An embracing initiative which celebrates a diversity of contemporary designers and their approaches by bringing their works to Dundas Street West in Toronto, Do Design 2011 is a free four-day event that runs from Thursday, January 27 to Sunday, January 30, 2011. The opening reception takes place from 3:00pm to 8:00pm on Saturday, January 29 at various venues along Dundas Street West, between Bathurst and Grace Streets. Visitors are invited to drop in at any of the venues during their regular hours of business on these days. In addition, a number of the design works are presented in shop windows and may be viewed after hours.
The Trinity Bellwoods Business Improvement Area presents Do Design works in a variety of venues along a stretch of downtown Toronto. Do Design intends to highlight the diversity of the streetscape and community and is a reminder of the value of creative initiatives and the resonance of design in our daily lives. Dundas Street West (between Bathurst and Grace Streets) becomes a “gallery,” with design projects displayed in storefronts, walkups, windows, cafés, galleries, bars, restaurants, boutiques, showrooms and even a lumberyard!
Twenty-eight participating venues this year will showcase the works of these contemporary designers: Amy Keeler, Bettie Cott , Bev Hisey/Donna Griffith, Capacity(group), Christine Lieu, Connie Chisholm, Dieter Janssen, Dorkenwald-Spitzer, Dylan McKinnon, Grant Heaps, Ian Milne, Ian Vandenberg, Jason Wheeler, Jean Willoughby, Jeremy Hatch, Jill Allan, Joel Robson, Katherine Morley, Lubo Brezina, Lucy Roussel, MADE at Home (group), Melanie Zanker , Orest Tataryn, P Custom Design, Periphère/Diaogue 38, Public Studio, Rollout, Sheridan Furniture Year 2 (group), Tyler Tilley, and Dr Func.
Do West Trinity Bellwoods BIA was established in 2007, in support of an area that stretches along Dundas Street West between Bathurst and Grace Streets. The area is currently represented by a mix of cafés, restaurants, bars, banks and other establishments that meet local needs. Nestled between popular neighbourhoods such as Chinatown, Kensington Market, Little Italy and Queen West, the BIA is actively helping the neighbourhood to emerge with a distinct identity. The design sector will play a key role as fresh new talent migrates to the area to set up shops, studios and galleries. This is reflected by the presence of Toronto-based designers recently established on the strip. Complement this with the existing solid businesses and you have a recipe for a great retail strip.
For more information, please visit www.dowest.ca/DWD.html.