Tapestry of Movement (Toronto Coach Terminal)

A STEPS PROJECT

Commissioned by Greyhound and Coach Canada, the Tapestry of Movement transformed the Elizabeth Street Terminal and provided cultural programming for downtown Toronto residents and collaboration with artists Sean Martindale and SpudBomb.

Project at a Glance

Location: 610 Bay Street (formerly the Elizabeth Street Terminal), Toronto, Ontario

Artist(s): Sean Martindale, SpudBomb, Angela Malley, Cheryl Lynn Peacock, Kate Yee, Daniela Rocha, Wandy Cheng and Laiken Breau

Year: 2017

Project Photographer/Videographer: Alia Youssef

Services: Artist Capacity Building, Creative Placemaking, Public Art Management

2m+

people experience the mural per year

2,447

sq. ft of public artwork

40

community members engaged in the project’s development

12

paid opportunities for artists and arts workers

About this Project

The Elizabeth Street Terminal has been Toronto’s inter-city bus hub since 1931. Despite being the gateway to the city for roughly 2,000,000 passengers arriving by bus each year, most people wouldn’t characterize the station (or most bus stations for that matter) as welcoming.

STEPS was approached to develop a public art strategy that would help the Toronto Transit Commission-owned terminal overcome illegal vandalism.

With a commitment to engaging the local community at every opportunity, STEPS facilitated interdisciplinary arts programming within the neighbouring YWCA Elm Centre, a supportive residence for facing barriers to accessing housing, in collaboration with artist Bareket Kezwer. Through these workshops, community artists were recruited to contribute to the development of a large-scale mural outside their windows.

“This area used to be called diesel lane, because of all of the taxis and buses. When I looked out of my window it was really depressing, but now it feels beautiful.”

– Cheryl, Community Participant

Take a closer look and you will find the finer stitches of the Tapestry of Movement, representing elements added by community members, including The Anishnabe Seven Teachings, in which animals represent qualities to live by: eagle (love), bualo (respect), bear (courage), Sa-Be / bigfoot (honesty), beaver (wisdom), wolf (humility), and turtle (truth), which grounds the work on Turtle Island. The mural reflects other elements of personal significance to contributors: both the canoes in the water and the willow trees reference “Tkaranto/Taronto”, Indigenous names for what we now call Toronto; the fish and Lady bugs represent feng shui symbols for abundance and good luck.

“Being a part of this project really lifted my spirits, and showed me what I can do.”

– Kate, Community Participant

The transformation of the Terminal’s Annex Building was realized in collaboration with artists Sean Martindale and SpudBomb. The mural’s colourful design was informed by the building’s architecture, function, and the community it serves.

Tapestry of Movement was celebrated with the wider community with an event that included sharing food, Indigenous drummers, an elder and the installation of a land acknowledgment, reflecting the culture of many of the participating community members.

“I was thrilled to see this bleak corner of Edward Street transformed by STEPS. I have been working with the organization for a number of years to bring art and community to our downtown streets, and I’m very proud of this project.”

– City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Toronto Centre