Graffiti in Toronto

File:Toronto's Alley (37961474).jpg

Graffiti was well established in downtown Toronto by the early 1980s.{{Cite web|date=2020-10-22|title=The Evolution of Graffiti in Toronto - Interviews with Jafar and Rons|url=https://torontoguardian.com/2020/10/evolution-toronto-graffiti/|access-date=2021-12-01|website=Toronto Guardian|language=en-CA}} By the mid-1990s, many graffiti pieces and tags were observable in various alleyways and other outdoor areas around the city. (A book collection of some of those works, titled “Tags & Pieces”, was published in 1997 {{Cite book|url=https://bac-lac.on.worldcat.org/oclc/793157762|title=Tags & Pieces: A Photo Collection of Canadian Graffiti Art. Volume 1, Toronto.|last=Spence|first=Alex|date=1997|publisher=Haspence}} ). One blogger remarked that pieces on Toronto buildings, walls and overpasses embrace the culture of New York City.Kefentse 2009

In September 2019, graffiti art on 26 garage doors near Ossington Street and Queen Street West were accidentally painted over black.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/10/01/ossington-laneway-gets-unwanted-makeover-erasing-local-street-art.html|title=Ossington laneway gets unwanted makeover erasing local street art {{!}} The Star|website=thestar.com|date=October 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-12-01}} Weeks later, graffiti artists were invited to restore the street art.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/11/04/graffiti-artists-reclaim-ossington-laneway-after-garages-painted-black-in-error.html|title=Graffiti artists reclaim Ossington laneway after garages painted black in error {{!}} The Star|website=thestar.com|date=4 November 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-12-01}}

File:Graffiti Here Please.jpg, or an act of vandalism? The question if graffiti constitutes one or the other has become a topic of debate in Toronto.]]

There has been a debate regarding the issue of graffiti in Toronto as to whether or not graffiti constitutes art or vandalism, with former Mayor Rob Ford vowing to remove all graffiti from the City of Toronto,{{Cite web |url=http://nouspique.com/2011/01/rob-ford-and-torontos-graffiti |title=Rob Ford and Toronto's graffiti « Pure Water « nouspique.com |access-date=2011-07-20 |archive-date=2012-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327222332/http://nouspique.com/2011/01/rob-ford-and-torontos-graffiti/ |url-status=dead }} defining graffiti as "One or more letters, symbols, figures, etching, scratches, inscriptions, stains, or other markings that disfigure or deface a structure or thing, howsoever made or otherwise affixed on the structure or thing, but, for greater certainty, does not include an art mural" [http://www.toronto.ca/graffiti/ describes] and defines an art mural as a "mural for a designated surface and location that has been deliberately implemented for the purpose of beautifying the specific location." Mural work also serves as a platform to create and link communities, document history and tradition, and to facilitate purpose and voice to its collaborators. Mural painting is not simply about making something visually appealing; the majority of active mural artists create work that captures the human experience and transforms intangible words and emotion to something that can be seen and touched.

Graffiti is managed through a coordinating body established under the municipal government of Toronto's Graffiti Management Plan. The body provides support and municipal recognition for legitimate instances of graffiti, although also provides support, and enforcement against illegal instances of graffiti. By-laws governing legitimate and illegitimate instances of graffiti are found in the City of Toronto Municipal Code.{{cite web|url=https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/enhancing-our-streets-and-public-realm/graffiti-management/|title=Graffiti Management|publisher=City of Toronto|year=2020|access-date=23 January 2020|website=toronto.ca}}

File:Grafitti artist caught in action (205407504).jpg

There are many coalitions that have been created to deter and remove graffiti in Toronto. These organizations or groups agree that graffiti has many negative effects on the city. The official website for the City of Toronto has stated that graffiti can promote a belief that community laws protecting property can be disregarded and that graffiti creates a sense of disrespect for property that may result in an increase of crime.[http://www.toronto.ca/graffiti/abatement_program.htm#enforcementplan City of Toronto Graffiti Abatement Program]

The "Graffiti Transformation Program" is an annual community investment program which hires youth to remove graffiti and resurface the walls with attractive murals. Since the program's start in 1996, over 9,000 tags have been removed, over 300 sites cleaned, and 430 murals created. The program has provided jobs, training, and skills to approximately 1,276 youth.[http://www.toronto.ca/graffiti/graffiti_transformation.htm Graffiti Transformation Program]

