Colourful Laneway Murals #SundayStills

I’m delighted to be hosting the Sunday Stills photography challenge while host Terri Webster Schrandt continues her blogging break.

Thank you to everyone who joined me for the Sunday Stills photography challenge for the last two weeks. I appreciate your beautiful photography and interesting stories related to the photos. I’ve compiled the list of Afloat Bloggers’ Links at the end of this post for easy reference.

This week’s theme: Colourful Murals

Mural by Julii McMillo, 2020.
Mural by Julii McMillo, 2020.

Since 2012, the City of Toronto has organized nine programs under the StreetARToronto umbrella to encourage artists to showcase their talent. One example under this umbrella is the Laneways of Toronto project that transformed the Euclid- Palmerston laneway into a giant canvas of colourful garages and wall spaces.

The Euclid-Palmerston laneway showcases forty garages and wall spaces painted in 2018 and thirty five garages and wall spaces painted in 2019 by seventy five different mural and graffiti artists. I discovered a garage painted in 2020 during my recent visit to the laneway. It’s my header photo.

I’ve posted two batches of Euclid-Palmerston painted garages and wall spaces (links below):

Today, I’m sharing the third batch of twenty four garage images with my blog readers, Monday Murals and PPAC#12. I’ve noted the street number, artist’s name and year based on my look-up. Remember to click on any image in the gallery to see it in full view and use the arrow to move to the next image.

Which door(s) in the gallery do you like?

I’m looking forward to seeing all your entries for this week’s Sunday Stills photography challenge. Joining me are:

How to participate in the Sunday Stills photography challenge

  • Please create a new post for the theme.
  • Title the post a little differently than mine.
  • Enter the link party by clicking on the InLinkz button below and follow the prompt.
  • If you’re on WordPress, remember to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post. I also recommend adding your post’s URL into the comments.
  • Entries for this theme can be shared all week (not just on a Sunday).
  • Use the hashtag #SundayStills for sharing on social media.

Next week’s theme: Going Back…

Terri will be back to host Sunday Stills on September 12 with a new theme ‘Going Back’. Here are a few tips to get your creative thinking flowing:

“Going Back…” implies going back to something, whether a place you’ve visited before, going back “in time” as you viewed your photo archives or how about going back “to the future?” Use any preposition to add to going back that suits you…like going back …in, on, to, out, under, over, through, between, by, as far as, across, etc. 

Afloat Bloggers’ Links

Below are the last week’s links from bloggers who shared their beautiful Afloat photos:

Have a great week!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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80 thoughts on “Colourful Laneway Murals #SundayStills

  1. rawsonjl September 5, 2021 / 10:21 am

    362E is my favorite! I just love how colorful and unique they all are.

    Like

    • Natalie September 5, 2021 / 11:25 am

      362E is beautiful IRL. I like the combination of deep blue and pink with a touch of yellow in that mural. The bird reminds me of the cormorants I see.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Kirstin September 5, 2021 / 11:03 am

    THose are so awesome. I love all of them for their uniqueness, but my faves are 323E, 329E, 347E, 355E and 359E…you had two 359Es, but I like them both lol. I really like the stay curious one. I always love the murals you share.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Natalie September 5, 2021 / 11:32 am

      Excellent choices, Kirstin. 323E is the newest addition in this laneway. I love it. Some of the street addresses in my gallery are duplicates (e.g. two 359Es) because the garage has two sets of doors painted by two different artists and I used the street number that the murals were registered with the City of Toronto. Thank you for joining me for #SundayStills.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. mae September 5, 2021 / 11:05 am

    Those murals are beautiful. Toronto has such great policies in encouraging street art.

    Best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

    Like

    • Natalie September 5, 2021 / 11:34 am

      Thank you, Mae, for your visit and comment. Toronto does have good programs to support artists. Local residents also welcome them.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Natalie September 5, 2021 / 12:12 pm

      Stay Curious is a great message and the garage art is beautiful, too. Thank you for stopping by, Jill. Have a great long weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Cee Neuner September 5, 2021 / 2:16 pm

    Oh what fantastic murals you have captured. Perfect for both challenges 😀

    Like

    • Natalie September 5, 2021 / 3:06 pm

      Thank you, Cee, for hosting PPAC. Am glad to share these murals with both PPAC and Sunday Stills blogging communities.

