🎨 Creative
Creative in High Park
5 after-work creative experiences in High Park, Toronto.
DOORS OPEN "A Glance into The Heavens' at Humber Valley United Church
Step inside Humber Valley United Church and prepare to have your breath taken away by Eric Wesselow's monumental stained glass installation — nine windows and a two-tonne chancel screen exploding with contemporary colour and form. Doors Open makes this Etobicoke hidden gem accessible to everyone, with guided tours, afternoon concerts, and even Zumba demonstrations to keep the energy lively. It's a rare chance to experience serious art in a completely welcoming, community-spirited setting.
The Optical Illusion Box (2019)
Seek out this quietly delightful piece of public art tucked near Emmett Avenue, where artist Pam Lostracco has turned an ordinary utility box into a playful trompe-l'oeil moment. Painted to mirror the park directly behind it, the mural creates a convincing illusion of transparency — with colourful geometric stripes framing what feels like an invitation to step through the canvas. It's the kind of small, joyful discovery that makes wandering Toronto's west-end neighbourhoods so rewarding.
Dignity City (2016)
Seek out this striking community mural tucked under the Montgomery Road railway underpass, where local artist Boo worked alongside fifteen Etobicoke Collegiate students to bring a powerful vision to life. Created in partnership with Amnesty International's Project Urban Canvas, the piece marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with real emotional weight. It's a reminder that some of Toronto's most meaningful art is hiding in plain sight — and absolutely worth the detour.
Poonam Sharma's Bell Box Mural (2016)
Take a short detour on your after-work stroll and discover this vibrant street-level mural by Toronto artist Poonam Sharma. Painted on a Bell utility box at Finch and Silverstone, the piece bursts with dynamic forms and expressive portraits that reflect the energy and spirit of the surrounding neighbourhood. It's a small but memorable reminder of how public art can transform even the most ordinary corner into something worth pausing for.
Resurge I: First Timeline (2017)
Seek out this stunning large-scale mural series painted on the supports of Old Mill Subway Station, where artist Philip Cote collaborated with Kwest and Jarus to bring ten pivotal moments of Anishinaabe, Wendat, and Haudenosaunee history to vivid life. Created in 2017, the work is bold, beautiful, and deeply intentional — the kind of public art that stops you mid-stride. An after-work walk along the Humber trail feels entirely different once you know this is waiting for you.