September 18 – 20, 2015
Nathan Phillips Square
Hours: Fri – Sun 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
This year’s Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition was number 54 with 316 participating artists displaying a wide range of works. The outdoor exhibition was originally planned to be in July at Queen’s Park but because of the possible traffic gridlock it might cause was moved to September back at City Hall.
Artists I talked with last year seemed unhappy with the prospects of it moving to Queen’s Park because of the Pan Am Games. I think some of them thought they might be set up in the grass which if it rained would become a lot of mud. This kind of date change happened before, years ago when David Miller was mayor, the Outdoor Exhibit got moved to September due to the garbage strike that summer. The weather seemed just as hot this September as in July so it probably won’t make too much difference.
Marketing & Communications Coordinator Matthew Volpe told me the Outdoor Exhibit is smaller because they wanted better quality but Executive Director Mark Temple told me last year that it was mostly due to the renovations of the City Square. They had planned to make it bigger if it moved to Queen’s Park. Mark Teeple was also working at TIFF and must have had his hands full. Even the information booth seemed smaller and harder to find. When I arrived Assistant To The Executive Director, Simone Rojas-Pick gave me a VIP collar and then retrieved it when she realized she had mistaken me for someone else. It was a short lived status. In the past she had worked at Propeller Gallery and helped curate the Window Box Gallery at Gallery 1313.The program looked well put together but I wondered why there was no welcoming remarks from Toronto’s Mayor but instead from Judy Josefowicz, the Chair of the Board of Directors and Mark Teeple, the Executive Director.
I met a few Quebec artists including James Kennedy with his metal works and Audrey D‘Astous and her sock sculptures. Painter, Jacques Descoteaux was having his first City Hall Art show experience and pleased as well. There was more sculpture that I noticed this year including works from Jason Grant-Henley. I chatted with urban painter couple Kiel & Amanda Wilson–Ciocci who seemed pleased with the set up this year. Painter Brock Irwin had captured some summer deck chairs which seemed a fitting painting for the end of our summer. Painter Laurie De Camillis had some paintings with fall colours on her canvases.
Artist James Kennedy
Audrey D‘Astous with her sock sculptures
Sculptor Jason Grant-Henley
KIAM Collaborative Art Keil & Amanda Wilson-Ciocci
Tape artist Emanuel Pavao had some great works of street cars on Queen Street West, one with the Drake Hotel caught my eye. Artist, Kelly Grace had just gotten her first sale. Young artist Mike Rachlis had been in the student section a few years ago and was back as a regular artist. The student section is no more and there had been a significant drop in student submissions according to organizers.
Artist Emanuel Pavao
Kelly Grace in front of her paintings
Painter Mike Rachlis
I liked artist Vanessa Mckernan’s paintings and they seemed to be getting attention from the crowd. Artist, Miyoshi Kondo was keeping busy as was visual artist Maya Foltyn, explaining her series of moons. Julia Hacker was doing well with her illustrative collage art works.
Vanessa Mckernan in her booth
Maya Foltyn and her moons
Painter Julie Hawkins
There were a number of art talks and installations also in the program which I didn’t get to as I had a limited time to see as much as possible. As I write this dark clouds are moving in and the predicted rain is likely on its way.
I know a lot of artists count on this show for sales and their income. Some Gallery Directors and art consultants usually take the time to check out the work. It takes a lot of people to put together such a huge event and kudos to all of you. Board Members, staff, jurors, volunteers and most importantly the artists who work all year around to prepare for this exhibition, get up early, set up and explain their work to countless masses of people. They are the real stars of this exhibition, looking at their work and conversing with them will provide a very enjoyable weekend entertainment for art lovers and visitors.
Text and photo: Phil Anderson