Community-engaged art
An extension of public art, community-engaged art is being created by or in collaboration with community members, whereas public art is usually produced by commissioned artists.
This collaboration with communities is really unique and special, offering people of all ages with little to no art experience a chance to participate and contribute towards an exciting project they can feel proud of, allowing them to connect with their others.
Pollinator Garden
As part of Evergreen’s Community Spotlight Program, this vibrant community mural was painted together with a variety of folks at Evergreen Brick Works Garden Market. Little 3 years olds to teenagers to seniors all added their personal touch to the wall.
It was such a joy bringing this plain wall to life, celebrating native plants and their pollinators: coneflowers, goldenrod and cup plants, bees, monarch and yellow swallowtail butterflies and their unique caterpillars.
Located inside the Evergreen Garden Market at 550 Bayview Ave. Toronto
All you need is love
During the Fall of 2021, I engaged the residents of CityPlace in order to create a community-engaged window mural at The Bentway Studio.
As part of the Bentway's 2021 Community Incubation Program, I facilitated virtual workshops to help participants discover new skills through creative self-expression. Participants were guided through the process of exploration, brainstorming ideas and themes they wanted to share during this time. Together we learned basic mural techniques to prepare for the collaborative window mural.
Photo by Cass Rudolph
Photos by Cass Rudolph with permission by all participants/parents/guardians
Based on the themes that came up in the workshops, I created a fun and playful mural design that depicted community love with big, bold letterforms and intersecting shapes. People of all ages and art levels came out to paint in person and contribute towards this large, vibrant and positive transformation of The Bentway space.
Workshop facilitation
PAINT YOUR OWN MAILBOX
Why not transform an otherwise drab structure into an expression of art you will see everyday? Participants will learn unique transfer methods, colour theory, and how to paint on a three dimensional surface in order to create a beautiful "mini-mural".
“Through this unique art activity, I hope to inspire participants to see the potential in animating the spaces and communities we live in and visit everyday. All it takes is an idea and a little bit of paint.” - Julia Prajza
The art of lettering
Hand lettering is about drawing letters by hand.
This workshop will give a background to lettering as a unique art form, creative hobby and act of self-expression. We’ll explore different techniques to bring the alphabet to life with attention to detail, practicing shadows, flourishes, and finally brainstorming ideas to create unique compositions.
Creative window Mural
Window murals are a fun, stress free activity because they’re completely temporary.
In this workshop, participants will learn about creating a window mural from both the inside and the outside. They will learn basic techniques, tricks and tips in order to paint their own window mural in the comfort of their own home or together in a shared space.
River of Time by Neighbourhood Love
River of Time painted by the Neighbourhood Love Collective: Julii McMillan, Natalie Very B., Bareket Kezwer and Julia Prajza
A Pop of colour in South Etobicoke
Neighbourhood Love is excited to announce our biggest community and public art project yet, painted in June 2022 in South Etobicoke!
We transformed a 2000 square foot retaining wall into a dynamic mural, celebrating the natural environment of the South Humber River by incorporating themes of nature, local flora and fauna and by drawing on stories from the local community.
Created as part of StreetARToronto’s Partnership Program & Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2022, in collaboration with the Sunnylea-Stonegate Neighbourhood Association.
The mural will benefit the Sunnylea-Stonegate neighbourhood by strengthening the community's identity and sense of belonging, having brought neighbours together through different engagement opportunities. Located on Stephen Dr. near Waniska Ave.
Born through a mutual love of community-engaged art and the desire to connect with our neighbours. As a group of four professional mural artists, we’re collaborating with neighbourhoods to bring colour to our streets.
Our Collective came together quickly and naturally to develop our first public art initiative as a response to a bullying incident in October 2020. We organized a creative demonstration of love through 25 hand painted murals by 20 local artists for homeowners across South Etobicoke.
We volunteered our professional skills in order to visibly express the positive, diverse and inclusive spirit of this community. Together we turned this negative story into a positive one, spreading joy and colour in the neighbourhood. As a Collective, we hope to continue these projects of community love, encouraging human connection through public murals in Toronto and beyond.
