Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease launches art capsule collection at AGO

Art lovers and sports fans converged at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) as pitcher Dylan Cease unveiled a limited-edition capsule collection. The collection, featuring prints, postcards, clothing, and totes, is inspired by his painting "Eve of Toronto."

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I get to enjoy doing the painting, I get to show it off and let everyone see it and then we also get to make money and have it all go to good causes. It’s all a lot of positivity stacked on each other.

Cease expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "I get to enjoy doing the painting, I get to show it off and let everyone see it and then we also get to make money and have it all go to good causes. It’s all a lot of positivity stacked on each other." Proceeds from the AGO x Cease collection will benefit the AGO's mission to enrich lives through art and learning.

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Dylan was saying earlier how he first got interested in art was because he had a very stressful season of baseball, it’s pretty intense, and he went to an art museum. He found he was really relaxed and inspired and that’s kind of what got him involved. I think we can all use a bit of that in our daily lives.

AGO chief brand and business officer Ros Lawler hopes the collaboration will inspire interest in the arts. She shared Cease's personal connection, noting his discovery of art as a source of relaxation and inspiration during a stressful baseball season. "He found he was really relaxed and inspired and that’s kind of what got him involved. I think we can all use a bit of that in our daily lives," Lawler said.

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It’s almost like my calling card that I get to shoutout where I’m at and what I’m playing and fighting for. So, it just feels right.

The "Eve of Toronto" painting, described as a love letter to the city, first appeared in Blue Jays' General Manager John Schneider's office. Cease views the collaboration as a way to express himself to the city and connect with the community. "It feels really good. It’s just fun to, honestly, be a part of the community," he said. Baseball and art enthusiast Lesley Mak called the collaboration a "double whammy," marveling at Cease's ability to excel in both fields.

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It’s so rare to have this level of artistry while you’re one of the best athletes in your game. It’s a double whammy that I can’t even believe is possible in one person, but he’s that guy.