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The Dante Sculpture Garden at the University of Toronto
At the southwest corner of St. Michael’s campus in the University of Toronto, there is a sculpture garden depicting what is widely considered the greatest work in the Italian language. To commemorate the 700th anniversary of Dante Alighieri in 2021, artist Timothy Paul Schmalz created a sculpture for each of the 100 cantos in the…
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A Tribute to the Late Queen Elizabeth II by Canadian Sculptor Ruth Abernethy
This week a new commemorative statue of Queen Elizabeth II was unveiled at Queen’s Park in downtown Toronto. Canadian sculptor Ruth Abernethy was commissioned to design and hand-sculpt the bronze sculpture, which was cast by Mississauga art foundry MST Bronze Limited. The statue, for which the Queen granted her approval, depicts her seated on the…
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The St. Clair Mural
This stunning artwork at Yonge and St. Clair is one of the largest murals in Canada. The St. Clair Mural was created in 2016 by PHLEGM, an internationally renowned artist from the UK, in collaboration with STEPS Public Art, an organization that transforms public spaces with art. Here’s the artist’s blank urban canvas on the…
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Lizzy the Iguana’s New Home on Geary Avenue
The Menagerie Pet Shop in Toronto, known for its 25-foot green iguana sculpture Lizzy, closed earlier this year after decades in Cabbagetown. Here’s a video of the beloved lizard being removed from the building. That wasn’t the end of the road for Lizzy though. Cabbagetown resident Gerry Gold adopted Lizzy to display at his event…
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The Christie Gardens Sunflower Mural
Christie Gardens is a retirement living community located at 600-602 Melita Crescent at Christie and Dupont, in the Wychwood neighbourhood of Toronto. Back in June 2005, Christie Gardens residents took on the challenge of transforming the graffiti-ridden retaining walls along Christie Street in the Christie Street underpass. Drawing inspiration from the sunflower theme associated with…
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Dolly’s Cannabis on Bathurst Street
Located in the heart of the Davenport and Annex community, Dolly’s Cannabis stands out with its colourful murals that evoke the healing power of cannabis. The store is dedicated to preserving the memory of the late Dolly, who found relief from a lifetime of chronic pain and poor sleep through medical cannabis. Her experience inspired…
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Street Art in Trinity-Bellwoods
The Nugget was a a walk-up espresso bar tucked beside Village Pizza at 961 Dundas Street West. The Nugget closed in 2019 and Village Pizza closed both its locations in 2021- first this branch and then the original Dovercourt one. Today this address is home to Souvlaki Plus, and the incredible street art is still…
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Milkbox Mural in Mimico
A beautiful mural project is currently underway on the exterior of Oak Learners on Royal York Road, south of Evans Avenue. The Mimico Village Business Improvement Association has collaborated with the artist, Kayla Buium of Milkbox, for several years. Kayla is a Montreal-based muralist and illustrator known for her work on the Maps of Mimico,…
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Newson’s Bike & Skate Exchange on Jane Street
Newton’s Bike and Skate Exchange has been a fixture in Toronto since 1931. It is well known for its wide variety of bicycles including both new and used models. This is also a family-run local shop that many Torontonians grew up visiting to get fitted for used hockey gear, figure skates and skate sharpening. The…