Toronto International Art Fair celebrates its eighth annual fair, with a record number of galleries and expanded programming

Toronto, September 20, 2007 - ART TORONTO 2007, the eighth annual Toronto International Art Fair (TIAF), opens its doors on October 25 with a record number of galleries, a wider range of contemporary participation and an expanded, fresher cultural programming. Based on consistent year-to-year overwhelming success and followed by record number of applicants, the TIAF2007 Advisory Committee has selected 100 galleries for participation in this year show. While continuing to maintain its status of a small, quality, user friendly art fair, TIAF welcomes this year 20 first time participants from Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States along with veteran participants and an expanded Fresh Avant-Garde section, which continues to be a highlight of the Fair.

Launched by the Opening Night Preview benefit for the Art Gallery of Ontario, Thursday, October 25th the Fair officially opens to the general public on Friday, October 26th and runs until Monday, October 29th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre right in the heart of city centre. Galleries, artists, collectors, critics, curators and art professionals from Canada and abroad will gather at Art Toronto 2007 to showcase and view more than 5,000 pieces of work by some of the most compelling artists of the 20th and 21st century.

As the most important and anticipated contemporary art event in Canada, TIAF has designed strategic alliances and an extensive programming that offer great networking opportunities within the fair as well as within the city's influential business and visual art community. Prominent private and corporate collections visits, parties and private tours are offered to guests and the fair exhibitors. The speaker's series and special project presentations provide the platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas and opinions on contemporary art. The cultural program for Art Toronto 2007 includes:

NEW! - Open Spaces - Covering over 15,000 square feet, this large project space is comprised of nine single artist project installations and interactive bodies of work.

Fresh Avant-Garde - Edgy and innovative, this designated section of the Fair now in its sixth year, supports emerging national and international artists. It features a selection of artwork, chosen by 15 young and contemporary galleries, competitively priced under $5,000.00.

News at Five - Each day at 5:00 p.m. sharp, visitors can observe a rotating exhibit from installation to completion. Curated by Canadian Art Senior Editor Richard Rhodes, it explores different notions of public and pictorial space featuring the works of Chris Kline, An Te Liu and Andrew Reyes.

Power Talks - Presented by the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, these informative lectures unite influential national and international critics and curators discussing a range of topics including current projects and ideas and insight into today's global contemporary art scene. Admission to each lecture is included with admission.

T at Three - Following its inaugural success in 2006, T at Three returns to this year's Fair. A daily and engaging interview series hosted by Robert Enright, Senior Contributing Editor of Border Crossings Magazine. Each day at 3:00 p.m. he conducts one-on-one interviews with artists, curators and dealers. T at Three endeavors to provide a unique perspective on contemporary art.

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