Art in Public, for the Public, with Love
See you at the Square!
Dear Friend of TOAF,
Here is our programming lineup for TOAF64, and we can’t wait to experience it with you! July 11–13 at Nathan Phillips Square.
There’s something magical about a public square in the summer. It is a shared space of connection, lingering, and play. During TOAF, that magic takes on new life with 400+ artists and art experiences, around every corner, for all to enjoy.
You will find a common thread running through this year’s programming in Art Nest, curated by Myta Sayo; Ethereal Forms by Jesse King; and from The Land and the Sea Bind Us by Bushra Junaid, all reflecting with deep care on how we belong to a space, place, and to one another.
That thread continues in tender, a new dance work by Heidi Strauss and adelheid dance, exploring togetherness in public spaces through evocative, magnetic movement.
And, in Block by Block, presented by Museum of Toronto in collaboration with The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, we get to play, plan, and dream the city’s future, one block at a time.
Our Art Tours, led by thoughtful curators and arts professionals, invite you to pause, look closer, and connect more deeply with the artists.
Our adorable Budding Art Buyers program is back, where our young art lovers will learn to collect like pros with expert advice from the Art Dealers Association of Canada.
Small World Music returns with global grooves to match the vibrant summer energy of the square. You’ll also have the chance to connect with members of our community at the many participating Community Booths.
There is food for the senses, the soul, and the imagination with plenty of delicious options to satisfy your summer cravings, too.
Finally, no FOMO if you’re far away! Our digital programming of Instagram LiveArtist Chats, Studio Tours, and Curated Collections is just a click away. Support artists and collect online from wherever you are.
A perfect summer vibe. All for you. All welcome.
anahita & TOAF Team.
Sign Up for Art Tours
Friday, July 11th at 10:00 AM | French Language
Put the map away.
Let’s walk with our senses wide open.
Let’s cross Nathan Phillips Square, the vibrant heart of TOAF.
Let’s get ourselves lost in the aisles, on purpose.
Seek less. Welcome more.
Let chance lead to meaningful conversations with artists.
With a set of simple instructions in hand, follow the thread:
a few traces, a few detours,
and above all, a listening ear for the francophone voices of the Fair.
Co-presented by Le Labo
Friday, July 11th at 2:00 PM
Join style-savvy design and craft connoisseur Odessa Paloma Parker for a treasure hunt through TOAF’s most design-forward works with heart. From sculptural vessels to expressive textiles and statement art jewelry, discover pieces that elevate the everyday.
Saturday, July 12th at 10:00 AM
Art consultant Christelle Inacio makes collecting feel personal, spotlighting emerging and established artists whose work pulls you in and keeps you looking.
Saturday, July 12th at 2:00 PM
Join Art Nest curator Myta Sayo for a guided walk through this year’s ambitious, playful and thought-provoking public art installations, as she shares her vision and insights into each work and the artists behind them.
Saturday, July 12th at 3:00 PM
Curator Emily Laurent Henderson thoughtfully highlights artists who use their work to tell powerful, personal stories — stories that invite us to listen more deeply and see the world through a different lens.
Saturday, July 12th at 4:00 PM | English & ASL
Join artists and cultural organizers from Tangled Art + Disability and the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf (CCSD) for a guided tour highlighting the work of Deaf and disabled artists at TOAF64. Explore selected works at the Tangled and CCSD booths and discover other exhibiting artists whose practices are shaped by Deaf and disability culture. Learn how these artists and organizations are reshaping the arts ecology through access, community, and cultural innovation.
The tour is in both Spoken English and ASL. Visual description can be provided.
Sunday, July 13th at 10:00 AM | English & ASL
Join curator Josh Heuman for an insider’s look at TOAF64’s top award recipients. Meet this year’s stand-out artists, hear about their practice, and discover what set their work apart in the eyes of the judges.
Sunday, July 13th at 2:00 PM
Get an insider look at the artists making waves at TOAF64. Curator Trevor Twells spotlights breakout talents whose work pulses with fearless energy and fresh perspectives.
