Dina Torrans with her installation, Homage to Mr. Geisel.
Dina Torrans has been working as a sculptor and multi-media artist in Toronto for over twenty-five years. Her award winning sculptures, paintings and photographs have been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions and are included in many private and public collections internationally.
Her work can be seen regularly at the Canadian Sculpture Centre in Toronto, Fire Arts Vermont in Brattleboro, The Artists Council in Palm Springs, California, Borrego Springs Art Institute, California and Earth House Hold Studios in Wonder Valley, California.
Dina graduated with honours from the Art Centre of Central Technical School, where she subsequently worked as an instructor and technician in the Sculpture and Printmaking departments for 10 years. She has been a Visiting Artist and Instructor at numerous workshops and seminars at, among others, The McMichael Gallery, The Toronto Board of Education, The Canadian Sculpture Centre and York University School of the Arts.
Education
1986-89 - Graduated from The Art Centre, Central Technical School, Toronto. majors: Sculpture & Design
1989-1990 - Extensive Travel, Art and Cultural History Studies: Italy, Holland, India, New Zealand, Fiji, Thailand
1990-92 - Specialized Studies at Ontario College of Art
2013/17 - Stone carving intensives in Carrara, Italy with Steven Shaheen, Alasdair Thomson and Studio Corsanini
1967-present - School of Life
Awards
2025 Visionaries of Contemporary Art Curator magazine
The International Prize Phoenix for the Arts, Venice 2024
Gold Prize in the ArtAscent Art and Literary Journal, Spring Edition 2024
Gold Prize in the ArtAscent Art and Literary Journal, Spring Edition 2023
Featured Artist in Circle Quarterly Art Review Issue 10, Dec 2023
Recipient of International Prize Leonardo Da Vinci, National Museum of Science and Technology, Milan, Italy, 2023
Recipient of International Prize Michelangelo, Teatro Italia, Rome, Italy, 2023
Circle Foundation for the Arts, 4th international CFA Artist of the Year Award and Grant, Artistic Excellence in 2023
Featured Artist in Photo-Ed magazine, Water issue 2023
Featured Artist in Circle Quarterly Art Review Issue 9, Dec 2022
Featured Artist in Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine, Issue 31, 2022
Recipient of Donatello International Sculpture Prize representing Canada, Palazzo Borghese, Firenze, Italy, 2022
Silver Artist in the ArtAscent Art and Literary Journal, Gardens Edition 2021
Silver Artist in the ArtAscent Art and Literary Journal, Winter Edition 2021
Featured artist in Circle Quarterly Arts Review, 6th issue, 2021
Featured artist in Circle Spotlight Magazine, Issue 23, 2021
Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Art and Literary Journal, Animals Edition 2020
Selected artist for inclusion in Tafelmusik's Program for 2019/20 Season featuring Heirloom IV (Adore) and Transiting
Best of New Submissions, Elaine Fleck Gallery, Spring Catalogue 2019
Best of New Submissions, Elaine Fleck Gallery, Autumn Catalogue 2018
Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Art and Literary Journal Happiness Edition 2018
Elora Sculpture Project Finalist, Elora, Ontario 2017
TWAC/CNE Exhibition Finalist, Juried Collaborative Visual Arts Show, 2015
Artavita Award of Excellence, 2015
Best of New Submissions, Elaine Fleck Gallery, Autumn Catalogue 2012
Best of New Submissions, Elaine Fleck Gallery, Autumn Catalogue 2011
Best of New Submissions, Elaine Fleck Gallery, Spring Catalogue 2011
Moose in the City Project, “World Moose”, 2000
The Juror’s Award of Excellence, Art Gallery of Etobicoke, 1997
Commission for Sun Microsystems, Sculpture Installation, 1996
