Dear Friend of TOAF,
Emily Maclennan and Nick Hoang are two extraordinary painters with their own unique relationship with familiar landscapes and architectures.
Emily’s meticulous and evocative paintings of storefronts and urban nooks breathe life into Toronto’s overlooked corners and highlight their charm.
Her work has earned her multiple awards over the years at TOAF, including the prestigious Mayor’s Purchase Award in 2022. Last year she was awarded one of the most competitive and sought after titles — The Best of Painting! This award is generously supported by long-time friends of TOAF, Brett Ledger and Patricia Olasker.
Nick Hoang’s architectural compositions on wood panels are serene yet dynamic – taking the viewer into new dimensions of space and natural landscapes. Nick was awarded the Honourable Mention in Painting by FORMAT.
Enjoy learning more about their work.
Until next time,
anahita & TOAF Team
Ps. Enjoy our Curated Collection created by the owners of Coffee By JOY – the most soulful new coffee shop carrying beautiful craft.
Join us for the following:
- From Studio to Collections — How Artworks are Acquired – Wednesday, February 12, 2025
- From Studio to Public Spaces — How Artists Venture into Public Art – Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Emily MacLennan
Originally from Nova Scotia and a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Emily moved to Toronto in 2006, and began painting more seriously in 2019.
Emily is drawn to empty spaces that carry their own narrative, which she seeks to capture in her paintings. Her process involves meticulous planning and attention to detail, requiring both focus and stamina. Once the composition is complete, the scene becomes ingrained in her memory, transforming the ordinary into something meaningful. While her paintings are often described as familiar yet elusive, with some even called surreal, Emily intentionally leaves them subtly flawed. By embracing imperfections, she aims for a more honest representation, allowing the work to feel genuine and reflective of her personal connection with the subject.
Hear from Judge
“Over the years, many artists at TOAF have featured the city streets of Toronto in their work. But in Emily’s deft hands, she manages to capture just the right mix of quotidian details that make this city so unique. The coin laundry, the psychic reader’s storefront and graffitti covered alleyways are rendered in vivid detail and the finest touch. It’s impossible not to be charmed anew by this city through Emily’s embracing approach to it.”
— Juliana Zalucky, Director of Zalucky Contemporary
Share some fun facts about your process
Though my paintings look like they’re an accurate portrayal and I do I paint from a photo, I edit the photo extensively before I begin, and I usually abandon the photo once the key elements are in place and then work from memory and a sense of what I think will convey the mood I’m trying to achieve.
Nick Hoang
Nick Hoang is an emerging contemporary painter from Mississauga, with a background in Art Fundamentals and Architectural Technology from Sheridan College. After working in the construction industry, he transitioned to art full-time to pursue a more fulfilling creative path.
His work explores architectural interventions, blending foreign elements with existing spaces to create dynamic compositions. Nick uses wood panels as his primary surface, often incorporating the natural grain to evoke an aura-like atmosphere.
Hear from Judge
“Nick Hoang’s most recent series of acrylic paintings on wood panels offer a refreshing approach to the long standing tradition of juxtaposing architecture with nature. In a series of tableaus on high-gloss wood grain, window shaped portals give way to landscapes in the distance, In this way, his work offers the viewer a journey to be explored. Novel embellishments such as the rippled acrylic surface hint that Hoang is only at the start of where his practice will take him.”
— Juliana Zalucky, Director of Zalucky Contemporary
What’s next for you?
The art fair allowed me to make connections to start making the art that I’ve been dreaming of for years. Sourcing large wood panels locally and experimenting has been my focus over the last few months. I am currently working on several large pieces for the new year.
Curated Collection
Shaped by JOY
February 12, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
In-person – Unit 262, 401 Richmond Street West
How does your art go from the studio to private, corporate and public collections? What do collectors look for, and how can you position your work to attract acquisitions? Art advisors and public art consultants often facilitate these opportunities, offering a deeper connection between the artist’s work and influential buyers. Join us for an engaging conversation with experienced collectors and advisors to gain insight on what to expect in the acquisition process, how to build relationships in the art world, and how to prepare when an opportunity knocks at the door.
In partnership with the Art Dealers Association of Canada.
Call for Proposals: Art Nest— Public Art
Deadline for Submissions: February 28, 2025
TOAF is seeking exciting, innovative proposals for installation, sculpture, new media, and performance art pieces for the 2025 Fair. This is a unique opportunity for artists to create works that engage with the dynamic, open-air environment of Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto’s civic heart. As part of the Art Nest program, TOAF offers selected artists the resources, mentorship, and visibility needed to bring their concepts to life.
