Toronto graffiti artists turn alleyway into art space
CBC News
Posted: Aug 10, 2012 10:10 AM ET
Last Updated: Aug 11, 2012 1:43 PM ET
It may give Rick Mercer a new place to rant.
An attempt is underway to clean-up an alleyway in the city's west end by offering dozens of graffiti artists a chance to display their talents.
The art installation is part of a community revitalization project in the Queen Street West and Ossington Avenue area.
Li-Hill, 26, was using his cans of aerosol spray paint on Thursday to add to the giant mural.
"It's my passion. It's my job. It's what I love," he said.
Li-Hill is one of about a dozen artists handpicked to change the look of the alley.
Steve Ferrera, another of the artists, says the project — Brighten The Corners For The Love Of Art — matches street artists with public space that needs a paint job.
"We'll paint anything actually," said Ferrera.
Ferrera says within graffiti culture there is a hierarchy and if someone paints a piece, "you typically don't paint over it."
For people whose homes back out onto this alley the project is welcome.
"I think it's a great idea. I think people will treat the space a little nicer if it's cleaned up," said Ashley Crate.
Artists hope to finish painting the alley by Sunday — weather permitting.
Share Tools
Latest Toronto News Headlines
- Councillors vote down downtown Toronto casino
- Toronto councillors have killed the building of a downtown casino, a controversial issue that Mayor Rob Ford had recently suggested was unlikely to go forward as a result of provincial government waffling. more »
- Search for Canadian missing in Australia enters 3rd day
- The search for a Canadian man, 25, missing in Australia's Snowy Mountains for more than a week goes into a third day today. more »
- Video forensics: How easy would it be to fake a Rob Ford video?
- Two media outlets reported last week that they had seen a cellphone video of Mayor Rob Ford allegedly smoking crack, a claim that has gone global. If a video does surface, how easy would it be to determine its authenticity? CBC News asked video forensic analyst David McKay. more »
- 3 brothers charged in gang sex assault in club district
- The arrests of three brothers accused in the gang sexual assault of a young woman underscores the need for club goers to be on the alert in the city's entertainment district, police warn. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Oklahoma residents begin to return home after deadly tornado
- Rescue workers raced to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives, including those of nine children.
more »
- Video forensics: How easy would it be to fake a Rob Ford video?
- Two media outlets reported last week that they had seen a cellphone video of Mayor Rob Ford allegedly smoking crack, a claim that has gone global. If a video does surface, how easy would it be to determine its authenticity? CBC News asked video forensic analyst David McKay. more »
- Tim Bosma memorial today in hall that hosted his wedding reception
- The widow of Tim Bosma, the Hamilton man killed after taking two strangers on a test drive in a truck he had listed for sale online, will say goodbye to her husband at a public memorial today in the same hall where they celebrated their marriage just three years ago. more »
- Eritreans in Canada say consul still demands cash from them
- Evidence obtained by CBC News suggests Eritrea's top diplomat in Canada is again soliciting taxes from the Eritrean community despite a threat by Canada eight months ago not to renew his credentials if he kept at it. more »
- How the weather info that storm chasers use can keep you safe
- Radar imagery and a stream of weather information are readily available to the public when severe weather bears down. more »
- Rob Ford faces more calls to address crack allegations
- Unknown remains found on Dellen Millard's farm
- Brampton man reported missing in Australia
- Councillors vote down downtown Toronto casino
- Only 1 set of human remains found at Millard farm, police say
- Missing Toronto woman's parents unfazed by Millard link
- 'Very upset' Harper wants fast Senate spending reform
- Will alleged Rob Ford video overshadow Toronto casino debate?
- Man shot dead at barbecue near Ossington and Dundas


Toronto traffic with Joan Chang