The Eighth St Skatepark Murals Project is an ongoing project with the goal to enhance the Etobicoke-Lakeshore community skatepark through murals by local artists.
This summer 2020, we plan to create 5 new murals to the skatepark and provide some maintenance to an already existing mural. This year’s project will focus on providing mentorship in the field of mural art; the project will provide opportunity for artist assistants and 1 mural art project coordinator to be mentored, in an effort to build up the mural art talent in the city.
Painting will begin the week of September 14th and feature new work by: Flips & Rowell Soller, Ian Gabriel, Jieun June Kim, Natalie King and Natalie Very B.
Project History
The project began in the summer 2017 with a mural created by Lakeshore Art’s ARTiculate: Youth Leadership In the Arts program, led by artist Moises Frank (Luvsumone). Additionally, the bowl was painted by Moises and artist Javid that year. In 2018, the project gained momentum through community fundraising and support from local councillor Mark Grimes and StreetARToronto. Through consultation with the local community and representative from the Toronto Skateboarding Committee, the project created 5 new murals across the park – by artists Fatspatrol, Peru, Chris Perez, Nick Sweetman, and Moises Frank. A number of local youth were mentored and assisted with the priming and painting. A celebration was held on August 4, 2018, at the Skate on 8 event, an annual skate competition event at the park. In addition, at the request of the local skate community, artist Anya Mielniczek was commissioned to paint a restoration of the portraits on the half pipe, in memory of local skaters who had passed.
Acknowledgement: The 2020 Skatepark Murals Project is made possible thanks to the support from Councillor Grimes, local Section 45 funds, and the City of Toronto’s StreetARToronto program.
Want to be part of the conversation? Join the 8th Street Skatepark Mural Facebook Group
