Senator Restaurant Mural

Location: South-facing wall of the Senator Restaurant, Victoria St south of Dundas
Date photo taken: 19 August 2014
Image 15 in the Mural Series

This large mural on the Senator Restaurant is a marketing piece that pre-dates Toronto's recent infatuation with civically-funded mural projects. It was painted by Bill Wrigley, who launched Wrigley Designs back in 1980. This mural was done in 1987, making it over 25 years old. It's stood up very well and I happen to think the overall weathering and muting of the colours suit the vintage design. If you want to see what it looked like back when it was freshly done, visit Wrigley's website.

Fowl Play

Location: On the west-facing wall of Birds and Beans Café, 2413 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Date photo taken: 10 May 2014
Image 14 in the Mural Series

This mural is part of a project by Lakeshore Arts, in partnership with Mimico-by-the-Lake BIA and other partners, to bring some colour and beauty to their neighbourhood. Their proximity to the lake supplied the theme - all of their projects will feature water in some way. I love the unique vantage point chosen for this mural, and the feel of the underwater scene is beautifully rendered. The view of the goose -  or duck perhaps? - adds some whimsy. I love how the tree in foreground blends right in.

The mural was painted by artists Patrick Thompson and Alexa Hatanaka, and it is yet another mural project sponsored by StreetARToronto. It was unveiled in September 2013.

Mary Pickford

Location: University Avenue just north of Elm St., outside the Hospital for Sick Children

Date photo taken: 11 November 2014

This small bronze sculpture pays tribute to silver screen icon Mary Pickford who was born in Toronto and maintained her ties with the city even after becoming a Hollywood darling. It is located on University Avenue near the site of the house in which she was born, Glady Marie Smith, in 1893. It was commissioned by the Mary Pickford Foundation, created by Finnish-American sculptor Eino, and unveiled in 1983.

Pickford was a screen star and an inspiration for countless women within the film industry and around the world. She was also a woman with vision. She ensured the preservation of her films by placing them with the Library of Congress and prior to her death, her personal photographs, documents and other memorabilia went to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences library. Film clips and lots of other Pickford-related material is available on the Foundation website.

Trinity Church WWI Memorial

Location: The grounds of Little Trinity Church on King St., east of Parliament
Date photo taken: 4 November 2014
Image 3 in the Remembrance Series

This elegant memorial sits in the grounds of the oldest surviving church in Toronto. It pays tribute to men from the parish who fought and died during World War I. There are no names listed on the cairn but they can be found in the Roll of Honour included in a small booklet published by the church to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 1943.