Photo by Wade Muir.
ArtAttack!
at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Doors at 7pm
Auction starts at 8pm
ARTATTACK! is one of Toronto’s best-loved and most outrageous art auctions. The night offers art aficionados and novices alike an exclusive chance to scoop up work by over 50 visual artists and enjoy an unforgettable night full of surprises. Live auction curation by Natalie King, Luke Painter, Mia Sandhu, and Thomas Schneider, plus a treasure trove of art in the tuck shop, all available at $100 or less. Hosted by Ted Morris.
All proceeds from ArtAttack! support the programming at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Now in its 46th season, Buddies is the world’s largest and longest-running queer theatre. Established in 1979, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is Toronto’s leading destination for artistically rigorous alternative theatre and a world leader in developing queer voices and stories for the stage. Buddies offers a year-round program that includes a full season of queer theatre, new works festivals, artist residencies, and intergenerational training and education initiatives. In its 45-year history Buddies has welcomed over one million people into its home in the heart of Toronto’s queer village and has premiered over 1,000 new works for the stage
Early bird tickets are available at $55 until October 23.
After October 23, tickets can be purchased for $70.
Can’t make it to the event but still want to place a bid? Contact aidan@buddiesinbadtimes.com to fill out an absentee bidder form.
HOW IT WORKS
Register
When you buy a ticket to the auction, you’ll be e-mailed a link to pre-register for your paddle. This’ll save you time at the door, and let you get to the art faster! With your paddle, you can bid on any lot in our live and silent auctions. Spend less time in the checkout line by authorizing the purchase of your items to either your Visa or MasterCard when you register and items successfully bid on can be immediately purchased. All you have to do is pick them up at the end of the evening! You can also register for a paddle at the event itself.
Silent Auction
You can bid on items in the silent auction as often as you like using the same bidder number you use for the live auction. The highest bid received by our staff at the time of closing wins - winning bids will be posted on the boards within 10 minutes of the silent auction closing.
The Tuck Shop
All items are available for purchase at set prices (max $100), which are listed in the catalogue and on display. Items can be purchased by card. You will also find multiples from previous years.
Payment
You can pick up and pay for your items any time throughout the evening. Buddies accepts Visa, MasterCard, debit, and cash.
Paying by Instalment
Any purchase total of $1,000 or more can be paid for by instalment if you so choose. Speak to a staff member at the registration desk for more information or to set up an instalment plan before you start bidding.
Tax Receipts
If the final purchase price of an item in the live auction is equal to or greater than 120% of the posted estimated value, the purchaser will be issued a charitable tax receipt for the difference between the estimate and the selling price.
Conditions of Sale
Each lot contains an estimated value obtained from sources the ArtAttack steering committee believes to be reliable, but no representation or warranty as to the actual resale value is made or implied. Estimate values include value of framing, where applicable. All sales are final. No purchase can be returned, refunded, or exchanged. All items are sold as is, as exhibited. Buddies reserves the right to share the contact information of successful bidders with the artists whose work they have purchased.
Your ArtAttack! HOST: TED MORRIS
A veteran of the Canadian comedy scene, Ted Morris has quietly been making a name for himself as one of the funniest comedians in the country. So quietly in fact, that he has been called “Canada’s best kept secret” and “not exactly a household name” by the Toronto Star. His TV credits include multiple appearances at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Halifax Comedy festival and Just for Laughs Montreal, being goofy with Rick on Comedy Night with Rick Mercer, being insulted by Simon Cowell on America’s Got Talent and being saucy on Out TV’s PopPorn. He is undefeated on CBC Radio’s The Debaters, has been nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Stand-up and can be seen on stages across Canada and around the world.
Your ArtAttack! AUCTIONEER: FRANCES FRIPP
One of Canada’s top fundraising auctioneers, Frances Fripp has helped raise over $10 million in vital funds for organizations nationwide. Supporting causes that change lives, strengthen communities, and create lasting impact. In a male dominated industry, she has built a record-breaking career with her engaging, entertaining style and a dedicated team trained in the art of fundraising. A Grand Champion Auctioneer, Frances brings unmatched energy and heart to every stage. She is passionate about partnering with organizations to inspire generosity, celebrate their missions, and ensure they have the resources needed to thrive, while balancing life as a proud mom of two boys.
