May 8 – 11, 2025
Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place
195 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto
Hours: May 9 & 10, 12 – 8 pm, May 11, 12 – 6 pm.
I had a busy day yesterday as I attended both the Media Preview and the Opening Night Party at the Artist Project.
At the media preview I talked with director Mia Nielsen who also one of the directors of Art Toronto, the International Art Fair in October, so she was busy changing hats. The dates were a big change as the Artist Project had happened in April in most years. This year it was up against the CONTACT Photography Festival and GRAD X OCADU. Over 250 artists are registered this year, up slightly from last year. There are also installations spread through out the venue as well as performances happening. Nielsen was confident that things were going smoothly.
Opening night provided to be a lively celebration of the artist community with the over 250 artist booths overflowing with guests. Only a few artists seemed to have generated early sales; it seemed the crowd was spending their money at the bar with long line ups. A few visitors were doing selfies with artists’ works.
Artist Project Opening Night with Trash Panda Brass performers
I chatted with Pixel Heller. I was more familiar with her previous photo installation. Her piece at the Artist Project took similar elements that she incorporated in her performance work.
Pixel Heller with her installation
There was a runway fashion show by LUNARA which was popular. A little disappointing that the fashion was not that artistic or colourful. There was just one designer.
James Fowler’s hut installation, Shelter is a large work constructed of 1900 squares of crochet works donated after he outsourced them on twitter and tik tok. As you entered this hut you saw four video installations embedded in the flooring of outdoor activities normally associated with Ontario’s North ice fishing. Fowler told me he invited some of his gay friends up North to experience some of these activities. Fowler who originally grew up in the north said a lot of locals had a hard time changing their stereo types of the gay community. It was a colourful and fun installation, and you could chill inside watching the videos.
James Fowler in front of his Shelter
I talked with artist Stan Olthuis who now hails from Peterborough and had a large interactive work, Elemental, that could be pushed on the floors surface like a large orb. He was having a performance with it later with two Hip Hop dancers and had smaller versions of the work that collectors could purchase.
Stan Olthuis with his interactive installation, Elemental
Many artists seemed overwhelmed with the crowds whether they had been long time participants of the Artist Project or newbies. Most of the artists were explaining their work to curious visitors. There was a true variety of works for collectors looking for new acquisitions.
Artists had used a wide variety of media, like Juliana Scherzer, who used leaves. I talked briefly with photographer Leah Oates who had a booth, and seemed happy with the response to her work. Artist Tommy Feiler was all smiles, happily chatting with interested visitors. Jes Young has a great sense of humor that transformed into her work.
Juliana Scherzer with her compositions
Leah Oates in front of her photographs
Tommy Feiler with his work
Jes Young in her booth
Painter Brandon Kennedy was doing well in his first year at the Project. Sculptor Carmen Mahave went to OCADU and has unusual but captivating sculptor works. Artist Mackenzie Browning is based in a small place called Freelton, near Hamilton. His installation with paper works was stunning and visitors were getting selfies with it.
Brandon Kennedy in front of his paintings
Carmen Mahave and her sculptures
Mackenzie Browning with his work
I liked Anna Wilson’s drawing of birds. Quebec artist Lise Gravel had some sculptures of women that were wonderful. Her son was in a booth next to her booth, and she talked about how he inspired her.
Anna Wilson surrounded by her drawings
Lise Gravel and her women
Sanghoon Kang, a former architect, was a little overwhelmed with all the response to his work. Mixed media artist Firouzeh Saremi Far had a great grouping of works all painted in blue. Painter Rachel Sardella was comfortable with the crowds and was getting a good response to her work.
Sanghoon Kang with his architectural compositions
Firouzeh Saremi Far surrounded by blue
Rachel Sardella in front of her paintings
Untapped artist Omar Chris Canales-Cisneros textile works caught my eye. Indeed, there were a lot of textile pieces in the Artist Project. Tanmay Parashar had shown in the Project before and was happy to be back. I like the contemporary paintings of Dori Vanderheyden.
Omar Chris Canales-Cisneros and his textiles
Tanmay Parashar with his works
Dori Vanderheyden in front of her paintings
The Artist Project was a great mix of works with something for everyone, using a variety of media and a good sampling of the creative workings of over 250 artists. Highly recommended.
Artist Project Opening Night with visitors
Text and photo: Phil Anderson