The Kingston Prize 2025 Finalists Exhibition

The Kingston Prize | Canada’s Portrait Prize
2025 Exhibition in Toronto

November 8 – 14, 2025
Arta Gallery, Toronto

The 2025 Kingston Prize Exhibition of the works of the 30 finalists will be held in Toronto’s historic Distillery District starting Saturday, November 8 and running through Friday, November 14, at Arta Gallery.

Step inside this striking celebration of contemporary portraiture—where every face tells a story and every canvas invites a closer look. A historical record of Canadians, by Canadian artists.

The 2025 winners will be announced at the close of the showcase. Don’t miss this special 20th year anniversary exhibition of The Kingston Prize, the only Canada-wide competition for portrait painting.

Exhibition Venue and Hours:

Arta Gallery
The Distillery District
14 Distillery Lane
Toronto, ON M5A 3C4 | View map
www.artagallery.ca

Hours:
November 8 – 12, 10am – 6pm
November 13, 10am – 9pm
November 14, 10am – 4pm

The Kingston Prize | Canada’s Portrait Prize

This biennial competition is open to any Canadian artist who depicts a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in a portrait based on a real life encounter. The aim of The Kingston Prize is to encourage and reward the creation of contemporary portraits by Canadian artists, to promote Canadian artists through competition, and over time to develop an historical record of Canadians, by Canadians. Each exhibition becomes a fascinating snapshot of a cross-section of Canadian life. A distinguished panel of judges determines the 30 finalists, whose work then becomes part of the national exhibition. The exhibition gives much needed public exposure to talented Canadian artists, while at the same time sparking interest, conversation and inspiration in the visitors attending the exhibitions.

The Kingston Prize provides an opportunity for Canadians to celebrate gifted artists in a way that was not previously available. The interest from artists and the public has grown exponentially since the inception of the Kingston Prize in 2005.

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