On view now: 60 Works/60 Years – Toronto Outdoor Art Fair at 60

‘Zigzag in Twenty Nine Parts 19 and 20’ by Vanessa Dion Fletcher, 2021 Mayor’s Purchase Award

Presented by Toronto Outdoor Art Fair and the City’s Market Gallery in celebration of TOAF’s 60th anniversary, 60 Works/60 Years showcases 60 artworks acquired by the City from the Fair over the past 40 years. Each year the Mayor, assisted by City curators, attends Toronto Outdoor Art Fair to select a work to be brought into the municipal collection through the Mayor’s Purchase Award (formerly the Toronto Archives Award), exclusive to TOAF. Now open to the public, this unique exhibition is an interpretation of the City’s evolving geographical, cultural, and emotional landscape over the years through the eyes of the artists.

Put together by the City’s Chief Curator Neil Brochu for TOAF’s momentous anniversary, the exhibition offers Torontonians an intimate view of their City and the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the artists to Toronto’s cultural fabric. 60 Works/60 Years will also delve into the history of TOAF and its important role in nurturing artists’ careers, featuring archival photographs, video footage and interviews with key contributors and award-winning artists.

The City began collecting art for display in civic buildings in the 1850s, and the collection has since grown to include over 3,000 works of art, the majority of which are on permanent display at City Hall, Metro Hall and other civic buildings across the city.

Now open to view at the Market Gallery until the end of Winter, 60 Works/60 Years will include pieces by Indigenous Artist and this year’s Mayor’s Purchase Award Winner Vanessa Dion Fletcher, and past recipients, George Boyer, Clint Griffin, Dionne Simpson, Ruby Zhang, Raoul Olou, and many more.

‘Former Honest Ed’ by Raoul Olou, 2019 Mayor’s Purchase Award

Market Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the historic St. Lawrence Market. The gallery will be open with the following hours: Wednesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the exhibition is free. Visitors are required to wear face coverings. Visit www.toronto.ca/marketgallery for updates to Covid protocols, open hours and holiday closures, or call 416-392-7604.

Through the duration of the exhibition, audiences can stay tuned to TOAF’s Instagram @torontooutdoorart for behind-the-scenes videos with artists, curators and more.

TOAF would like to acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Government of Ontario, Business for the Arts, the City of Toronto and Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation. Special thanks to the 60th Anniversary Lead Patron, The Koffler Family Foundation.

# # #

About Market Gallery
Steps above the bustling St. Lawrence Market lies the Market Gallery – an intimate, historic exhibition space. What was once Toronto’s first purpose-built City Council Chambers now houses rotating exhibits that dive deep into the history of our city.

Drawing from the City’s extensive collection of fine art, historic artifacts, and archeological specimens, these exhibits let you experience first-hand the evolution of Toronto’s ever-changing identity. Through the use of documents, film, photography and objects, you can walk through the timeline of what made Toronto the city it is today – and see where it’s going next. Alongside talks, tours and workshops, Market Gallery exhibitions give you a taste of the city: past, present and future.

Location: 2nd Floor, St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front Street East
Accessibility: There is an elevator from St. Lawrence Market that will take you to Market Gallery.

About Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) is Canada’s leading contemporary, juried, outdoor art fair. Founded in 1961, the Fair was established to put visual artists and makers in direct contact with the public and nurture artistic excellence and entrepreneurship. For 60 years, TOAF has been instrumental in launching artists’ careers and bringing art into people’s everyday lives. This free public event has showcased 350+ visual artists and makers and attracted 130,000 visitors to Nathan Phillips Square each year. In response to the pandemic, TOAF created a highly successful and engaging online economic platform and programming. The Fair continues to connect artists and art lovers through year-long showcase, income generation and discovery opportunities for independent artists.

The Toronto Outdoor Art Fair is a registered charitable nonprofit organization.
Canadian Charity #: 119259620 RR0001

TOAF.ca | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Questions? Contact us.
416-408-2754 | info@torontooutdoor.art