Every two years, the contemporary art gallery Mercer Union hosts a fundraising exhibition and auction, featuring works by some of the country’s foremost artists, architects and designers. This year’s edition, dubbed Stellar Living, focuses on contemporary urban style, and brings together works by over 50 international and Canadian creators—from Douglas Coupland to Janis Demkiw, Kelly Mark to LA Design—all of whom demonstrate how an artist’s work (be it a light fixture, an installation or a painting) can become part of, and improve, our everyday lives. The event is being held at the historic Givins/Shaw Public School, built in 1914, adding a playful frisson to the proceedings.

The event runs until May 9; a gala live auction will be held May 10. Three of this year’s participants—artist Derek Sullivan, designer and teacher Andrew Jones and fashion designer Dean Horn—speak here, in exclusive interviews, about their work and the exhibition itself. As well, images of works by all the featured artists and designers can be viewed below.

Stellar Living runs from April 28 to May 9, noon to 7pm, free, at Givins/Shaw Public School (180 Shaw St.). The gala auction is Wednesday, May 10, doors open at 6 pm and auction at 8 pm. Gala auction tickets $50 (includes two free drinks) and can be purchased directly from Mercer Union (37 Lisgar St., 416-536-1519) or at the venue. $5 from all tickets purchased will be donated to the Givins/Shaw PS Art Department.

Click on the thumbnails to see and read about each artist's work. All work courtesy of the artist unless otherwise noted.