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All Canada Ontario Toronto Graffiti Alley
AO Edited

Graffiti Alley

A fantastic place to see murals, and an important location in the history of Toronto's legal street art scene.

Toronto, Ontario

Added By
Christy Kirwan
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  ckirwan / Atlas Obscura User
  ckirwan / Atlas Obscura User
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TruthPhone in Grafitti Alley Toronto   ekim99 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Located within Toronto's Fashion District, Graffiti Alley runs parallel to the trendy stretch of Queen Street West. It encompasses three city blocks and includes the contiguous alleyway of Rush Lane. It's a popular spot to view some of the best examples of Toronto's vibrant street art and mural culture.

Previously a hotspot for unsanctioned graffiti art, Graffiti Alley sparked a fight for legalization by the Queen Street West Business Improvement Association. In 2011, it was designated as an area of municipal significance, and StreetARToronto, or StART, a program that provides funding and approval for public murals and graffiti art, was born from the struggle.

Today, Graffiti Alley is a popular backdrop for photoshoots, as well as a place to see works by iconic artists like Duro the Third, uber5000, and ELICSER. It has served as the venue for small street festivals, a set for music videos, and for a time, had a restaurant named after it.

Related Tags

Graffiti Murals Art Outside Street Art

Know Before You Go

The main section is where Rush Lane turns into Graffiti Alley at the intersection with Augusta  Ave.

Community Contributors

Added By

ckirwan

Edited By

mcerny, Gavin, ekim99, mattfinnigan303

  • mcerny
  • Gavin
  • ekim99
  • mattfinnigan303

Published

April 9, 2020

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Sources
  • https://www.blogto.com/arts/2018/06/graffiti-alley-might-be-be-torontos-most-unexpected-tourist-attraction/
  • https://globalnews.ca/news/5742398/graffiti-alley-toronto/
  • https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/enhancing-our-streets-and-public-realm/streetartoronto/apply-to-start-programs/start-partnership-program/
Graffiti Alley
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2W1
Canada
43.647829, -79.398863

Nearby Places

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Toronto, Ontario

miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Toronto

Toronto

Ontario

Places 55
Stories 8

Nearby Places

Sewers of Toronto

Toronto, Ontario

miles away

Rosalie Sharp Centre for Design

Toronto, Ontario

miles away

Chinese Railroad Workers Memorial

Toronto, Ontario

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Toronto

Toronto

Ontario

Places 55
Stories 8

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