The Spirit of St. Clair Mural by Akim MOCA Alum

While we’re all stuck inside our homes these days looking for activities to pass the time it is still important to stay physically active so why not peel yourself off of your couch and take a trek around your neighborhood? If you find yourself in the St. Clair Avenue West area you may even spot ‘The Spirit of St. Clair’ mural at 900 St. Clair Avenue West.

Recently, Canderel and KingSett Capital celebrated the start of construction at 900 St. Clair West on with a sneak peek unveiling of ‘The Spirit of St. Clair” – a massive mural that will eventually span 55 ft. of site frontage along St. Clair West. Inspired by a 1961 photo captured by Eric Trussler of a woman waiting by the transit loop at St. Clair Station, the public art piece recreates the scene while injecting an in-colour present-day TTC streetcar, reflecting the vibrant past, evolving present, and promising future within this community along St. Clair Avenue West. 

“Through research and exploration, we noticed that although people continue to move into this neighbourhood, there’s a beautiful way that it coexists. The ‘Spirit of St. Clair’ is shifting demographics yet a strong sense of connectedness. The essence of culture within St. Clair West has, and likely always will, remain,” says Leone McComas, an artist and student at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Image source: Ziyaad Haniff

This mural was created by Akin MOCA alum Leone McComas, Liang Wang, and David (Nuff) Balogun and organized by Akin’s Ozge Aytekin in collaboration with Canderel.

StreetARToronto Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI)

StreetARToronto (StART) requests Expressions of Interest to expand StART’s awareness of street art creatives who are interested & available to participate in StART projects. Expressions of Interest will assist Advisory Panel members when considering artists and other participants for StART Projects. This is StART’s most accessible Call ever, and offers multiple ways to apply.

Expressions of Interest received by July 2, 2019 at 5pm EST will be reviewed by StART Advisory Committees between July 15 and September 30, 2019. For more information about StART, please visit www.toronto.ca/streetart.

Complete the Request for Expression of Interest here

StreetARToronto (StART) is a suite of innovative programs specifically designed for streets and public spaces. StART programs encourage active transportation (walking and cycling), make Toronto streets more vibrant and safe, showcase local artists, mentor emerging talent, reduce overall infrastructure maintenance costs and create opportunities for positive engagement among residents, business owners and operators, artists, and arts organizations. Individually and collectively StART projects are designed to celebrate the City of Toronto motto "Diversity Our Strength" and foster a greater sense of belonging among all. StART welcomes and actively seeks out partners for initiatives that support program objectives. StART works closely with partnership staff in other City divisions and agencies as well as external partners and collaborators.

For more information or general questions please contact streetart@toronto.ca or visit StART’s website at www.toronto.ca/streetart

Call for Proposals: Outside the Box

The City of Toronto invites local area artists to submit proposals to create works of art on City traffic signal boxes throughout Toronto. There are over 2,200 traffic signal boxes located across Toronto at signalized intersections. These boxes are often covered with posters and are a prime target for graffiti vandalism.

The Outside the Box public art initiative helps to bring diverse and interesting public art to neighbourhoods, reduces the impact of graffiti vandalism and postering, contributes to the vitality and attractiveness of the streetscape, helps to beautify City infrastructure and streets, and supports local and emerging artists.

Artwork on traffic signal boxes functions as a form of communication to a passer-by with the goal to create a vibrant, inclusive and interesting urban environment. Successful proposals will be innovative in design, foster community pride, counteract graffiti vandalism and contribute to a sense of identity for residents and businesses.

The Outside the Box program is an initiative of the City of Toronto's Transportation Services Division. Since it was launched in 2013, over 295 boxes have been hand-painted by local artists.

ARTIST FEE

Selected artists will receive a fee of a $750 (honorarium and materials including HST) for each completed traffic signal box and licencing rights that will enable the City to reproduce the final design for promotional purposes.

Deadline: Monday, April 8th, 5pm EST

Akin St. Clair Mural Unveiling →

Join us this Saturday, September 29th to celebrate the new mural by artist Luvsumone at Akin St. Clair.

