Toronto Free Gallery and the dangers of maple syrup. 21st May 2008

Utterly dedicated to the end, we decided to cram in one more research visit on our way to the airport. This was the Toronto Free Gallery, which had been recommended to us by many of the people we had met throughout the trip.

Disguised as a hardware store, the gallery was initially difficult to find. However, undeterred, we managed to accost the director, Heather Haynes with our wheelie suitcases, which were bulging with our Honest Ed goodies.

The Toronto Free Gallery was one of the newest projects that we have visited. Having recently moved into the former hardware store, the gallery is still in its development stage and has the potential for studio and performance spaces. Heather, who moved from San Francisco after George Dubya was first elected, set up the gallery as a space to show socio-political artworks which relate to the local environment (Toronto Public Space Committee have previously shown in the space).

After a hurried goodbye to Heather and Toronto in general, we legged it to the airport, where we arrived flustered and sweaty, only to be frisked and stripped of our contraband maple syrup (every terrorist’s weapon of choice).

And so ends a wonderful trip. Everyone we met was friendly, generous and hospitable and all the projects we visited were inspiring. The food wasn’t bad either (have we mentioned that?). So thank you to everyone who took the time to talk to us and if you’re ever passing Preston, there’s a sofa with your name on it.