Art Talks & Tours
We foster a welcoming environment for thought-provoking conversations about contemporary trends and current issues among community leaders in the arts world. Art Tours are free to attend and are led by curators, critics and art professionals offering insight into specific topics and media, while creating a space for one-on-one interactions and meaningful dialogue about art between the artists and visitors.
Art Talks - Engages visitors and artists in deeper and more intimate dialogues. We collaborate with programming partners on creating dynamic and engaging art talks that offer insights into artists' works, art collecting and contemporary art topics.
Artist Studio Tours - Get to know some of our artists and makers as they show us around their studios and workspaces. Learn about their practice and craft, and what inspires them to create.
2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
2022
Art Tours
StreetARToronto Laneway Project Mural Walk with Sadie Marshall
‘I Covet This’ with Danielle Suppa
Emerging Artists to Watch at TOAF with Jacqueline Kok
Peter Owusu-Ansah’s Tour, an American Sign Language Tour
Francophone Artists at TOAF with Dyana Ouvrard, Director of Le Labo, a French-language tour
Fair Top Awards - with anahita azrahimi, Executive & Creative Director of TOAF
Art Collectors in Conversation with Hirbod Human
Behind Art Nest with Asad Raza
Story Walk with Que Rock
TOAF61 Studio Tours
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Studio Tour with Melody Juthamongkol
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Studio Tour with Jérôme Guilleaume
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Studio Tour with Sarah Fuller
2021
Art Talks
Emerging Artists to Watch - Watch the Recording on Instagram
Get to know the next generation of TOAF artists who are demonstrating exceptional talent in pushing the boundaries of their art forms.
Meet the Artists: Caroline Bacher, Brandon Baghaee, Tanya Besedina, Christy Chor, Mesoma Onyeagba
Moderator: Glodeane Brown, Culture Fancier
Art Collectors in Conversation with Hirbod Human & Farnoosh Talaee - Watch the Recording on Youtube
Co-presented by The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Collecting precious objects is a human urge dating back to the ancients in Babylonia, Egypt, China, India, Mesoamerica, Greece and Rome. But what compels people to collect art? How do they decide what to collect? And once they possess it, what do they do with it?
Speakers: Hirbod Human & Farnoosh Talaee
Moderator: Joshua Heuman, Curator of Education & Public Programs, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
6Q's with StART - Watch the Recording on Instagram
Co-presented by StARToronto (StART)
Join StreetARToronto Artists Jessey Pacho from Toronto's East end, and Elicer Elliott from downtown, for a lively discussion on the evolution of graffiti, its role in movements for social justice. They'll also discuss the art of the aerosol can and Toronto street art styles from East to West.
Meet the Artists: Jessey Pacho and Elicser Elliott
Art Collectors in Conversation with Aaron Milrad - Watch the Recording on Youtube
Co-presented by The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Get to know Aaron Milrad, prolific art collector and philanthropist who has been supporting the arts and artists of Toronto Outdoor Art Fair for over forty years. Tune in to this illuminating conversation to learn more about how he fosters these connections and his passion for collecting ceramics.
Speakers: Aaron Milrad
Moderator: Joshua Heuman, Curator of Education & Public Programs, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Aaron M. Milrad is counsel to Dentons Canada LLP, a global law firm, headquartered in Toronto. At Dentons he provides specialized legal and business advice to clients nationally and internationally who are involved in the arts, media and copyright industries. Mr. Milrad has written and lectured widely on copyright law, art law, publishing and media law.
He was Chair of the Board of the Museum Trustee Association of North America until 2010, a continuing member of the Board of Trustees of The International Foundation for Art Research in New York, the International Board of the Tel Aviv Museum, a member of the Canadian Friends of the Israel Museum, former Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of The George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art and its American Foundation and a founding director of the Tate Canadian Foundation, former trustee of the Art Gallery of Ontario, Chair of the Acquisition Committee and was a member of the Photography Committee of the Art Gallery of Ontario (“AGO”) former chair of the Koffler Centre for the Arts in Toronto, former VP of the Board of the McMurtry Gardens of Justice Inc. in Toronto and a board member of AXA Art Americas Insurance Corporation for the past many years.