The Toronto Police Services have also undertaken the "Graffiti Eradication Program" which is defined as "a service-wide initiative focusing on the reduction of crime, fear, and disorder as it relates to graffiti."[http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/communitymobilization/graffiti/ Graffiti Eradication Program]

The Council of the City of Toronto has adopted a graffiti bylaw in 2005 (revised in 2011) that lists definitions, prohibitions, and the cost of the offence.[http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_485.pdf CoT bylaw] "Graffiti art" and "graffiti vandalism" are distinguished. Individuals and businesses under this bylaw must remove graffiti vandalism on their property at their own expense or else the city will remove the graffiti for them and send the bill. Graffiti allowed by municipal permits is called "graffiti art". Graffiti art does not need to be removed.{{cite book|last1=Beaton|first1=Bruce|last2=Todd|first2=Shannon|editor1-last=Lovata|editor1-first=Troy|editor2-last=Olton|editor2-first=Elizabeth|title=Understanding Graffiti: Multidisciplinary Studies from Prehistory to the Present|date=2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781315416113|chapter=Reclaiming the Ruins: A Case Study of Graffiti Heritage Interpretation at the Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9KhmDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT95}}

File:Graffiti Alley, Toronto (11609470824).jpg south of Queen Street West from John Street to Bathurst Street was named an area of municipal significance in 2011, with programs later created to nurture legal street art.]]

A public effort that legitimized the use of graffiti was established by the Queen Street West Business Improvement Association (BIA) for the area colloquially known as Graffiti Alley (originally Rush Lane).{{cite web |title=Agenda Item History - 520 Richmond Street West - Zoning Amendment, Application - Final Report |url=http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do%3Fitem%3D2018.TE34.13 |website=City of Toronto |access-date=9 December 2020}} Chair of the BIA, Spencer Sutherland, initiated this movement to protect property owners who did not wish to remove the graffiti street art and were being ticketed. The BIA claimed that the area was culturally significant, citing Rick Mercer's use of the laneway, between Queen Street and Richmond Street, from Spadina Avenue to Portland Street,{{cite web |title=Murals on Rush Lane, Toronto, Canada |url=https://www.afar.com/places/rush-ln-toronto |website=AFAR |access-date=8 December 2020 |date=27 May 2015}} during his "Rick’s Rants" monologue on his CBC Television shows, notably The Rick Mercer Report,{{cite web |title=Graffiti Alley |url=https://janeswalk.org/canada/toronto/graffiti-alley/ |website=Jane's Walk |access-date=9 December 2020 |quote=It was on Graffiti, on the lane where Rick Mercer does his Rants}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.columbiavalleypioneer.com/trending-now/tv-host-rick-mercer-signs-off-with-one-final-rant/|title=TV host Rick Mercer signs off with one final rant|date=2018-04-10|website=The Columbia Valley Pioneer|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-20}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and argued that it is a popular destination for photography and draws urban tourists to the area on a daily basis.

