This project was a collaborative community mural project led by Arts Etobicoke and in partnership with Mural Routes, The STEPS Initiative and Womxn Paint.
In Summer 2019, Arts Etobicoke, Mural Routes, the STEPS Initiative, and Womxn Paint collaborated to present Augmented Representations: The North Etobicoke Mural Project. The project was a series of workshops and training with local community and artists, leading to a summer-long, collaborative mural project in North Etobicoke. A Signature project of the Cultural Hotspot produced in partnership with the City of Toronto, this project was produced and created in partnership with the City of Toronto, StreetARToronto (StART), supported by Toronto Pearson International Airport and sponsored by Dulux Paints.
The mural series blended together current and historic narratives to embody the voices of community members. Artists and participants wove together images inspired by Indigenous narratives, personal experiences of local residents, and the landscape of the Humber River into a collection of meaningful and vibrant visuals. The project provided opportunity for neighbours to get know each other, gather with friends and family, share their stories, while learning the art of mural – making!
Artists Bareket Kezwer, Mique Michelle, Moises Frank, and Rob Matejka led youth, adults, and seniors through the design and painting of three separate but interlocking murals through a series of workshops called Mural School in Spring 2019. The workshop series guided participants through safety measures, the steps of design, and painting process of large scale pieces. No experience was required, but a passion for arts was strongly encouraged!
Located along the retaining walls of Finch Avenue between Islington and Kipling. The project ran from May to July 2019.
About Mural Routes’ ‘Community Collaborations’ Mural
The design and theme for this mural was conceived with feedback and discussion from participants of the Introduction to Mural Arts Program.
“Employing local flora and fauna, this design asks the viewer to consider where are we going, what we are going through, and where have we come from. This transient moment calls on us to persevere and trust the instinct of our hearts will lead us to the right path.”
Lead Artist Facilitators: Moises Frank and Rob Matejka
Production Assistants: Rysia Andrade and Sings to the Forest
Volunteer Painters: Andre Kan, Catherine Cha, David Nuff, Dwight Sheppard, Ella Mazur, Giancarlo De Santis, Marcia Pereira, Margaret Wong, Nati Romero, Tiara Jade, Tusma Sulieman + North Etobicoke YMCA youth team, Victoria Charko, and Wesley Blacklock.
Timeline of Events (Past)
May 6-June 17, 2019: Introduction to Mural Art by Mural Routes, at Humber College North Campus
June 11 & 26, 2019: Health & Safety workshops for Muralists in North Etobicoke at Albion Library
July 8-12, 2019: Volunteer on the Community Collaborations mural
July 28, 2019: Mural Unveiling Event – 3:00-6:00 PM, at the parking lot across from 10 Farr Ave (Finch Ave, between Islington and Kipling)
Follow the mural on social media with the hashtag #ARMural2019
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A signature project of the Cultural Hotspot produced in partnership with the City of Toronto, this project is being produced and created in partnership with the City of Toronto, StreetARToronto (StART), supported by Toronto Pearson International Airport and sponsored by Dulux Paints.
Thank to our project partners: Humber College, Toronto Public Library – Albion Branch, METRAC Org and Albion Boys and Girls Club for supporting the community programming.
Mural Routes would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of Toronto Arts Council and the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.
