Yorkville Murals – August 26th and 27th, 2023

AUGUST 26-27, 2023

On Yorkville Avenue, Between Bellair St and Hazelton Ave.

Immerse Yourself in a Captivating Celebration of Art and Culture at Yorkville Murals 2023!

Toronto’s most captivating art and muralism festival returns August 26-27th with a brand new theme titled, No Empty Spaces. Celebrating its fifth year of the festival, Yorkville Murals will transform the street into a cultural extravaganza, where visitors will be entertained with every step. On Yorkville Avenue from Bellair Street to Hazelton Avenue, Yorkville Murals will deliver participatory entertainment and play. 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.

The event is presented by Taglialatella Galleries and INK Entertainment, and organized in partnership with the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area. YVM builds on Yorkville’s reputation as a historic enclave of Toronto’s early twentieth-century art scene. The event has been designed as a safe, self-guided experience in the heart of Toronto.

YVM | NO EMPTY SPACES
50,000 SQ.F OF ART

Presented by INK Entertainment & Taglialatella Galleries
In partnership with Bloor-Yorkville
ALL INITIATIVES ARE FREE

Yorkville Ave will be closed to traffic and
open to festival visitors on August 26-27, 2023

Yorkville Ave will be closed to traffic and open to festival visitors on August 26-27, 2023

FESTIVAL DATES: SATURDAY 26 & SUNDAY 27, 2023
SETUP / TAKEDOWN DATES: FRIDAY 25 & MONDAY 28, 2023 (No activities are available)

FESTIVAL DATES:
SATURDAY 26 & SUNDAY 27, 2023

SETUP / TAKEDOWN DATES:
FRIDAY 25 & MONDAY 28, 2023
(No activities are available)

Yorkville Ave Closure Distance: Bellair St to Hazelton Ave.

PRESENTS

PROGRAMMING

ART ON YORKVILLE AVENUE
BETWEEN BELLAIR ST & HAZELTON AVE

Presented by Bloor-Yorkville
Date: August 26 & 27, 2023
Time: 10:00am – 9:00pm

POP-UPS

Container I / Yorkville Murals merch
Container II / Free temporal tattoos and lounge presented by W Hotel
Cube I / Creative Jewelry by Steff Eleoff
Cube II / Artsy sustainable products by CYRC Design
Pop-up truck / Colorful beauty treatments by Majesty’s Pleasure

MINI GOLF

Challenge your friends with this exciting mini golf course created in collaboration with Berlin based artist Kirsten McCrea and presented by Perrier. The brand will be offer free sips to those who participate!

Live Painting area

Come draw cute tattoos on funky characters designed by Montreal based artist Dalkhafine.

Sculptures

A fun collection of contemporary sculptures by Vancouver based artists David & Jorden Doody will take over different sections of Yorkville Ave and 148 Cumberland Parkade and add excitement to the neighborhood.

Yorkville Murals Games

Life size chess & Tic-Tac-Toe games will available for festival visitors to play against each other outdoors!

Dance & Music

Local DJ’s will play inside a Hummer truck and animate Yorkville Ave during the duration of the festival. In addition, break dancers will enhance the visitor’s festival experience on a vibrant stage placed next to the DJ’s! This initiative is presented by Red Bull.

Inflatables

Two giant eyes will be overlooking all the action on Yorkville Ave! The inflatables will be installed on Majesty’s Pleasure rooftop patio located at 102 Yorkville Ave.

Yorkville Murals Courtyard

Location: 99 Yorkville Avenue

Herradura Lounge “Extraordinary Awaits”
Saturday, August 26, 1PM to 9PM
Sunday, August 27, 1PM to 8PM

Live Mural Painting: Get inspired by watching Brazilian artist Elvis Mourao paint a collection of amusing monsters in front of your eyes inside the mural’s courtyard! This mural is presented by Mania Contemporary.