The entire laneway south of Queen St West from John Street to Bathurst Street was officially designated as an area of municipal significance in the Graffiti Management Plan adopted by Toronto City Council on July 12, 2011. In September 2015, Vogue Magazine cited Queen West as the second coolest neighbourhood in the world, crediting the area's trendsetting "street style" to Graffiti Alley. The Queen St West BIA and local tour company Tour Guys host walking tours through Graffiti Alley for visitors to experience and learn about graffiti street art.{{cite web|last1=City Council|first1=Toronto|title=Motion Adopted|url=http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.LS5.1|website=City of Toronto|publisher=City of Toronto|access-date=25 July 2011|ref=2011.LS5.1.7.}}{{cite news |last1=Egner |first1=Jeremy |title=36 Hours in Toronto |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/10/travel/what-to-do-36-hours-in-toronto.html |access-date=9 December 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=10 November 2016 |quote=Toronto takes pride in its street art, here showcased in Graffiti Alley}}{{cite web |title=7 cool places to see great graffiti |url=https://www.toronto.com/whatson-story/4778308-7-cool-places-to-see-great-graffiti-in-toronto/ |website=Toronto.com |access-date=8 December 2020 |language=en-CA |date=26 August 2014}}{{cite web |title=Graffiti Alley evolved to become a top Toronto destination |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5742398/graffiti-alley-toronto/ |website=Global News |access-date=9 December 2020}} The Laneway Project and Queen Street West BIA host a party in Graffiti Alley called Layers of Rush Lane: A Party in Graffiti Alley.{{cite web |title=Graffiti Alley is throwing a big block party this weekend |url=https://dailyhive.com/toronto/graffiti-alley-party-toronto-august-2017 |website=dailyhive.com |access-date=9 December 2020 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Layers of Rush Lane: Party in Toronto's Graffiti Alley this Sunday |url=https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2017/08/layers-rush-lane-party-torontos-graffiti-alley-sunday |website=UrbanToronto.ca |access-date=9 December 2020 |date=2017}} The Press Pause{{cite web |title=Press Pause* is the new Black |url=http://www.presspause.ca/main.html |website=PressPause.ca |access-date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217104704/http://www.presspause.ca/main.html |archive-date=2005-12-17}} artist collective is recognized as contributors to Rush Lane.{{cite web |last1=Blackett |first1=Matthew |title=New Press Pause show |url=http://spacing.ca/toronto/2005/12/18/new-press-pause-graffiti-show/ |website=Spacing Toronto |access-date=9 December 2020 |date=18 December 2005}}{{cite web |title=Art Crimes: PPC |url=http://sunsite.icm.edu.pl/graffiti/ppc/index.html |website=sunsite.icm.edu.pl |access-date=9 December 2020}}{{cite news |last1=McLaren |first1=Leah |title=The writing's off the wall |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-writings-off-the-wall/article1330501/ |website=The Globe and Mail |access-date=9 December 2020 |location=Toronto |date=May 21, 2005 |quote=Elicser and his buddy Mediah are hanging out behind Danforth Collegiate, watching as about 20 masked teens pull out spray cans and start painting..."We're promoting doing it legally," says Mediah, a member of Press Pause, the Toronto arts collective that ran the event. "We don't condone vandalism."}}{{cite web |title=Art Crimes: PPC |url=https://www.graffiti.org/ppc/index.html |website=graffiti.org |access-date=9 December 2020 |date=2005 |quote=All artwork and images © copyright 2005 PPC.HUG, Toronto. Photos thanks to Mediah.Press Pause.HUG crew.}}{{cite web |last1=Farquharson |first1=Catherine |title=From street to wall |url=https://nowtoronto.com/from-street-to-wall |website=NOW Magazine |access-date=9 December 2020 |date=18 November 2004 |quote=...a phenomenal opportunity for artists like Trust and the Press Pause collective to exhibit recent pieces inspired by their street art. The remarkable diversity and talent displayed here proves them to be artists in every sense of the word, far surpassing the scribbled mess often associated with the mainstream understanding of graffiti.}}{{cite web |title=Lease - Participating Artists |url=https://housepaint.typepad.com/housepaint/artist-bios.html |website=Housepaint |date=2008 |quote=Lease is a graduate of the Sheridan College Photography program, best known as a co-founder, curator, and organizer of the late, great, Press Pause Collective, and for her highly refined stencil work and commercial photography. Merging traditional and digital processes, she has used her photographic and design background to become Toronto’s reigning ‘Stencil Queen.’ ...Housepaint at the Institute for Contemporary Culture (ICC) at the ROM is the first exhibition of street art in a major Canadian museum, an open-ended exhibition and experiment.}}{{cite web |title=Housepaint at Tent City - Phase 1 |url=https://housepaint.typepad.com/housepaint/2008/11/housepaint-at-t.html |website=Housepaint |access-date=9 December 2020 |date=November 21, 2008}} Style In Progress, a graffiti and hip hop event, takes place at Yonge–Dundas Square and in Rush Lane.{{cite web |title=Style In Progress - Will You Get Down? |url=https://www.blogto.com/arts/2005/07/style_in_progress_-_will_you_get_down/ |website=blogTO |access-date=9 December 2020 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Style in Progress 2005 |url=http://www.styleinprogress.ca/ |website=Style in Progress |access-date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051004082553/http://www.styleinprogress.ca/ |archive-date=4 October 2005}}

