As mentioned in my previous post, I will be taking a blogging break the next two weekends. This means no Weekend Coffee Share linkup on August 11 and 18. I will be back with a fresh post on August 25.
Today I am sharing my photos of four traffic signal box murals that I found on my walk along Simcoe Street in downtown Toronto, between Richmond Street West and Wellington Street West. I tried to photograph the front and the back or the side of the box to show the overall design of each box.
These boxes are my entry to Dan’s #ThursdayDoors photo challenge. Have a look and let me know in the comments if you have a favourite.
Outside the Box
Weekend Coffee Share
I’d love for you to share simple joys from your week and/ or favourite public art photos from around the world in the comments or Weekend Coffee Share linkup #130 InLinkz below.
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Natalie the Explorer 
I don’t think we have traffic signal boxes in Australia – but we have electrical boxes (about half the size) that are often covered in murals and it’s such a great way to make an ugly rectangle look cool.
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Hi Leanne, It’s interesting that you don’t have traffic signal boxes. I’m glad to hear the electrical boxes are often covered in murals. It’s a win-win for artists who like to paint and for the public to see some interesting art.
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I love it when street art makes its way onto utility boxes on street corners. My favorites are number one (for the design) and four (for its subtlety). The one with the dots is messing with my eyes and brain too much and the third one is too graffiti-y.
Enjoy your blogging break and have a nice weekend, Natalie!
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Hi Liesbet, These painted boxes are popular in downtown Toronto. I have quite a (digital) collection. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and warm wishes. I hope you continue enjoying your adventures in South America.
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Fantastic!
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Thanks Antoinette. I’m glad you like the murals.
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I like Xulin Wang’s box. The colors and the motif are simple yet intriguing. Enjoy your break.
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Ally, I like Wang’s box, too. It projects a positive vibe to me. Have a great weekend.
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I don’t think we have traffic signal boxes in the UK, so I am fascinated to see these murals! Have a good summer break.
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Gail, It’s interesting to hear you don’t have traffic signal boxes in the UK. These boxes are popular in downtown Toronto and many are painted by professional artists. Wishing you an amazing August.
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Those really are so neat!
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Thanks Joanne. I’m glad you like them.
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Oh what fun! I love all of these, cheering up the urban environment.
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Margaret, I agree they cheer up the urban environment. Thank you for stopping by.
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Have a great vacation, Natalie!
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Thank you Jeanne. Happy summer!
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I really need to look out for painted utility boxes here. Have a wonderful holiday Natalie!.
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Thank you Barbara. I’d love to see some painted boxes in NZ. Wishing you an amazing August!
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Enjoy your blogging break! The traffic signal boxes are so unique and pretty. What a great way to exhibit cool art work! ❤️🤩
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Thank you Diana. I think these painted boxes are win-win for artists who like to paint and for the public to see art in their daily out and about.
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Hi, Natalie – I continue to be jealous of all of the wonderful art that you have all around you. Enjoy your blogging break!!
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Thank you Donna. I look forward to my blogging break. New adventures await!
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I must find my ones and do a post. I say thatevery time I see yours. Great collection and I do love them. they really add a lot to something basic.
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I’d love to see painted boxes in Sydney or from your travels. I’m unable to leave comments on your blog. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
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These are beautiful, Natalie.
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Thank you Dan. I’m glad you like these boxes. I continue to discover new ones in downtown Toronto.
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I’ve found a few in Hartford. Not enough for a post yet.
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It’s fun to discover these painted boxes. I’ve seen artists working on them a few times. It’s detailed work and they have to get down to the ground, crouch or kneel to paint the bottom part of the mural.
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My favorite is the first one. I agree with Liesbet about two of the boxes, and her favorite is my second favorite. You do have some amazing art work there.
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Thank you Marsha. I’m glad you like the art work. I have a digital collection of these boxes. It’s fun to discover new art when I’m out and about and share on my blog when I’m at home.
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You are so organized about it and you always make it interesting. Good job.
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Thank you Marsha. You always have the nicest thing to say to encourage or support me and other bloggers.
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Thank you, Natalie. You do the same, so it is super easy, however, I love the way you present PPAC. I’m so happy that you took it over. Toronto is the perfect locale to show off public art, and you travel so much. It really is a great fit.
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Thanks again Marsha. I’m glad we connect via blogging. I have a lot of public art images to share. I try to not overshare in each post and group the images together in a way that makes sense to me 🙂 When readers like my post, I’m thrilled 🙂
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I know that feeling. We all love to have our blogging appreciated.
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They definitely brighten up the pavements, have a good break
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Thank you Ali. I look forward to my blogging break and going on new adventures.
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I like the shooting star & cats box.
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I like that box, too.
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Interesting utility boxes. Enjoy your blogging break!
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Thanks, Trent. Hope you have two great weeks ahead!
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Those are neat. much better than leaving them plain. Have a nice 2 weeks off.
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Thanks, Kirstin. I hope you also have two great weeks ahead!
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Hi, Natalie. Xulin Wang’s box gets my vote! Thanks for sharing, and have a great weekend. -Pamela
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Thanks Pamela for your vote. I hope you have two great weeks ahead. Next WCS linkup will be on August 25.
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I know I’ve left a comment but I wanted to thank you for hosting the weekend coffee share link!! I was able to join this weekend before your blogging break. ❤
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Thank you Diana for linking up. I’ll be by your blog soon. I hope you have two great weeks ahead and see you again on August 25th if you’re able to join us.
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Loved the messed up box! Looks easy but making it look messy is hard. Have a good two week break.
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Thank you. I hope you have two great weeks ahead.
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What are Traffic Boxes? Are they the same as Utility Boxes? These are finely painted 👍
Here is my entry for this week https://mywanderings.travel.blog/2023/08/06/one-morph-among-many-in-london/
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Traffic signal boxes are usually located at an intersection and have circuits that control traffic lights. The term Utility boxes seem to be used as a general term. In downtown Toronto, the Utility boxes are wider and shorter than the Traffic signal boxes and they may be located farther away from an intersection. Thank you for your PPAC contribution.
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Thanks Natalie. And because of your explanation, I am not sure if we have these traffic boxes here in Melbourne. Or maybe, I just haven’t noticed it.
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Good street art is underrated. Thank you for sharing these boxes. Have a wonderful blogging break filled with fun 🙂
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Thank you Maria. I hope your return to work week goes well and you have two great weeks ahead.
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I love them all but I like Dean Martin’s the best. Enjoy your break.
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Thank you Patrick. I thought the Dean Martin design was clever.
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A great way to add art to a city. The one with the dots that portray a man intrigued me the most.
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I thought that Dean Martin design was clever. The artist used dots to create murals of famous people.
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Natalie,
Number one gets my vote. We’re in Charleston and it’s 105 degrees here. Hopefully, your break will take you somewhere cool. Enjoy! Looking forward to the next adventure! Joe
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Joe, My break will take me somewhere cool 🙂 Thank you for stopping by. Have an amazing August!
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After a long absence, I’m back again: https://margaret21.com/2023/08/19/just-a-few-postcards-from-shrewsbury/. Those traffic boxes are worth more than a second glance!
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Thank you Margaret for your PPAC contribution. I was traveling and just got back to blogging today. I’m glad you like the traffic boxes that I shared.
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I do! These urban boxes seem to attract good stuff, wherever they are.
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I’m always amazed at the talent that goes into this temporary work. These look great!
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I’m glad you like those painted boxes. There are many of them in downtown Toronto. Thank you for stopping by.
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