Toronto: How to read the walls of an urban environment. Public Art, Graffiti, Architecture & more - Private Walking Tour

What is graffiti?? How does public art affect urban living?? What can architecture do to make a city feel like home?? Come along on a stroll down the back alleys of the coolest street in North America, where the colours come alive and the walls hide their own secrets. Together, we will tackle a question of what is public art and how do we perceive it in the modern urban jungle. When was the last time you walked through the back streets and alleys of your area? Have you ever stopped to look closer at those inscriptions that periodically appear on the walls of YOUR city, or simply wrote it off as vandalism? As a storytelling professor myself, I'll help you learn how to read the walls of an urban environment and delve into the community and culture of graffiti and muralism in both Toronto and around the world. This is meant as a walking tour only where we cover about 2km (just over a mile) and it will take around 2 hours.

-After we meet by the "couch monster" near the Art Gallery of Ontario, we'll head to John Street and the Cultural Corridor. -Next, we'll pass by The Grange Park and from where the city started. -We'll then pass by CityTV building and talk about CHUM radio. -We'll continue exploring along Queen Street West. -Later, we'll pass by culinary venues such as Horseshoe Tavern & The Rivoli. -Next, we'll reach Chinatown with its many local restaurants. -Passing by one more culinary venue, DROM Taberna, we'll discuss the phenomena of gentrification in this area. -Then it's on to Augusta road, where I'll give you fun tips of how to park in the downtown area. -Afterwards, we'll walk across Rush lane (aka Graffiti Alley). -Finally, we'll reach the Fashion District.