In Search Of… highlights five public art sites in neighbourhoods across South Etobicoke. Enjoy three curated self-guided walking tours featuring the best of Etobicoke’s public art, lakeshore views, alongside tasty treats and other local hangouts. Check out all the sites by completing all three tours, or mix, match, and make them your own!
Join Lakeshore Arts as we speak with local artists, knowledge keepers, and community-builders about some of the most iconic public art sites in South Etobicoke for the In Search Of… series, as part of Local Discoveries, ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021 – 2022, and a City of Toronto Cultural Hotspot Signature Project.
Once you locate an In Search Of… public art site, scan the QR code on a nearby poster to learn more about it and to watch exclusive interviews to gain insight about each location and its impact on surrounding communities.
In Search Of… is back, and now in-person! Lakeshore Arts presents In Search Of… public art and nature tours! Highlighting five public art sites throughout South Etobicoke, the curated walking tours feature the best of Etobicoke’s public art and lakeshore views, alongside tasty treats and local hangouts. Join us this August as local artists and community members lead unique tours exploring topics from Indigenous stewardship to skateboarding culture and neighbourhood love.
Please help us make these tours scent-free. Please email programs@lakeshorearts.ca by August 15th to request ASL interpretation.
In Search Of…
Humber Bay Walking Route
Saturday, August 20, 2022, 11am-2pm: Alan Colley
*Please note that a smudging ceremony will be performed during this event.
Saturday, August 20, 2022, 4-6pm: Shabina Lafleur-Gangji
Starting Address: Stephen Dr at Cloverhill Rd, Toronto, ON M8Y 1T2, Canada
Ending Address: Unnamed Road, Etobicoke, ON M8V, Canada
Long Branch Walking Route
Saturday, August 27, 2022, 12-2pm and 4-6pm: Luvsumone (Moises Frank)
Starting Address: Long Branch Loop, Toronto, ON M8W 1R3, Canada
Ending Address: Thirtieth St at Akron Rd, Toronto, ON M8W 3C1, Canada
New Toronto Walking Route
Sunday, August 28, 2022, 12-2pm and 4-6pm: Jay-Marie Phillips
Starting Address: Lake Shore Blvd West at Tenth St, Toronto, ON M8V 4C7, Canada
Ending Address: 76 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr, Etobicoke, ON M8V 4B7, Canada
In Search Of…
Enjoy curated content, such as artist talks, walking tours, and conversation prompts for each public artwork along your walking tour. We invite you to explore and enjoy the incredible art found in the neighbourhoods of South Etobicoke. We’ve partnered with artists, knowledge keepers, local businesses, restaurants, and more to create exciting art experiences. Be sure to check out our map and events page frequently as we are adding new events every month. Click the image to explore a public artwork.
Part of In Search of… Humber Bay self-guided tour
The Oculus Pavilion, a space-aged rest stop on the Humber River Recreational Trail was designed by architect Alan Crossley, was built in 1959. Follow Alan Colley of Toronto Aboriginal Eco-Tours and herbalist Shabina Lafleur-Gangji as they discuss the ongoing significance of the local ecosystems and share their knowledge about the balance between all living things in our changing world. Explore ROOTS.
Part of In Search of… New Toronto self-guided tour
The 8th Street Skate Park is a vibrant hub for local skaters of all levels to gather. Join muralist Ian Gabriel and fellow skater and place-maker Jay Phillips of DIY Skate Toronto, as they talk about the importance of art and community in skateboarding. Explore SPACE.
Part of In Search of… Long Branch self-guided tour
“Lake and Shore: Two Worlds Converging” can be found in the 30th Street Underpass, and was painted by muralists Philip Cote and Nick Sweetman. This vibrant mural depicts diverse local wildlife alongside stark black elements representing clan animals and spirits from Anishinaabe tradition and cosmology. Listen to mural artists as they discuss the importance of showcasing Indigenous voices. Explore LIFE.
Part of In Search of… Long Branch self-guided tour
Luvsumone’s impressive four-sided mural in Marie Curtis Park is hard to miss. This large dream-like piece takes inspiration from the park’s scenery and wildlife inhabiting the lake and shores, and sets them amongst rainbow-coloured clouds. Muralist, Luvs, shares how the importance of public art in activating community spaces, as well as what “home” means to him. Explore HOME.
