Downtown Tour—Public Art and Architecture
OFF-BEAT & OFF THE BEATEN PATH. My name is Jennifer (she/her) and I am passionate about history, art, culture, urban living and community. Born, raised, and educated in Toronto, I offer an insider’s perspective on what makes Toronto unique. I love travel and have visited several places in Canada and the USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Bahamas, England, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and most recently Thailand. Connecting with new people has broadened my understanding of the world and my appreciation of different cultures, and I’m excited to share my experiences with you! In addition to leading tours, I am a performing and literary artist—an animated storyteller with a flair for enlivening experiences—who has organized multidisciplinary arts events in the city over the last decade. I have worked as an English language instructor and can adapt my tours to match your language proficiency level. *CANCELLATION MAY OCCUR due to extreme weather conditions. If your tour is cancelled, you will receive a message two hours prior to the start time.
Pickup
I will meet you by the Toronto Sign in Nathan Phillips Square. I'll be the short person wearing a ball cap and backpack looking out for you.
Description
Come with me downtown where I’ll introduce you to some of my favourite buildings and public art installations.
Be dazzled by an array of whimsical sculptures, light installations, murals and landscape architecture. Hear a cautionary tale about the time city council denied an architect’s request.
See work that inspired a music video by Canada’s most famous rapper.
Starting from the Toronto Sign in Nathan Phillips Square, outside the retro-futurist City Hall, we’ll weave through the financial district, stopping at various picture-perfect locations to talk about the artists and architects, their work, and the city’s Percent for Public Art program.
The tour will end at the whimsical Berczy Park Dog Fountain in the St. Lawrence Market area just in time for lunch from a local vendor.