      Like

  5. mariawijk September 5, 2021 / 2:30 pm

    What a great idea! Lovely murals, my favourites are 349E and 351E. I think I have to go down memory lane for this weeks challenge! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Natalie September 5, 2021 / 3:09 pm

      Maria, Excellent choices of 349E and 351E. They both have strong colours and a street art edginess. I’m glad you took the time to find your murals from Iceland. I love my time visiting Iceland. Have a wonderful week!

      Like

  6. Anne Fraser @theplatinumline.blog September 5, 2021 / 3:09 pm

    I love your murals especially your top picture.

    Like

    • Natalie September 5, 2021 / 3:12 pm

      Thank you, Anne, for your comment. I love the 323E mural that I selected as my top photo, too. It’s a new addition to this laneway, just painted in 2020.

      Like

    • Natalie September 5, 2021 / 5:33 pm

      Paul, 323E is an excellent choice and the newest addition to this laneway. It’s a beautiful mural IRL. Thank you for joining me and sharing your murals with #SundayStills.

      Like

  7. Debbie September 5, 2021 / 6:18 pm

    These are another great example of colourful murals Natalie, and 355E stands out to me as I also love the message of stay curious. Thanks for hosting us while Terri was away.

    I’ve shared some murals from my archives this week, it was a lovely wander down memory lane for me.

    Let’s visit some colourful murals for #SundayStills

    Like

    • Natalie September 5, 2021 / 7:20 pm

      Hi Debbie, Stay Curious is a great message, isn’t it? 355E is a beautiful mural IRL with the aqua green and orange colour combo. Thank you for linking up with Sunday Stills.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Bear September 5, 2021 / 7:01 pm

    I like the simplicity of #335. Basic shapes that catch the eye.

    Like

    • Natalie September 5, 2021 / 7:21 pm

      335 is a striking mural to see IRL, for the reasons that you mentioned.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Liesbet @ Roaming About September 5, 2021 / 8:41 pm

    You were right, Natalie! This is my favorite series of the three. A few personal highlights in this batch, especially your header photo and 362E. It’s so nice you created this guide for other people wanting to explore the lane way.

    I wonder if the garage owners had any say about the artist or design to be put on their door? What if they are not particularly impressed once the street art appeared?

    Like

    • Natalie September 5, 2021 / 9:28 pm

      Hi Liesbet, Toronto has an annual and formal process for artists to apply to paint murals. This laneway project was a collaboration between the city, the artists and homeowners. The homeowner’s agreement is part of the process before the artist starts. I presume that the artists would share their ideas with the homeowners and these days with technology, it’s possible to provide digital sketches before the painting starts.

      I’m not aware of any homeowner unhappy with the finished work. The fact that there were 40 garages painted in 2018, another 35 in 2019, and at least 1 last year (my header photo) tells me the homeowners are satisfied with the results. In the worst case scenario, it’s paint which can be painted over.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. csuhpat1 September 5, 2021 / 9:11 pm

    Andre Kan’s mural is great. Thanks for sharing them.

    Like

    • Natalie September 5, 2021 / 9:30 pm

      I like Kan’s murals. He did 361E and 254P. Thank you for joining the conversation.

      Like

  11. Marsha September 5, 2021 / 9:48 pm

    These are lovely. I wonder if each home owner got to choose which artist or which picture they would have displayed on their garage. I wonder if they had to pay for the artwork, or if that was paid by public works? If it was paid for by public works, I wonder how other neighborhoods felt at being left out. I am fascinated by these murals. Thanks for linking. I’ll send your link to Cee because she is hosting PPAC this week. Do you have a favorite? I really like the one you featured.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Natalie September 6, 2021 / 9:38 am

      Excellent questions, Marsha. The City of Toronto has a formal process and an umbrella of street art programs for artists, homeowners, businesses, communities, etc to apply. This laneway is a partnership between the artists and homeowners who share one common laneway. There is funding (e.g. a grant) that they can apply and have to meet the criteria. Homeowner’s agreement for the artwork is a requirement before the artist starts which means the homeowner chooses the artist and the art design. The StreetARToronto program has been around since 2012 so it’s well-established with annual application process, deadlines, etc. Any neighbourhood can apply.

