According to the Chinese calendar, 2018 is the Year of the Dog, but at the One of a Kind Spring Show in Toronto this weekend, it’s the season of the cat.

Sure, there’s some dog stuff at this semi-annual artisan extravaganza in Toronto, Ontario – including some we met last winter (see article here) – but cats dominated animal art this year. In the cherry blossom-inspired display, cats appeared in portraits, on buttons, pillows from Jack & Lou and Lucky Cat t-shirts.

Cherry blossom was the theme of the contest – each show contest selects a theme to inspire artists and invites them to submit an appropriate product representative of their work. All are displayed at the show’s centre and it’s a good way for shoppers like me to get a quick cross section of everything here. And there’s a lot here.

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The One of the Kind Spring Show – this year celebrating it’s 40^th anniversary – features 500 local art and craft creators. Back for a return visit is the Bonjour Quebec section that sees Quebec artists introduced to an Ontario market – or specifically Greater Toronto Area market. At home in the section is So Meow, creators of quirky portraits substituting human heads for cat faces.

Paula Lukey introduces hand screened prints, including dog and cat silhouettes, on cosmetic bags and flat bottom ‘bucket’ purses with leather handles.

There’s lots of artisan food too, but no dog treat vendors yet. A matter of time, no doubt.

One of a Kind runs this weekend until April 1, 2018 at the Enercare Centre at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario.