Written by Holly Hebert, Assistant, Events & Outreach

Over the course of a two-year pilot project, Toronto Arts Foundation, with support from TD Bank Group, will work directly with community members to support the co-curation and enhancement of existing Arts in the Parks activities and events. These enhancements are based on a series of community consultations that took place in the spring of 2026 and will continue into 2027. For more information on the pilot, please reach out to engagement coordinators Jeff (jeff@torontoarts.org) and Liz (liz@torontoarts.org). 

June 2026 was filled with brightly animated flowers, a hot sun perched high, and bursts of greenery spilling into sidewalks. These images come to mind not only because of summer’s beautiful beginning, but with encouragement from Carrie Perreault’s event, We Must Love and Support One Another. Located in Etobicoke’s Raymore Park throughout June, the event was a celebration of the Humber River and its surrounding community, inviting those most familiar with the park or first-time passersby to share what they love about its nature.  

The event involved three sign-making workshops for which arts materials were provided. Questions were left at tables with participants, prompting them to think about what makes the Humber River important to them. Using paints, stickers, cut-outs, tactile props like feathers, and other artistic instruments, more than 25 signs were created at each workshop. From these, a single phrase was chosen that Carrie and her team made into a 200-foot installation along the fence at Raymore Park. The words, written in both English and Spanish, “The river makes me wonder if the fish are having a good life” and “El río me hace preguntarme si los peces están teniendo una buena vida,” will be available for viewing until Winter 2027. 

For each of the three sign-making workshops, different enhancements complemented the event. Artist Becs attended We Must Love each week, either face painting or assisting with the sign-making. Whether transforming kids into superheroes or helping them bring their creative visions to life, Becs brought dazzling smiles to the faces of many. 

During the second workshop, Dario Dvon a local R&B musician,  played a variety of sets throughout the afternoon, even taking song requests which he transformed into his own style. His performance created a serene atmosphere for participants to hum and sway as they designed their signs. 

During week three, Natasha Roldán and Jorge Gil Arias performed Latin folk and jazz music. The two exuded calm confidence, one they shared with their audience of sign-makers. Their performance had parkgoers gathered and participants lingered to bask in song.  

We Must Love and Support One Another was an event that truly brought its title to life. Every step of these workshops was engaged with thoughtful care, especially from those who participated. As one attendee put it, “I especially love the ‘we love’ meaning together in the park.” 

If you are interested in donating to Arts in the Parks to help this work continue, visit us here.