      I’ve linked up with Cee’s PPAC post. I have a few favourites in this laneway. The one I featured is one of them and it’s a new addition to the laneway. It was painted in 2020.

      Like

      • Marsha September 6, 2021 / 11:17 am

        So, cool, Natalie. Thanks for answering the questions. More cities ought to do that. 🙂

        Like

  12. Denyse Whelan Blogs September 6, 2021 / 2:00 am

    I am a bit late with my entry. I admit there seemed to be fewer murals where I live…but then I really did look..and found more! I added in some different art works too…and suggested a few of mine which might look good as murals. Your examples are many and you have a keen eye for colour and what attracts you. As always you are a generous and thoughtful host and thank you for “minding the shop” for Terri for 3 weeks. Denyse

    Liked by 1 person

    • Natalie September 6, 2021 / 9:21 am

      Hi Denyse, Sunday Stills photo challenge runs from Sunday to Saturday so you are not late with your entry. I’m glad you found more murals once you started looking. I think that’s part of the fun of a photography challenge 🙂 Thank you for your contributions to this week’s and the previous two weeks of Sunday Stills. I greatly appreciate your support.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Bleubeard and Elizabeth September 6, 2021 / 2:47 am

    There are a lot of lovely murals and many are very colorful. Stay Curious is the one I like best.

    Like

    • Natalie September 6, 2021 / 8:55 am

      Terrific choice! Stay Curious is a beautiful mural IRL with the aqua green and orange colour combo, and it carries a great message.

      Like

  14. Mary-Lou Burma September 6, 2021 / 6:37 am

    Certainly some very interesting doors. I think I was first introduced to the laneway art was through Rick Mercer when he would do his “rants” in the laneway.

    Like

    • Natalie September 6, 2021 / 8:57 am

      Thank you, Mary-Lou, for your visit and comment. There are many laneways with street art in Toronto. However, this laneway has the highest number of painted garage doors that I know of (75-76 painted garages).

      Like

  15. sami veloso September 6, 2021 / 8:58 am

    I like the whale, the shark and the duck murals – Nrs.329,337and 363.
    Thanks for participating in Monday Murals Natalie 🙂

    Like

    • Natalie September 6, 2021 / 9:43 am

      Thank you, Sami, for hosting Monday Murals. The three murals that you like are beautiful IRL. The same three artists have done several murals in Toronto. It seems you’re attracted to animal in water murals. I like them very much, too.

      Like

  16. Cathy September 6, 2021 / 2:30 pm

    Natalie, what an amazing set of murals! Sorry I had nothing to join in this week.

    Like

    • Natalie September 6, 2021 / 2:57 pm

      No worries, Cathy. Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad you liked the murals that I shared.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Ju-Lyn September 6, 2021 / 11:34 pm

    Goodness! Another fabulous series of murals! Many of them are so detailed, they warrant a 2nd, 3rd look. It must have taken you ages to go through them all!

    I am very taken by 349E – there is something very jubilant & dynamic about it. And although the messaging is blatant, there is an interesting veneer inserted with the children playing. Makes for more thought.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Natalie September 7, 2021 / 8:11 am

      This batch is the last one for this laneway. It didn’t take me long to catalogue them. Many of the 75 garage murals are worth a long 2nd or 3rd look.

      349E is an interesting, thought-provoking mural. I like the colours, the hearts, words above each heart and the youth figures with the ‘Respect’ message.You chose a terrific mural.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Ju-Lyn September 9, 2021 / 2:58 am

        I wonder how often the murals are refreshed. I noticed the dates on them are different, so perhaps there is a schedule. At your next visit, they might all be different!

        Like

        • Natalie September 9, 2021 / 8:31 am

          There is no schedule to change the murals, Ju-Lyn. The forty garage doors painted in 2018 and thirty five painted in 2019 were under a specific initiative. I’m pretty sure most of them will stay the same next year or even the next three years. Some may need to be cleaned up if the mural is damaged by graffiti or other reasons but not completely painted over. The houses in this neighbourhood are in prime location and it’s a family-oriented neighbourhood so home ownership doesn’t change that often.