Craft Talks: Meet the Makers - Watch the Recording on Instagram
Co-presented by Craft Ontario
Meet your local makers! Join us for a conversation with Craft Ontario members Thomas Aitken, Kate Hyde, Stephanie Singh and Yaw Tony. Find out more about their studio practices - don't miss the chance to peek behind the scenes, and ask questions about your favourite work!
Meet the Artists: Thomas Aitken, Kate Hyde, Stephanie Singh, Yaw Tony
Glimpsing the Future, Vol. 3 - Watch the Recording on Youtube
Co-presented by The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Going on its third year, this program will introduce you to some of Toronto's diverse, innovative and emerging artists. This fast-paced format allows each artist only 14-18 images and 30 seconds per image to describe their studio practice, process, and artworks.
Meet the Artists: Mitchell F. Chan, Basil Alzeri, and Nico Taylor and Queen Kikoyi of Black Speculative Arts Movement (BSAM) Canada
Moderator: Joséphine Denis
Art Collectors in Conversation with Rudy Adler - Watch the Recording on Youtube
Co-presented by The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Join Rudy Adler, top NFT collector, Co-founder of Wealthsimple, as he speaks with Joshua Heuman about his passion for supporting artists through various and cutting-edge ways of collecting.
Speaker: Rudy Adler, Co-founder of Wealthsimple
Moderator: Joshua Heuman, Curator of Education & Public Programs, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
TOAF60 Studio Tours
Studio Tour with Julia Agnes Barnett
Studio Tour with Stanley Wany
Studio Tour with Tracey Lee Green
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Studio Tour with Alex Kinsley Vey
Studio Tour with Salbhi Sumaiya
Studio Tour with Becky Comber
Studio Tour with Alex Thompson
2020
From live talks on Zoom with seasoned art experts to Instagram TV conversations and curated picks, to pre-recorded webinars with some of TOAF's own artists, our first-ever online Fair had something for everyone to enjoy. Click here to learn more about the speakers.
Art Talks
What is Toronto's Year of Public Art, 2021? - Watch the Recording on Youtube
As announced by Toronto Mayor John Tory in November 2019, Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021 will celebrate and encourage the exploration of art in public places throughout the year. Recognizing the work that culture plays in boosting the economy, this program demonstrates a continued commitment to public art and now is also playing an important role in the City's COVID-19 recovery efforts. Launching the City’s new 10-year Public Art Strategy, the Year of Public Art will put this strategy into action with a dynamic program creating opportunities for artists, cultural institutions and private sector partners alike while reaching across the City’s diverse population and neighbourhoods. Members of the Mayor’s External Advisory Committee for the Year of Public Art 2021 will discuss their perspectives on this important City initiative and why they are lending their energy and individual expertise to ensure its success.
Panelists: Joe Sellors, Manager, Year of Public Art at City of Toronto; Corrie Jackson, Curator; Bonnie Devine, Artist, Curator and Associate Professor, OCAD; Michèle Pearson Clarke, Photographer, Lecturer at Ryerson University and Photo Laureate for City of Toronto; John Samuels, Co-owner, Blank Canvas Gallery
Moderator: Rui Pimenta, Artist, Co-founder, Art Spin
How Art Collecting Works - Watch the Recording on Youtube
Presented by The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, Supported by Designlines
Collecting precious objects is a human urge dating back to the ancients in Babylonia, Egypt, China, India, Mesoamerica, Greece and Rome. But what compels people to collect art? How do they decide what to collect, and once they have it, what do they do with it? Hear from two strong voices in the Canadian art world: one, a former gallerist with a significant personal collection; the other, a museum professional with responsibility for building and maintaining a public collection.
