Canada's premier visual art event showcases important works of contemporary art by national and international artists

Toronto, September 5, 2006 - The seventh annual Toronto International Art Fair (TIAF) celebrates its leading role as the most important and anticipated contemporary art fair in Canada. Launched by the Opening Night Preview benefit for the Art Gallery of Ontario, Thursday November 9, the Fair officially opens to the general public on Friday November 10 and runs until Monday November 13 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, Exhibit Hall E. Galleries, artists, collectors, critics, curators and art professionals from Canada and abroad will gather at Art Toronto 2006 to showcase and view more than 3,000 pieces of work by some of the most compelling artists of the 20th and 21st century.

In its seven highly successful years, TIAF has attracted the participation of every important gallery and major cultural institution across the country, establishing the Fair as the mobilizing force in the Canadian visual art industry. Art Toronto 2006 continues this impressive tradition by once again bringing together the best in Canadian contemporary art to one location for everyone to experience.

Building on the overwhelming success of last year's record attendance and sales, making it one of the most successful art fairs in North America, Art Toronto 2006 will be expanding its dynamic mix of 20th and 21st century art by increasing the presence of prominent international galleries and contemporary avant-garde art. Fourteen first-time participants from the UK, Germany, Belgium, France and Spain will join TIAF this year. The Fresh Avant-Garde section, which continues to be a highlight of the Fair, has also expanded to a total of 13 galleries from Canada, the US and Europe.

The Fair is underpinned by an impressive cultural program of speakers and special projects contributing to the dialogue on contemporary art. This program reinforces the Fair's reputation as the most comprehensive and thought-provoking art experience in Canada. For Art Toronto 2006, the program includes:

The News at Five: Curated by Canadian Art magazine editor Richard Rhodes, this much-acclaimed series of rotating exhibitions returns to the Toronto International Art Fair for the fourth consecutive year with Survey, Solo, Set Piece.

Visitors will enjoy a new project exhibition from installation to completion as each day the new work is unveiled and a presentation is given by the curator and artists at 5pm sharp. Each exhibition is on display until the following afternoon.

Power Talks 2006: Organized in partnership with The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, this program considers two interrelated themes - Institutional Futures for Contemporary Art and The Collector as Curator - with talks by prominent figures from the international art world. Topics range from contemporary curatorial issues to collecting, and the business of art. Power Talks 2006 is developed and presented by The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery. Admission to each lecture is $12 with all proceeds benefiting The Power Plant.

Fresh Avant-Garde: A designated section of the Fair presents a select group of young galleries showcasing edgy and challenging work by emerging national and international artists. Most of the artwork in this section is aggressively priced at under $5,000.

Solo Spaces: Project spaces dedicated to feature presentations of a body of work or solo project installations. Solo Spaces are selected from proposals presented by participating galleries.

New to the Fair this year will be T at Three, an insightful and stimulating interview series conducted by Robert Enright, one of Canada's most prolific art and culture journalists and thinkers. Every day at 3pm, Enright will engage artists, curators, critics and dealers in exclusive one-on-one live interviews about their work and its place in the world of contemporary art. Lively and engaging, T at Three will offer a unique perspective on the making and meaning of artist works brought to TIAF by galleries from across Canada and around the world. T at Three is presented in partnership with Border Crossings magazine and the Toronto International Art Fair.

With such a broad and vibrant mix of works from Canada and abroad, along with a roster of impressive cultural programming, visitors to the Fair will be engrossed in four exciting days of exploration and discovery, culminating with the thrill of adding a new piece of art to their collection. Whether a seasoned art aficionado or a novice collector, Art Toronto 2006 has something for all those who appreciate fine artwork. With price points from $300 to $3 million, Art Toronto 2006 has something for every budget.

Art Toronto 2006 launches on Thursday November 9 with the Opening Night Preview, "social event of the season", and a benefit for the Art Gallery of Ontario. For the very serious collector the intimate and exclusive advance Special Collectors' Preview opens at 4:30 pm, followed at 6:30pm by the Opening Night Preview continuing until 10pm. Information and tickets are available through the Art Gallery of Ontario at 416-979-6608.

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