Bell Box Mural unveiling
By Ashley Ashbee
Community members, artists and sponsors gathered at the corner of Lynn and Manderley last week to celebrate the completion of the eight Bell Box murals in Birch Cliff, once dull utility boxes that are now vibrant with beautiful scenes.
The highlight of the event was the ribbon-cutting of Ruth Hurdle’s Bell Box Mural, which carries on the birch tree motif present in all of these mini-murals.
And if you look closely, you’ll find the letters that spell out the street name “Lynn.” Fun fact: This is also a tribute to the artist’s friend by the same name, who retired from a 35-year career at Bell last week.
“We’re pleased to get these,” said activist Barbara Brown, who has been instrumental in making the Bell Box murals a reality. “We need to keep the aesthetics of the city in mind.”
The idea behind the Bell Box project is to insert colour and beautiful art in unexpected places in the community, not just the main streets.
Brown was determined to acquire the necessary funds for these mini-murals and is delighted that Ward 36 City Councillor Gary Crawford made it happen.
“Any opportunity to beautify our community, I support,” Councillor Crawford said. The murals are in keeping with the “spirit of Birch Cliff.”
Representatives from Benjamin Moore, who provided the paint for this project, Bell Canada and Mural Routes were present at the ceremony.
Michael Cavanaugh is the Program Director of the Bell Box Murals Project. An artist himself, he paints an idyllic portrait of the work. “I get to pay artists to do art.”
Scroll down to see photographs of all eight murals.
Mural by Margaret Cresswell at Kingston Rd. and Queensbury Ave.
Mural by Emilia Jajus at 8 Meadow Ave.
Mural at Kingston Rd. and Warden Ave. by graphic artist Tak Bui
“Morning Sunrise” by De Anne Lamirande at the corner of Blantyre Ave. and Gerrard. Lamirande has another mural unveiling on Wed. Oct. 5 at the corner of Danforth and Byng Avenues.
Mural by Ruth Hurdle on Lynn Rd. at Manderley Dr.
Mural by Poonam Sharma at 52/53 Freeman St.
Mural by Ted Hamer at Kingston Rd. and Valhalla Blvd.
Mural by Sandra Manilla at Fallingbrook Rd. and Briar Dale Blvd.
Love the boxes, I hope to see them the next time I am in Toronto. A great addition to a community.
It has been such a wonderful surprise to come upon these beautifully executed, varied yet thematic pieces of art as I walk through Birch Cliff!
Congratulations and thank you to all involved in this much appreciated project.
Birch Cliff now has its own outdoor art gallery.
Bravo!
Thank you for doing these murals, they are beautiful and make the utility boxes look like a piece of art, which, they are, for all of the people of Toronto. Many thanks to all involved.
Wonderful!