Part of In Search of… New Toronto self-guided tour
The beautiful lotus pond mural found at 1 Fourteenth Street was painted by sibling duo, Frannie and Matthew Potts, as part of the Neighbourhood Love initiative. Follow Bareket Kezwer, one of the co-founders of Neighbourhood Love, speaks about the purpose behind the new collective, and why community members needed a public art initiative to connect them to each other. Explore LOVE.
In Search of… Experts and Artists
Introducing the creatives who’ve contributed to In Search Of… project, as part of Local Discoveries. Each artist, community member, or subject expert joined forces with Lakeshore Arts to produce a Q&A think-piece video for each public art site on our map.
part of ‘In Search of… Humber Bay’
part of ‘In Search of… Humber Bay’
part of ‘In Search of… Long Branch’
part of ‘In Search of… New Toronto’
In Search of… Food
Enjoy a curated food guide by Taste Toronto along your In Search Of… self-guided routes.
Along the Humber Bay Route
Eden Trattoria
Italian restaurant
58 Marine Parade Dr
Eden Trattoria is a classic Italian restaurant. Enjoy their many customizable options along the beautiful Etobicoke lakeshore.
Firkin on the Bay
Pub restaurant
68 Marine Parade Dr
Visit Firkin on the Bay for tasty British pub standards, from finger foods to chicken curry.
La Vecchia Restaurant Lakeshore
Italian restaurant
90 Marine Parade Dr
La Vecchia has been serving Toronto for almost 25 years! Enjoy the atmosphere at La Vecchia Lakeshore while you dine on fresh pastas, seafoods, and other delicious Italian dishes.
Along the New Toronto Route
Cellar Door
Italian restaurant
3003 Lake Shore Blvd W
Cellar Door is an Italian restaurant that offers a fresh take on a variety of pizzas, pastas, and more. While you’re there, pick up some gourmet meats and antipasti for your pantry!
Michael’s West Indian Flavor
Jamaican restaurant
3067 Lake Shore Blvd W
Head to Michael’s West Indian Flavour for a bite of their famous oxtail! While you’re at this cash-only spot, be sure to try their other specialties, such as jerk and curry goat.
Calabrese Pizza
Pizza restaurant
3019 Lake Shore Blvd W
Every Calabrese Pizza starts with freshly made dough and the best ingredients. Aside from pizza and panzerotti, they also offer a variety of sandwiches, pastas, desserts, and more!
Along the Long Branch Route
The Happy Bakers
Bakery
3469 Lake Shore Blvd W
The Happy Bakers is run by a group of bakers who pursued their dream to open up their own shop together. They offer both sweet and savoury baked goods, meals, and more!
Thrive Organic Lakeshore
Organic restaurant
3473 Lake Shore Blvd W
Thrive Organic focuses on providing customers with the best organic, fair-trade, and local foods available. They specialize in providing delicious options for a variety of diets, from vegetarian, to vegan, gluten-free, and raw.
George the Greek
Greek restaurant
3575 Lake Shore Blvd W
George the Greek is a family-owned, authentic taverna that has been serving customers since 1967. They dish up delicious Greek and Mediterranean food, as well as diner classics.
Curated by TasteToronto
TasteToronto is a leading voice in the food media industry that connects Toronto’s community of devoted food lovers. Through rich original content that showcases city restaurant guides, trending food news, compelling editorial pieces, high-quality recipes and events — TasteToronto is the city’s definitive source for all things food.
Thank you to our funders and partners
In Search Of… received grant funding as a part of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021–2022, a year-long celebration of Toronto’s exceptional public art collection and the creative community behind it. Working closely with artists and Toronto’s arts institutions, ArtworxTO will deliver major public art projects and commissions, citywide, from fall 2021 to fall 2022. Supporting local artists and new artworks that reflect Toronto’s diversity, ArtworxTO is creating more opportunities for citizens to engage with art in their everyday lives. This September, the City of Toronto invites the public to discover creativity and community–everywhere. Visit artworxTO.ca for full details.
In Search Of… is a Signature Project of Cultural Hotspot produced in partnership with the City of Toronto.
In Search of… is part of Local Discoveries, your one-stop resource to explore ArtworxTO programs provided by Toronto’s six Local Arts Service Organizations (LASOs)- Arts Etobicoke, East End Arts, Lakeshore Arts, North York Arts, Scarborough Arts and UrbanArts. Visit torontolasos.com for all LASOs events as new events will be added every month.