Commission for The Toronto Musician of the Year Award, 1992
Toronto Musician’s Association
Sculpture Installation Cumberland Terrace, 1992
The Art Centre Certificate of Honour, 1987, 1988, 1989
The Art Centre Award Certificate for overall excellence, 1987
The Mrs. K. A. Griffith Award for Excellence in the Arts, 1989
The Jack Dray Award for Proficiency in the Arts, 1989
Bibliography
2025 Visionaries of Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, Dec 2024
ArtAscent - Gold Artist, Art and Literature Journal Spring 2024
Review: https://www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com/home-2/dina-torrans-artreview
Interview: https://www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com/home-2/dina-torrans
Contemporary Celebrity Masters, Vol III, Effetto Art Foundation 2024
Phoenix for the Arts, Effetto Art Foundation 2024
ArtAscent - Gold Artist, Art and Literature Journal Spring 2023
Circle Quarterly Art Review 10, Circle Foundation for the Arts, 2023
Abstracts 2023, Curated by Gary Evans, John B. Aird Gallery, 2023
Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, 2023
Art Ideal, Circle Foundation for the Arts, 2023
Art Seen - The Curator's Salon, Issue 9, 2023
Photo-ed magazine, Fall issue, 2023
Contemporary Art Celebrity Masters, Effetto Art Foundation 2023
The Universal Artist, Curated by Salvatore Russo and Francesco Saverio Russo,
International Prize Leonardo Da Vinci, Effetto Art Foundation 2023
Paintings 2022/23, Juried by Virginia Eichhorn, John B. Aird gallery, 2022/23
Contemporary Art Celebrity Masters, Effetto Art Foundation 2022
International Prize Donatello, Curated by Salvatore Russo and Francesco Saverio Russo,
Effetto Art Foundation 2022
Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine, Circle Foundation for the Arts, 2022
Circle Quarterly Art Review 9, Circle Foundation for the Arts, 2022
Bahai Feasts and Holy Days Songbook by Jack Lenz and Countermeasure, 2021
with a Retrospective of 50 artworks by Dina Torrans created between 1990 - 2021
Florals 2021, juried by Olga Korper Gallery, John B. Aird gallery, 2021
Sculpture 2021, juried by Robert Birch, John B. Aird gallery, 2021
Circle Spotlight Magazine, 23rd edition, 2021
Circle Quarterly Arts Review, 6th edition, 2021
ArtAscent - Silver Artist, Art and Literature Journal, Gardens Edition 2021
ArtAscent - Silver Artist, Art and Literature Journal, Winter Edition 2021
Tafelmusik 2020: https://www.tafelmusik.org/breaking-baroque/tafelmusik-201920-campaign-showcases-work-contemporary-artists
ArtAscent - Art and Literature Journal, Animals Edition 2020
Fleck Catalogue of Contemporary Fine Art
Elaine Fleck Gallery - Fall 2018, Toronto
ArtAscent - Art and Literature Journal
Happiness Edition 2018
Sculptor's Society of Canada @90 Years - Featured Artist
Exhibition catalogue, 2018
Aird Gallery 30 years - Featured Artist
Exhibition catalogue, 2015
Universal Nations - The work of Dina Torrans
Essay by Dr. Mark Lipton, Exhibition catalogue, 2014
Come to meet Dina Torrans
https://gettoknowdinatorrans.wordpress.com/2016/09/14/whos-dina-torrans
Hidden Treasures Art Magazine
Yearbook 2014
Sculptor's Society of Canada 85 Years - Featured Artist
Exhibition catalogue, 2013
Paris - Photography by Dina Torrans
ArtDesign, Toronto, 2012
Giverny - Photography by Dina Torrans
ArtDesign, Toronto, 2012
Chateau de Versailles - Photography by Dina Torrans
ArtDesign, Toronto, 2012
16 Sculptors from Toronto You Should Know About
Piccsy, series on Toronto Creatives
Elaine Fleck's Catalogue of Contemporary Fine Art
Elaine Fleck Gallery - Spring 2012, Toronto
International Contemporary Artists Vol III, 2011
I.C.A. Publishing, New York, NY.
