EARLY ACCESS PREVIEW + OPENING NIGHT PARTY

Get exclusive access at the Early Access Preview and be among the first to view 5000+ works of art by over 250 artists in this private showcase on February 22, 2018 from 5-7 PM. Enjoy art, live performances, installations, cocktails and small bites before partying the night away at our Opening Night Party from 7-10 PM. Music provided by @itsmatthewromeo (presented by Artbound) and @yourgirlflav (presented by LUXELIFE SOUND).
Thursday, February 22
Early Access Preview 5–7 PM
$50
Opening Night Party 7–10 PM
$30
The Early Access Preview and Opening Night Party is a 19+ event. Valet parking available ($30/car).

A portion of this night’s ticket sales will be donated to Artbound’s Creative Deeds Programs. Artbound is a Canadian Charity that connects the world via arts and creativity. Creative Deeds is an Artbound Platform which allows anyone to start a creative campaign online to fundraise for one of our sustainable, arts-focused solutions around the world. 100% of donations raised go directly to their chosen project.

Thank you to our Caterer & Party Sponsors:

DIRECTIONS & PARKING
Valet Parking
Valet Service is available for Opening Night on Thursday, February 23. Pick up will be at the main entrance of the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place.
Valet Service will be available from 4:30PM to 10:30PM.
Valet curb charge is $30 taxes included.
Text for your car option will be available to guests. The text for your car option allows guests inside of the show to request their vehicle without having to walk out to the valet drop off point. This allows the valet company to have the vehicle warmed up and ready for them upon arrival. Guests are provided a business card in addition to their valet voucher with a number they can text and instructions should they decide to text request.
Public Parking
$15 daily, $12 after 6 PM
For parking lot locations, visit the Exhibition Place Parking Map.
Directions
Coming by car?
Exhibition Place is located 4kms west of downtown Toronto and is accessible via the Gardiner Expressway or Lakeshore Boulevard. Enter your postal code & get complete driving instructions
Coming by TTC?
From the West: Take the Bloor subway to Dufferin Station and proceed to street level. Board the #29 bus south to Exhibition Place.
From the East: Take the Bloor subway to Bathurst Station and proceed to street level. Board the #511 streetcar south towards Fleet Loop. Transfer to the 509/511 replacement bus towards Lakeshore and Bathurst. Exit at the “Saskatchewan Rd.” stop.
From the North: Take the Yonge-University subway to Bloor Station. Transfer to the Bloor subway to Dufferin Station and proceed to street level. Board the #29 bus south to Exhibition Place. For more information, visit TTC
Coming by GO Transit?
Exhibition Place has a GO station located on the grounds. The station name is EXHIBITION and is one stop west of Union Station on the East-West Lakeshore line. For more information, visit GO Transit
OUT OF TOWN GUESTS
Gladstone ‘Staycation’ Hotel Offer
In partnership with the Artist Project, the Gladstone Hotel is offering a special Artist Project ‘Staycation’ Hotel offer Feb 20 – 25, 2018 for 20% off a standard global rate of one of their unique or 37 artist-designed hotel rooms.
To book or inquire about the package, please contact 416.531.4635 or email the Gladstone Hotel reservations desk at reservations@gladstonehotel.com with mention of the ID ARTPRO18.
To book online, follow these steps below:
- Visit the “Book a Room Page” on www.thegladstonehotel.com
- Pick the arrival date
- Select your number of nights, room type and number of adults
- Enter your Group Number: ARTPRO18 in the “Corporate ID” field.
- Click “Check Now”
- You can pick the room and rate that you would like for your guest and continue to enter the personal info.
COMPLIMENTARY SERVICES
Free Re-Admission
Before you leave, pick up a re-admit slip at the Information Desk and return any day for free!
ACCESSIBILITY
The Artist Project is committed to excellence in serving all customers including persons with disabilities. We are also committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our goods and services and allowing them to benefit from the same services, in the same place, and in a similar way as other participants.
Click here for the full AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) Customer Service Policy.
Front Entrance Installation

Shine On is an impressive 100-foot-long sculptural installation by Nathalie Sanche made entirely out of paper. Originally known for her lighthearted sculptures of busty, “femmes tiroirs” made from aluminum and wood, Sanche excels in paper art design. She very carefully manipulates the paper into shapes that resemble a chrysalis or sometimes a shell or a trumpet, then arranges them in such a way that they become large, eye-catching sculptures. Sanche exhibits her sculptural creations according to the architectural style of the building in which they are displayed. The sculptures are pure form—light, white or miror and ephemeral—but at the same time, they possess a density and a fluidity that catch the viewer by surprise.
This popular seminar series offers a range of engaging talks hosted by leading art and design experts. Art Chats are complimentary with admission. Space is subject to availability.
Live Performance: Ariel Adkins, Artfully Awear
Sponsored by Art Collectif. Performance art will be based on the paintings of Mike Smalley.
Saturday February 24, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Saturday February 24, 3:45 – 4:15 PM
Saturday February 24, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Sunday February 25, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
10 Art Buying Tips for New Collectors
Kelly Juhasz
Saturday, February 24, 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Many new collectors would like to have this same story to share but aren’t sure where to start. The talk will begin with a discussion of elements that make art valuable, how the art market works, and end with the answers to ten questions that each new collector has but was afraid to ask. Kelly Juhasz, President of the Canadian Chapter of the International Society of Appraisers, leads this informative and engaging talk that will give you ten tips for buying art under $2,500.
The Passion Project: Exploring Art, Fashion and Identity through Wearable Art
Ariel Adkins and Erika Floysvik
Saturday, February 24, 3:00 – 4:00 PM

