Birch Cliff Murals 2013 Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mural Routes unveils three new Birch Cliff murals, including the monumental Forest of Birch Trees mural at Birch Cliff Public School

November 25, 2013

This past summer, not-for-profit mural arts service organization Mural Routes created three new murals in Toronto’s Birch Cliff community, as part of the Birch Cliff Community Mural Project. The partnership project now totals six unique birch tree themed murals along Kingston Rd from Warden Avenue to Birchmount Road.
Jaws drop as eyes are drawn to the latest monumental mural, the largest Birch Cliff mural to-date. “Forest of Birch Trees” was painted on panels this past summer and is now installed, towering three stories high on the side of Birch Cliff Public School (North West corner of Kingston Rd and Birchcliff). The mural was designed and led by Rob Matejka, alongside lead emerging artists Tara Dorey, Anthony Delacruz and Jennifer Moyer. A team of eight youth and volunteers were mentored throughout the summer to enlarge the design, cut and sand panels, prime, and paint these monumental trees under the direction of the lead artists.
“Welcome to Birch Cliff” (1720 Kingston Rd) was designed by Anthony Delacruz and painted by Mural Routes artists and volunteers. The Birch Cliff Bell Box (located across from the school at the south west corner of Kingston Rd and Birchcliff) was designed and painted by emerging youth artist, Emily Harrison.
The Birch Cliff Community Mural Project was initiated in 2012 when a group of long-time residents created a mural committee to work with Mural Routes to improve the visual appearance of the arterial road that services their neighbourhood. By engaging with Mural Routes, the Birch Cliff Residents’ Mural Committee aims to have this project act as a catalyst for community engagement, reduce the impact of tagging and encourage businesses to take pride in their buildings and become part of a street improvement program. This is an on-going project.
About
Mural Routes is the only member-based not for profit arts service organization in Canada dedicated to the creation, promotion, and development of public wall art. Their vision is to create extraordinary public wall art that serves as a catalyst for community building. Since 1990, Mural Routes has worked with communities across Toronto to improve their neighbourhoods through the creation of outdoor murals.
www.muralroutes.com
Find more info and images of Birch Cliff Murals online:
Projects & Programs Blog: http://www.muralroutes.ca/category/community/birchcliff/
Twitter: @muralroutes #birchcliffmurals
Facebook: www.facebook.com/muralroutes  www.facebook.com/birchcliffmurals
Acknowledgement
Mural Routes gratefully acknowledges that “Forest of Birch Trees”, “Welcome to Birch Cliff” and “Birch Cliff Bell Box” were made possible through funding by StreetARToronto, employment grants from Ministry of Culture, Tropicana Community Services and TDSB Focus on Youth, as well as community fundraising. Support for the “Forest of Birch Trees” mural was also provided by the Birch Cliff Home and School Association and the TDSB.

Contact:
Tara Dorey, Project Coordinator
tara@muralroutes.com
416-698-7995
Mural Routes, 1859 Kingston Rd, Toronto, ON M1N 1T3