Gallery 1888 is a contemporary art gallery committed to advancing artistic dialogue through a curated program of exhibitions, residencies, and cross-disciplinary projects. With a focus on presenting both Canadian and international artists, the gallery introduces work that challenges convention, fosters critical engagement, and expands the boundaries of how art is experienced in Toronto.
The gallery is built on a belief in creative intuition and cultural connection. It emerged not from a strategic plan, but from a series of instinctive decisions—reflecting a commitment to fostering a sense of community within the city. Through year-round programming, Gallery 1888 exists as a platform for creative momentum.
The name—Gallery 1888—is pronounced simply: eighteen eighty-eight. Originally inspired by a building constructed in 1888, the name has since taken on a more symbolic meaning. In numerology, 1888 represents alignment, intuition, and creative trust—fitting for a space that came together through instinct and experience.
Our home at 225 Sterling Road is part of a historic industrial complex, once housing the Fairbanks-Morse Canadian Manufacturing Company. Over the years, the building has evolved into a vibrant hub for artists and creatives. Notably, renowned Cree artist Kent Monkman once maintained his studio in this very unit, adding to the building’s legacy as a place where ideas take shape. With its soaring ceilings and skylight-lit back gallery, the space offers an architectural canvas designed to let the artwork speak.
Gallery 1888 exists not only to exhibit work, but to advocate for what’s possible within Toronto’s art community. Our city is full of talent—emerging, established, and everywhere in between—but much of it remains overlooked or under-supported. Through ongoing exhibitions and the launch of our residency program, Atelier 1888, we are working to create more opportunities for artists to grow, connect, and be seen. The aim is simple: to reflect the depth of creativity in this city and give it the visibility it deserves.