April 29, 2015
Toronto's first photographic mural on a monumental scale has now been installed through a partnership between the City of Toronto's StreetARToronto (StART), Partners In Art (PIA) and the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. This collaboration provided a rare opportunity to commission a large-scale photographic artwork for the enjoyment of Toronto's residents and visitors.
Thanks to a $50,000 donation by Partners In Art, Winnipeg-based photographer Sarah Anne Johnson has created a large-scale, site-specific artwork for the west wall of The Westin Harbour Castle Convention Centre at 11 Bay St. The block-long building at the foot of Bay Street offers a unique wall surface highly suitable for a massive mural.
"This impressive creation of painting and photography is a testament to the tremendous work of all partners in the project – the City of Toronto’s StreetART program, Partners In Art and the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival,” said Mayor John Tory. “This partnership illustrates the power that can be generated between City programs and the creative sector. It's programs like this that make our streets more beautiful and interesting.”
"Sarah Anne Johnson has brought an incredible scene of beauty to the foot of Bay Street that complements perfectly the revitalization of Queens Quay and potential of the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal," said Councillor Pam McConnell (Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale). "The creative spirit of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival and the hard work of the City's StreetART program have delivered a wonderful program to be enjoyed by residents as well as visitors here for the Pan Am/ Parapan Am Games."
Johnson used the site to take a playful yet considered approach to the pursuit of the utopian. Her evocative image, titled Best Beach, echoes the natural landscape lying just beyond the edge of the city, nestled between towering buildings that hover next to nearby Lake Ontario. Construction of the mural was completed in time for the opening of the CONTACT Festival and the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.
The mural is located in a prominent and lively neighbourhood including popular tourist destinations such as the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, Harbourfront Centre, and what will be the heart of the Games. The City is grateful to the Westin Harbour Castle for granting permission to use the 38-foot-tall (12-metre) and 144-foot wide (44-metre) wall for a commissioned photographic artwork.
Launched in 2012, StART is an innovative, public-private partnership designed to develop, support, promote and increase awareness of street art and its ability to beautify the city's visual landscape.
Over the years, PIA has demonstrated a keen interest in the impact of art in public space. “PIA believes it’s important that contemporary art be accessible to everyone,” said Joanne Thring, President of PIA. “We’re especially pleased to collaborate on this outstanding StreetARToronto project and to be the lead sponsor of the first-ever photographic mural located in a busy area of Toronto’s waterfront.”
Since 1997, CONTACT has presented an annual festival in May with a vital focus on photography throughout Toronto. This city-wide celebration provides exposure and recognition for Canadian and international artists while fostering greater knowledge of photo-based practices and enduring interest in the arts. Beginning in 2003, CONTACT has produced close to 100 installations of photographs in public spaces through the Greater Toronto Area. The project will be the largest photographic image CONTACT has installed. It also marks the first time the Festival will have a year-round presence in the City’s core. The mural will remain on location for a minimum of two years.
“CONTACT is grateful for this exceptional opportunity to commission a massive photographic image by the acclaimed Canadian artist Sarah Anne Johnson, who's innovative and arresting works reflect her personal perspective on the environment and engage people from all walks of life,” said Bonnie Rubenstein, Artistic Director of CONTACT. “Beginning with Lake Ontario and Toronto Island as her subject, Johnson’s magnificent new site-specific mural has transformed this city block into a magical place."
About Partners In Art
Founded in 2002, Partners in Art (PIA) is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit corporation of Toronto art supporters with an interest in promoting the visual arts in Canada in two ways: first, by partnering with established arts organizations on collaborative fund-raising projects; and secondly, by furthering members’ own understanding and knowledge of the visual arts through an active education program.
The group cultivates alliances among artists, curators, educators, businesses, and the public to develop vital and exciting contemporary art projects that raise the awareness of Canadian art and artists nationally and internationally. In the past 13 years, PIA has raised more than $1.2 million in sponsorship dollars. The group solicits sponsors to fund its activities, organizes fundraising events, and accepts donations from the public.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Steve Johnston, Strategic Communications, 416-392-4391, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
