At two local laundromats, artists bypass the city’s costly and intimidating gallery scene to stage solo shows between the washers and dryers
In Toronto’s art world, emerging artists can struggle to get their work placed in galleries, which often require significant experience, status or financial capital. But now two unusual venues have been operating as galleries that are affordable and accessible — and offer a place to get your laundry done, too.
Over the past six years, two of Toronto’s neighbourhood laundromats have been doubling as gallery spaces: Dirty Laundry on Dundas Street West and She Said Gallery in Roncesvalles.
The laundromat galleries operate much like traditional galleries, complete with exhibition schedules, waitlists and opening receptions. The two galleries showcase the work of dozens of Toronto artists every year, while continuing to serve their regular laundromat customers.
Artists who have shown their work in these laundromats say the atmosphere feels worlds away from the competitive, pretentious and at times exclusionary culture they associate with many of Toronto’s art galleries.
Instead of indifference or annoyance, these artists said they found laundromat customers were curious to learn about the art hanging above the machines.
Sam Andrew’s art exhibit at Dirty Laundry in January, 2026. Supplied: Sam Andrews
Can a laundromat be an art gallery?
Local real estate agent Samantha Spencley and her husband opened Dirty Laundry laundromat at 808 Dundas St. W. at the end of May 2020, and a week later, Spencley invited a friend to hang art on the walls to celebrate Pride month.
Customers enjoyed it so much that the next month, she invited a new artist to hang their work in the space, and by August she was committed to operating a dual laundromat and art gallery.
“Art should be accessible to everybody at all times. It just felt like the right thing to do,” she said. Since then, a new artist has exhibited at Dirty Laundry nearly every month.
Spencley said artists can book a month-long exhibit by reaching out on social media — however, the space is currently booked through November 2026.
Her costs are very low compared to other gallery fees in Toronto — artists only pay a $25 administration fee and a $50 event fee if the artist chooses to host a reception, in which case there’s an additional $300 damage deposit. Artists are encouraged to sell their work and Spencley does not take any commission from the sales.
Photographer Kian Gannon, who is exhibiting at Dirty Laundry this month, said that a month-long solo show has been an invaluable experience for his artistic practice. He said commercial galleries are expensive and create “a lot of pressure” for artists to conduct themselves in a formal manner, but the laundromat has allowed him the freedom to bring his creative vision to life without breaking his budget.
Gannon believes there should be more spaces like Dirty Laundry in the city because it serves as a “good training ground” for artists who are learning how to showcase their work for the first time.
Illustrator and painter Sam Andrews exhibited at Dirty Laundry in January for the third time.
After experiencing “a lot of rejection” in the Toronto art scene, they said they keep returning to the laundromat gallery because of Spencley’s support and the accessibility of the space.
“She goes above and beyond to help the artists out,” they said.
But Dirty Laundry isn’t the only space combining laundry with art. In May 2022, laundromat owner Jyll Simmons was inspired by Spencley to start operating her laundromat as an art gallery as well.
“I really like art. I love going to art shows but sometimes I find art shows intimidating,” she said. “I thought, maybe I can create a space that’s not as intimidating because it’s in a laundromat.”
Now, She Said Gallery at 384 Roncesvalles Ave. showcases a new art exhibit every week — 50 shows are already booked for 2026. The costs are also low, with only a $100 cleaning fee if artists choose to host a reception.
“The space is for the artists, they’re welcome to whatever they like throughout the day as long as it doesn’t interrupt the operations of the laundromat,” Simmons said.
Shebonti Khandaker’s art exhibit at She Said Gallery in January, 2026. Supplied: Shebonti Khandaker
Artists want more affordable spaces
Toronto-based Bangladeshi photographer Shebonti Khandaker, who exhibited her first solo show at She Said Gallery in January, said she wouldn’t have known how to achieve a solo show anywhere else in the city as an early career artist without a formal art background.
“In pursuing an artistic career, there’s so much that you have to do on your own to strike out. It feels like maybe there’s a secret code you don’t know,” she said.
But she said there were no barriers to showcasing at She Said Gallery.
“It was straightforward, simple and extremely liberating,” said Khandaker.
Hayley Axelrad’s art exhibit at She Said Gallery in December, 2023. Supplied: Hayley Axelrad
Painter Hayley Axelrad held her first solo show at She Said Gallery in 2023.
“It felt like a pivotal moment in my career; putting out this new experimental body of work and having the freedom to make all of the decisions myself,” she said. “No one is coming in and saying, ‘Oh, this isn’t commercial enough.’”
She said the exhibit built her confidence and made her feel she had a legitimate place in the Toronto art scene.
“Every artist deserves the chance to prove themselves, to get their work into the world,” she said. “She Said Gallery and similar galleries are not only beneficial to artists but completely essential.”