TORONTO, ON(Feb 1, 2019) -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 fora 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-dimensionalorigami folded paper art.Additional highlights and guest favourites during the show include:Art ChatsArt 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 Happy Wall-Pauline LoctinThe 13th Hour-Alex Garant unfold in live time. Afterwards, guests are encouraged to vote for their favourite piece and bid in a silent auction.
Art WalksArt 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 MediumsArt 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.UNTAPPED Emerging Artist CompetitionPresented 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-PORTRAITPresented by Swatch, exhibiting artists are invited to delve deeper into the fair’s theme A More Personal Experience With Artby 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. ADDITIONAL FEATURESRepaint History Pop-up Shop -Saturday February 23rd2:00 p.m. –5 p.m.Shop from Repaint History’s fashion and lifestyle items which are designed to start a conversation.Botanico -Amber Ozols
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 OpportunityYuling 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 PartnershipArtist 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 SectionNEW 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.
Tickets are now on sale for the Opening Night Party held on Thursday February 21, 2019. Be among the first to preview and collect works of art, while indulging in specialty cocktails, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, music and art performances.
Opening Night Party (19+) $35
Regular Admission (Free re-admission)Valid any day between Friday February 23rd to Sunday February 25th
Adult admission $16
Group adult tickets (10+ people) $12.50 Each
Senior admissions (65+) $12.50
Youth admissions (13-17) $12.50Children (12 or under)
FreeStar Collectors Package* $300*The Star Collectors program is perfect for those who are committed to collecting from an artist at the show. By purchasing into the program Star Collectors receive a voucher towards their art purchase and a generous perks package.Art Chats [newsrelease]
For TICS and more info go to Artist Project.
