Flyer

Location: Princes' Blvd, Canadian National Exhibition

Date photo taken: 24 August 2024

For those with an interest in heritage, there is always something to appreciate at the Ex. Most of the time it's in the background, like the Charles McKechnie figures in the Heritage Court or the outline of Fort Rouillé in the southern garden, but this year history is deliberately more in focus. An exhibit in the Withrow Common Gallery looks back at the relationship between the CNE and the AGO, and in the Enercare Centre, the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions is celebrated with an exhibit dedicated to carnivals. On display are photos, ephemera and artifacts from past midways, including cars from the Flyer, a roller coaster built on the CNE grounds in 1953. The cars, like the illuminated letters pictured here, were salvaged when the Flyer was dismantled in 1992. The CNE Association refurbished the sign and restored the cars and both are now ready for your selfie moment. 

Traffic Signal Box - Painted Ladies

Location: Dundas St. West at Wimbleton

Date photo taken: 25 June 2024

Image #21 in the Traffic Signal Box Series

I have to admit, I have no idea if these are Painted Lady butterflies. They could very well be American Ladies, which are similar, or something else entirely. Both Painted Ladies and American Ladies regularly migrate between Mexico and Ontario, and while most of the time neither are particularly plentiful here, every once in awhile they will arrive in great numbers. 

Love Hands

 

Location: King Street east of Bay

Date photo taken: 10 June 2024

This installation for Pride is located on the north terrace of Commerce Court West. It's more than just a fun piece celebrating Pride however, it also channels the power of social media to fundraise for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.  If you happen to visit it, take a snap, share it to Instagram and tag @commerce.court. If you do, QuadReal and Commerce Court will donate $2 to the 519 Community Centre. Hopefully, all those toonies will add up to some serious support for the 519 and their programming.

William Devenish House

Location: 1355 Victoria Park Avenue

Date photo taken: 9 February 2024

Walking up Victoria Park Avenue, mixed in among the mid-century housing is a remnant of another age. This field stone home was built around 1845 by William Devenish, a carpenter from London, England, who found prosperity in his new home. The property, which originally spanned 200 acres, was first occupied by Devenish in 1803. Over the years, he cleared the land, established a farm, and found work as an assessor, tax collector and commissioner for the township. One story has it that despite his success, he found life in the new area lonely and in order to increase his society, he offered another newcomer a lifelong lease on half his farm for one shilling a year and thereby secured himself a neighbour.

Vino

 

Location: 531 Queen Street East

Date photo taken: 25 February 2024

This mural is located down a driveway on the east side of Fusilli Restaurant on Queen Street. It was commissioned by the owner in 2021. The NOT ART tag, and the distinctive style, call it out as the work of Toronto artist Mahyar Amiri. 

Go Ahead in the Rain

 

Location: Laneway off Pelham Avenue

Date photo taken: 7 December 2022

A perfect mural for our showery April but it's also a call out to 90s hip hop band A Tribe Called Quest. Go Ahead in the Rain was a track on their first album and it's also the name of an award winning book about the group. 

Billie Holiday

 

Location: Logan Avenue, north of Lakeshore
Date photo taken: 4 September 2020

This beautiful portrait of jazz great Billie Holiday forms the southern part of a huge mural on Logan Avenue, just north of Lakeshore. If you're a fan, you might know that Holiday was born Eleanora Fagan on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia. The northern end of the mural features another jazz legend, also with a Philadelphia connection. You'll have to visit the mural to find out who.