Panelists: Neil Brochu, Supervisor, Collections & Outreach for City of Toronto, Museums & Heritage Services, David Mirvish, Producer, Mirvish Productions
Moderator: Joshua Heuman, Curator of Education & Public Programs, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Emerging Artists to Watch by Tatum Dooley - Watch the Recording on Youtube
Get to know the next generation of TOAF artists who are demonstrating exceptional talent in pushing the boundaries of their art forms.
Meet the Artists: Christian Applegate, Raoul Olou, Stephanie Singh, Nami Ueno, and Isabella Varrasso
Moderator: Tatum Dooley, Curator, Canadian Art Forecast
From Concrete to Canvas, Making Art in the Public Realm - Watch the Recording on Youtube
Presented by StreetARToronto
Street, mural and graffiti artists discuss their trajectory from small-scale ‘canvasses’ like utility boxes, concrete barriers and gallery exhibits right up to small walls, 20 storey buildings and international street-art commissions. Join the panelists and learn what it takes to scale up your practice and make a living while making art in the public realm.
Artists: Leyland Adams, Alexander Bacon, Jeff Blackburn, Marg Cresswell, Jieun June Kim, Karen Roberts, Que Rock, and Melika Saeeda.
Glimpsing the Future Vol. 2 - Watch the Recording on Youtube
Presented by The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Organized by The Power Plant for Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, this program will introduce you to some of Toronto's diverse, innovative and emerging artists under age 35. After introductions, this fast-paced format allows each artist just 20 images and 20 seconds per image to describe their studio practice, process, and artworks. All artists will then be available for questions. Meet some of Toronto's diverse, innovative and emerging artists under 35. A fast-paced, dynamic and fun presentation.
Panelists: Valentin Brown, Claire Browne, Bruce Horak, Karina Iskandarsjah, Alejandro Rizzo Nervo, Yaw Tony
Moderator: Laura Demers, TD Curator of Education & Public Programs, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Juror's Picks 2020 - Watch the Recording on Youtube
Meet the Artists: Micah Adams, Keith Eager, Kal Mansur, Charlize Nhung Nguyen
Read more about the Jurors' Picks on the TOAF Blog.
Moderator: Lee Petrie, 2020 TOAF Jurors & Exhibitions Director, The Gladstone Hotel
2019
Art Talks
I LOVE ART with Tiffany Pratt, TOAF ArtLove Envoy
Visitors were swept away by Tiffany Pratt’s contagious energy and her passion for art. Her warmth and sparkle convinced listeners of the power of art to re-imagine everyday life.
Home Birth - Artist Talk with Chason Yeboah
Chason spoke passionately of how she used crochet art in her installation Home Birth and welcomed us to engage in challenging conversations about body positivity, acceptance and social awareness around gender norms.
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Glimpsing the Future: Focus on Emerging Artists
Toronto’s diverse emerging artists under 35 presented a fast-paced, dynamic and fun PechaKucha style talk, moderated by Joshua Heuman, Curator of Education & Public Programs, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery.
Wag the Doug: Doug Ford vs The Arts
A TOAF first! TOAF hosted a live podcast taping of Wag the Doug, presented by Canadaland. A discussion on the impact of Doug Ford’s policies on the arts and culture in Ontario had an outstanding turnout (the most well-attended Art Talk yet), despite the downpour of rain.
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Art: Unwalled
Robin Mckenna, Director and Producer of The Gift, David Ward, artist and founder of the New Regionalism Project, Adrian Hayles, muralist and co-director of Hashtag Gallery. How art can act as a mouthpiece, peace-maker, and social change in a world spiked with barriers. This panel was moderated by Jenn Goodwin, dance artist and producer at Nuit Blanche.
‘I Want It!’ - Art Talk for Kids with Taiga Lipson
An exclusive chat for kids 14 and under! Taiga shares secrets from the memories of her art-filled early years. Let’s talk about how it feels to look at art. It can be as exciting as seeing a toy you really want for your birthday or making a new friend. Art can make you excited, or sad, curious, or confused, and how important all of those feelings are to think about every day.
