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ArtWalk VMC
By : Ben Johnston, Ricardo Cavolo, Jeremy Shantz, BirdO, LNDMRK
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 15th edition
Discipline : Art & Photography
Categories : Art Projects / Urban Art : Platinum Winner, Gold Certification
Categories : Art Projects / Artwork - Commercial Space : Gold Certification
Categories : Art Projects / Artwork - Public Space : Gold Certification
Completing a project of this scale in just three weeks has been complex yet remarkable. With Ricardo located in Barcelona and unable to travel due to the pandemic, the process of painting the mural involved using FaceTime to guide local artists in bringing the concept to fruition. Altogether, all four murals used over 300 gallons of paint and 1,000 spray cans to complete.
SmartVMC launched ArtWalk, one of Canada’s largest and most ambitious mural projects in the heart of Vaughan, injecting new energy and culture into the emerging city centre.
Altogether, ArtWalk is comprised of four large-scale murals – totaling 30,000 sq. ft – and is a prime example of urban renewal and creative placemaking, transforming SmartVMC into a cultural destination.
As one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada, ArtWalk at SmartVMC will be among the largest murals in Canada alongside future activations, mixed-use condominiums, vibrant commercial offerings, open greenspace, and public amenities.
We know the Walmart has been a landmark building in Vaughan for many years. Since moving to another prime location just across the street, highly visible off the highway, we saw an opportunity for the old location to become a canvas for a series of large-scale murals by renowned international and local artists.
To bring this vision to life, we teamed up with Montreal-based art agency LNDMRK, who has run the popular international street art festival, Mural Fest since 2013 and has launched numerous artists’ careers, to curate a mix of acclaimed and emerging artists for this unique project.
Each of the four artists are responsible for one side of the building. They each brought their own identity and style to create colourful, playful and bold pieces. The muralists include: Barcelona artist Ricardo Cavolo, for whom this marks his first project in the GTA; up-and-coming Montreal-based street artist Jeremy Shantz, and revered, local Toronto artists birdO and Ben Johnston.
ArtWalk will live on-site for the next 3 years, as the SmartVMC continues to transform into a world-class master-planned community. Though this is an evolving site, arts and culture critically bring heart and life to urban spaces.
Amid the province’s reopening, this is a perfect opportunity for residents and communities to come out for a fun, safe day while exploring a new neighbourhood. We’re proud to bring best-in-class public art and activations to Vaughan.
Collaboration
