Monday Mural and Tuesday Treasures

 I'm linking up at Monday Mural and Tuesday Treasures

April 2026 - Toronto ON 

Found in this laneway, off Dundas West. 

For Tuesday Treasures, an update to my 2024 project. Click here for a history of Toronto lane naming and a list of other lanes. That post is a work in progress, and hasn't been updated in a while.

Rocco Mandalfino (1899 –1979) was born in Italy, the child of Antonio Mandalfino and Caterina Le Castro. He served in the Italian Army during the Great War. He was awarded the 1968 World War I Gold medal commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Great War, and in 1971 was made a Cavaliere dell’Ordine di Vittorio Venito (Knight of the Order of Vittorio Venito) by the Republic of Italy for his war service.  He sailed from Palermo, aboard the SS DANTE ALIGHIERI, arriving at Ellis Island (New York City, USA) on 18 August 1923, at 24 years of age. Unmarried. A Roman Catholic. Intended occupation, a labourer. In 1928 Rocco appears in the Toronto City Directory for the first time. First residence; 23 Denison Avenue. Over the next few years, he moves twice more (1360 St. Clair Avenue West and 47 McKay Avenue). He was employed as a shoemaker at American Shoe Repair in 1930-31. He resides at 77 Bellwoods Avenue, Toronto, from 1933 until his passing in 1979.  He is listed as working as a baker until 1960 (Canadian Bakery, Woman’s Bakery, as a guard for Security and Investigation Services until 1969.   He was known as The Builder, (see applicant submission.) 

For Monday Mural PART ONE these murals are painted on the garage doors, a common canvas for street art in this area. The garages are located behind the houses, typically at the back of the gardens.

Featuring a black bear and a moose set against a colorful northern lights background, this was painted by Toronto-based artist Nick Sweetman in 2022. 

Nick Sweetman is a recognized Canadian street artist known for detailed animal illustrations.

 Click on SWEETMAN in the tags/labels below this post to see his many murals around town.

 

The artist's signature, "SWEETMAN 22," is visible in the lower right corner of the mural. 

This mural is by artist Rowell Soller. 

It features his signature style, often characterized by complex patterns and anthropomorphic figures.

The artwork is located on a residential garage door, a common canvas for street art in this area.

The mural showcases intricate line work and a specific color palette often found in Soller's Toronto-based projects.

More Soller, 2020, during the pandemic.

Soller on Lake Shore Blvd.

This mural, titled "Hearts on Fire," was created by Toronto-based street artist D. Terra Stencils. 

It depicts a firefighter using a hose to spray a large red heart, symbolizing "burning love" or a firefighter attempting to extinguish a fire.

Toronto-based stencil artist D.Terra emerged during the pandemic, focusing on large-scale works that quickly garnered widespread community support. Despite the ephemeral nature of street art, his pieces, featuring raccoon symbolism and cultural references, persist in sparking meaningful discussions.

Another D. Terra