Art Tours
Who, What, Wear-able Art - with Robert Mitchell, OCAD U Assistant Professor of Material Art & Design
Emerging Artists to Watch at TOAF - with Flavio Belli, Curator and Art Consultant
Juror’s Picks - Robyn Wilcox, Head of Programming, DesignTO
Fair Top Awards - with anahita azrahimi, Executive & Creative Director of TOAF
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2018
Art Talks
Building the Creative City
With anahita azrahimi, Executive & Creative Director of TOAF, Tammy Yiu of Partial Gallery, and Artist Lauren Pirie
Art Before Dishes
With her trademark style and energetic presence, Tiffany Pratt has been invigorating dull spaces all across North America. The interior designer, maker, and author talks about her journey from opening an art studio in 2008 to becoming one of Toronto’s most recognizable design figures.
Warp, Weft and Resin
With Robert Mitchell, OCAD U Assistant Professor of Material Art & Design.
In this conversation, visitors had the chance to explore a deeper understanding of the world of material art through the lens of the artist. How does their chosen medium connect with their work, and what is the significance of their medium in their message? You’ll be in expert hands as we chat with TOAF artists and gain insights on the craft behind textile art and sculpture.
The Collector’s Panel
With Artist Alex McLeod, Artist Justin Broadbent, Regina Sheung, Labour of Love. Moderated by Tammy Yiu of Partial Gallery.
Buying art can be exciting, liberating, and satisfying – but it can also be a bit intimidating. We’ve gathered a panel of notable Toronto creatives from a range of backgrounds who break the traditional mould of what it means to be an art collector. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or already an avid collector, this conversation shined a light on when they started investing in art, how they chose some of their favourite pieces, how to cultivate your own personal curatorial style, and why collecting is just plain fun.
Art Tours
Fair Top Awards with Art Consultant Marci Kroft
Emerging Artists to Watch at TOAF with Taiga Lipson of Olga Korper Gallery
Juror's Picks Tour with Artist Gary Taxali
2017
Art Talks
Social Commentary Through Art
Join the artists and world travellers of Eyes of Society for a talk about how art in the postmodern era speaks to the public. This talk begins overlooking the square, and then ventures through the Exhibition as you discuss the importance of art as a tool of social commentary and which of today’s artists are addressing social awareness in their works.
Beyond Gallery Walls: From Beer Bottles to Tech Startups
With Tammy Yiu of Partial Gallery and special guests Steve Himel, General Manager, Henderson Brewing and Russna Kaur, Artist.
Art is flourishing in new and unexpected spaces around us. Creative thinkers are finding meaningful ways to share art: both online and in our communities. With our gaze shifting to screens, a tech startup is looking to disrupt the art world by making art accessible with rental models. And through collaboration, a local craft brewery has woven art into its mission by bringing art on to its own bottles. How has this made fine art more accessible for all? Join us over a pint as we explore art’s modern-day Renaissance!
Art Tours
Fair Top Awards with Art Consultant Marci Kroft
Juror’s Picks with Taiga Lipson of Olga Korper Gallery
Emerging Artists to watch with Genevieve Wallen of Xspace
David Ward speaks with visitors at TOAF 2017
2016
Art Talks
Not a Millionaire, Not a Problem: A Frugal Guide to Buying Art
With William Huffman, Marketing Manager at Dorset Fine Arts
Art for Interiors: The Practical Guide to Living Artfully
With Sara Levine Petroff, Director of Petroff Design & Kelly Dickinson, Events Manager
Art Tours
Emerging Artists Under 33 to Watch, by Humboldt Magnussen & Marjan Verstappen, Co-Directors of Younger Than Beyoncé Gallery
Who, What, Wear-able Art, by Sarah Dougall, Owner of Made You Look Jewellery
Public Funders
Foundations & Corporate
Programming Partners
