5 Events to Look Forward To in Toronto this June

Ah, Toronto in the summer. It’s a special kind of place. And now that most festivals, gatherings and exhibits are back on after a years-long pandemic hiatus, we’re feeling energized — come along with us to check out some of the best art events in Toronto in June.

Judy Chicago’s A Tribute to Toronto 

On June 4^th, artist Judy Chicago will illuminate the skies above Toronto’s Sugar Beach with A Tribute to Toronto, a celebration marking the end of the Toronto Biennial of Art. Best known for her feminist sculpture work The Dinner Party, Chicago turned to pyrotechnics in the late 1960s — for this work, her first in the city, will release white, yellow, green, blue, and purple pigments from a barge into the air where they will mix with the wind and the light to create a myriad of colour effects. To view the full experience, be sure to arrive at Sugar Beach before 8pm.

Viewing Room v.5

Design John Tong, of +tongtong fame, has collaborated with Susan Hobbs Gallery on A Viewing Room v.5, an exhibition that opens up the conversation on the juncture of art and design. Tong’s installations in the space consist of two benches facing each other, next to a mirrored wall. Both an invitation to sit and reflect, and a subversive comment on the act of looking, Tong’s installation will be accompanied by a selection of artworks by gallery artists including Scott Lyall, Beth Stuart, Derek Sullivan and Shirley Wiitasalo.

Future Proof: Online Art Auction 

Looking to acquire some amazing original art at an affordable price? Often works-on-paper are where it’s at. Open Studio’s online art auction Future Proof continues until June 9th. If you aren’t familiar with them, Open Studio is a contemporary printmaking studio — a non-profit, artist-run centre with a rich history in Toronto’s art scene. Based at 401 Richmond Street, the studio offers affordable, as well as inclusive and accessible, printmaking facilities for artists. Make a difference by supporting this iconic institution and make off with a great piece of original artwork! Bidding online has started and runs until June 9^th. Check out our top 10 picks.

 

The Bentway Presents: Street 

“The Street is not only a path, it is a destination in its own right” — as avid urbanists, we couldn’t agree more. This summer, The Bentway is putting on a series of free installations, performances and community celebrations, re-imagining the streets of Toronto as a public space for all. On from May 26 to August 21, there will be something for everyone — but we’re especially looking forward to Mimi Lien’s Parade installation, as well as Weeping Concrete, a dance performance which will take place across a trio of scaffolds.

Luminato Festival

On from Jun 9-19, the Luminato Festival puts on eleven nights of free concerts, theatre, music and more. Some of this year’s highlights include What You Won’t Do for Love, a live theatre evening with environmentalists David Suzuki and Tara Cullis,  who discuss love as a final frontier for climate change activism — as well as Beloved, a celebration of famed author Toni Morrison (who passed away in 2019) with a lineup of acclaimed Black women writers.

For more art events in Toronto, check back with us soon.