When: September 29th, 1-4PM.

Where: Akin St. Clair, 1747 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto.

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MORE ABOUT THE MURAL PROJECT:

As new members to the St. Clair West community, it is clear that this neighbourhood is in the process of changing rapidly. We at Akin believe it’s important that new changes are guided by the existing community. In partnership with StreetARToronto - a program of the City of Toronto, Transportation Services Division, Akin is excited to unveil the new mural by artist Luvsumone.

ARTIST STATEMENT FROM LUVSUMONE:

This work is inspired by the potential of the St. Clair Gardens neighbourhood and it’s residence. Each of the portraits are of children who pass our building every day. The mythical animals and location represent the infinite possibilities of an unknown future and a time of great change. Change that with guidance could mean exciting and unimaginable things for this neighbourhood and it’s residence.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Luvsumone’s work reflects his personal experimentation and evolution of what graffiti is to him. The urban phenomenon of "graffiti" has grown and changed so much over the years and Luvsumone is somewhere in the mess. He grew up a purist in the game, so he don’t use tape, stencils, projections, brushes or chalk. Everything is done freehanded on the spot with the spray can. However, being a millennial and growing up with the age of the internet Luvsumone’s style has been influenced by so many other forms of media and artists all over the world. He does his best to break or bend the "rules" of tradition graffiti murals and pushes the boundaries of what graffiti means. Luvsumone believes this is crucial to the development and growth of our culture and future.

Call for Artists Proposals – TAC and TAF Entrance Hall Mural

Submission Deadline: November 4, 2016

Location: ground floor vestibule entrance to Toronto Arts Council/Toronto Arts Foundation (second floor) and Downtown Montessori Child Learning Centre (first floor). Entrance is a high traffic indoor space (length:11’8” x width:”7’11” x height:11’3”) including an elevator door.

Purpose of Commission:
Completed works of art will:

• Demonstrate artistic excellence
• Be reflective of the community
• Be safe for the public
• Be durable and easily maintained
• Be appropriate for the location.

Submission Requirements:

1. Proposal outline
   An outline of the proposed concept (1 page). Indicate your approach to art-making, stating how you will interpret the space, which materials and equipment will be used, size of the finished work, how much and how the work would be installed/painted.
2. Current Resumé
   Maximum three pages focusing on experience directly relevant to the project. Include your name, mailing address, telephone number and email address. If multiple artists are involved, include each artist’s resumé and indicate one contact person.
3. Support Material
   A maximum of 10 digital image files are permitted for artists and artist teams and 1 page support material list.Digital images must be PC-compatible in JPG, 72 dpi and no larger than 2 MB each. Including mock-ups of proposed project is considered an asset, but not required. Support Material List should include title of work, date created, medium, and dimensions. Name Images: 01_lastname_firstname
4. Additional Requirements
   • The mural may not contain any advertising
   • Artists are responsible for all materials and equipment on site
   • Artists will be required to maintain a clean and safe working environment at all times
   • Artists must use paint that is low VOC, and make sure all materials are child friendly and are for indoor use
   • Applicants must be residents of the City of Toronto for at least one year prior to the proposal deadline.

Budget
The total budget for the commission is $5,000 plus HST. The commission budget must include all costs required to design, fabricate and install the project. Please consider any technical requirements such as a scissor lift (if required).

Selection Criteria and Process
All proposals will be evaluated based on creativity of approach, experience, qualifications and previous works. An internal TAC/TAF jury will make up the selection committee.
Following selection of the artist(s), a mock-up of the final design must be presented for approval prior to installation. TAC has the right to refuse the final design.

Ownership of work
Following completion of the work TAC will have complete ownership and responsibility for the maintenance of the work. TAC has the right to remove or paint over the work at any time.

Site Visits
Site visits during regular business hours can be arranged with Peter Kingstone peter@torontoartscouncil.org or 416 392 6802 x208

Mail Submissions to:
Peter Kingstone
Toronto Arts Council
200-26 Grand Trunk Crescent
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 3A9