Toronto's new public art at Eastern and Sumach

They sure had their work cut-out for them!

Scott Eunson and Marianne Lovink are Canadian artists who have been working collaboratively on public art projects since 2009. They're the duo responsible for the gorgeous Lansdowne Fence Streetscape commissioned by the TTC.

We can now admire their new installation along Sumach Street, at the corner of Eastern and Sumach in Corktown, by Pan Am's village of the athletes. Follow the sidewalk eastbound on Eastern to reach the great Underpass Park, or walk a few minutes south of Eastern, on Cherry Street, to access The Distillery).

Start at Eastern and Sumach to better appreciate the chronological progression of the art: from the wilderness, thousands of years ago, to modern day Inglenook School, that we can see right at this corner!

If you go with kids, tell them to spot: an aboriginal long house, a wind mill, an axe, snowshoes, a tall ship, a horse, a hockey stick, a bird, a house in fire, a dream catcher, a church, Victorian houses, the CN Tower and its reflection in a high rise...

At Sumach and King East, turn west to see the amazing murals on four pillars of the underpass.

 

The artists' other artwork in Toronto is located along Paton Road and Lansdowne Avenue, two blocks north of Lansdowne Subway Station. (It is part of the West Toronto Railpath Stroll #5 in my walking guide Toronto Urban Strolls 2.)

 

Odin Cafe + Bar... and murals

Don't be fooled by the simple facade (and tiny patio). Inside, the spacious café Odin features a beautiful design with a Nordic look. It belongs to the owners of Thor Espresso Bar, another café in the same spirit on Bathurst. 

Located at the north-west corner of Kings East and River (514 King East), Odin also serves alcohol, which makes it the perfect stop for a drink after a walk in the neighbourhood. (Open Monday to Thursday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m, Friday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  

  

Underpass Park, south of King East & River

Cool combo
Combine with a walk to the Underpass Park, to admire the murals adorning the pillars of the great skatepark (and the cool urban playground across from the skatepark). Normally, you could add a stroll in Corktown Common, the lovely park with a pond at the foot of Lower River, but it is temporarily closed until August 31 due to the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.

If you continue along Eastern to Sumach Street, you will see the gorgeous cut-out metal sculpture along Sumach. (The Distillery is just 5 minutes away, south west of that corner.) West of Sumach on King, you'll be able to admire more murals on pillars.