The Flatiron Mural

Location: Between Wellington and Front, at Church Street

Date photo taken: 2 April 2014

This mural is perhaps one of the best know pieces of public art in the city. It was also one of the first. In 1979 six Canadian artists were invited to submit designs for a new art installation to anchor the new Berczy Park. Derek Besant's winning vision transferred an historic storefront from across the street (43 Front Street, the current home of Winners) to this location and gave it a playful treatment. In his words, "I wanted to use both the old and the new in Toronto.... This project was a chance to use all the sensibilities in the city." 

Murals at that time were painted directly on the wall and tended to have a short life expectancy. To avoid this problem, Besant painted his mural on specially prepared panels affixed to a steel frame mounted on the wall. Even so, after more than 20 years of sun, rain and snow, the paint had started to peel and the image fade. A major restoration of the work was undertaken in 2008, at which time the panels were traced, sanded, primed and completely repainted. 

Red Ribbon

Location: Church and Wood Streets

Date photo taken: 14 December 2016

The Church Wellesley Village, that section of Church Street between Wood and Gloucester, is jam packed with festive light displays. At the southern entrance to the Village sits this 5.5 metre glowing red ribbon. Commissioned by the Church Wellesley BIA as a celebration of life and to recognize the struggle of those living with HIV/AIDS, it was lit on World Aids Day, December 1.

Naughty or Nice

Location: Toronto Christmas Market, Distillery District

Date photo taken: 28 November 2015

The Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery is in full swing and people are flocking to it once again. For those who have visited in previous years, you will notice some familiar elements, such as this lit sign on the Pure Spirits Patio, but have no fear, there are still plenty of new and fun elements. A forest of pink trees? Check! The market continues until December 22.

En Masse Mural

Location: Niagara St. east of Bathurst

Date photo taken: 15 April 2015

This image represents one small piece of a huge, mind-tripping mural on Niagara Street. Covering the entire east-facing side of a building at Niagara and Bathurst, the work was done by En Masse, an artist collective from Montreal that works strictly in black and white.

Chapel of St. James-the-Less

 

Location: St. James Cemetery, Parliament Street
Date photo taken: 15 November 2015

Walking up Parliament Street toward Bloor you pass St. James Cemetery on your right. Sitting quietly behind its fence, this cemetery is home to a national historic site. On a small rise just inside the main gate is the Chapel of St. James-the-Less. Opened in 1844, the building is considered to be one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival church architecture in Canada. Given the rough cut stone exterior and impressive bell tower and spire, it might surprise you to learn that the ground floor of the chapel houses Ontario's second busiest crematorium. The cemetery is still operating and is in fact Toronto's oldest, continuously operating cemetery.

Fire Pump

Location: Distillery District
Date photo taken: 1 November 2015

If you plan to visit the Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery District this year, do yourself a favour and download the self-guided walking tour of the site's Victorian Industrial Heritage before you go. Hunting out the artifacts and plaques noted in the guide will take you inside many of the buildings you might not otherwise visit, giving you lots of opportunities to escape the crowds and warm up a little. This fire pump is part of a larger display relating to firefighting on the site.

Pokemon Go

Location: West Humber Trail, between Kipling and Islington
Date photo taken: 11 August 2016

This is proof, if any more was needed, that Toronto loves Pokemon Go. It's a great place to play after all. There are Pokemon and PokeStops everywhere! Including the Royal Ontario Museum. Rather than trying to discourage people from playing inside the museum, the ROM has embraced Pokemon. Their Head of Security has created a video to help players play responsibly, and there's a page on the website dedicated to the gym and various PokeStops in and around the museum. Beyond the museum, if you actually take the time to read about the PokeStops you come across you can learn quite a bit about the places around you. You might even discover a hidden gem you never noticed before!