Toronto, ON — A once-drab stretch of the Gardiner Expressway near Exhibition Place has been transformed into a vibrant 10,000-square-foot mural, turning grey concrete into a dynamic display of colour and creativity. The massive artwork, completed in October, now greets thousands of commuters traveling into Toronto each day, adding new life and beauty to one of the city’s busiest corridors.
The mural is the result of a partnership between The Bentway and Exhibition Place, two organizations committed to revitalizing and reimagining the spaces surrounding the Gardiner Expressway. Toronto-born artist Rebecca Munce was selected to create the design from a shortlist of Canadian artists commissioned for the project.
“Rebecca’s proposal just blew us all away,” said Ilana Altman, Co-Executive Director of The Bentway. “Her design captures the spirit of the city’s landscape and transforms a space people once overlooked into one that connects us and inspires civic pride.”
The mural, rich in shades of blue and green, incorporates both natural and architectural references from Toronto’s landscape. Three arches at the mural’s western end pay homage to the historic Princes’ Gates at Exhibition Place, while renderings of native plants such as cattails, goldenrods, and black-eyed Susans reflect the natural ecosystem found along the Gardiner’s edge. A mosaic-like pattern at the eastern side symbolizes riverbed stones and the original shoreline of Lake Ontario, blending urban art with elements of local geography.
Over a four-week period, five artists from Montreal-based ASHOP Productions painted the mural using digital projection techniques and large lifts to achieve the sweeping design. The mural represents a key part of The Bentway’s mission to transform underused infrastructure into creative public spaces that connect communities and celebrate art in the urban environment.
“For too long, the Gardiner has stood as a barrier between Torontonians and the waterfront,” Altman added. “This project turns that barrier into a bridge — something to be celebrated and shared.”
The mural can be viewed from Strachan Avenue, just north of the Gardiner Expressway, or from nearby residential towers in Liberty Village. It is also visible to passengers arriving in the city by GO and VIA Rail trains. While direct access to the area is temporarily limited due to Ontario Line construction, residents are encouraged to enjoy the view from designated vantage points.
As part of a rotating public art initiative, the mural is expected to remain in place for approximately two years before a new work takes its place. For now, Munce’s creation stands as a testament to Toronto’s ongoing transformation — proof that even the city’s most utilitarian structures can become canvases for imagination, beauty, and connection.