Toronto artist exchanges original art for a meal
A Toronto-based artist is trading her original framed illustrations for meals at local restaurants to build community and support small businesses. The project, documented on social media, has gained traction as a unique form of creative exchange.
Why it matters
It demonstrates an alternative economic model for artists and highlights the value of human connection in local commerce.
After a deep breath, Reissa Lee walks into a restaurant and asks to speak to the manager. Not to complain, but to make a trade: her original artwork, framed and ready to hang, for a single meal.
It’s a new pitch, and so far, she’s been turned down once.
“It is kind of nerve-wracking though if there’s a lineup behind you and you’re trying to pay with a piece of paper,” Lee told CTV News.
The 25-year-old artist has documented four of these attempts so far on social media, under the series title “come get rejected with me?”
Typically, she explains which restaurant she’s outside of, describes the piece she made specifically for it, then walks in to introduce herself and make her pitch.
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