Elaine Fleck's Catalogue of Contemporary Fine Art
Elaine Fleck Gallery - Autumn 2011, Toronto
Elaine Fleck's Catalogue of Contemporary Fine Art
Elaine Fleck Gallery - Spring 2011, Toronto
Mapping Infinity - The art of Dina Torrans
Exhibition catalogue, 2010
India Volumes I & II - Photography by Dina Torrans
ArtDesign, Toronto, 2006
Toronto Moose Prints
The Black and White Guys, Toronto Special Events, 2000
Dina Torrans 1989-1999 Tranformations
Oldstone Publishing, 1999
Art for Enlightenment: A History of Art in Toronto Schools
Fitzhenry & Whiteside and the Learnxs Foundation, 1993
Musicians group launches new award, The Arts in Brief,
The Globe and Mail, Wednesday, August 5, 1992
Toronto sculptor Dina Torrans commissioned to create a work of art
Entertainment Spotlight-The Toronto Star, Thursday July 23, 1992
Evening to Remember
The Village Post, November 1992
Related Work Experience:
1994-2003
Sculpture Instructor, Toronto Board of Education, Adult Programs
-Modelling the Figure in Clay (emphasis on teaching powers
of observation & skills required in manipulating clay)
1996-2003
Printmaking Instructor, Toronto Board of Education, Adult Programs
-Intaglio Printing, Relief Printing, Silkscreen, Collography
1993-1996
Art Instructor, Ventures in Harmony Chronic Pain Clinic, Mississauga
-Responsible for creating and leading courses in Acrylic Painting & Drawing / Mixed Media
1990-1998
Sculpture Technician, Toronto Board of Education
Technical Instructor for all Adult Sculpture Classes at Central Technical School, Toronto
-Bronze Casting (operation of lost wax foundry, modelling in wax)
-Multi Media Class (use and maintenance of studio equipment-acetylene/oxygen welding, tools)
-creation of 3D sculpture in various media
-Figurative Modelling in Clay -moldmaking (waste molds, rubber molds)
1990-2010
Private Art Instructor
1990-Present
Garden Designer
(client list available on request)
1990-2000
Painter/Designer/Design Consultant
Creative Wall Designs - Artist/President
-specializing in interior/exterior mural painting, one-of-a-kind wall
finishes, environments
-commercial and residential clientele
1997-1999
Artist/Coordinator/Assistant
Deleon White Gallery, Toronto
-Nils Udo - installation sculpture, Clarence Square Park, Toronto
-Alan Sonfist - Natural-Cultural Landscapes
1999-2001
Visiting Artist/Instructor
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
- Leading the Printmaking and Sculpture Workshops
1999
Art Instructor and Program Director
“KidsArt”, a multi media childrens art program, Toronto
-Responsible for creating and leading courses in Sculpture, Painting, Drawing, Clay Design and Mixed Media
1995
Visiting Artist/Instructor
Art Starts Community Centre, Toronto
-Responsible for creating the Children’s Sculpture Workshop
Her work can be seen regularly at the Canadian Sculpture Centre in Toronto, Fire Arts Vermont in Brattleboro, The Artists Council in Palm Springs, California, Borrego Springs Art Institute, California and Earth House Hold Studios in Wonder Valley, California.
Dina graduated with honours from the Art Centre of Central Technical School, where she subsequently worked as an instructor and technician in the Sculpture and Printmaking departments for 10 years. She has been a Visiting Artist and Instructor at numerous workshops and seminars at, among others, The McMichael Gallery, The Toronto Board of Education, The Canadian Sculpture Centre and York University School of the Arts.
Education
1986-89 - Graduated from The Art Centre, Central Technical School, Toronto. majors: Sculpture & Design
1989-1990 - Extensive Travel, Art and Cultural History Studies: Italy, Holland, India, New Zealand, Fiji, Thailand
1990-92 - Specialized Studies at Ontario College of Art
2013/17 - Stone carving intensives in Carrara, Italy with Steven Shaheen, Alasdair Thomson and Studio Corsanini
1967-present - School of Life
Awards
2025 Visionaries of Contemporary Art Curator magazine
The International Prize Phoenix for the Arts, Venice 2024
Gold Prize in the ArtAscent Art and Literary Journal, Spring Edition 2024
Gold Prize in the ArtAscent Art and Literary Journal, Spring Edition 2023
Featured Artist in Circle Quarterly Art Review Issue 10, Dec 2023
