Welcome (Back) to Main Street Ground Murals

This project is part of I HeART Main Street, a program supporting Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) with the support they need to activate their main streets through public art and placemaking. This program engages BIAs, local artists and businesses across Ontario to create more vibrant and safe communities.

Project Type: Temporary Exhibit

Artist: Curtia Wright

Riverside BIA recognizes the importance of public art for placemaking, and had a great time participating in last year’s I HeART Main Street program. As a prize winner last year, the BIA was especially motivated to come back into the challenge with a big, bold concept to welcome everyone back to Queen St. E in collaboration with the neighbouring Leslieville BIA.

With the theme “Welcome (Back) to Main Street”, Riverside and Leslieville are welcoming the community with the word “welcome” in 16 different languages appearing in mural art along the main street sidewalks. Whether a local resident, employee, or a visitor for the first time (and young or young at heart), this activation aims to make the community feel welcomed back with a bit of the normalcy everyone has been seeking, as well as to enjoy new adventures through appreciation for - and participation in - the local things in everyday life.

Find Curtia Wright's murals going east along Queen St. E until McGee St!

About the BIA: Established in 1980, Riverside BIA is one of the first BIAs in Canada. It is a community-oriented, not-for-profit association of local business people, organizations and property owners who work in partnership with the City of Toronto to enhance the Riverside business district located along Toronto's Queen St. E from the Don Valley Parkway to Empire Ave.

With over 25 years of experience in public art implementation, programming, and maintenance, the BIA’s mandate is to improve, beautify and promote Riverside district through marketing, public programming and streetscape improvements.

Thank you to our additional supporters!

I HeART Main Street, presented in partnership with RBC Royal Bank and ShowLoveTO produced by the City of Toronto, is generously supported by the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative funded by the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, funding provided by the Government of Ontario.