November 8, 2014
StreetARToronto (StART) murals unveiled in Toronto's Monarch Park today pay homage to mothers and transform an underpass into an inviting, exciting place to pass through and visit.
The murals, created by celebrated street artist Elicser, are located at Monarch Park near Greenwood Avenue and Walpole Avenue. The underpass connects the southwest part of the park with the rail garden at the north end of Woodfield Road.
"The residents in this neighbourhood have chosen to honour local activists and celebrate the vibrant business community north of the park," said Councillor Paula Fletcher (Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth). "It's a wonderful celebration of our community's strong values and neighbourhood spirit."
The mural on the south entrance to the tunnel pays homage to the Rail Garden and local community, recognizing the determination of the mothers behind the creation of the garden. Images of the city and nature are highlighted as one travels through the tunnel. Murals at the north end pay homage to the thriving neighbourhoods and businesses that surround the park.
StART, launched in 2012, is a program of Transportation Services' Public Realm Section. It 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. StART’s Underpass Program provides opportunities for artists to create works of art that contribute to the program mandate, make walking, cycling or driving through Toronto's underpasses more appealing, and strengthen the sense of place, inclusion and belonging within communities.
Artist Elicser is a celebrated street artist whose two main goals for art in the public realm are to use street art as a means to inspire more beautiful and safe public spaces and to promote a history not often talked about in art history books.
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 American and Parapan American 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.
- 30 -
Media contact: Steve Johnston, Strategic Communications, 416-392-4391, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