Recipient of International Prize Leonardo Da Vinci, National Museum of Science and Technology, Milan, Italy, 2023
Recipient of International Prize Michelangelo, Teatro Italia, Rome, Italy, 2023
Circle Foundation for the Arts, 4th international CFA Artist of the Year Award and Grant, Artistic Excellence in 2023
Featured Artist in Photo-Ed magazine, Water issue 2023
Featured Artist in Circle Quarterly Art Review Issue 9, Dec 2022
Featured Artist in Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine, Issue 31, 2022
Recipient of Donatello International Sculpture Prize representing Canada, Palazzo Borghese, Firenze, Italy, 2022
Silver Artist in the ArtAscent Art and Literary Journal, Gardens Edition 2021
Silver Artist in the ArtAscent Art and Literary Journal, Winter Edition 2021
Featured artist in Circle Quarterly Arts Review, 6th issue, 2021
Featured artist in Circle Spotlight Magazine, Issue 23, 2021
Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Art and Literary Journal, Animals Edition 2020
Selected artist for inclusion in Tafelmusik's Program for 2019/20 Season featuring Heirloom IV (Adore) and Transiting
Best of New Submissions, Elaine Fleck Gallery, Spring Catalogue 2019
Best of New Submissions, Elaine Fleck Gallery, Autumn Catalogue 2018
Distinguished Artist of the ArtAscent Art and Literary Journal Happiness Edition 2018
Elora Sculpture Project Finalist, Elora, Ontario 2017
TWAC/CNE Exhibition Finalist, Juried Collaborative Visual Arts Show, 2015
Artavita Award of Excellence, 2015
Best of New Submissions, Elaine Fleck Gallery, Autumn Catalogue 2012
Best of New Submissions, Elaine Fleck Gallery, Autumn Catalogue 2011
Best of New Submissions, Elaine Fleck Gallery, Spring Catalogue 2011
Moose in the City Project, “World Moose”, 2000
The Juror’s Award of Excellence, Art Gallery of Etobicoke, 1997
Commission for Sun Microsystems, Sculpture Installation, 1996
Commission for The Toronto Musician of the Year Award, 1992
Toronto Musician’s Association
Sculpture Installation Cumberland Terrace, 1992
The Art Centre Certificate of Honour, 1987, 1988, 1989
The Art Centre Award Certificate for overall excellence, 1987
The Mrs. K. A. Griffith Award for Excellence in the Arts, 1989
The Jack Dray Award for Proficiency in the Arts, 1989
Bibliography
2025 Visionaries of Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, Dec 2024
ArtAscent - Gold Artist, Art and Literature Journal Spring 2024
Review: https://www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com/home-2/dina-torrans-artreview
Interview: https://www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com/home-2/dina-torrans
Contemporary Celebrity Masters, Vol III, Effetto Art Foundation 2024
Phoenix for the Arts, Effetto Art Foundation 2024
ArtAscent - Gold Artist, Art and Literature Journal Spring 2023
Circle Quarterly Art Review 10, Circle Foundation for the Arts, 2023
Abstracts 2023, Curated by Gary Evans, John B. Aird Gallery, 2023
Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, 2023
Art Ideal, Circle Foundation for the Arts, 2023
Art Seen - The Curator's Salon, Issue 9, 2023
Photo-ed magazine, Fall issue, 2023
Contemporary Art Celebrity Masters, Effetto Art Foundation 2023
The Universal Artist, Curated by Salvatore Russo and Francesco Saverio Russo,
International Prize Leonardo Da Vinci, Effetto Art Foundation 2023
Paintings 2022/23, Juried by Virginia Eichhorn, John B. Aird gallery, 2022/23
Contemporary Art Celebrity Masters, Effetto Art Foundation 2022
International Prize Donatello, Curated by Salvatore Russo and Francesco Saverio Russo,
Effetto Art Foundation 2022
Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine, Circle Foundation for the Arts, 2022
Circle Quarterly Art Review 9, Circle Foundation for the Arts, 2022
Bahai Feasts and Holy Days Songbook by Jack Lenz and Countermeasure, 2021
with a Retrospective of 50 artworks by Dina Torrans created between 1990 - 2021
Florals 2021, juried by Olga Korper Gallery, John B. Aird gallery, 2021
Sculpture 2021, juried by Robert Birch, John B. Aird gallery, 2021
Circle Spotlight Magazine, 23rd edition, 2021
Circle Quarterly Arts Review, 6th edition, 2021
