North York Harvest Food Bank Mural
In Summer 2022, a group of artists animated a North York Shipping Container Pop-up Food Bank at Jane and Sheppard Library with vibrant art that represented the community.
Project at a glance
Location: 1906 Sheppard Ave W, North York, ON
Artists: Kanisha Dabreo, with assistance from Jasmine Vanstone, Kadia Dabreo, Joseph Bonsu and Kareen Weir
Year: 2022
Photographer/Videographer: Kyle Jarencio
Services: Public Art Management
1
public art mural
3
partner organizations
4
artists engaged
About the North York Harvest Food Bank Mural
During the Summer of 2022, Kanisha Dabreo with STEPS Public Art, alongside North York Harvest Food Bank and Society for the Living animated four exterior walls of a pop-up food bank with a locally inspired and Afrocentric mural at Toronto Public Library’s Jane/Sheppard Branch.
Selected through a Call for Artists with ties to the Jane & Finch Community, Kanisha Dabreo drew on her connections with the area and local input to design and produce this 8’ x 20’ x 8’ mural, highlighting this important community space.
“Creating artwork in a location so close to my heart was an unforgettable experience. My artwork is centred around the importance of kinship/community, inclusivity, and BIPOC representation. My aim is for BIPOC communities to see themselves reflected in my work and as a result see their beauty and worth within society.”
About the Artist
Kanisha Dabreo
Lead Artist
Kanisha Dabreo is a Caribbean-Canadian multidisciplinary artist, digital designer, and founder of Artistic Perception. Based in the GTA, she studied French Studies & Visual Arts at York University and has over 7 years of experience in fine arts, teaching, tutoring, and mentoring. During her free time, she enjoys travelling and learning about new cultures and ways of life. For her, community involvement is vital and a form of activism. Her aim is to inspire others by highlighting the beauty of diversity and culture through visual arts.
Partners
North York Harvest Food Bank engages the community in meeting the food needs of northern Toronto by providing dignified food assistance, education, focused advocacy, and long-term food solutions.
Society for the Living has proudly served the food needs of the Jane and Finch community since 1998.
