Art Toronto 2011

Report

Toronto. The 12th edition of Art Toronto 2011 which started on October 28, 2011 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre was a 4 day event featuring over 1000 artists exhibiting in more than 100 Canadian and International fine art galleries. Art Toronto is probably Canada's largest and most important exposition and sale of modern and contemporary art. Art and antique professionals, cultural foundations, craftsmen, artisans, promoters and general public were the target visitors.

Over 30 international galleries participated in the fair including; Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago; Lyons Wier Gallery, New York; Carrie Secrist Gallery, Chicago; Charlie James Gallery, Los Angeles; ftc., Berlin; Mike Weiss Gallery, New York; Messum's, London, Jill George Gallery, London and Galeria Contrast, Madrid exhibiting both cutting edge contemporary art and significant historical works.

Sales were strong during the four-day event and many sales that took place over the weekend were initiated during the Opening Night Preview on October 27, when Art Toronto 2011 welcomed 2,300 collectors.

Toronto's Miriam Shiell Gallery reported the sale of a 1945 painting by American artist Hans Hofmann for half a million dollars, while Mississauga's Rumi Gallery sold a work by Toronto abstract expressionist Jack Bush for $250,000. Corkin Gallery of Toronto reported the sale of a work by Montreal artist Françoise Sullivan for $85,000 and few other pieces in the $50,000 - $100,000 range. Loch Gallery reported outstanding sales, breaking the $1 million mark by the end of the second day. The official media partner, Artetc. news & views was also well accepted at the fair as it made the visitors aware of the contemporary Indian art scene.

By the final minutes 550 pieces of artwork had been carried home by collectors with many more waiting to be shipped to collectors across Canada and the US. Other pieces sold included work by Chuck Close, Damien Hirst, A.Y. Jackson and Guido Molinari. Sales estimates are in the range of $15 million.

Art Toronto had visitors from cultural groups including AGO NEXT, MOCCAamigos, Alberta College of Art & Design Alumni, Tufts University Alumni, Glenbow Museum, Koffler Centre for the Arts, The Ministry of Artistic Affairs and Toronto Friends of the Visual Arts.  Notable attendees over the weekend included artists Michael Snow and Attila Richard Lukacs, art philanthropist Ydessa Hendeles and respected New York collector Peter Fleissig.

The Art fair closed on October 31, 2011 with an attendance of over 18,000 collectors, curators, museum directors and art enthusiasts.