Best of Toronto
The Best New Art Galleries in Toronto, 2009
For Toronto art galleries it was something of a banner year. Despite a deeply felt global recession, a surprising number of art-spaces opened throughout the city. From the cutting edge to the (relatively) conservative, the wealth of new art spaces opened in 2009 reveals that the economic downturn failed to curb the enthusiasm of would-be gallery owners.
We're a lucky city for it.
Although recent upstarts like 52 McCaul and Circuit Gallery just missed the top twelve, there's no doubt that they've enriched the art scene in Toronto (and beyond). So, as we enter 2010, I look forward to another year of engaging exhibitions and hope that we see a further rise in gallery growth.
Here are the top 12 new art galleries that opened in Toronto in 2009.
Narwhal Art Projects
Opened by Magic Pony to host expanded exhibitions without retail crossover, Narwhal is just steps away from its sister-gallery/store. Featuring the work of young Canadian and international artists, the gallery strikes the perfect balance between providing a platform for those at the outset of their careers and showcasing established talent. More »
Show & Tell Gallery
I enjoyed many excellent shows at this Dundas West newcomer throughout the year, and I always appreciated owner Simon Cole’s knowledge and utter lack of pretension. This is, bar none, the city’s best destination for lowbrow and pop surrealist work. More »
Funktion Gallery
Specializing in graffiti and street-based art, Funktion is as much a hangout for young artists as it is a gallery. But that’s not meant to be derisive. Quite the contrary, it’d be tough to find a more engaging and enthusiastic group as those who frequent this gallery at Bloor and Lansdowne. More »
The Department
Home of one of CONTACT’s best shows in 2009 (Susan Dobson’s "Retail") and the innovative Thirty in Twenty exhibit, the Department is a great model for how business and art can effectively co-mingle. With the inclusion of on-site artist studios and a recording/rehearsal space for musicians, co-owners Zach Kellum and Johanna Reynolds have made good on their desire to create a cultural centre. More »
Georgia Sherman Projects
Technically not new – the gallery merely changed locations in 2009 – it’s still nice to be able to include Georgia Scherman Projects on this list. One of Toronto’s galleries that truly shows a wide range exhibitions, a visit to the space might delight with a show featuring the work of a heavyweight like Hank Willis Thomas or surprise by showing the work of MFA students at the University of Guelph. More »
Julie M. Gallery
Originally opened in Tel Aviv almost 35 years ago, 2009 saw a second location of the Julie M. Gallery open in Toronto. Featuring artists with ties to Israel working across a variety of media, the clean and modern space is yet another reason why the Distillery District has become one of Toronto’s premier art destinations. More »
Sleeping Giant
Sleeping Giant provides much needed support and exhibition space for emerging artists, and prices the work at a point that encourages would-be collectors to take the plunge. Mixing group shows (that showcase these up and comers) with solo exhibitions that feature the work of more established artists, owner Josh Glover has managed to carve an unpretentious niche at Dundas and Palmerston. More »
47
Unconventional, innovative and enthusiastic are all words that come to mind when I think of 47 and the trio behind the primarily installation-based gallery near Dufferin and Queen. Driven to marry their space with the work displayed there, Jennifer McGregor, Jaclyn Quaresma, and Dennis Lin – along with the artists who’ve shown at 47 – have found all manner of intriguing ways to take advantage of the warehouse-style exhibition area. More »
Industtrees
Industtrees lends credence to the cliche that size isn’t everything. At only 340 sq. ft., it isn’t well suited to the display of large-scale prints and paintings, but owners Mark Di Giovanni, Cameron Kowalchuck and Patrick Guilbault somehow manage to turn this into a good thing. Featuring quirky and hard-to-find items on the retail side and frequent exhibitions by local artists and artisans, Industtrees doesn’t try to be something it’s not. And that’s a good thing. More »
The Beverly Owens Project
Encaustic painting is experiencing a resurgence, and the Beverly Owens Project is one of the best places in the city to see it. Showcasing Owens’ own work (in encaustic) alongside that of other artists (often not in encaustic), with the help of co-curator Michelle Cox, this small gallery continues to impress with interesting pairings and group shows. More »
Alison Smith Gallery
One of the most polished galleries in Toronto, along with the Department, Show & Tell and LE Gallery, Alison Smith has helped to make Dundas West a destination for art lovers. The exhibitions may have been few and far between last year, but they always featured the work of well-established artists such as Nikola Nikola and Vanessa Paschakarnis. More »
107Shaw Gallery
Taking the concept of gallery living to the extreme, at 107Shaw the lines between apartment and art space blur. With the primary living quarters on the second floor, that leaves the first floor for exhibition space and a kitchen that subs as a bar during shows. Despite this limited space, Daniel Fazio and Lana Mauro managed to host an array of compelling events in 2009, including the successful “They Shoot Videos, Don’t They” series. More »
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Congrats to The Department's Zach and Johanna -- great space, excellent concepts! Thirty in Twenty was fantastic!
Happy New Year!
Industtrees is my favourite!