ART TORONTO 2005 - CROWDS AND SALES PROVE THAT 'ART MATTERS'

Smiles all around marked the close of the 6th annual Toronto International Art Fair - ART TORONTO 2005. Sales activity was strong early on, with dealers celebrating multiple purchases on opening night and culminating with a million dollar sale on closing day.

In its relatively short history, the Toronto International Art Fair (TIAF) has proven that its strategic format of combining a select but diverse range of contemporary dealers with quality programming is a recipe for success. Targeted programming for collectors, the public and international audiences resulted in 8% increase in fair attendance bringing the total number of visitors to over 18,000. However the real success was the dramatic increase in sales activity - underlining that the Fair is not attracting merely gate turners but a supportive audience interested in contemporary art and one that buys art to boot! Very happy dealers reported unprecedented growth in sales of works over the $100,000 range as well as a dramatic increase in the sale of international and younger avant-garde art. International galleries who were wary about entering a foreign market left Art Toronto 2005 (some with almost sold out inventories) convinced it was one of their best investments to date and are already committed to next year's TIAF.

The positive mood was set from the sold out Opening Night Preview benefit for the Art Gallery of Ontario that brought together over 1,800 people to view and purchase art. The energy was tangible and resulted in a steady stream of sold works leaving the floor over the course of the days to follow. The well-attended TIAF Speakers Forum contributed value and dimension to the ongoing dialogue about visual art and its escalating profile and role in our contemporary societies. Special projects complemented the commercial activities of the fair and attracted art professionals and enthusiasts to engage and interact with the Fair's programming and events.

Art Toronto 2005 was a rich success on all levels and the organizers extend their thanks for the growing and remarkable support and interest expressed by participants, attendees and exhibitors. The tagline of the concurrent Art Gallery of Ontario exhibit best summarizes the positive mood at the Toronto International Art Fair this year...Art Matters.

The 7th annual Toronto International Art Fair - Art Toronto 2006 will take place October 12-16, 2006 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Art Toronto 2005 sponsored by Cadillac, The Globe and Mail, Canadian Art, Roche Bobois, Classical 96.3FM, Ontario Tourism.

Media enquiries:
Jessica Goldman
Applause! Communications
T: (416) 217-0700 ext. 304
E: jessica@applausecommunications.com

Lauren Dando
Applause! Communications
T: (416) 217-0700 ext. 301
E: lauren@applausecommunications.com