THE ARTIST PROJECT: New Installations, Competitions and International Awards Amplify
Toronto’s Favourite Art Fairy:
New Installations, Competitions and International Awards Amplify Toronto’s Favourite Art Fair Bruno Billio and Sony World Photography Awards Bring Renewed Excitement to This Year’s Artist Project in Toronto.
On February 19, 2015, the Artist Project kicks off with its annual Opening Night Party, followed by an exciting three day art fair that offers attendees the unique opportunity to meet and buy art directly from over 250 emerging and mid-career artists. In its 8th year, the show welcomes more than 15,000 seasoned art collectors, first-time art buyers, gallery dealers and interior designers to the Better Living Centre at Exhibition Place, Toronto.
This year, guests of the show will marvel at nationally renowned artist and sculptor Bruno Billio’s unveiling of a 100 foot long art work, dubbed Rocco, where he uses common, ordinary objects as his medium, and stacks and manipulates them into a spatial installation using coloured string.
Additionally, Sony Canada will launch an expertly curated exhibition of photographs from the Canadian entrants for the Sony World Photography Awards 2015, in partnership with the World Photography Organisation. Sony of Canada will be awarding the first ever Canadian National award – selected from among the top Canadian submissions for the international competition. Artist Project attendees can cast their vote for the ‘People’s Choice’ award for best Canadian Image displayed in the Sony gallery at the show.
Tickets are already on
sale for the Early Access Preview and the Opening Night Party held on Thursday, February 19, 2015 – an annual favourite of the Toronto art scene. Guests are among the first to view and collect works of art while enjoying specialty cocktails, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and art performances.
The Artist Project has partnered with Canadian Art Foundation; a portion of Opening Night Party and Early Access Preview ticket sales will be donated to the organization.The Artist Project will be showing its support of the 20 best up-and-coming artists through its UNTAPPED Emerging Artists competition and showcase. Guests can meet the artists and have the opportunity to collect their pieces before they are discovered.
The show will continue to offer stimulating experiences such as Art Chats and Art Walks, docent-led guided tours that explore trends, themes and insights into artists’ inspirations and processes, as well as engaging contesting opportunities for artists, such as TYPE. Artists are invited to submit an original work of art based on the theme “TYPE.” The Artist Competition theme will explore text-based art and the relationship between art and the use of text/language. All competition entries will be on display and winners will be selected by a panel of jurors for cash prizes.
Additionally this year, Art Battle Canada and the Artist Project have teamed up to bring live artist competitive painting right to the show floor. On the evening of Friday, February 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Artist Project’s first Art Battle will be held where 16 artists create the best work they can in 20 minutes. As they work, visitors can move around the easels, closely watching the creative process. The audience votes for their favourite painting and bids in a silent auction to take the work home.
Lastly, in partnership with OCAD University’s Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers, the Artist Project presents Alex Beriault’s sculpture and performance work Ring as part of the Career Launchers program. The initial performance takes places from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Opening Night followed by two hour performances on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ticket Information Early Access Preview (19+) $50 Door, $48 Online Opening Night Party (19+) $30 Door, $28 Online Regular Admission (Free re-admission) Valid any day between Friday, February 20, 2015 to Sunday, February 22, 2015 Adult admission $15 Door, $14 Online Group adult tickets (10+ people) $10 Each, online only Senior admissions (65+) $10 Youth admissions (13-17) $10 Children 12 or under free ***VIP Art Package Programs Available
—-
Art Chats Mia Nielsen, Curator, Drake Hotel Properties Speakers: Andrea Carson, Writer: Art, Architecture, Design Rebecca Carbin, Founder, I Heart Your Work Amrita Chandra, Board Chair, Open Studio Bill Clarke, Collector and Art Writer Lydia Abbot, Consignor, Canadian Fine Art David Balzer, Editor, Canadian Art Dr. Vladimir Spicanovic, Dean, OCAD U
—-
When: Early Access Preview Thursday, February 19 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Opening Night Party Thursday, February 19 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Artist Project Show Friday & Saturday, February 20-21 11:00 a.m – 8:00 p.m. Artist Project Show Sunday, February 22 11:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m. Where: Better Living Centre 195 Princes’ Boulevard, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON
—-