          Like

          • Ju-Lyn September 11, 2021 / 10:35 am

            Gotcha! Good to know the art will remain for a time.

            Like

  18. Toonsarah September 7, 2021 / 12:17 pm

    These are fabulous! I like 329 and 347 the best I think 🙂

    Like

    • Natalie September 7, 2021 / 1:23 pm

      Great choices, Sarah. Those two murals are beautiful IRL. I like the colours of the whale and the woman’s expression.

      Like

  19. Retirement Reflections September 7, 2021 / 11:04 pm

    Hi, Natalie – You always discover (and perfectly photograph) such brilliant murals. Thank you so much for sharing them with us at #SundayStills!

    Like

    • Natalie September 8, 2021 / 9:05 am

      Thank you, Donna, for your compliment. This laneway is a gem. I’m glad you think the murals are brilliant.

      Like

    • Natalie September 8, 2021 / 9:07 am

      Thank you for your contribution to #SundayStills. It’s a beautiful mural.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Annika Perry September 9, 2021 / 11:31 am

    Natalie, there is such creativity in these murals – from the fun, clever to the thought-provoking.
    347E – Frannie Potts, 2019 is incredible and worthy to be in a museum, as are many of the pieces here. A great imaginative selection!

    Like

    • Natalie September 9, 2021 / 3:29 pm

      Thank you, Annika, for your comment. 347E is a beautiful mural IRL. Excellent choice! This laneway is a gem with 75+ garage doors painted by many artists.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Terri Webster Schrandt September 10, 2021 / 5:28 pm

    Natalie, this is such an amazing project with so many incredible murals from which to photograph! I love that the City of Toronto invests in artists and its residents to beautify their neighborhoods and likely increase the values of their homes. Thank you for sharing and telling us more about it. It must be a thrill to walk these laneways to see this in person. My favorites are 355E and 362E. And of course HUGE thanks for hosting Sunday Stills for three weeks! What a great turn-out and I hope to see some of the new folks participating as I pick it back up on Sunday!

    Like

    • Natalie September 10, 2021 / 5:40 pm

      Terri, Welcome back! As far as I know, this laneway is a gem with the highest number of murals in one location in downtown Toronto. The City of Toronto supports the arts and residents also support the artists so we draw many international artists to come and share their talent. Your two picks are beautiful IRL. Their colours and designs are fabulous.

      I enjoyed guest hosting Sunday Stills. I got to meet new-to-me bloggers, see many photos and read the stories behind some of the photos. You’ve built a wonderful Sunday Stills community. I look forward to joining you on Sunday.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Natalie September 12, 2021 / 8:50 am

      Thank you, Liana, for your comment and contribution to Sunday Stills photo challenge. I’m glad you liked the garage doors that I shared. Have a great weekend!

      Like

    • Natalie September 12, 2021 / 12:53 pm

      Thank you, Bernie, for your contribution to Sunday Stills photo challenge.

      Like

      • BernieLynne September 12, 2021 / 1:49 pm

        I wasn’t sure if I had missed the deadline as the link connection was closed. Thanks for allowing me to add mine in late. And thanks for hosting.

        Like

        • Natalie September 12, 2021 / 2:03 pm

          You’re welcome. Terri is back to host this week’s Sunday Stills on her blog.

          Like

            • Natalie September 12, 2021 / 5:18 pm

              No worries. I’m glad you were able to join us.

              Like

  22. OnceUponaTimeHappilyEverAfter.com September 14, 2021 / 9:24 pm

    I just think this is the most spectacular ‘gallery’. Each door is unique and a masterpiece in its own right. I like a lot of the E doors…323, 329, 355. Do these doors get a lot of attention and traffic on the laneway?

    Like

    • Natalie September 15, 2021 / 8:19 am

      Your picks of doors are excellent. They’re beautiful IRL and the three artists have done many other murals in Toronto. When I was at the laneway, I was the only visitor and had all the murals to myself. I think it was because I was there on a weekday morning and the murals were done in 2018 and 2019. I did see a new mural done in 2020 (it’s my header photo). Now that I’ve got my catalogue of these murals, I plan to return at least once a year to see what’s new.

      Like

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