Yorkville Murals (YVM), Toronto’s most captivating art and muralism festival returns on August 24-25, 2024 with the second rendition of No Empty Spaces. This year, YVM takes over the Yorkville neighbourhood, its parking lots, a TTC station, and even the air, leaving no area off limits for art interventions. For the first-time food has entered the program, with a collaboration between chef Antonio Park and YVM offering elevated street food with an artful flair.

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.

Toronto’s Yorkville Murals is an annual cultural event that celebrates contemporary muralism and public art. Through the creation of artistic murals in Yorkville, and the implementation of cultural activations such as art installations, art talks, and art exhibitions, this project focuses on making Yorkville a landmark in Toronto for public art and an ultimate tourist destination.

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAMMING

Four new murals will join the YVM Festival this year. New murals and locations include:

Dahae Song, “BEING ONE”, uses three hues of blues to represent the spirit of the Earth, captured in the air, light, and water of the lands, at the Four Seasons Hotel, Yorkville Ave & Yonge.

Dalkhafine, will transform a wall at Manulife Center 55 Bloor St W into a festive and summery space with vibrant colours that capture the essence of the season.

Greg Mike, an Atlanta-based artist known for his most noted graffiti creation, “Larry Loudmouf,” with his Tide blue body and yawling open mouth, will take over a wall in the 99 Yorkville Ave courtyard painting live throughout the weekend.

Ness Lee, will be adding new colorful elements to her mural at Anndore House, 15 Charles St E. In addition, an interactive area will be set-up for visitors to draw on large plexiglass wall designed by the artist.

Art in the TTC

Discover a majestical mirrored chandelier by artist Trever Wheatley and Cosmo Dean in the abandoned (and typically closed to the public) Lower Bay TTC Platform. Tiny petals cascade from the ceiling, creating the illusion of a beautiful flower wilting from the sky. This project is presented by W Hotels Toronto.

Bubble Mania: Inflatable Art Interventions

Growing in popularity, inflatable art is trending in major festivals and is making its second appearance at YVM. Several world-class artists are presenting their dream-like work at this year’s festival.

Sean Brown, known for his Curves, a collection of homeware and everyday objects, is creating the largest inflatable chair sculpture likely in the world, for the festival. While not for sitting on or for sale, his at-home inflatable furniture is available for purchase.

Dam Lam, the Dallas-based artist, attracted hundreds of thousands of followers—and celebrity collectors—when her signature drippy, trippy sculptures went viral.

Vancouver-based artist FVCKRENDER is on a mission to make art accessible for all. His first solo show this year, brought his work from a digital form into 3D sculptures.

Toronto-based artist Adam The Illustrator, brings fun and a colourful aesthetic with a playful sense of humour. His work touches on mental health, friendship and encourages people to trust the process.

Michelle Hoogveld returns home after painting across the USA with large-scale artwork. Her heart inflatable showcase vibrant colours and bold patterns weave together to create an intricate tapestry of who we are as people, the places we encounter and the one thing that connects us all – love.

Toronto-based balloon florist Ballooms is doing a pop-up flower shop and garden filled with their unconventional and joyful bouquets.

BATA Shoe Museum will showcases two shoe inspired inflatables that honor the museum collection of thousand shoes and related artefacts.

Blockbuster Block Party with Live Art

Come party on the rooftop at this free event located on the top floor of the 148 Cumberland Parkade. DJ @skratchbastid and friends will keep the energy high, spinning all afternoon long and into the night. Throughout the party, guests can watch five mural artists: Sage Barnes, Ben Johnston, Mony Zakhour, Paul Jackson, and Jarus paint larger-than-life murals with one of the murals paying homage to the WILD CATS exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum.

The VIP section, showcasing an impressive display that harmonizes with the exclusive lounge areas. This year, W Hotel Toronto, located at 90 Bloor St E, will host an after-party from 10 PM to 2 AM.

Street Festival Zone presented by Bloor Yorkville BIA

Discover world-class murals, interactive installations, pop-up retail containers, and more throughout Yorkville Ave. The Avenue will be open to pedestrians (closed for vehicles) between Bellair St and Hazelton Ave on the weekend of August 24 – 25, between 10am-7pm.

Celebrity Chef Antonio Park, known for his fine-dining restaurants and plenty of accolades, is taking to the street with a unique pop-up dining experience. The menu will be a mix of Japanese, Korean and South American influences with some artful interventions special to the festival.

Nick Bodoin “When You Cross My Mind” – This large-scale immersive sculpture explores the artist’s inner world, where lingering memories and unexplored dreams come to life on wood. Through his sculptural figurative works, Nick reveals the images that haunt his mind, from moments of nostalgia to hopes for the future.

Mural’s courtyard presented by Herradura Tequila

It all started in the mural courtyard at 99 Yorkville, where nine stunning murals by Canadian and international artists are showcased. Herradura Tequila is transforming the area with a magical floral takeover, creating delightful spaces for enjoying drinks and capturing perfect Instagram selfies!

Knightcap Chess Club has been reinventing the chess game in a totally new way in Toronto, hosting events where participants are invited to knock a few back while playing and learning the fascinating game of chess.

Shipping Container Installation

Vancouver-based artist FVCKRENDER is on a mission to make art accessible for all. After an impressive takeover of Sphere in Las Vegas, he will be creating an art installation inside a shipping container on Yorkville Ave.

Live painted bus – Nomad Art Residence

A large bus will be painted live on Yorkville Ave during the festival, and the surprise guest will be living inside the bus during this time. This fully renovated bus from The Corcoran Group comes with a fully functional room, kitchen, and bathroom.

DJ, Dance Battles, Retail Pop Ups

Bust a move in the street to the high-energy beats with the Volkswagon DJ Booth. Running for the festival, the tunes will pump up the crowd. The street will be brimming with entertainment, from dance battles to live art painting. Retail Pop-Up Experiences – Discover some of the hottest and most exclusive brands.

Yorkville Murals Festival – August 24-25, 2024, 10am – 10pm, Yorkville Avenue, Toronto

Social Media: @yorkvillemurals

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.