Grounds for Art Public Art Competition

Manhole Cover from France


Manhole Cover from Japan

Although "manhole covers" are not first and foremost in our minds when we think about public art, why not? They're necessary, so why not make them beautiful and meaningful too? Many cities have done great things in this regard, as the pics above show.

See more on the what different countries and cities have done with their manhole covers on ManHole.ca.

Now its Toronto's turn. As part of the Regent Park Revitalization, the City of Toronto is holding a competition to design new gratings for utility hole covers such as water valve covers, storm sewer covers and sanitary sewer covers. This is a fantastic idea, as manhole covers are always there, but mostly ignored. Its an easy way to inject some creativity into the city, literally from (below) the ground up.

Anyone can submit up to three designs, so get cracking! The deadline is Nov. 27/06. Read more about it here.

Doors Open Toronto Finale - Former Massey Mansion

This building has gone from a mansion for one of Toronto's richest families (that's Massey as in Massey Hall) to a technological institute. It must surely be the most beautiful technological institute in Toronto: lots of large windows, beautiful murals and the same ornate detail as Gooderham House.


The careful observer will note that three of the buildings I visited are on Jarvis, close to Wellesley. Jarvis used to be home to the great (old-moneyed) families of Toronto in the pre-automobile days. However, with the advent of the private automobile, more lanes were added to Jarvis which meant that the beautiful old trees which lined both sides of the street had to go. No longer being the tranquil desirable address it once was, all the old money moved North. Hooray for events like Doors Open Toronto which allow this history to be remembered.

Doors Open Toronto - Gooderham House

This house was stunning. Gentlemen who are third and fourth generation Gooderham provided the tour - they wryly noted that the wealth had not trickled down to their generations. Although this house had an overall decadent beauty, the real treaures were in the small details: ornate ceilings, door hinges, radiators etc. stole the show. Bonus: restaurant on the ground floor with a large patio. Caution: expensive restaurant on the ground floor with a large patio.

Doors Open Toronto - Canada's National Ballet School

This building was amazing. There was so much light and open space that I felt like dancing myself!

Interesting fact about the beautiful floors: they are basically parquet floors, but with each piece of wood turned on its side instead of being laid flat. This creates a more interesting and intricate pattern, as well as making the floor more sturdy and flexible: form and function!

Interesting historical fact: the building housed the CBC for many years, until 1995. In its current incarnation, it provides space for dancers to practice, and there are residences as well for the dancers that do not live within commuting distance.

Interesting financial fact: almost half of the dancers receive substantial bursaries, so that no one is turned away as a result of financial need.

Interesting ballet education fact: there is a music room to provide a music education as well as dance. I guess it makes sense that you would have to be well versed in music in order to be a good dancer. The third shot is the outside of the building, in which choreographical notations (how choreographers write the steps) are etched in the glass. It is apparently very complicated....I believe it!

Doors Open Toronto - The Carlu

Today was spent viewing the glory that is old Toronto architecture as part of Doors Open Toronto. Definitely a day well spent. I visited four buildings: The Carlu, Canada's National Ballet School, Gooderham House and The York College of Industry and Technology (formerly the Massey Mansion). The intricacy of the workmanship and the attention to detail was truly breathtaking. These photos are from the Carlu. I will create a separate post for each building, so that you can concentrate on one building at a time.

The best word to describe this building is posh. From the thick carpets to the skylights to the old-fashioned "phone closets", this is definitely high class. You wouldn't think so from the rest of the building (yes you do know this building...its the one at Yonge and College/Carlton with the Winners and the Tim Hortons), but once you reach the 7th floor, its a different world. The lighting was what really caught my attention, as these photos indicate.