About the show

Toronto Toy Riot is a two day artist-run pop art expo, focusing on the world of hand made, small run independently produced toys and pop culture artworks. Also known as Designer Toys or Art Toys, the Independent toy community is a broad network of artists, designers, hobbyists and enthusiasts working across a variety of materials and form factors. Many of the artists working in these spaces are interdisciplinary, also producing zines, prints and various assortments of ephemera.

So, what’s Toronto Toy Riot?

This event pays homage to the punks, weirdos and misfits who take inspiration from popular culture and create their own mutations in plastic, plush, print, and more. We view Toronto Toy Riot as an event for artists to share their visions with the public, and as an artists’ gathering for us creative misfits to meet, hang, connect and collaborate!

If this sounds like you, apply to become a vending artist at the event! We invite artists of all disciplines working in pop culture appropriation art: art and designer toys, print, comics, etc. Please note that while we are working to accommodate as many artists as we can, we will be prioritizing artists whose primary work is toys, focusing on local and regional artists first, while also doing our best to accommodate those from further afield.

All artists who apply should be creating work that is, in some stage of the process, handmade. We also understand that AI is a sensitive issue for many artists - since we serve and respect our artists, this event will not accept AI generated work. Sorry, future robot overlords! You can take your revenge on us humans later!

Our call for Artists will be going live on November 1st, 2025!

Our Ethos:

As our name implies, our ethos is firmly rooted in the social and aesthetic practices of Punk. We believe in supporting and communing with our fellow misfits. We believe in creating a safe and inclusive space where all are welcome. As a wise fellow from Krypton recently reminded us; kindness is punk.

Our commitment to creating an accessible space lies in the belief that tabling at events should be accessible to artists of any stage of their practice - as such our call is open and has no application fee of any kind. Table costs will be reasonably priced, with the hopes of giving artists of different needs space.

Finally, Toronto Toy Riot will be free and open to the public for the duration of the event. We will have local signage in the neighbourhood all weekend to encourage passers by to drop in and explore!! No matter their shape or size, toys are a ubiquitous and accessible media form! Toronto Toy Riot is committed to sharing the inherent cultural value of these objects with any and all.

EVENTS GALLERY

In order to give visitors an idea of what’s to come in Toronto, please take a look at the gallery below. These images of work by artists from across the indie toy spectrum from previous community events will hopefully give you an idea of what to expect at Toronto Toy Riot.

Thank you to: LRH Bootlegs, ikin 619, Ocular Rhombus Toys, Professor Pickman, OmniRez, Zimotco, Retrozone Neon, Edwin Salas for sharing these images with us. Some were taken at kindred events in Philadelphia and Asheville, hosted by Assembly Required.