Extensive First of its Kind Art Trail Opens in Toronto

The Lassonde Art Trail (LAT), the first of its kind in Canada, features an artist lineup of Indigenous, Canadian, and international artists whose works will inaugurate the major outdoor public art destination opening in Toronto’s Port Lands. Launching its opening season on June 4, 2026, the Lassonde Art Trail will be a dynamic public art experience offering a program of landmark permanent and rotating artworks,
open year-round and completely free to the public.

For its launch season LAT will present newly commissioned artworks and signature loans across the 4.2-kilometre trail by leading contemporary artists including: Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka (Japanese – Canadian), Alexandre Arrechea (Cuban), Caroline Monnet  (Algonquin Anishinaabe – French) & Dean Baldwin Lew (Canadian), Hank Willis Thomas  (American), Kara Hamilton (Canadian), Kent Monkman (Cree), Lisa Hirmer (Canadian – Mexican – German), Monira Al Qadiri (Kuwaiti), Nadia Belerique (Canadian) & Tony Romano  (Canadian), Oluseye (Nigerian – Canadian), Ryan Gander (British), and Tracey Emin (British).  A newly commissioned permanent destination sculpture by Joana Vasconcelos (Portuguese) will follow in 2027. 

Together, the artists contribute to a dynamic cultural landscape of permanent and rotating installations that reflect a wide spectrum of artistic voices, materials, and perspectives. From large-scale sculptures to site-responsive interventions, the artworks will transform Toronto’s evolving waterfront into a hub of reflection, community, and exchange. 

“This group of artists embodies the spirit of the Lassonde Art Trail – diverse, visionary, and deeply engaged with questions of culture, community, and place,” said November Paynter,  Artistic Director & Chief Curator, LAT. “The opportunity to view these works in dialogue,  embedded in a new natural environment and close to water, yet still in the heart of a city, will  offer Torontonians and international visitors a cultural experience unlike anything else in  Canada.” 

Kent Monkman

Kent Monkman presents his first permanent public sculpture reflecting Indigenous presence and the significance of water; Monira Al Qadiri brings a monumental work exploring natural mythologies with First Sun debuted in New York and realized in partnership with Public Art  Fund, NY; Kara Hamilton has created an eco-conscious sculpture using organic materials during her L.L. Odette Sculptor in Residence program with students in partnership with York  University; and a sculpture by Tracey Emin, on loan from the National Gallery of Canada as part of its National Engagement initiative, will give year-round, free access to a work held in the national collection to all who visit the Art Trail.

Winner of the Lassonde Art Trail’s  Destination Artwork Competition

Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, recently named winner of the Lassonde Art Trail’s  Destination Artwork Competition, presents Artemisa, a major new permanent installation for Toronto’s waterfront slated for 2027. Further details on artworks will be announced closer to the opening. 

Charitable Organization

The Lassonde Art Trail is a charitable organization founded on the back of a transformational gift from philanthropist Pierre Lassonde. His commitment supports two permanent artworks that will be donated to the City of Toronto’s Public Art & Monuments Collection, as well as a challenge fund to sustain a robust program of rotating artworks over the long term. 

“LAT is exceptionally grateful to the Pierre Lassonde Family Foundation for their landmark gift,  as well as our growing network of donors and partners, who are coming together to support this extraordinary city-building initiative,” said LAT Executive Director Chloë Catán. “It is with their generosity and foresight that we will be able to establish a world-class cultural  experience that creates unique opportunities for artists and at the same time engages and  inspires millions of people each year, helping to put Canada’s cultural ambition on the map.” 

“The breadth of talented artists in our opening program shows LAT’s commitment to delivering exceptional public art to all who visit the Art Trail,” said LAT Chair Julie Lassonde.  “We are excited to see these artworks exhibited on Toronto’s waterfront next summer.” 

With artwork spanning generations, geographies, and disciplines, the Lassonde Art Trail affirms its mission to create a transformative space where public art fosters connection,  celebrates diversity, and activates Toronto’s waterfront for decades to come. 

LAT launch schedule this summer

LAT launches this summer, with a spectacular rollout of outdoor sculptures over its opening season, starting in June and continuing through fall 2026. 

• In June, LAT East (east of the Cherry Street bridge) will showcase sculptures by Alexandre Arrechea, Nadia Belerique & Tony Romano, Tracey Emin, Ryan Gander, Kara Hamilton, Caroline Monnet & Dean Baldwin Lew and Oluseye.  
• In late July, LAT West (west of the Cherry Street bridge)  will unveil works by Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka, Lisa Hirmer, Virginia Overton, Hank Willis Thomas, and additional artworks in the series by Ryan Gander.
  • LAT West will open in tandem with phase two of Biidaasige Park 
• In September, Kent Monkman’s highly anticipated first public sculpture and First Sun by Monira Al Qadiri will be installed in LAT West, as the grand finale to LAT’s inaugural season.  

From large-scale sculptures to site-responsive interventions, the artworks will transform Toronto’s evolving waterfront into a hub of reflection, community, and exchange. 

Lead photo ARTIST PORTRAITS

From top left, row one: Tracey Emin, Alexandre Arrechea, Ryan Gander, Kent Monkman,  Oluseye; row two: Dean Baldwin Lew, Caroline Monnet, Tony Romano, Alexa Kumiko  Hatanaka, Hank Willis Thomas; row three: Lisa Hirmer, Joana Vasconcelos, Kara Hamilton,  Monira Al Qadiri, Nadia Belerique. 

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