Le Petites Tours sculpture by Nicolas Fleming, photo by Darren Rigo
Creative hubs where artists, designers, and makers can work with each other, and the public, have long been a mainstay of Toronto’s art and design community. These spaces allow for collaboration between creative businesses and offer the public a chance to experience art and design firsthand. As these vital creative hubs become increasingly rare in the heart of our city, spaces on the outskirts of Toronto are ready to fill the gap.

Building Community

Located on a 5-acre working site in southern Markham, including three industrial-zoned buildings averaging 30,000 square feet each, Industrial Arts is a place for artistic experimentation, connecting business to the arts, and supporting unconventional collaborations that benefit both art and industry. The site has been under family ownership for over 40 years. Now, with art critic and creative entrepreneur Andrea Carson Barker taking the lead, it is becoming more than just a place to work. With onsite programming, such as events and exhibits, it’s a place for the community to grow.

Making Space for You

Units at Industrial Arts are currently leased by fabricators, importers, print shops, and other light industrial businesses. For designers, artists, and makers like Xiaojing Yan, an artist-in-residence at Industrial Arts, space to work and collaborate in is a valuable asset to their practice. Drawing from her Chinese-Canadian identity, Yan utilizes natural materials, such as pine needles, pearls, and Lingzhi mushrooms, to explore how nature can transcend culture. Currently, Industrial Arts has a variety of spaces available for lease, including larger units (approximately 3,000 square feet), well suited to creative businesses. In early 2025, multiple subsidized artist studios (around 800 square feet), will also be available. Visit the website to learn more and join the waiting list.

Artist-in-residence Xiaojing Yan, photo courtesy Xiaojing Yan

On-site Programming

Beyond offering spaces to create in, Industrial Arts’ programming arm, the not-for-profit Steelcase Art Projects (SAP), curates programming on and around the site. Its first exhibit, Site Unseen, opened earlier this year. Showcasing sculpture by Zeke Moores and photography by Steven Laurie, the two-month long pop-up featured cast metal sculptures of industrial objects alongside photographs of industrial environments. Set inside one of Industrial Arts’ vacant units, the exhibit highlighted the beauty and potential of seemingly mundane objects and spaces. Currently, Industrial Arts’ Sculpture Garden is home to another SAP-curated exhibit, Corn = Life: the Power of Naming, featuring photography by Jeff Thomas and a garden planted by artist Ron Benner that incorporates culturally significant Indigenous plants. The exhibit pays homage to the Two Row Treaty, inviting viewers to contemplate the environmental and societal ramifications of broken promises. Corn = Life: the Power of Naming will conclude at 1pm on October 30 with a closing reception and community corn roast – all are welcome.

Site Unseen with works by Zeke Moores, photo by Darren Rigo

Get Involved

Up next, SAP is curating a group exhibition entitled FACE / WASTE. Reflecting on waste as a human-defined and controlled concept, the exhibit invites artists and designers to explore the symbolism of waste and the deeper relationship between humans, the material world, and the land. Set to open October 19 at Industrial Arts, SAP is currently accepting submissions from emerging, mid-career, and established artists, as well as students. Submissions close on August 25.

Are you an artist looking for affordable studio space? Complete Industrial Arts’s online survey to be added to our waiting list, and have your say in shaping your future studio. Stay up to date with Industrial Arts by following it on Instagram and learn more at artsindustrial.com.