Learn about and experience the art and history of Riverside with local stories and imagery
Starting with the history of the Bridge (Queen E/DVP) and its art, take a walk eastward through Riverside with local historian and author Ron Fletcher to uncover the history and anecdotes on how Riverside’s streets got their names and experience the flourishing art of Riverside.
Start your journey at 11AM at the Bridge (Queen E/DVP) and be part of Riverside history by taking part in the launch of Riverside’s shiny, new wayfinding art with ribbon cutting ceremony and cake! Located at the west side of the Bridge, this art is the final piece of the Riverside Gateway Bridge Project – a capital installation illuminating the iconic bridge, launched in early June by the Riverside BIA, the project partners, sponsors and the community.
Right after the launch you’ll start your Riverside’s Art + History Walk experience, guided by local historian and author – Ron Fletcher. Ron is our local art and history expert: the Founder and President of the Riverdale Historical Society, Founder of the Riverdale Art Walk (now in its 17th year!!), and past Chair of the Riverside BIA.
Starting with the art and history of the Bridge, this year we are focusing on the history behind the various pieces of art throughout the neighbourhood. Art has been a major contributing factor in what has made Riverside the iconic area it is today, and has brought the community together in countless ways. Here’s a sneak preview of some of the unique and interesting Riverside history you’ll learn about…
Riverside Bridge
Originally called the Queen Street Viaduct, before Eldon Garnet (among others) contributed their artistry to the bridge, it was just a bland, unnoticed passageway to the East end. After Garnet won the contest to decorate the Riverside Bridge, it soon began gaining recognition as it became an iconic landmark, and even began to pop up on t-shirts and in murals. This artwork sparked a revitalization of the Riverside neighbourhood and unified the people within the community. Most recently, on June 5th of 2015, the Bridge was illuminated through the Riverside Gateway Bridge Project and lit up for the public for the first time. “It was an opportunity to celebrate the structure that had long linked the downtown core with the east end”, said former Riverside BIA Exective Director, Perry Lupyrypa, who championed the project over the last three years with Riverside business and community sponsors and partners.
“Echo” (1/3) by Mary Anne Barkhouse at Joel Weeks Park
Born in British Columbia, raised in Ontario, Mary Anne Barkhouse has been a professional artist since the 1990s. After her proposal won a contest by the City of Toronto’s Public Art Office, she enlisted in Michael Belmore to aid her with the construction. The piece consists of three different sculptures in different corners of Joel Weeks Park. They are of a beaver, a fox, and four squirrels worshiping an acorn (see above). The piece is said to represent the flora and fauna of the neighbourhood. The artist also has some very interesting reasoning behind her choice of materials (bronze and granite), which is something you can learn more about on the Art History Walk!
Sports Heritage mural by Monica Wickeler on Munro St.
In the mural one can see Toronto’s first Baseball diamond in Riverside – Sunlight Park, the scatting that used to take place on the Don River, the former location of Toronto’s Cycling club, and the long curling history in the area. You can also learn more about the expansion of this mural as a legacy to the 2015 Pan Am Games!
Experience this art + history and much more on July 11th! Let us know you’re coming!
June 29th – You’re invited to a post-Pride open house from 5-6pm at the 
