend experience of shopping and entertainment with visual arts, dance, cool music, great food and beer.
Opening Ceremony
Friday, July 15 at 5:30 PM
Join us in welcoming the artists to Nathan Phillips Square, opening remarks and the announcement of the Fair Awards Recipients.
Visual Arts
300+ Artist Booths
July 15-17
Browse and collect artwork from the 300+ juried artists from across the country. For 61 years TOAF has launched and sustained the careers of Canadian Artists, helping them get discovered and build networks.
Art Nest – In partnership with ArtworxTO: The Year of Public Art 2021– 2022:
July 15 – 17
Curated by Rui Pimenta
Supported by Toronto Arts Council / ArtworxTO / City of Toronto
Art Nest is a new TOAF programming initiative that provides six artists – having either current or past experience participating in TOAF – the opportunity to push the boundaries of their individual art practices beyond the physical and conceptual limits of the Fair’s iconic 10 x 10 square foot tent.
Participating Artists
- Erin Vincent
- Kal Mansur
- Julia Campisi
- Sofia Escobar
- Rod Mireau
- Aline Setton
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. New to TOAF61, we will be offering French and American Sign Language tours.
Register for an Art Tour HERE or join in on the day of. All Art Tours will start from the TOAF Information Booth – West of the Reflection Pool at Nathan Phillips Square.
StreetARToronto Laneway Project Mural Walk
Wednesday, July 13 at 2:00 PM | FREE
Join Sadie Marshall, an artist with StreetARToronto, in exploring a series of new laneway murals and graffiti art themed ‘grit’. These works celebrate the resilience of local businesses and the surrounding communities, illustrate the history of the Chinatown, and Kensington neighbourhoods, and showcase the resurgence of the legendary El Mocambo music venue. This tour will also be available as a TOAF Instagram Livestream.
‘I Covet This’ with Danielle Suppa
Friday, July 15 at 12:00 PM | FREE
Danielle Suppa, Owner + Creative Director of SOUVENIR, has a keen eye for beautifully executed, purposefully and lovingly-made objects. Join her as she visits the artists behind her dreamy finds.
Peter Owusu-Ansah’s Tour
Friday, July 15 at 3:00 PM | FREE
Peter Owusu-Ansah, award-winning artist and curator, will guide you through his connections, relations, and inner and outer feelings about this year’s artists. Join him in discussing collective and individual connectivity and how our diverse similarities and differences shift perspective and experience.
Francophone Artists at TOAF with Dyana Ouvrard
Saturday, July 16 at 12:00 PM | FREE
Join Dyana Ouvrard, Director of Le Labo, Toronto's Francophone Media Arts Centre, for a French-language tour of Francophone artists at the Fair.
Art Collectors in Conversation with Hirbod Human
Saturday, July 16 at 1:30 PM | FREE
Join Hirbod Human, an art enthusiast, businessman and TOAF61 Juror, on art collecting 101, infused with his inspiring collecting stories and practical tips.
Behind Art Nest with Asad Raza
Saturday, July 16 & Sunday, July 17 at 3:00 PM | FREE
Art Nest Artists talk about their processes and imaginations behind creating their first large-scale public artworks in an engaging conversation facilitated by Asad Raza, an expert in public art. Tours highlight three different artists on both Saturday and Sunday.
Story Walk with Que Rock
Sunday, July 17 at 1:30 PM | FREE
Que Rock, artist and TOAF61 Juror, will draw you in with his captivating storytelling, connecting the land and the everyday art around us through his stand-out artists of the Fair.
Fair Awards Tour
Saturday, July 16 & Sunday, July 17 at 10:30 AM | FREE
Discover a selection of TOAF61’s award recipients for a deeper look into their works and what made them stand out to judges. Hosted by the TOAF Team.
Live Painting with StreetARToronto (StART)
July 15-17, Zone D
Watch talented mural and street artists create artwork live and in-person while they explore individual themes. Works are available for purchase! Bid on final works at the StreetARToronto Booth.
StART and the City: The Evolution of Street Art in Toronto
StreetARToronto Photography Exhibit
July 15-17, Zone D
At this exhibit, you can explore and purchase professional canvas and gator board-mounted photographs of some of the brilliant street art around Toronto. The current exhibition features the evolution of StART projects throughout its 10-year history, using Toronto's unique architecture as its picture frame – not just an amazing art piece, but a piece of Toronto history too!
