Great artists steal

Someone called my friend a miracle-thief one day, says Tiffany Naval. So
we miracle theived it. But of course. That’s the M.O. at Miracle
Thieves, an art practice-turned-community gallery, now open across
from Trinity-Bellwoods Park on Dundas West.

Lots of artists use found objects; Naval and her partner, Jen Maramba,
use stolen ones. Sort of. We noticed that people had great ideas and
weren’t doing anything with them, explains Naval. So we’d rescue the
idea and make it happen, maybe by collaborating with the person. Or we’d
overhear something at the grocery store and turn into a piece. Or rescue
and repaint an abandoned chair that still had life in it, but no one
cared.

Now, this merry band of two is giving back. Their new storefront gallery
will contain not only their own works, but objects, illustrations and
more by cool local artists and makers, sold on consignment and curated
by Robin Lacambra. Look for Wild Moon jewellery, Juliana Neufeld
drawings and more. And, if you want to be something of an artist
yourself, sign up for workshops in everything from art history to life
drawing to visual branding.
Sarah Nicole Prickett

Miracle Thieves, 249 Crawford Street, Toronto, www.miraclethieves.com