BigArtTO, was a City-led ShowLoveTO initiative involving large-scale projections in each of the City of Toronto’s 25 wards.

Residents were able to explore artwork – while still respecting public health guidelines – across the city with free access to more than 200 hours of illuminated works. Created by Toronto artists, the artworks were projected outdoors onto local buildings and landmarks.
Twenty-two of the BigArtTO productions were the result of a collaboration between the City, OCAD University and AVA Animation & Visual Arts Inc. Three of the BigArtTO productions took place at waterfront locations and will be activated by program partner, The Bentway. These meaningful partnerships provided opportunities for emerging Toronto-based artists and students.

ShowLoveTO, in association with Founding Sponsor American Express, was designed with guidance from Toronto Public Health to provide a safer environment for participants. BigArtTO projections will be held outdoors with space for physical distancing.

The launch was held outside the Odeyto Indigenous Centre, one of two BigArtTO events scheduled this week. Wawatay, an Indigenous-led animated short-film made in partnership with the Seneca Animation Summer Institute and First Peoples@Seneca, was presented. Directed by animation instructor Neil Affleck, the film explores the relationship between the living stories of the Anishinaabe people and the journey of connecting to them. The film offers an introduction to an Indigenous culture and encourages people to partake in the Anishinaabe experience.

The original story was created with the guidance of their elders by Morgan Kagesheongai (Waag Waskinaga First Nation) and Ben Kicknosway (Bkejwanong unceded territory), who drew inspiration from the stories passed down to them through their communities.

ShowLoveTO, in association with Founding Sponsor American Express and in partnership with Destination Toronto, was launched September 14 to encourage local tourism and foster community engagement and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Toronto, in association with Founding Sponsor American Express and in partnership with Destination Toronto, was launched ShowLoveTO to help Toronto recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic.