Celebrated Toronto Art Fair Fetes a Fruitful Decade

TORONTO, ON (February 1, 2017) – Calling all art enthusiasts! Artist Project celebrates its 10th year with a four-day art fair hosted from February 23-26, 2017 at the Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. The overarching theme of this year’s fair is Birthday Party, connecting attendees with collectors, curators, gallerists and designers to revel in shoppable artwork from over 250 contemporary Canadian and international artists.

The fair debuts with the Opening Night Party, one of Canada’s most popular art world soirees. Guests will be greeted by a brilliant watercolour mural, The Tenth Tide, an impressive 100-foot-long front entrance installation by L.A.- based artist Tracy Hiner (see teaser at left). Bold in color and texture, the feature installation explores how paint interacts with itself and the swirling beauty it creates. The scale of the artwork allows the viewer to intimately experience the work’s depth. Tracy has created an exceptional welcome to the creativity which beckons beyond. Additional new and electrifying artists include printmaker Shogo Okada, painter Mel Gausden, photographer Simon Willms, painter Benny Bing, and textile artist Sam Pedicelli.

Installation Zone A primary Artist Project 2017 attraction is the Installation Zone, featuring artists working within a variety of mediums. A highlight includes the moving sculpture, The Girl with Paper Boats, created by past exhibiting artist, architect, and award winning sculptor, W.W. Hung. This Canadian educated sculptor and dance enthusiast is inspired by the human body’s language of movement in space.

Art Chats Artist Project’s Art Chats Seminar Series returns this year with a thrilling expert line-up sharing their knowledge from varied creative community sectors. Guests will be enlightened by this popular seminar series, offering a range of interactive talks hosted by foremost minds, featuring: current Stylecooler Host and former House & Home editor, Mark Challen; Manager of StreetARToronto StART), Lilie Zendel; arts and culture writer and The Art Market dynamo, Kate Barron; experts Manny Neubacher and Anya Shor of The Art Stylists; talented Artist Project alum Erin Loree; and more. Topics will include the basics of art buying, social media and the art market, artwork in public spaces, professional practice within the art world, and much more.

Art Battle Art Battle #494 returns to the exhibition floor on the evening of Friday, February 24 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This vibrant live competitive painting art show will have guests consumed in rounds of 20-minute competitive painting where 16 artists take to their easels and grant show-goers a window into their creative genius. Members of the audience can vote for their preferred work and can later bid in a silent auction to purchase the artwork.

UNTAPPED Emerging Artists Competition Artist Project and DeSerres will be giving recognition to 20 emerging artists through its UNTAPPED Emerging Artists Competition, one of the most popular features. Dedicated to the development of students, new graduates, and self-taught artists, the juried competition will provide a platform for emerging artists to launch their artwork at a professional level art fair at no charge. One of the 20 artists will be awarded a complimentary booth at Artist Project 2018.

Birthday Artist Competition In honour of Artist Project’s 10th annual show, this year artists are invited to submit an original work based on the interpretation of the theme “BIRTHDAY”. All competition entries will be presented in a feature exhibit at the show. Winners will be selected by a panel of jurors to receive a cash prize. Guests of the exhibit can also vote in the People’s Choice Award for their favourite entry in the Birthday Artist Competition, and be automatically entered to win $250 towards a work of art and a pair of tickets to the Opening Night Party at Artist Project 2018.