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\u00a0customers.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s art galleries.<\/p>\n
Instead of indifference or annoyance, these artists\u00a0said they found laundromat customers were curious to learn about the art hanging above the machines.<\/p>\n
![\"c2f294f1-70dd-4c39-a78a-6f8fceba4546-2\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/c2f294f1-70dd-4c39-a78a-6f8fceba4546-2.jpg;w=960.jpeg\"\/)
\nSam Andrew\u2019s art exhibit at Dirty Laundry in January, 2026. Supplied: Sam Andrews
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Can a laundromat be\u00a0an art gallery?<\/p>\n
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\u00a0celebrate Pride month.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cArt should be accessible to everybody at all times. It just felt like the right thing to do,\u201d she said. Since then, a new artist has exhibited at Dirty Laundry nearly every month.<\/p>\n
Spencley said artists can book a month-long exhibit by reaching out on social media \u2014 however, the space is currently booked through November 2026.<\/p>\n
Her costs are very low compared to other gallery fees in Toronto \u2014 artists only pay a $25 administration fee and a $50 event fee if the artist chooses to host a reception, in which case there\u2019s an additional $300 damage deposit. Artists are encouraged to sell their work and Spencley does not take any commission from the sales.<\/p>\n
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 \u201ca lot of pressure\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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Gannon believes there should be more spaces like Dirty Laundry in the city because it serves as a \u201cgood training ground\u201d for artists who are learning how to showcase their work for the first time.<\/p>\n
Illustrator and painter Sam Andrews exhibited at Dirty Laundry in January for the third time.<\/p>\n
After experiencing \u201ca lot of rejection\u201d in the Toronto art scene, they said they keep returning to the laundromat gallery because of Spencley\u2019s support and the accessibility of the space.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe goes above and beyond to help the artists out,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
But Dirty Laundry isn’t the only space\u00a0combining\u00a0laundry with art.\u00a0In May 2022, laundromat owner Jyll Simmons was inspired by Spencley to start operating her laundromat as an art gallery as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really like art. I love going to art shows but sometimes I find art shows intimidating,\u201d she said. \u201cI thought, maybe I can create a space that\u2019s not as intimidating because it\u2019s in a laundromat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, She Said Gallery at 384 Roncesvalles Ave. showcases a new art exhibit every week \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe space is for the artists, they\u2019re welcome to whatever they like throughout the day as long as it doesn\u2019t interrupt the operations of the laundromat,\u201d Simmons said.<\/p>\n
![\"photos-from-a-magical-week-at-she-said-gallery-thank-you-to-jyll-for-sharing-her-wonderful-s\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/photos-from-a-magical-week-at-she-said-gallery-thank-you-to-jyll-for-sharing-her-wonderful-s.jpg;w=9.jpeg\"\/)
\nShebonti Khandaker\u2019s art exhibit at She Said Gallery in January, 2026. Supplied: Shebonti Khandaker
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Artists want more affordable spaces<\/p>\n
Toronto-based Bangladeshi photographer Shebonti Khandaker, who exhibited her first solo show at She Said Gallery in January, said she wouldn\u2019t have known how to achieve a solo show anywhere else in the city as an early career artist without a formal art background.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
But she said there were no barriers to showcasing at She Said Gallery.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was straightforward, simple and extremely liberating,\u201d said Khandaker.<\/p>\n
![\"1\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1.jpg;w=960.jpeg\"\/)
\nHayley Axelrad\u2019s art exhibit at She Said Gallery in December, 2023.\u00a0Supplied: Hayley Axelrad
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Painter Hayley Axelrad held her first solo show at She Said Gallery in 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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,\u201d she said. \u201cNo one is coming in and saying, \u2018Oh, this isn\u2019t commercial enough.’\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the exhibit built her confidence and made her feel\u00a0she had a legitimate place in the Toronto art scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery artist deserves the chance to prove themselves, to get their work into the world,\u201d she said. \u201cShe Said Gallery and similar galleries are not only beneficial to artists but completely essential.\u201d<\/p>\n