Union Station is about to get a huge dose of art in the coming weeks as Villa Toronto, a roving art festival, takes over the terminal with works on display from over 20 galleries from Toronto and abroad. But it doesn't end there. After the fest packs up, Art Metropole plans to set up a mobile kiosk at Union to distribute books and artwork, which will significantly broaden the horizons of commuters looking for a little reading material.

The shop is a small part of the major renovations underway at the station, and will be located in the York Street retail promenade. That's less conspicuous a spot than the great atrium, but with new retail planned as part of the makeover, it will still witness far more traffic than the Dundas and Dufferin location of the gallery/shop ever does. In addition to the sale of books, you can expect works in editions and site-specific installations.

The kiosk isn't due until June, but in the meantime Art Metropole is selling brick designs that will allow supporters to make their mark on Union Station. Designed by Toronto-based artist Lili Huston-Herterich, there are seven versions (ranging from $50 to $10,000) that will be installed on the floor of the building where the shop located.

With a $15,000 grant from the Toronto Friends of the Visual Arts to create mobile kiosks, Union Station could prove to be just the beginning of Art Metropole's presence at venues beyond its home base, which is exciting news for those of us who think that places like busy commuter hubs could use an added dose of culture.

Photo by Andrew Williamson