Toronto art fair celebrates Mother's Day this year

For anyone in Toronto still looking for Mother's Day plans, there's an annual Toronto art fair curated for the holiday.

The Artist Project, an annual fair for more than 250 independent artists, has made the exhibition for its 18th year all about motherhood. It features interactive works, live painting and a variety of mediums.

Sarah Yellin, the Artist Project's sponsor and partnerships lead, says this is the first time the fair has fallen on Mother's Day, so the organizers thought it was a great opportunity to mark the occasion.

"Kids get in for free, so you can bring your mom, [there are] gifts at all price points and [it's] just a fun way to celebrate the weekend," she said.

Many of the artists participating in the fair are mothers themselves.

Artist Jocelyn Teng, who is expecting her second child in August, says being a mother has inspired her work.

"I feel like being a mother really made me more confident [about] what I wanted to create. Maybe because there's less time," she said. "I think I also have a stronger sense of play."

Teng says she paints landscapes from her childhood growing up in Taipei, and she sees her work in part helps connect her to her children with her own history.

"The jungle, the mountain, it was my playground," she said. "I hope through the paintings and the energy that they can feel what it was like for me growing up in a completely different environment."

Then there are artists celebrating their own mothers this weekend, like Omar Chris Canales-Cisneros.

One of his colourful textile piece shows his grandmother braiding his mother's hair, and his mother braiding his, as he sits with a look of comfort on his face.

"It's a piece about lineage, matriarchal lineage. But also, about care," he said. "It means a lot to me to have it here with me today, especially on Mother's Day weekend." 

Aside from the artwork, there will be a variety of gifts on sale, including balloons and bouquets.

The exhibit runs until 6 p.m. Sunday.