Join Erika Floysvik, Founder of Art Collectif, an online destination for contemporary art, in conversation with Ariel Adkins, Art & Social Media Maven and Founder of @ArtfullyAwear, as they explore the thread between art, fashion and identity. The chat will conclude with a live painting performance. Drawing on the works of Artist Project Alum, Mike Smalley, Ariel will paint an original work on a live model.

Curator Confidential
Mia Nielsen
Saturday, February 24, 5:00 – 6:00 PM

The art world can be an intimidating place but, Mia Nielsen, long time curator and Director of Art + Culture at the Drake is here to shed some light. In this animated talk she’ll let you in on what the art world won’t tell you about starting a collection, becoming a curator or developing a career as an artist.
Brilliant! Brilliant!
Anda Kubis
Sunday, February 25, 1:00 – 2:00 PM

How do artists take the dynamism of life to illuminate it in art? With all digital tools at their fingertips, why are painters still invested in the materiality of paint and the handmade gesture? Anda Kubis, Artist and Associate Professor at OCAD University, will engage these questions and more, with Sherry Czekus and Joanna Gresik, Artist Project exhibitors, in a free-range conversation about contemporary painting, creativity, and the path to realizing artistic achievement in a busy
and distracting world.
How to Protect Your Art Physically + Digitally
Emily Glover and Sarah Gurevich
Sunday, February 25, 3:00 – 4:00 PM

Protecting art requires careful planning and it starts from the moment art is created. Learn how to protect your art physically and digitally from the experts at ArtMoi, Emily Glover and Sarah Gurevich. Olivia Cinqmars from AXA ART will be joining the discussion offering a unique perspective within the fine art insurance industry. This will be a Q&A style discussion moderated by arts marketing specialist Michelle Bouchard.
OCAD U Career Launchers Initiative
OCAD University’s Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers partners with the Artist Project to present Under Construction by James Knott, as part of the Career Launchers Program.
Under Construction explores the notion of “constructed realities”, particularly from a queer perspective, with the use of absurdity and camp theatrics as a coping mechanism. The performance project seeks to accept unfortunate realities; transmuting negative experiences through building subverted realities by arranging and re-arranging blocks into new architectural formations, creating new sets and environments from which to inhabit; before deconstructing and reconstructing anew.
Performance Times
Thursday, February 22: 6 – 7 PM
Thursday, February 22: 8 – 9 PM
Friday, February 23: 1 – 2 PM
Friday, February 23: 3 – 4 PM
Friday, February 23: 6 – 7 PM
Saturday, February 24: 1 – 2 PM
Saturday, February 24: 3 – 4 PM
Saturday, February 24: 6 – 7 PM
Sunday, February 25: 1 – 2 PM
Sunday, February 25: 3 – 4 PM


Art Battle #638
Date: Friday, February 23, 2018
Time: 7–10 PM
Venue: Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto
Tickets: $15 (included in Artist Project admission)
Back by popular demand, Art Battle Canada takes the stage at Artist Project once again! On the evening of Friday, February 23 from 7-10 PM, Art Battle #638 will be held on the show floor.
Art Battle is live competitive painting, 16 artists selected from the fair will create the best work they can in 20 minutes.
As they paint, visitors can move around the easels, closely watching the creative process. The audience votes for their favourite painting and bids in silent auction to purchase artwork. Materials for the competitors will be provided by DeSerres.
Don’t miss this exciting live art tournament!

Art Battle After-Party
Date: Friday, February 23, 2018
Time: 10 PM – Late
Venue: Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St W, Toronto
Artist Project and Art Battle crash the Gladstone Hotel’s karaoke night!
After an evening of live painting at Artist Project, keep the excitement and creativity flowing at the Gladstone Hotel’s famous karaoke night. If singing is not your thing enjoy the Melody Bar’s selection of specialty cocktails and craft brewed libations and cheer on some special performances. The first 50 guests to show their Art Battle voting card will receive a free drink!

Media
All inquiries for show news, access to speakers, show organizers and photos may be directed to our publicist Lindsay Singer, Faulhaber Communications, 416 504 0768 x 223, LS@faulhabercommunications.com and every effort will be made to provide you with information in a timely manner.
For access to the password protected Media Image Bank, click here.
To view/download the Artist Project 2018 Press Release, click here.