The "Memorial to Commemorate the Chinese Railroad Workers in Canada" was created by Eldon Garnet and Franicis LeBouthillier. It is located at the intersection of Blue Jays Way and Navy Warf Ct. It is made primarily of wood and metals and was erected in 1989. It is not uncommon to find new wreaths laying at the foot of this memorial, as many Chinese associations continue to pay their respects. The inscription on one side of the monument reads: "Dedicated to the Chinese railroad workers who helped construct the Canadian Pacific railway through the Rocky Mountains of Alberta and British Columbia thus uniting Canada geographically and politically."

"Out of the Blue" by Shayne Dark, is located on Queen Street West in front of the Museum of Canadian Contemporary Art.  It is made of wood and was erected in 2005. The photos in this article were taken during the summer of 2008 and today it looks as if some of the installation has been removed, possibly by weather or vandalism. From Shane Dark's website: Born 1952, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada Currently resides in Hartington, Ontario, CanadaShayne Dark has participated in numerous exhibitions in Canada and the United States since he ...

Having grown up in the "city of lakes", I find Toronto's waterfront to be a welcoming refuge from the dry air and cement that characterizes the rest of the city. Of particular interest is The Toronto Music Garden, located on the south side of Queen's Quay West, in between Lower Spadina Ave and Dan Leckie Way. During the summer it is a haven for butterflies and other insects, and is surprisingly quiet given its juxtaposition between the island airport and the Gardiner Expressway. 

Often referred to as "Symbol of Multiculturalism", "Monument to Multiculturalism" by Francesco Perilli, is located in front of Union Station at 65 Front Street West and was unveiled on July 1st, 1985 by then Toronto mayor Arthur Eggleton. Fifty eight years after the opening of the "new" Union Station, this piece fits seamlessly into the Beaux-Arts style of architecture that characterizes the building. Although the "main square" of a city can traditionally be seen as its heart, the central train station probably deserves similar respect. The title of this statue reinforces what Toronto has become and is the first piece of public art seen by those arriving to the city by rail. In 1983 Perilli came to Toronto and gave a talk on the topic of multiculturalism. Here is an excerpt of his speech from his website: "...multiculturalism is not only positive, but it is a means of developing interreligious dialogue and peaceful collaboration among men of different ancestries and convictions. And that because its own objective is in fact aimed at overcoming all hatred, both long-standing and nascent. In other words, multiculturalism is conceived as contrary to every racist attitude and fanatical fundamentalism; it stands against every act of terrorism; it is opposed to any evidence, great or small, of overt struggle between individuals, from violence to conflict to genocide; it is adverse, in short, to any supremacy of one over the other that can lead appallingly, as has sometimes and even recently occurred, to the moral indecency of ethnic purging. Multiculturalism is also contrary — I repeat — to every homologation and egotism, political as well as economic and, in a broad sense, cultural."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Shaun Merritt begins a new column on public art in Toronto, looking at what we have, where it is, and some of the stories behind it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - One day while looking into the history of Toronto I came across a fascinating piece on the CBC's website created by radio host Mike Smee and his friend Alan Skeoch, my history teacher from Parkdale Collegiate and a regular columnist on "Radio Noon." The site featured walking tours of the Toronto islands, the Beach,  Sunnyside, and the numerous installations of public art on University Avenue. "The Art of the Avenue," as they called it, describes the stories behind the artwork and is the inspiration behind this current endeavour to catalogue Toronto's Public Art, some that may be overlooked as we pass through the city. The first exhibit of public art is entitled  "Neighbours" by artist Joe Rosenthal. The work is located at St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto. It is made of bronze and was installed in 2001. Artist Joe Rosenthal was born in Romania in 1921. He came to Canada in 1927 and served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1942-1945. He studied at the Ontario College of Art and continued his learning on extensive sketching trips through the Northwest Territories, Mexico, Cuba, England, Holland, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Jordan, Israel, and Egypt.His work has been recognized with awards from the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Canada Council, and the Toronto Outdoor Exhibition.  He is a member of the Royal Canadian Academy and the Ontario Society of Arts.