By JORDANA RAPUCH

Every July, Nathan Phillips Square is taken over by Canada’s largest free outdoor art exhibition called, rather aptly, the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (TOAE). But with so many inexpensive artsy-fartsy festivals (like Nuit Blanche, Luminato and Fringe) around the city these days, it may seem like this one could get lost in the crowd. Here’s why the TOAE stands out:

1. Already-established artists, eager students and undiscovered talents participate in the exhibition together, as equals. So you get to see a wide range of work from artists who are at different stages of their careers.
2. All artists have an opportunity like no other: they get to sell their work directly to those who come to view it. It’s like an outdoor store where the artists are their own sales reps.
3. It’s a juried showcase. That means the participants are competing for special awards. There’s intensity in the air (though the outdoor setting keeps the event feeling fairly laidback).
4. It’s not just an outdoor gallery – it’s a scene. Over 100,000 people come out to be wowed by visual masterpieces, and participate in workshops, speaker series and walking tours.

You don’t have to buy anything. Just treat it as a free exhibit and check out what Toronto’s artists have been up to. So put on your art-interpreting hat and stroll down to the Square this weekend for the 49^th annual TOAE.

TAFN (that’s all for now).

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
Nathan Phillips Square
July 9^th to July 11^{th
416-408-2754
torontooutdoorart.org}

Photo Credit: torontooutdoorart.org

Share/Bookmark

TOAE, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition Montreal: Lifestyle, Toronto