In addition, discover the work of seven different muralists inside YVM intimate courtyard. Murals on view: Matt Gondek, Mikael B., Shelby and Sandy, Jason Botkin, Ola Volo, and Whatisadam,

CRY BABY Talks
Location: Murals Courtyard (Mezzanine – 2nd floor) | 99 Yorkville Ave
Date: Sunday August 27
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Free entrance on first come first serve basis | Limited Capacity

Moderated by Meghan Yuri Young, she focusses on the important cultural contributions Cry Baby project have had in Toronto. We will hear from curators and artists that have participated in the project and go deep into both the business and the artistic side.

CRY BABY pop-up – Free cocktails
Location: Murals Courtyard (Mezzanine – 2nd floor) | 99 Yorkville Ave
Date: Sunday August 27
Time: 3pm – 6pm
Free entrance on first come first serve basis | Limited Capacity

BELLAIR ST A BLOCK LONG GAME OF HOPSCOTCH!

Presented by Bloor-Yorkville
Date: August 26 & 27
Time: Accessible 24/H

From Cumberland to Yorkville Ave, YVM is turning Bellair St into a challenging and interactive massive game of hopscotch. This family activity is free and accessible 24/h during the festival days.

BLOCK PARTY PRESENTED BY HENNESSY

Location: Cumberland Parkade
144 Cumberland St (Yorkville Avenue entrance)
Date: August 26
Time: 5 – 11pm

YVM Block Party is a complete take-over of Cumberland Parkade. For one day only on August 26, art, music, and food will take over Yorkville into a fun open-air event. In case of rain, the event will be postponed to Sunday August 27.

ART PROGRAM FOR BLOCK PARTY

Relax Inflatable — by Ben Johnston (Toronto)
Sculptures — by David and Jordan Doody (Vancouver)
Live Painting — by JARUS (Toronto),
Paul Jackson (Toronto), Mony Zhakour (Toronto)
Art Installation — by Sage Barnes (Kansas City)

ADDITIONAL PROJECTS

Sculpture by Jordan Sook presented by Yorkville Village

Location: Yorkville Village Atrium – 55 Avenue Road
Time: 10:00am – 8:00pm

The work titled “Natural Selection” is an 8-foot sphere composed entirely of basketballs, I explore the inherent human desire to reach new heights and the pursuit of personal and collective elevation. This artwork serves as a visual metaphor for the aspirations we often strive for, even when they may seem unattainable.

Mural by Victoria Sequeira presented by Four Seasons

Location: Four Seasons Hotel – 60 Yorkville Ave
Time: Available for view from the street 24/h

Immersed in the allure of the South of France, this piece serves as a testament to the region’s captivating beauty and vibrant spirit. It pays homage to the idyllic romance, charming colours, and sun-drenched vignettes that characterize this cherished corner of the world. Through a carefully curated palette capturing the essence of The Côte d’Azur, Victoria invites guests to embark on a visual journey filled with warmth, tranquillity, and a touch of Mediterranean magic.

Art Installation by Julia Monson presented by Manulife Center

Location: Manulife Center – 55 Bloor St W (Food court hallway)
Time: 10:00am – 8:00pm

Jules Monson’s art installation for Yorkville Murals boasts a stunning array of bespoke rugs handwoven by Weaver and Loom. Each thoughtfully crafted in the alluring shape of snakes, creating an immersive experience that intertwines nature with art. Snakes are often misunderstood iconographically due to their complex and multifaceted symbolism across different cultures and historical periods. While some civilizations have regarded snakes as symbols of wisdom, transformation, and healing, others associate them with danger, deceit, and evil. The dual nature of snakes, being both feared and revered can be applied to our own rich and complex perceptions of one another.

Mural by Ness Lee presented by Anndore House

Location: Anndore House – 15 Charles St East
Time: Available for view from the street 24/h

Located on the exterior of the west side of the property, the mural touch on the feeling of becoming a part of one another’s worlds, how the people in our lives and the ways we engage with each other become the landscape of our living and the way we move through it. This is often why the figures in Ness Lee work would take on characteristics of landscapes such as shoulders becoming mountains, or hair becoming water, or faces becoming moons.