Intersections

Mural Routes Member(s): Rob Matejka Tara Dorey

Artist(s): Rob Matejka, Emilie Wong, Tara Dorey, Kevin Ye, Tian Chun Shen, Jiawei Chen

Producer: Mural Routes

Category: Artist Mentoring, Fantasy, Realism

Completed: Summer 2011

Materials: MDO panels, Zinsser Bullseye 123 Primer, D.L Stevenson’s Artists Acrylics, Varathane Waterborne Diamond Finish

This mural, entitled Intersections, was created by student artists as part of a youth summer training initiative run by Mural Routes. The project was requested by City of Toronto Councillor Michael Thompson, as part of efforts to discourage graffiti vandalism and improve the visual appearance of the commercial area in Dorset Park/Wexford Heights community. The Wexford Heights BIA welcomed the idea, resulting in a mural project designed for the west and south facing walls of the plaza at 2157 Lawrence Avenue East at Birchmount Road.

The artwork represents the intersection between fantasy and reality, depicting harmony between the faces of young people and their community at the junction of two roads. It was designed and painted by a team of nine young artists led by Emilie Wong and Tara Dorey, under the direction of artist/mentor Rob Matejka. The team worked over the course of the summer, with other youth volunteering their time to complete the mural panels that were installed on October 29, 2011.

The mural was funded in part by the City of Toronto, Economic Development Mural Program.