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Visual Art

Hot Shopping: Meet the Makers

Avril Loreti offers Toronto-landmark napkins at the One of a Kind Show

MARCH 31 TO APRIL 4 For five fantastic days, spring shoppers are invited to indulge acquisitive urges by perusing the wares of more than 450 Canadian artisans at the One of
a Kind Spring Show and Sale
. Though housed in a massive exhibition hall, this is no department store shopping excursion: face-to-face interaction with the creators of handcrafted jewellery, clothing, home decor pieces, visual art, toys, organic food items and beauty products adds a personal touch—the makers are often eager to share the stories behind their unique goods. Among the pick-up possibilities are charming hats by This is J, aromatherapy candles from Golden Goose Naturals and napkins with local landmarks by Avril Loreti. Exhibition Place, Direct Energy Centre, $6.50 to $12; call 416-960-4515 or check out this site for more information and tickets.

Hot Art: New Photo Gallery

Eamon Mac Mahon's William River image is displayed this month at Bau-Xi Photo

For more than three decades, Bau-Xi Gallery has exposed this city to top emerging and established contemporary artists from across Canada—Hugh Mackenzie, Darlene Cole and Brian Kipping among them. Now the venerable gallery has a sister showcase for its growing stable of photographers. Bau-Xi Photo opened in January on the same block of restored Victorian houses as its sibling (directly across from the Art Gallery of Ontario), and features 2,400 square feet dedicated to viewing the world through the camera’s lens. From March 6 to 20, the gallery’s latest exhibition comprises works by Toronto-based shooter Eamon Mac Mahon. His epic yet intimate images portray Alaska and northwestern Canada as seen from a bush plane.

Hot Art: Podium-Worthy Portraits

Susan Makin’s oil painting of short-track speed skater Nathalie Lambert (detail)


MARCH 2 TO 26
Bask in the afterglow of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic winter games within the cozy confines of Toronto’s John B. Aird Gallery, which captures some of Canada’s sporting heroes in paintings and sculptures this month. Its exhibition, Canadian Olympic Athletes: A Dialogue in Art, collects more than 30 works by members of the Portrait Society of Canada. A visual salute to decorated Olympians past and present, the display also implies an important connection between athletes and artists, who hone their talents with discipline and persistence for both personal fulfillment and the betterment of a nation.

Hot Art: Spring Project

Meghan Monahan's Pink Vastness, showing at The Artist Project Toronto

MARCH 4 TO 7 Fix your winter-weary gaze on some fresh artwork this month as The Artist Project Toronto returns for its third year. The contemporary art fair showcases the talents of more than 175 carefully selected Canadian and international artists. Visitors are invited to take in the large-scale sculptures and site-specific pieces comprising Installation Alley, listen to experts as part of the Art Chat series, vote for the best “Queen”-themed work of art, and generally peruse an eclectic collection of paintings, prints, photographs, glass works, digital art and more. Proceeds from the expo’s opening night preview benefit Sketch, a charitable organization that creates art-making opportunities for at-risk youth. Exhibition Place, Queen Elizabeth Building, $8 to $12 ($25 for opening night preview); call 416-960-3680 or visit here for tickets and more information.