Graffiti Alley, Graffiti and street art alley in Toronto, Canada
Allée du Graffiti, also known as Graffiti Alley, is a back alley in Toronto's Fashion District, Canada, lined with building walls covered from top to bottom in murals, spray-painted tags, stencil art, posters and stickers. The alley runs just south of Queen Street West, between Spadina Avenue and Portland Street, with art spilling into nearby side lanes as well.
The alley was originally an overlooked back lane where artists worked without drawing much attention. In 2011, the City of Toronto officially recognized it as an important part of the city's culture, which helped local businesses and property owners along the lane accept the murals on their walls.
Many murals reflect Toronto city life, from raccoons to local sports teams and neighborhood figures. One artist, Uber5000, created a large work here that brought many of these characters together in a single composition.
The alley is easy to reach on foot from nearby Kensington Market or Chinatown and is open at all times. Visiting during daylight hours is a good idea, as the light brings out the colors of the murals and other visitors tend to be around.
During the major protests of 2020, artists turned parts of the alley into a space for remembrance by painting black-and-white portraits of civil rights figures. Many of these works included the names of the people portrayed, turning a place known for color into one of quiet memorial.
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