Studio 1234 is a small but inviting gallery located at 1234 College St., Toronto. The curator/owner of the gallery Lucinda Knowlton, a working artist, is very warm and friendly, which is quite a breath of fresh air in such a large city.

If you’re at Queen’s Park to get your passport or renew your driver’s licence, why not take in some contemporary art at the same time? Open 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday, the John B. Aird Gallery is hidden on the first floor of the government buildings at 900 Bay St, south of Wellesley. Open since 1975, they hold 12 exhibitions a year, showcasing living Canadian artists, and they also hold regular juried shows. I showed a quilt there once and won a prize! http://www.airdgallery.org/index.html

Most days, I have to stay the hell away from this place because I could spend my entire paycheck buying things that are neither rent nor groceries. All the Ugly Dolls, Gloomy Bears and Malfis in the world won’t feed me. Unless I ate them, I suppose. Hmm. I digress: occasionally I let myself mosey along Queen West just to see the groovy art exhibits on display in the back of the store. Marvelous art book selection, great place to buy gifts for quirky, creative friends. http://www.magic-pony.com

Don't be fooled. Uniforms Registered is not a manufacturer or distributor of uniforms. It is actually a mysterious art museum. I love Ydessa Hendeles' Art Foundation at King & Bathurst because it's not ashamed to be weird. It keeps weird hours and it houses weird pieces and it's unabashedly contemporary and feminist in the majority of its content. I first saw Shirin Neshat's video art there, and Jenny Holzer's benches. It's only open about 5 hours a week, but is well worth the wait.

They are redoing the gallery to open up more of the collections.

the shows are always interesting

There are a number of first class galleries in the area so you can see a lot of art in one day.

This is THE place for photo lovers who want to see the best in contemporary photography.

Just like to hang around

Steven Schwartz shares his spiritual and relationship philosphies, his encouragement, and his flask. His gallery is frequented by those too intimidated to walk into other galleries on the strip, and he throws great parties. His walls decorate Queen West West.

I love contempary art and did not know we had our own version of The MOMA in Toronto right down town. After walking around building up an appetite go to Caju for dinner.

Just the best. And they have Eco-art!

Frame of Mind Gallery, one of the city's leading fine art galleries, has been around since 1981. The gallery features contemporary fine art including a variety of original oil and acrylic paintings, lithographs, serigraphs, giclees, watercolors, limited edition prints and posters, and sculptures. The gallery staff is very approachable and helpful.

she has the most beautiful blown glass.

they have some amazing artists that exhibit their work there. There is one gallery full of blown glass that blows your mind!