In an attempt by the City of Toronto to clean up graffiti while not differentiating between art and vandalism, many graffiti artists or "writers" are only identifiable by their signatures in order to remain anonymous.White 2011 Serious and experienced writers follow unwritten rules amongst each other in order to maintain a hierarchy of respect within the community.Alcoba 2001

The StART Program maintains a directory of street artists and writers based/from Toronto, or have graffiti in Toronto. The registry has grown to approximately 200 entries as of April 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/enhancing-our-streets-and-public-realm/streetartoronto/find-an-artist/|title=StART Artist Directory|date=2017-11-17|website=City of Toronto|language=en-CA|access-date=2019-04-20}} Artists and writers that have a background in graffiti that is registered in the StART program include ARTCHILD, Getso, Jessey Pacho, Li-Hill, MEDIAH, Nando Zevê, Peru 143, Shalak Attack, shayne rivet, SPH, Style Over Status, and Takeo Ten.

The "Rant" segment of CBC Television's Rick Mercer Report featured comedian Rick Mercer walking along the graffiti-covered alleys of Queen Street West, in which he discussed his personal views on contemporary Canadian politics. This segment was originally on another CBC Television show This Hour Has 22 Minutes before Rick Mercer Report was spun off.

In 2019, the bar Graffiti Spot was opened in Richmond Hill, a municipality situated north of Toronto, with the aim to promote art by local graffiti writers.{{Cite web|date=2019-11-18|title=A look inside Graffiti Spot, a Richmond Hill bar plastered in neon street art|url=https://torontolife.com/food/bars-and-clubs/a-look-inside-graffiti-spot-a-richmond-hill-bar-plastered-in-neon-street-art/|access-date=2019-12-01|website=Toronto Life|language=en-US}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• What is the city doing about graffiti? (City of Toronto, 2005). Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20051204015404/http://www.toronto.ca/graffiti/abatement_program.htm
• City Noise blog on Graffiti Alley (2005). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20110811105702/http://www.citynoise.org/article/1674
• Writing Toronto's history (2009). Retrieved from http://senseslost.com/2009/04/21/writing-torontos-history/
• Toronto's Graffiti History (2009). Retrieved from http://www.creativeclass.com/creative_class/2009/03/27/torontos-graffiti-history/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629184244/http://www.creativeclass.com/creative_class/2009/03/27/torontos-graffiti-history/ |date=2011-06-29 }}
• Is it graffiti or art? City working on a new law to figure it out (Toronto Star, 2011). Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/news/article/1010879--is-it-graffiti-or-art-city-working-on-a-new-law-to-figure-it-out/
• New book documents history, evolution of graffiti in Toronto (2011). Retrieved from http://streetartandgraffiti.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-book-documents-history-evolution-of.html
• Graffiti Management Program (Toronto Police, 2011). Retrieved from http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/communitymobilization/graffiti/
• 10 Toronto graffiti writers worth knowing about (BlogTO, 2012). Retrieved from http://www.blogto.com/arts/2012/08/10_toronto_graffiti_writers_worth_knowing_about/
• 7 cool places to see great graffiti in Toronto (Toronto.com, 2014). Retrieved from https://www.toronto.com/whatson-story/4778308-7-cool-places-to-see-great-graffiti-in-toronto/
• 12 Amazing Toronto Murals You Have To See With Your Own Eyes (Narcity, 2016). Retrieved from https://www.narcity.com/ca/on/toronto/best-of-to/12-places-in-toronto-with-eye-catching-graffiti
• Tags & Pieces: A Photo Collection of Canadian Graffiti Art. Volume 1, Toronto (originally published in print, 1997; PDF viewable from following link): https://bac-lac.on.worldcat.org/oclc/793157762
• Toronto's Graffiti Alley: The Complete Guide (Tripsavvy, 2018). Retrieved from https://www.tripsavvy.com/torontos-graffiti-alley-the-complete-guide-4175012

• [https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/enhancing-our-streets-and-public-realm/graffiti-management/ Graffiti Management (City of Toronto)]
• [https://streetartoronto.ca Graffiti Map (StreetARToronto)]

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Category:Graffiti in Canada

Category:Public art in Toronto