From Concrete to Canvas:
The Making of Hillcrest’s Yellow Oasis Mural
Toronto, ON – September 2025 — A once-blank wall in Toronto’s Hillcrest Village is undergoing a transformation into a vibrant landmark and gathering place through a new community-engaged mural titled Yellow Oasis. Created by Iranian-Canadian artist Yasaman Mehrsa, this striking public artwork explores the cultural and environmental layers of the neighbourhood, honouring the journeys of newcomer communities.
Located at 840 St. Clair West, Yellow Oasis draws inspiration from the hidden natural wonder beneath our feet, Garrison Creek, a buried waterway that once flowed freely through the area. The mural evokes this underground current as a symbol of continuity, connection, and memory, linking past and present, nature and city, and the diverse communities who now call Hillcrest home.
Rooted in community voices, the project grew out of an inclusive engagement process, from online surveys to neighbourhood tabling and a lively public event with local food and musicians, ensuring the mural reflects the stories, pride, and perspectives of Hillcrest Village, garnering participation from an estimated 400 community members.
Source: Pablo Rincon Diaz
Led by STEPS Public Art, and funded in part and supported by the City of Toronto’s StreetARToronto program, Eight Forty local condo residents, Toronto-St. Paul’s City Councillor Josh Matlow, the Hillcrest Village BIA, Toronto Friends of the Visual Arts, Bulmash-Siegel Foundation, Ontario Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, the TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment, Goodbye Graffiti and Dulux Paints the project is part of a growing movement to use art as social infrastructure. Beyond beautification, along with the exploration of cultural and environmental layers, the mural addresses long-standing property damage through creative problem-solving and aligns with city-wide goals for inclusive and safer public spaces that reflect the communities they are situated in.
As a charitable organization and social enterprise, STEPS is responsible for some of Canada’s largest and most impactful public art projects. Beyond individual murals, the organization works with municipalities, BIAs, developers, and community groups across the country to realize transformative cultural and infrastructure projects that strengthen both the social and economic fabric of communities.
Source: Anushay Sheikh
“Yellow Oasis is a celebration of what lies beneath and beyond what we see, the creek that once flowed here, the trees that grew tall, and the animals that still move among us,” says artist Yasaman Mehrsa. “Through this work, I wanted to show how nature continues to breathe life into the city, offering beauty, guidance, and renewal. Even in an urban landscape, the land holds memory, spirit, and the power to bring us together.”
For Toronto-St. Paul’s City Councillor, Josh Matlow, the project represents proactive leadership in strengthening communities:
“The Yellow Oasis mural is an expression of community, creativity, and leadership. I was excited to partner with STEPS in their mission to make our streets safer and more welcoming by bringing this project to life.”
Neighbourhood pride and local business vitality have also been central outcomes. Dr. Heather Hannah, Chair of the Hillcrest Village BIA, shared:
“Public art, such as murals, provides the finishing touch to the streetscape of a business area such as Hillcrest Village. This giant mural serves as a focal point and something to talk about. Hillcrest Village BIA is the yellow oasis of St. Clair Ave West, and this giant mural project continues that theme.”
Source: Anushay Sheikh
From a business perspective, local restaurant owner Robert Chee of Aviv Immigrant Kitchen highlights the transformation:
“Running a business here, we’ve seen how public art can change the energy of the area. Where there was once tagging and tension, people stop to admire the art, take photos, and talk about its meaning. It feels like the street is being cared for. That’s good for everyone, especially local shops and restaurants like ours.”
Property owners have seen a meaningful impact as well. Terry Winston, a member of the condo board at Eight Forty, remarked:
“We were facing ongoing vandalism and escalating maintenance costs. Partnering on Yellow Oasis allowed us to move from reacting to the problem to creating something that reflects our community with pride. Residents feel safer, more connected to the neighbourhood, and proud to be part of a lasting cultural contribution to the city.”
Central to STEPS’ mission is not only producing public art, but also building capacity for Canadian artists and cultural workers. Through mentorship, professional development, and paid opportunities, STEPS supports equity-deserving and emerging artists in developing the technical, logistical, and collaborative skills needed to thrive in this field.
Yellow Oasis has provided mentorship and skill-building opportunities through paid positions, Artist Assistant Andrea Rodriguez shared:
“Being part of Yellow Oasis has been a transformative experience. I’ve learned the technical aspects of large-scale mural work, but also the importance of care, collaboration, and storytelling in public art. This opportunity has helped me grow my skills and confidence, and it’s shown me what’s possible when artists like me are given space to learn, contribute, and be visible.”
Source: Anushay Sheikh
More than a work of art, the mural is a statement: investing in creativity strengthens communities. With public art playing a key role in economic vitality and civic pride, Yellow Oasis offers a model for how storytelling, cultural reflection, and environmental awareness can converge in the heart of a neighbourhood. Through its range of programs, from cultural planning and artist residencies to large-scale murals and sculptures, STEPS continues to demonstrate how public art can act as social infrastructure, driving both cultural vitality and neighbourhood resilience.
For Media Inquiries, Photos, or Interviews:
STEPS Public Art – Yellow Oasis Project Page
Artist and stakeholder interviews can be arranged upon request.
Anjuli Solanki, Program Director
anjuli@stepspublicart.org
1-888-783-7780 ext. 4
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