ArtAscent - Silver Artist, Art and Literature Journal, Gardens Edition 2021
ArtAscent - Silver Artist, Art and Literature Journal, Winter Edition 2021
Tafelmusik 2020: https://www.tafelmusik.org/breaking-baroque/tafelmusik-201920-campaign-showcases-work-contemporary-artists
ArtAscent - Art and Literature Journal, Animals Edition 2020
Fleck Catalogue of Contemporary Fine Art
Elaine Fleck Gallery - Fall 2018, Toronto
ArtAscent - Art and Literature Journal
Happiness Edition 2018
Sculptor's Society of Canada @90 Years - Featured Artist
Exhibition catalogue, 2018
Aird Gallery 30 years - Featured Artist
Exhibition catalogue, 2015
Universal Nations - The work of Dina Torrans
Essay by Dr. Mark Lipton, Exhibition catalogue, 2014
Come to meet Dina Torrans
https://gettoknowdinatorrans.wordpress.com/2016/09/14/whos-dina-torrans
Hidden Treasures Art Magazine
Yearbook 2014
Sculptor's Society of Canada 85 Years - Featured Artist
Exhibition catalogue, 2013
Paris - Photography by Dina Torrans
ArtDesign, Toronto, 2012
Giverny - Photography by Dina Torrans
ArtDesign, Toronto, 2012
Chateau de Versailles - Photography by Dina Torrans
ArtDesign, Toronto, 2012
16 Sculptors from Toronto You Should Know About
Piccsy, series on Toronto Creatives
Elaine Fleck's Catalogue of Contemporary Fine Art
Elaine Fleck Gallery - Spring 2012, Toronto
International Contemporary Artists Vol III, 2011
I.C.A. Publishing, New York, NY.
Elaine Fleck's Catalogue of Contemporary Fine Art
Elaine Fleck Gallery - Autumn 2011, Toronto
Elaine Fleck's Catalogue of Contemporary Fine Art
Elaine Fleck Gallery - Spring 2011, Toronto
Mapping Infinity - The art of Dina Torrans
Exhibition catalogue, 2010
India Volumes I & II - Photography by Dina Torrans
ArtDesign, Toronto, 2006
Toronto Moose Prints
The Black and White Guys, Toronto Special Events, 2000
Dina Torrans 1989-1999 Tranformations
Oldstone Publishing, 1999
Art for Enlightenment: A History of Art in Toronto Schools
Fitzhenry & Whiteside and the Learnxs Foundation, 1993
Musicians group launches new award, The Arts in Brief,
The Globe and Mail, Wednesday, August 5, 1992
Toronto sculptor Dina Torrans commissioned to create a work of art
Entertainment Spotlight-The Toronto Star, Thursday July 23, 1992
Evening to Remember
The Village Post, November 1992
Related Work Experience:
1994-2003
Sculpture Instructor, Toronto Board of Education, Adult Programs
-Modelling the Figure in Clay (emphasis on teaching powers
of observation & skills required in manipulating clay)
1996-2003
Printmaking Instructor, Toronto Board of Education, Adult Programs
-Intaglio Printing, Relief Printing, Silkscreen, Collography
1993-1996
Art Instructor, Ventures in Harmony Chronic Pain Clinic, Mississauga
-Responsible for creating and leading courses in Acrylic Painting & Drawing / Mixed Media
1990-1998
Sculpture Technician, Toronto Board of Education
Technical Instructor for all Adult Sculpture Classes at Central Technical School, Toronto
-Bronze Casting (operation of lost wax foundry, modelling in wax)
-Multi Media Class (use and maintenance of studio equipment-acetylene/oxygen welding, tools)
-creation of 3D sculpture in various media
-Figurative Modelling in Clay -moldmaking (waste molds, rubber molds)
1990-2010
Private Art Instructor
1990-Present
Garden Designer
(client list available on request)
1990-2000
Painter/Designer/Design Consultant
Creative Wall Designs - Artist/President
-specializing in interior/exterior mural painting, one-of-a-kind wall
finishes, environments
-commercial and residential clientele
1997-1999
Artist/Coordinator/Assistant
Deleon White Gallery, Toronto
-Nils Udo - installation sculpture, Clarence Square Park, Toronto
-Alan Sonfist - Natural-Cultural Landscapes
1999-2001
Visiting Artist/Instructor
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
- Leading the Printmaking and Sculpture Workshops
1999
Art Instructor and Program Director
“KidsArt”, a multi media childrens art program, Toronto
-Responsible for creating and leading courses in Sculpture, Painting, Drawing, Clay Design and Mixed Media
1995
Visiting Artist/Instructor
Art Starts Community Centre, Toronto
-Responsible for creating the Children’s Sculpture Workshop
