Lakeside Pumpkinseed

Location: Lakeshore Road, between Lower Sherbourne and Richardson St.
Date photo taken: 29 July 2020

This image of Toronto is from the block long mural currently to be found on the construction hoarding around the Lakeside Residences site on Lakeshore. By artist Pam Lostracco, the scene reflects both the built city and the nature that surrounds it. Water plants, birds and fish, such as this pumpkinseed, all represent local species. Each is identified by name and rendered actual size, so walking the length of the mural can be an educational experience. The hoarding itself is reflective, so in addition to the city being reflected in the water of the mural, the mural itself also reflects the sky and its neighbour, the Gardiner Expressway. The uneven surface also reflects taillights in a beautiful way at night.

Flying Angel Mission

Location: Cherry St. & Unwin Ave., in the Port Lands

Date photo taken: 23 June 2019

Last year while walking in the Port Lands I noticed this sign, half hidden and looking more than a little weather-beaten. I thought it was intriguing enough to snap a picture but then promptly forgot about it. Recently however I listened to a podcast about the fate of the men and women working aboard the world's shipping vessels during COVID-19 and it has inspired me to post this. During COVID-19 these workers have been deemed essential personnel as they ensure that the global flow of goods continues. During the pandemic however most ports ban sailors from leaving their ships. It is estimated that each month 100,000 mariners reach the end of their contracts. Under normal circumstances they would leave their ships and fly home but this hasn't been possible during COVID. Many have seen their contracts extended with no opportunity to see family or friends. This is where The Flying Angel Mission comes in. The Flying Angels is a worldwide organization that supports seafarers. While a society of the Anglican church, they support "seafarers of all faiths - and none". The Southern Ontario chapter describes themselves as "The Ministry of Small Gestures: keeping the Wifi running, the coffee hot". In normal times they provide access to chaplains but also to basic services such as transportation to local shopping facilities, as ports are often far removed from the commercial centre and aren't usually well-serviced by public transportation. During COVID they are fundraising to enable them to provide a greater range of support, from increased advocacy to portable Mifi units to allow shipboard personnel to connect with family and friends.

Keep Ur Distance

Location: Lower Don River Trail, south of Corktown Common

Date photo taken: 15 July 2020

I love this Banksy-esque bit of street art for so many reasons. Mostly because I love raccoons, or at least the idea of them. I'm not sure if I had a backyard I'd want them in there, but I love seeing them depicted around the city. I love that the artist chose to render this one pretty much life-sized and low to the ground, easy to overlook if you're not paying attention. And finally I love the duality in this image. Is this a friendly safety message from one of Toronto's unofficial ambassadors? Or is it a warning, backed up by the threat of physical violence? I wonder whether having a backyard influences your reaction?

This raccoon is not alone - there are several more of them out there. Where have you seen them?

St. Lawrence Market

Location: St. Lawrence Market, Front and Jarvis

Date photo taken: 10 September 2013

As you can see from the date above, this is an old picture. Those people walking around aren't wearing masks, but that's okay, back then they didn't need to. While more stringent restrictions were in place, those in the know were getting their favorite food stuffs via curbside pick up, but now the  Market is basically back to normal, operating Tuesday thru Saturday although with slightly restricted hours. This image was taken from the Market Gallery, the city-run gallery on the mezzanine level. As well as providing great views over the main floor of the hall, the upper levels also feature a public-facing exhibit space and storage for the City's art collection. At present the Gallery still has not re-opened.

Traffic Signal Box - Maple Leaf Mosaic

Location: Maple Leaf Drive at Jane
Date photo taken: 22 February 2020
Image #13 in the Traffic Signal Box Series

Happy Canada Day!

This box is the work of Thomas Dannenberg and it was commissioned in 2018 as part of the 6th year of the Outside the Box project. This city run program invites artists and graphic designers to apply for the opportunity to paint one of the many traffic signal boxes that dot intersections across the city. Applicants are encouraged "to consider the context of the local area and the city as a whole" when creating their design. Outside the Box is one of many projects run by Street Art Toronto, which also maintains an artist directory - the perfect place to find an artist to paint that garage mural you've always wanted.

SPUDway

Location: East side of 625 Richmond Street West

Date photo taken: 11 April 2019

Here's a fairly early mural by Toronto born graffiti artist SPUD. Completed in 2005, this mural stood alone on the side of this building for almost 10 years before being joined by a colourful group of characters. But they're for another post.

Brew Buddies

Location: 297 Victoria Street, between Gould and Dundas

Date photo taken: 15 September 2015

These figures can be found palling around over the doors of the limestone-clad heritage facade at 297 Victoria Street, which today is part of the Ryerson downtown campus. The facade was recently incorporated into the newly constructed Heaslip House which houses the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Studies but for those who look closely, and who can identify the flora depicted, there are clues to the origins of the building. O'Keefe House as it was once known was constructed in the late 1930s to serve as the head office of Canadian Breweries Ltd., which bought up or merged with many smaller breweries after the end of prohibition, including, in 1934, the O'Keefe Brewery, located on Victoria Street. This relief includes both grain and hops, key ingredients of beer.