AGP (Artscape Gibraltar Point, the art centre) offers rich potential for the creation of corporeal artworks amongst its blue-flag beaches (Hanlans Beach being clothing optional) and natural surroundings of Lake Ontario, forests and gardens filled with flowers, fruit and vegetables. On the island, there are tiny quaint homes, a hobby farm and antique carnival grounds. The Toronto city core is just a 15-minute ferry ride away. You can read more about Artscape Gibraltar Point here. For a greater sense of the island itself and it’s community, check out Friends of Toronto Islands or Toronto Island Community.
Facilities include a large communal kitchen, artist studios with high ceilings and tall windows, extra-large common rooms, photo darkroom (chemicals not supplied), woodshop, small library, onsite coin-operated laundry (detergent included), and free wi-fi. Bicycles can be rented from the local bicycle smith. The communal kitchen is stocked with cooking utensils, some spices, and a limited supply of tea and coffee. Artists are given storage spaces for their (dry, refrigerated and frozen) foods in the communal kitchen where they cook their own meals. There is a pantry with non-perishable foods that artists leave behind. Artists are welcome to take from the pantry. More details about facilities are available here.
AGP, the ferry docks, ferries and island are barrier free. Most beaches are generally not wheel chair accessible. Please discuss additional accessibility requirements with the facilitator.
There is no grocery store on the island, but there is a Kitchen Table (a corner store that is a bit pricey) across from the ferry dock. Or slightly further west there is Sobeys, a larger grocery store. It is suggested to bring a few food essentials to start and complete the bulk of grocery shopping once settled in. Other grocery stores include Essence of Life(organic and health foods), St. Lawrence Market(farmers markets), and Loblaws(large grocery store chain).
There are some restaurants on the island, including Rectory Café(Wards Island) and Island Café (Centre Island). Each is about a 45 minute walk, or 15 minute cycle, from the art centre.
Some art stores in the city core include Currys, Above Ground and Gwartzmans. Photography stores include Henry’sand Downtown Camera. Active Surplusoffers a variety of odds and ends, including plexi-glass, mirrors, electronics, small plastic and metal parts, etc.
Getting there:
- Address: 443 Lakeshore Avenue, Toronto Islands
- From Pearson International Airport: There is the Union-Pearson Expresstrain that takes you to Union Station. From Union Station take the #509 or #510 streetcar to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Alternately (more economical), from Pearson International Airport take the #192 Airport Rocket to Kipling Subway Station. Then take the subway system to Union Station and from there board the #509 or #510 streetcar to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
- From Billy Bishop Airport: Walk north to the corner of Queens Quay and Bathurst St., and board the #509 Harbourfront streetcar eastbound. Get off at Bay St., which is at the ferry dock.
- From Union Station: take the 509 or 510 streetcar for one stop to Queens Quay Station, which will land you across the street from the ferry dock.
- From Toronto Coach Terminal: take the #6 Bay bus southbound to the ferry terminal.
- Jack Layton Ferry Terminal: Located at Bay Street and Queen’s Quay West (10 min walk from Union Station). Public transit to the ferry docks includes the #509 or #510 streetcars. For information on connecting routes, contact TTC at 416-393-4636 or visit TTC Trip Planner. If you are driving, there is public parkingavailable 1 block north at Lakeshore and Bay, 1 block west on Queens Quay between Bay and York, and 1 block east opposite Toronto Star building.
- Ferry Service: The two ferries that get you closest to Artscape Gibraltar Point are Centre Island and Hanlans. Once you are on the ferry, it will take apx. 40 minutes (15 min ferry ride + 25 min walk) to get to Artscape Gibraltar Point. Cycling is faster, and bicycles can be taken on the ferry. The fare for the ferry is $7.25 return for adults. Expect large crowds on summer weekends and sunny summer days. To by-pass the long ticket lines, there is a ticket booth under the concrete canopy (on the right), which is not so busy. Click here for the ferry schedules. For more information on the ferries, call 416-392-8193.
- Water Taxi: On summer weekends, water taxis leave apx. every 10 minutes from from the foot of Spadina or York at Queens Quay, and cost $10 per person. You can also call a water taxi (more costly if few passengers) at 416 203-8294(York Street) or 1-877-706-8294(Spadina St.). Custom drop offs, such as to Artscape Gibraltar Point lighthouse (right at Artscape Gibraltar Point), will be more expensive.
- AGP: Artscape Gibraltar Point is located at 443 Lakeshore Avenue, Toronto Island. We are a 20-minute walk from Centre Island dock and a 30 minute walk from Hanlans dock. The signs along the pathways will guide you here. The most convenient way to travel on and off the island is by bicycle. If you do not have a bicycle of your own, you can rent one through Manuel Cappel, an islander and AGP long term tenant. Text him at 416.804.0571 or email at mandrasca@gmail.com.
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