Dance
If I Should Stumble
Saturday, July 16 & Sunday, July 17 at 12:00 PM & 2:30 PM
This movement installation uses stairs as both stage and nemesis in its expression of a fall from grace as dancers unpack the resiliency and challenges of women in day-to-day life. Goodwin interprets themes of personal power, female comradery, and spectacle in her choreography and vision.
Choreography: Jenn Goodwin
Song Credit: "Uja" from Tanya Tagaq's album Animism
Costume Design: Sarah Doucet
CHALKING – Presented by ĀNANDAṀ Dancetheatre
Friday, July 15 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 16 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, July 17 at 5:00 PM
Chalking deconstructs a body’s rotational possibilities — turning, spinning – into a vocabulary of tension and resistance, inscribing absence at the very heart of the body’s presence with others. Five performers build and unbuild an idea of circularity. A specific language that is at once unfamiliar, yet somehow inclusive of the multiple aesthetics that the dancers represent is articulated.
Choreography: Padmini Chettur.
Composition: Maarten Visser
Dance Artists: Nithya Garg, Tanveer Alam, Brandy Leary, Robert Kingsbury, Atri Nundy
Rehearsal Direction: Harikishan S Nair
ĀNANDAṀ Dancetheatre Artistic Producer: Briana Brown
Supported by ArtworxTO, Toronto’s Year of Public Art
Music
In Partnership with Small World Music.
Big Smoke Brass Band
Friday, July 15 at 5:00 PM | Beer Garden
Kick off the Fair with high-energy sound as Big Smoke Brass Band, a leading voice in the Canadian Brass scene erupts in joyful celebration.
Maria and The Band
Saturday, July 16 at 1:00 PM | Beer Garden
Sunday, July 17 at 4:00 PM | Beer Garden
Revel in vibrant music from the Canadian and Brazilian group rooted in traditional forró "pé de serra" music and shaped by influences ranging from blues to arabesque.
Ammoye
Saturday, July 16 at 4:00 PM | Beer Garden
Sunday, July 17 at 1:00 PM | Beer Garden
Move to Ammoye's future-forward reggae sounds that pull from dancehall to R&B influences as her infectious voice invites you to reflect on justice and empowerment.
DJ Sawtay
Friday, July 15 at 7:00 PM | Beer Garden
Saturday, July 16 at 5:30 PM | Beer Garden
Revel and groove to DJ Sawtay's skilled spinning of Hip Hop, Funk, and Soul.
Kids Zone
We invite our young audiences and their families to fun, stimulating, and high-quality art workshops with professional art educators and to a lovely art collecting program.
Budding Art Buyers
Friday, July 15 & Saturday, July 16, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, July 17, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Kids Zone @ Plaza
For young art lovers and budding collectors aged 14 and younger! Experience the beauty and wonder of discovering, searching and collecting a precious work of art. Purchase artworks by artists of the Fair for $10, $15, or $20 (cash only). Thank you to TOAF artists who have donated small artworks to this program to nurture the next generation of art admirers and collectors. No adults allowed!
Colourful World by The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Saturday, July 16 – Sunday, July 17
11:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 2:00 PM
Power Kids workshop presented by The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery.
Kids Zone @ Plaza
Dive into a world of colour, collage, and layers as Nilou Salimi facilitates this Power Kids workshop inspired by Biba Esaad, last year’s Power Plant Emerging Artist Award recipient. Explore a favourite memory or a dream for the future by creating outline images and layering on colour, texture, and design! Curated for young art makers, but all ages are welcome!
Beer Garden and Food
Henderson Brewing Co
July 15-17
For the seventh year, Henderson Brewing Co is the official beer partner of TOAF. Henderson will be onsite all weekend for all visitors including those on four legs. Henderson makes beers to spark ideas, tell stories and, most of all, be refreshing and enjoyable.
Food Trucks
July 15-17
An assortment of food trucks will be onsite all weekend. Vendors include:
Dreamland Cotton Candy
Tropic Love
The Hungry Moon
I love Churros
Tacos 101
Aspire Drink Sampling
For more information visit the Information Booth for TOAF61 at TOAF.ca.
