Yorkville Murals (YVM), Toronto’s most captivating art and muralism festival returns on August 24-25th with the second rendition of No Empty Spaces. This year, YVM takes over the Yorkville neighbourhood, its parking lots, a TTC station and even the air, leaving no area off limits for art interventions.
On Yorkville Avenue from Bellair Street to Hazelton Avenue, Yorkville Murals will bring you plenty of entertainment and play opportunities. Through captivating murals, inflatables, art installations, live painting, art talks, music, dance battles, pop-up shops and an evening block party, culture lovers will want to come back daily to experience the fun.
Programming Hye-Lights
New Murals
Four new murals will join the YVM Festival this year. New murals and locations include:
Dahae Song, “BEING ONE”, uses three hues of blues to represent the spirit of the Earth, captured in the air, light, and water of the lands, at the Four Seasons Hotel, Yorkville Ave & Yonge.
Dalkhafine, will transform a wall at Manulife Center 55 Bloor St W into a festive and summery space with vibrant colours that capture the essence of the season.
Greg Mike, an Atlanta-based artist known for his most noted graffiti creation, “Larry Loudmouf,” with his Tide blue body and yawling open mouth, will take over a wall in the 99 Yorkville Ave courtyard painting live throughout the weekend.
Ness Lee, will be adding new colorful elements to her mural at Anndore House, 15 Charles St E. In addition, an interactive area will be set-up for visitors to draw on large plexiglass wall designed by the artist.
Art in the TTC
Discover a majestical mirrored chandelier by artist Trever Wheatley and Cosmo Dean in the abandoned (and typically closed to the public) Lower Bay TTC Platform. Tiny petals cascade from the ceiling, creating the illusion of a beautiful flower wilting from the sky. This project is presented by W Hotels Toronto.
Bubble Mania: Inflatable Art Interventions
Growing in popularity, inflatable art is trending in major festivals and is making its second appearance at YVM. Several world-class artists are presenting their dream-like work at this year’s festival.
Sean Brown, known for his Curves, a collection of homeware and everyday objects, is creating the largest inflatable chair sculpture likely in the world, for the festival. While not for sitting on or for sale, his at-home inflatable furniture is available for purchase.
Dam Lam, the Dallas-based artist, attracted hundreds of thousands of followers—and celebrity collectors—when her signature drippy, trippy sculptures went viral.
Vancouver-based artist FVCKRENDER is on a mission to make art accessible for all. His first solo show this year, brought his work from a digital form into 3D sculptures.
Toronto-based artist Adam The Illustrator, brings fun and a colourful aesthetic with a playful sense of humour. His work touches on mental health, friendship and encourages people to trust the process.
Michelle Hoogveld returns home after painting across the USA with large-scale artwork. Her heart inflatable showcase vibrant colours and bold patterns weave together to create an intricate tapestry of who we are as people, the places we encounter and the one thing that connects us all – love.
Toronto-based balloon florist Ballooms is doing a pop-up flower shop and garden filled with their unconventional and joyful bouquets.
BATA Shoe Museum will showcases two shoe inspired inflatables that honor the museum collection of thousand shoes and related artefacts.
Blockbuster Block Party with Live Art
Come party on the rooftop at this free event is located on the top floor of the 148 Cumberland Parkade. DJ @skratchbastid and friends will keep the energy high, spinning all afternoon long and into the night. Throughout the party, guests can watch five mural artists: Sage Barnes, Ben Johnston, Mony Zakhour, Paul Jackson, and Jarus paint larger-than-life murals with one of the murals paying homage to the WILD CATS exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum.
Street Festival Zone presented by Bloor Yorkville BIA
Discover world-class murals, interactive installations, pop-up retail containers, and more throughout Yorkville Ave. The Avenue will be open to pedestrians (closed for vehicles) between Bellair St and Hazelton Ave on the weekend of August 24 – 25, between 10am-7pm.
Toronto’s Yorkville Murals is an annual cultural event that celebrates contemporary muralism and public art. The event has been designed as a safe, self-guided experience in the heart of Toronto. For full event details, visit yorkvillemurals.com.
