Guests at the Opening Night Party. Photo: Andrew Williamson
September 19 & 20, 2015
Opening Night Party: September 19, 2015 / 7 p.m.
99 Sudbury, Toronto
Five independent art galleries came together this past weekend for the launch of the new art fair SURFACE. As I moved through the participating galleries during my visit it was obvious each gallery was very clear and passionate about the point of the fair: to work together and see how powerful that outcome of teamwork could be. It was a great vibe for the emerging art fair. As Johnny Hollick from #Hashtag Gallery said to me about one of his expectations, “Wouldn’t it be fun to throw a little party, put up our cool stuff, listen to music, and invite all our friends. That’s how it should be.” And that’s how it was.
Johnny Hollick, Co-director of #Hashtag Gallery. Photo: Carter Brown
It was lovely to talk to each gallery owner and hear the stories of all their different relationships with one another for their coming together in collaboration. Such journeys as one owner who knew this person from another gallery at SURFACE numerous years ago, lost touch, then later reconnected and came together for this project. I learned another connection between galleries is completely new as a result of SURFACE but the combination of each separate gallery resulted in the provision of new knowledge as well as a whole new network of connections.
Guests at the Opening Night Party. Photo: Carter Brown
The harmonious fellowship seems to have been favorable for all galleries and their artists that ought to inspire others to do the same. Creative Blueprint’s Ashley Proctor stresses that the determination of SURFACE is collaboration rather than competition. She says, “We all have different networks and when you put people together in a room really magical stuff happens.” I found this shared positivity, that was the soul of the fair, infectious. Ashley also discussed her idea that SURFACE is meant to be an experiment, which she hopes will turn into example of what can be achieved when you reach out to other galleries in your community to see what happens.
Ashley Proctor, Director of Creative Blueprint, in front of their space. Photo: Carter Brown
From my experience, SURFACE’s début weekend was a great success. The opening party was energetic with good company, music, and a fun surprise dance act. The notion of focusing on converging gallery and artist interests was strongly communicated by this tightknit community. Devan Patel, from Project Gallery, expressed to attendees in a small thank you speech, “All of these galleries, we are trying to do the same thing, which is usher in the new era of contemporary art and emerging art so thank you for being here and supporting that.”
Devan Patel, Co-director of Project Gallery. Photo: Carter Brown
Johnny Hollick (left) and Andrew Williamson, Director of The Black Cat Artspace (right) speaking to crowd. Photo: Carter Brown
Guests at the Opening Night Party. Photo: Andrew Williamson
Carter Brown
September 19 & 20, 2015
Opening Night Party: September 19, 2015 / 7 p.m.
Exhibition: Sunday September 20, 2015 / 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
99 Sudbury, Toronto
Installation view
On the weekend of September 19th, 99 Sudbury, a renovated warehouse and event space in the West Queen West neighbourhood, served as the venue for SURFACE: a self-proclaimed “alternative art fair and party” intended to showcase five emerging local galleries. This two-day event ran only until the 2oth, and included an opening party and reception that allowed visitors to acquaint themselves with Toronto based independent galleries, artists, and their supporters. Presented by The Black Cat Artspace, featured galleries included: Graven Feather, Project Gallery, Creative Blueprint, and #Hashtag Gallery. Curatorial decisions were left up to the exhibitors, and works on display ran the gamut from sculpture, to installation, to photography, mixed media, and paintings.
Graven Feather
The Black Cat Artspace
The atmosphere at the opening reception was relatively relaxed, and as the night wore on visitors continued to stream steadily in to the venue. Participating galleries were allocated individual installation spaces and were spread out along the walls of the venue, utilizing temporary partitions to hang work and to divide the room evenly.
#Hashtag Gallery
Creative Blueprint
Although the focus of the fair was largely on getting to know the faces behind some of Toronto’s most promising emerging contemporary art galleries, much of the work on display came also from emerging local artists, including pieces by: Stella Cade, Erin Loree, Sang-Jin Lee, Callen Schuab, Eugene Paunil, and Andrew Patterson, among many others.
Project Gallery
Erin Candela, co-owner and director of Graven Feather (a gallery and exhibition venue with an in-house print shop located on Queen St. West) was understandably excited about the evening’s events and suggested that the fair itself was a great way to showcase local artistic talent as well as an opportunity to reach out to the general public. Co-director of Project Gallery Devan Patel had similar sentiments, and stated that SURFACE was not only a chance to reach out to the public, but also for the featured gallerists to get to know each other and to build community in a positive and friendly atmosphere.
Installation view
Text: Madeleine Till. Photo: Andrew Williamson