The combination of art and activism that reflects on social, environmental, or political issues to provoke action and community engagement is known as artivism. In commemoration of Toronto’s first-ever international street-art festival, A Love Letter to the Great Lakes, we reflect on how the festival used artivism to spread awareness about the ecological importance and conservation of the beloved Lakes as coastal wetlands. Nearly six years ago, a series of murals were scattered throughout the city of Toronto and united 21 international artists, hundreds of locals, students, volunteers, and activists to engage with the community creatively about our connection to the Great Lakes. Throughout the week-long festival, I contributed by planning and coordinating meals while providing support for artists and organizers whilst minimizing waste, keeping meals plant-based, and recycling accordingly.
The festival was a collaboration between Love Letters Projects, a group of Canadian creatives and an extension of the PangeaSeed Foundation’s Seawalls: Murals for Oceans. 23 murals artworks were produced to inspire the audience to observe “our own backyard” and call attention to the ecological importance of freshwater systems that surround us daily. The murals express themes of invasive and disappearing native species, water quality, balance, animal symbolism, decay, environmental damage from the shipping industry, and calls for action for natural resource management. The artworks still decorate the streets of Toronto today and continues to highlight the delicate balance of human impact on biodiversity while encouraging the public to reflect on their connection to various freshwater ecosystems.
The murals still decorate the walls around the city of Toronto:
In reminiscing about Love Letters to the Great Lakes, we also reflect on the Lakes as part of North America’s cultural heritage and ecological importance. They are habitats for countless wildlife species like the Canada Lynx, gray wolf, bald eagle, beavers, moose and various resident and migratory birds. Plus, each of the five Lakes has their own variation in depth and composition, therefore, providing a diverse range of aquatic life such as walleye, trout, sturgeon, and various salmon species. The Great Lakes watershed is a source of most of North America’s drinking water, economic livelihood, and well-being and has been used to transport industry for decades.
Unfortunately due to excessive use the harmful effects of pollution, erosion, and chemical spills continuously damage the water quality. A multilateral effort between international, federal, and municipal leaders are critical to commit to the protection and health of the Lakes. Ultimately the festival provided a platform for public art to raise awareness about these issues and our connection with the Lakes symbolizing that we are part of a freshwater ecosystem, clean water is a public resource that should be accessible to everyone, and that we all have a role in the conservation of biodiversity they sustain. #protectthelakes
Love Letters to the Great Lakes latest installation was in 2019 at the stackt market; Canada’s largest shipping container market. The project invited Torontonians to share their feelings towards the Lakes in various forms of expression and storytelling while creative director Jason Botkin translated words and poetry into a large fluid mural that now embellishes Bathurst Street.
The past couple of years has tested society in unimaginable ways. Many of us found serenity and safety in nature to manage the complexities of these unprecedented times. In reflecting on the trajectory of Love Letters to the Great Lakes mural festival I anticipate more artivism projects that highlight the importance of protecting the Lakes and water resources in general while emphasizing the strength of creative collective action.
Delsur 