Best of Toronto
The Best New Art Galleries in Toronto, 2008
The number and quality of art galleries that have opened in Toronto during the past 12 months is pretty astounding. With a few exceptions, we've seen new spaces to showcase contemporary art migrate west and north. galleryDK, Baitshop and Barbershop moved into Parkdale; and the venerable Mercer Union and the much-loved Toronto Free have brought instant credibility to the burgeoning art scene in Bloordale.
(Unfortunately the latter two's roots in Toronto predate 2008 and therefore didn't qualify to make this list)
Elsewhere, Kensington has re-emerged on the gallery map. No longer just a playground for performance-based art and graffiti, the neighbourhood's south Augusta stretch saw new-media oriented Pixel Gallery rejuvenate a dilapidated space back in November of 2007. A number of months later Hotshot (a combo gallery and cafe) unveiled its inaugural exhibition across the street.
From the Annex to the Distillery District, other areas of the city also got in on the action. Here's a rundown of 12 of the best galleries to open their doors in 2008.
galleryDK
Founded in May, galleryDK is what happens when five intrepid photographers who like exploring the forgotten, decaying and derelict relics of society decide to open a gallery space. While they could easily get away with exhibiting their own work of old steel mills and abandoned train stations, they tend to do so sparingly and instead showcase a range of talented photographers whose work examines and explores different facets of the urban experience. More »
Hotshot
Part cafe and retail space but all gallery, Hotshot is the vision of five artists, designers and creative entrepreneurs who have their fingerprints all over the local art scene. The exhibitions here tend to be more unconventional than most and in the past year have ranged from Posterchild's first solo show to a live play about religion, art and getting dumped on the phone. More »
Keep Six Contemporary
The stretch of Bathurst between Bloor and Dupont doesn't have a reputation for much (and certainly not as a creative hotbed) but Keep Six Contemporary is trying to change that. Owned and curated by Rafi Ghanaghounian, the gallery focuses on local as well as international art and has been home to many intriguing shows like the Bax Bears World Tour as well as book launches and CD release parties. In a bit of a transition period at the moment as they add four artist studios to the back of the gallery, Keep Six will re-open in February and present a number of shows in unexpected places later in 2009. More »
Barbershop
Only open since December, this gallery on the far reaches of Parkdale is already getting some serious buzz. Home to hot design studio Parishil, the space features a gallery in the front which has so far been home to one rockin' launch party and an exhibit showcasing work the studio did for the current War Child Canada campaign. More »
The Baitshop
Part recreational hub, part gallery space, The Baitshop is housed in a warehouse south of Queen on Dufferin. Now one year strong, the gallery features exhibits about the skate and extreme sports culture, and is also a full service screenprint and promotional products production facility. More »
Meta Gallery
Nested in a new condo development in the Distillery, Meta Gallery has a bit of a different scope than most other galleries on this list as it tends to focus less on local talent and more on an impressive range of emerging, mid-career and internationally established artists working in sculpture, painting and photography. More »
Red Bull 381 Projects
Red Bull 381 Projects is a gallery space located within Red Bull's Toronto offices near Queen and Peter. While some might be weary of the corporate and marketing undertones, Red Bull has actually done much to support and showcase the work of local artists and has created an impressive space in which to do it. Bonus is the amazing rooftop patio that is open during the warmer months of the year. More »
Paul Bright Gallery
Named after its founder Paul Bright, this gallery near Bloor and Lansdowne is committed to bringing in talented artists from south of the border (like Brooklyn and Philadelphia). Go here to discover artists like Misaki Kawai who rarely exhibit in Canada. More »
Median Contemporary
Median Contemporary is a gallery founded by artists and curators Rui Pimenta and Kal Mansour. It features both their own personal projects as well as those from other artists working in the fields of light and sound based art, kinetic art and new media such as video installation. More »
Tinku
Tinku is a gallery space on Roncesvalles that shows contemporary art from Canadian and American visual artists with an emphasis on painting and photography. It was founded by Amrita Chandra who pens a related blog called Tinku Tales. More »
Studio Nine Gallery
Studio Nine Gallery is a community-oriented gallery and retail space in Leslieville that exhibits an assortment of fine art and craft pieces including works on paper, painting, textiles, glass and jewelery. They also offer art classes and studio space for rent. More »
Oliver Gordon Gallery
Found on the 5th floor of the 80 Spadina building, Oliver Gordon is a new photography gallery that grew out of a successful stock photography house. The gallery showcases both local and international contemporary artists. More »
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Way to go GalleryDK!
Tinku Gallery kicks ass!
A well deserved win for GalleryDK. I was in there recently and I was very impressed! I loved the density of art.
Where's Jerome Jenner?
Aah...Good point. But don't worry, Smash will be getting some love very soon.
Sadly missed from this list and a great place high on my list is the Thrush Holmes Empire!
It wasn't included b/c it opened in 2007
magic pony
Thanks for the interesting information. The post was professionally written and I feel like the author has extensive knowledge in the subject. Keep it that way.
Hi, My name is Yvonne Mora, I´m an impressionist artist.
I have seen your website and I´m interesting in being part of the collection of artists that you have.
Please visit my webpage to look at my artwork.
http://www.yvonnemora.com
Thank you!
-Yvonne Mora
Hi, My name is Yvonne Mora, I´m an impressionist artist.
I have seen your website and I´m interesting in being part of the collection of artists that you have.
Please visit my webpage to look at my artwork.
http://www.yvonnemora.com
Thank you!
-Yvonne Mora