[URBAN NOTE] "After fight at City Hall, artists get their first road mural at Kensington Market"

[rfmcdonald]

The Toronto Star's Oliver Sachgau reports, with plenty of photos, about the new road murals which will soon be covering the streets of Kensington Market.

You wouldn’t think the colourful paint that was being slathered on Baldwin St. would be controversial in any way.

But the road mural painted in Kensington Market on Sunday is the first of its kind in the city, and comes after a long fight between community activists and city staff.

Five streets will be allowed to be painted between now and October as part of a pilot project.

The mural is part of a pilot project whereby the city is tentatively allowing five streets to be painted between now and October. The Kensington Market mural is the first, and a collaboration between artists, activists and the Kensington Market BIA.

The theme of the Kensington mural is fresh food — something organizer Stas Ukhanov said represents the market’s roots.

“We really wanted to reinforce fresh produce and groceries in Kensington Market. It’s what makes the market this great place,” he said.