Already the most unique park in the city, Underpass Park has given street artists in the city a rare opportunity to beautify the area with new works that transform the concrete landscape into a kaleidescope of colour.

Recently, the city unveiled new murals on structures underneath the overpasses of Adelaide, Richmond and Eastern in the West Don Lands by 20 local artists.

The murals can be credited to a number of organizations, including StreetARToronto and Mural Routes.

The area is another fine addition to a growing roster of graffiti hot spots that have become local tourist attractions.

Local artist Gilda Monreal, a.k.a. Fiya Bruxa, put her skills to use at Underpass Park in an amazing piece representing the struggle and survival of women. “It’s really to address violence against women,” explains Monreal. “There are two sides of the pillar that Nick (Sweetman) and I worked on. One side shows the strengths, the dignity and the survivorship of women, and the other side represents the indignation and the rage at the fact that this kind of violence still occurs every day.

“It is important to acknowledge the purpose, strength and essence that art can have, especially when it’s done in a public space, and being able to use it as an important message that affects thousands of men, women and children every day,” she added.

Many of the pillars were painted by a local artist who goes by the name “Labrona.” He often depicts his images in this same type of character style, but this time he utilizes the pillars to draw people seemingly holding up a bridge. It isn’t entirely obvious, but the representation of these people on the underpass pillars bears an impressive message for all Torontonians to remember. This city rests on the hands of its people and they are the ones who hold it up. If they fall, their city falls with them, and it is so important to remember how crucial the people and the communities of this city truly are.

Other areas to see the work of local street artists include the long-running Graffiti Alley — which runs between Spadina and Portland in a back alley just south of Queen Street West — as well as Kensington Market and the east-end Laneways project on Eaton, Woodycrest and Langford avenues near Pape and Danforth, to name just a few.