The mural on the playing field storage locker, created by artist Pam Lostracco, is now complete! As a result of lobbying from the Friends of Sam Smith Park and the Etobicoke Kangaroos, the local Australian Rules Football team, the City of Toronto allocated funds for the work as part of its Street Art program. FOSS, along with the football team, was consulted and we, of course, made a strong pitch for nature-based themes during a meeting with the City staff responsible for the program. The artist herself was not present for that and we did not have the opportunity to speak with her directly before her final design was formulated and stencils cut. It was made very clear to us that, according to their policy, this was not going to be a FOSS “commissioned” piece and that the artist was completely free to create the mural as she wished and as she interpreted the situation. The finished work is a huge improvement to the old, graffiti-marked locker. It is quite evident that the artist tried her very best to whimsically marry the two interests that were passed on to her by the City after their consultation. The finished work will get a coat of a product that will allow for the easy removal of any tags or graffiti down the road should that be necessary.
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