Nuit Blanche is coming to Humber Lakeshore and students are excited

Humber Polytechnic’s Lakeshore campus is one of many hubs in the upcoming overnight Nuit Blanche Toronto exhibit on Oct. 5. 

The exhibit provides space for art installations by Humber students, faculty, alumni and local artists.

With the deadline for the independent project program having passed, Toronto-based artist Elham Fatapour had taken advantage and registered their artwork to be included in this year’s exhibit.  

“I was drawn to Nuit Blanche because of its accessibility. Unlike traditional art spaces that some might find intimidating, this festival spreads art all around the city, making it approachable and inclusive. It invites everyone to engage with art in public spaces, transforming the urban environment into a creative destination. The fact that it’s free and open to all also sets it apart from other festivals, creating an environment where art feels more integrated into everyday life,” says Fatapour. 

In collaboration with Natalie Chiu, Humber Polytechnic animation alumna, their project titled Bodies of Water, Bodies of Rocks explores the concept of immigration. 

Rendered Image of the painting, Elham Fatapour

“It reflects the physical journeys immigrants take, as well as the emotional and mental challenges they face—such as hesitation, uncertainty, and the cyclical nature of departure and arrival. By navigating these themes, the project bridges the distance between different cultures and experiences, highlighting both the struggles and resilience of immigrants in their journey to a new home,” says Fatapour. 

This year’s theme “Bridging Distance” encourages artists to produce artwork that interprets the way in which people perceive distance and how distance can be bridged through art, allowing audiences to experience the city differently. 

The exhibit also encourages independent artists to showcase their work in unorthodox places like parks, trails, parking lots and even commonly used areas like galleries.  

Vinaya Luthra, a student at Toronto Metropolitan University, says she has always enjoyed the art scene surrounding Toronto. 

“I think it’s really cool that Toronto always has something going on and being able to attend various art exhibits, whether it’s free or not, has become a new thing my friends and I enjoy doing. We are especially excited about the upcoming Nuit Blanche exhibit,” says Luthra.

Luthra says she’s most excited to see how artists interpret this year’s theme for Nuit Blanche. 

The overnight and free exhibit features over 100 art installations and projects in and around the lakeshore area.