Celebrated Toronto Artist Project
Returns to Explore A More Personal Experience With Art
Artwork by David Krovblit
TORONTO, ON - Toronto’s favourite art fair returns on February 21st to 24th, bringing together artists from a variety of disciplines to showcase their talents at the 12th annual Artist Project. Hosted at the Better Living Centre, the contemporary art fair opens its doors to gallerists, curators, collectors, art aficionados and new art lovers to connect with over 300 emerging or established Canadian and international artists. The shoppable gallery-style experience intimately connects guests with artists for a more personal experience with art. Guests will enjoy interactive installations, live artist competitions and engaging, expert-led Art Chats and Art Walks.
“Art is a powerful storytelling tool, and we wanted to reflect that with our theme - A More Personal Experience With Art,” said Emily-Jean Alexander, Director of Artist Project. “Artist Project offers a special experience where attendees can better connect with a piece by interacting directly with the artist, giving a more meaningful experience to the process of looking and buying.”
The four-day exhibition kicks off with an Opening Night Party that celebrates the city’s art culture, with music from LUXELIFE SOUND. The first art experience guests encounter at Artist Project will be an expansive, vibrant installation on the front entrance wall from Pauline Loctin. Her love of colour, patterns, layering and play of shadows and lights led her to create Ancestrale II, composed of painted designs and three- dimensional origami folded paper art.
Artwork by Charlotte Penabel
Additional highlights and guest favourites during the show include:
Art Chats
Art Chats is Artist Project’s series of talks and panel discussions that offer an insider’s look into the art industry through the lens of experts in the field. A selection of invited special guests will share their knowledge from a variety of sectors in the creative community, imparting fresh perspectives and invaluable advice. Art Chats are complimentary with admission and last approximately one hour. Topics and speakers are listed below.
Art Battle
Now an Artist Project staple, Art Battle #764 returns on Friday February 22nd from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sixteen participating artists will be selected from the fair to create their best painting in three 20 minute rounds. Visitors will be able to move around the artists’ easels as they work and watch the creative process 
unfold in live time. Afterwards, guests are encouraged to vote for their favourite piece and bid in a silent auction.
Art Walks
Art Walks are complimentary themed guided art tours, where you’ll meet artists, learn about their inspirations and how they create their amazing works of art. The hourly tours take place from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Each tour begins on the hour at the Information Desk. Topics include:
● Pattern: Geometry in Art
● Green: Art & the Environment
● Intermedia: Digital & Analog
● Discover: Exploring Artist Mediums
Art Walks/Curated - NEW in 2019 three art and design world specialists have each been asked to give a curated Art Walk of their creation. Topics and speakers are listed below.
Artwork by Cherie Harte
UNTAPPED Emerging Artist Competition
Presented by DeSerres, the UNTAPPED Emerging Artist Competition is designed to support the development of students, new graduates, and self-taught artists. This juried competition will award 20 emerging artists from all mediums the opportunity to exhibit their work at a dedicated feature space at the Artist Project free of charge. The competition aims to offer new artists a platform to launch their work, develop industry connections and gain experience in the contemporary art world.
SELF-PORTRAIT
Presented by Swatch, exhibiting artists are invited to delve deeper into the fair’s theme A More Personal Experience With Art by turning the creative lens onto themselves and submitting an original work based on the theme “SELF-PORTRAIT.” In a self portrait, the artists are challenged to depict themselves as a central figure, supporting character, in a narrative or costume or as expressed through personal traits or attributes.
Artwork by Julie Gladstone
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Repaint History Pop-up Shop - Saturday February 23rd 2:00 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Shop from Repaint History’s fashion and lifestyle items which are designed to start a conversation.
Installation Zone
Artist Project presents 12 artists who will transform the way you experience the fair. While exploring the fair, you will be met with dynamic and interactive installations that address a variety of captivating topics and themes.
OCAD Centre for Emerging Artists and Designers, Career Launcher Opportunity
Yuling Chen, VIdeo:Game // A Separate Memory Demands Retracing requires the performer to play games of hopscotch backwards while live-projecting their facial expressions. The performance uses audience participation and further develop our understanding of migrating movements.
Non-Profit Partnership
Artist Project is proud to partner with Akin Projects, an arts programming organization which supports Toronto’s artistic and cultural community through creative opportunities. Visit the Akin booth to learn more about their programs and see the work of member artists; Andrew Kennedy, Caitlin Barrie, Emily Woudenberg, Emma White, Hamid Mahammadi, Humboldt Magnussen, Jessica Thalmann, Jieun June Kim, Leone McComas and Rakefet Arieli.
Zine Section
NEW in 2019, Artist Project presents a small section devoted to independent illustrators and Zine producers.
“Toronto has a rich publishing, and illustrative design industry. By turing our focus onto Zines we are really exemplifying that ‘the medium is the message’, while also helping a generation of illustrators engage with art lovers” - Emily-Jean Alexander, Director, Artist Project.
Artwork by Marina Billinghurst
ABOUT ARTIST PROJECT/INFORMA CANADA
From collectors and curators, to gallerists and designers, visitors can explore and discover works of art from over 300 top contemporary artists from Canada and abroad. This is a unique opportunity to meet and buy art directly from artists at Toronto’s favourite art fair. As the largest trade show producers in the world, Informa Canada is committed to the continued development and enhancement of the art world through collaboration and partnership. As international purveyors of fine art, craft, and design exhibitions, Informa Canada’s experienced staff of art fair coordinators are also credited with Art Toronto, the One of a Kind Shows and the Interior Design Show.
#ArtistProject
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