15 must-see Contact photo exhibits and public installations

Every May, major Toronto galleries, city landmarks and local stores play host to Contact, the month-long photography festival now in its 18th season.

This year’s programming is as ambitious and sophisticated as ever, featuring 200 exhibitions including 13 primary exhibits and nine public installations across the city.

The big draws include Life magazine’s Gordon Parks whose 42 images are on display at the Nicholas Metivier Gallery, Michael Awad whose goal to shoot every facet of Toronto in The Entire City Project is on display at the ROM as part of its 100th anniversary celebration and self-portraits by famed artists such as Cindy Sherman in In Character at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA).

The majority of the shows cost nothing to see and Contact’s executive director Darcy Killeen says, “It’s an amazing opportunity to experience culture for free.”

The festival, which holds its launch party on Friday evening at MOCCA, is also a great way to experience Toronto’s vibrant neighbourhoods where many of the venues are located. Some participating neighbourhoods include the Junction, Queen Street West, Parkdale and the Distillery Historic District.

Parkdale Village will feature 30 artists in nine venues along Queen Street West from Roncesvalles Avenue to Dufferin Street and will have its opening night on May 2. The Junction will feature 25 artists in 21 venues all within several blocks. Its opening night is on May 3.

Click on the Google map icons below to see this year’s 15 exhibits and public installations that you shouldn’t miss.

Which ones will you catch? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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