Colourful art installations have become a beloved August tradition in Toronto’s poshest neighbourhood, but the organizers of Yorkville Murals say this could be the festival’s final year.
Founded in 2019, Yorkville Murals brings nearly 70,000 people to the Bloor-Yonge area annually for a street festival celebrating the city’s arts and culture scene.
Several dozen art installations were displayed with some artists painting live on the street for spectators to watch.Festival organizers say funding constraints have made them question whether or not to bring it back for next year.
“This is for the city, for the community,” festival organizer Elmira Esfandiary told CityNews. “It does require support, it’s been lovely to see this happen every year and evolve into what it is today.”
“Hopefully, acquiring support from the City of Toronto would be amazing for us to be able to continue,” she added.Business owners in the area who spoke to CityNews said the festival has brought many visitors to the area in the last several years.
“It brings a lot of people here to meet their neighbours and shop from local businesses,” Raffaele Bettalico, owner of Coco Espresso Bar said. “I think we should find a solution.”
Dozens of people showed up this weekend, despite intense weather that dropped more than 40 mm of rain on the city.The two-day event is free for the public, but whether it will return next year is still unknown.
