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Gallery History Leonardo Galleries was founded by Iris Balija and first opened its doors in the Forest Hill Village in Toronto in 1996. Nine years later the gallery moved to its current, larger central location in the Yorkville district of downtown Toronto, at 133 Avenue Road. Iris Balija, who is presently finalizing her Ph.D. dissertation in Art History at the University of Essex in England, became more involved with her academic career, so her mother Zoya Balija stepped up her involvement with Leonardo Galleries on a part-time basis. Then, after spending 30 years in the information technology field, Zoya retired in 2007 from IBM to devote herself on a full-time basis to running Leonardo Galleries. Over the years, the gallery expanded its scope to include a distinctive selection of contemporary work by Canadian and international artists, and museum-quality custom framing and fine art restoration services. As well as the work with artists and presenting exhibitions, Leonardo Galleries participates and organizes many art-related events in Toronto such as the monthly Yorkville Art Gallery Walk, CONTACT Toronto Photography Festival and featured artist lectures. Leonardo Galleries has a genuine concern to promote Canadian and international art and artists of merit, and maintains high professional standards and ethics.
Events To view images from recent opening receptions and artist lectures, please click here.
In the News Leonardo Galleries and Toronto Art Visions are featured in the Toronto Star on Wednesday, August 18th 2010. Click here to view the full article.
Leonardo Galleries gets a visit from Tourism Canada.
Leonardo Galleries’ owner Zoya Balija explains the intricate art restoration process to The Globe & Mail Click here for a look at the article.
Leonardo Galleries exhibited artist Serafino Catallo is featured in Canadian House & Home Magazine, October 2009 Take a look at Catallo in the realm of decor and design here.
Writer Carolyn Ireland’s “Designed for Urban Buyers” article in The Globe & Mail, Friday, July 10, 2009 Artwork from Leonardo Galleries is often selected by Canada's best designers to enrich their created interior design spaces. Award winning designers Elaine Cecconi and Anna Simone profiled the panoramic photograph "Penny Arcade" by Leonardo Galleries exhibited artist John Long in one of their latest projects, Lippincott Homes in Toronto. To see the photo (on the left wall of the article’s image) and full article, please click here. More information about the designers could be found here.
Writer Alison Brown’s “Realities Retouched” feature article on Alternavox, May, 2009 Brown writes;"Stereo photography! What an amazing way to view John Long's images. I was transported to glistering brooks looking up to the majesty of a mountain precipice. I was in a sense standing along with the protographer more than a viewer in what this artist calls hyper realistic photography..." [A.B.] Please read the complete article, found here.
Writer Cynthia Gasner’s “Art exhibit examines the Exodus” special to The Canadian Jewish News article, April 2, 2009 "Her mystical paintings, in acrylic and mixed media, reflect her multi-faceted talents and her expertise with complex colour depictions. "
TOURS As part of the Yorkville Art Galleries Collective, Leonardo Galleries participates in many collaborative art projects including the monthly Yorkville Art Gallery Walk, which is held the first Thursday of each month (and which coincides with some exhibition opening dates). This free informal tour is led by a knowledgeable guide, who is familiar with art appreciation and who gives attendees a focused overview of the Yorkville art scene. A wide range of contemporary or historical Canadian and international works of art are available for viewing and at the end of the evening attendees may join the group for coffee at a local café. Participants receive free parking in the Hazelton Lanes parking facility near by. For more information contact Leonardo Galleries.  |
