The city that defined Canada.
'A city of love': Local artists build sculpture celebrating Toronto
An earthy, wooden Toronto sign now stands on a rocky quay along the water in Humber Bay Park, a vibrant juxtaposition to the concrete and steel backdrop of the Toronto skyline.
The sculpture is the handiwork of local artists and best friends, Thelia Sanders-Shelton and Julie Ryan.
It's made of driftwood that washed up on a nearby beach. The pair got the idea when they heard that Toronto and Region Conservation Authority was looking for "driftwood artists" to make a sign for Canada 150.
They didn't get that job, but forged ahead with their own piece: a seven-foot "150" sign for Canada Day. Sanders-Shelton says it was a hit. "People kept coming and taking pictures, it was such a success."
But that sign only lasted about a week. "They are driftwood and they're drywall-nailed," said Sanders-Shelton, "so they only have so much life."
Ryan is a graphic designer, while Sanders-Shelton draws and paints. This was their first time working on a wooden sculpture.
The two enjoyed their experience so much, they wanted to keep going even after the 150 sign came down.
"It's beautiful being outside. It's beautiful working on it because each piece is unique, they each have their little idiosyncrasies," said Sanders-Shelton. "Each piece just fits."
The pair spent about five days on the project, sometimes taking seven hours at a time to lug rocks and wood from the beach to put up a temporary monument to Toronto.
'A city of love': Local artists build sculpture celebrating Toronto - Toronto - CBC News
'A city of love': Local artists build sculpture celebrating Toronto
An earthy, wooden Toronto sign now stands on a rocky quay along the water in Humber Bay Park, a vibrant juxtaposition to the concrete and steel backdrop of the Toronto skyline.
The sculpture is the handiwork of local artists and best friends, Thelia Sanders-Shelton and Julie Ryan.
It's made of driftwood that washed up on a nearby beach. The pair got the idea when they heard that Toronto and Region Conservation Authority was looking for "driftwood artists" to make a sign for Canada 150.
They didn't get that job, but forged ahead with their own piece: a seven-foot "150" sign for Canada Day. Sanders-Shelton says it was a hit. "People kept coming and taking pictures, it was such a success."
But that sign only lasted about a week. "They are driftwood and they're drywall-nailed," said Sanders-Shelton, "so they only have so much life."
Ryan is a graphic designer, while Sanders-Shelton draws and paints. This was their first time working on a wooden sculpture.
The two enjoyed their experience so much, they wanted to keep going even after the 150 sign came down.
"It's beautiful being outside. It's beautiful working on it because each piece is unique, they each have their little idiosyncrasies," said Sanders-Shelton. "Each piece just fits."
The pair spent about five days on the project, sometimes taking seven hours at a time to lug rocks and wood from the beach to put up a temporary monument to Toronto.
'A city of love': Local artists build sculpture celebrating Toronto - Toronto - CBC News