DesignTO, formerly the Toronto Design Offsite Festival, is Canada’s largest cultural celebration of design with over 100 free exhibitions and events forming Toronto’s design week, January 18-27, 2019. Going into its 9th year, DesignTO transforms Toronto into a hub for creativity, taking design and art out of the studio and into the urban sphere, bringing people together to celebrate contemporary culture.

The Yonge + St. Clair BIA is a proud sponsor of the Festival, and will play host to 12 installations and two events across the neighbourhood. Installations include brand new work by Studio F Minus, designers of the Tunnel of Glam.

Use the map below to find all the festival programming, and click the links below for more information.

INSTALLATIONS

1 – ‘Morpheus’ by Gensler (2 St. Clair W)

2 – ‘Faux Garden’ by Hi Thanks Bye (30 St. Clair W)

3 – ‘ReflectLive’ by superkül (Delisle Parkette behind 30 St. Clair W)

4 – ‘StrataSphere’ by IBI (55 St. Clair W)

5 – PULP: Exhibit + Home (1 Delisle Ave)

6 – ‘Furnishing Balance’ by Pablo Muñoz (1510 Yonge St)

7 – STEPS x New Balance (1510 Yonge Street)

8 – ‘Sparkle Squish Plush Pond’ by Studio F Minus (95 St. Clair W)

9 – ‘Dissipate Like a Cloud or Smoke or Wintery Breath’ by Derrick Piens (45 St. Clair W)

10 – ‘The Accessibility Experiment: Navigating the World in an Alternative Format’ by CNIB (1525 Yonge St)

11 – ‘The Trees Amongst Us’ by Nicola Woods (21 St. Clair W)

12 – ‘Pro Tem’ by Janine Miedzik (1560 Yonge St)

EVENTS

13 – Tour: Exploring Art at Yonge + St. Clair (January 20, 11:00am – 12:00pm)

14 – Ideas Forum: Watershed to Waterfront (January 24, 6:30pm – 8:30pm)

Use #DesignTO19 and #YongeStClair when you share your photos, and we’ll feature them here.

This holiday season, shop local! Yonge + St. Clair is home to an amazing array of merchants stocked with the perfect gifts for your friends, co-workers, and loved ones.

Heres our guide to help you pick up local gifts for each type of person on your list.

For the ‘Cozy Cottager’

Dorval Faux Fur Pom Toque – $42
Roots
1485 Yonge St

Anna Porter: ‘In Other Words’ – $28
Book City
1430 Yonge St

Cranberry Starcut Nordic Mug – $23
DAVIDsTEA
2 St. Clair W

CNIB Future Guide Dog Plush – $20 Donation
CNIB Community Hub
1525 Yonge St

Kenzo Takada Sunglasses – $793
Kaltenbock Opticians
2 St. Clair E

Silks Holiday Collection Socks – $12
Legs Beautiful
1470 Yonge St

Snowball Beanie – $30
New Balance
1510 Yonge St

MiiR Travel Thermo 3D Mug – $34
Roots
1485 Yonge St

For the ‘Gourmand’

Newfoundland Chocolate Company Extra Dark Bar – $85 (part of gift set)
Baskits
2 St. Clair E

Yotam Ottolenghi: ‘Ottolenghi Simple’ – $42
Book City
1430 Yonge St

Green Teas Gift Pack and Measuring Spoon – $20 (teas), $7 (spoon)
DAVIDsTEA
2 St. Clair W

Vuarnet 002 Timeless Icon Sunglasses – $290
Kaltenbock Opticians
2 St. Clair E

Jacobsons Mince Pies – $8
Paperboy Cards + Gifts
7 Pleasant Blvd

LA Trading Co. Dress Like Coco Cloth – $19
Paperboy Cards + Gifts
7 Pleasant Blvd

Tipsy Tapas Cheese Stuffed Sweet Peppers – $10
Zelden’s Deli
1446 Yonge St

Maple Syrup – $10
Roots
1485 Yonge St

For the ‘Trend Setter’

Virginia Johnson: ‘Travels Through the French Riviera’ – $27
Book City
1430 Yonge St

Só Coconut & Oat Milk Bath – $85 (part of gift set)
Baskits
2 St. Clair E

Buck Naked Soap Company Vanilla Chai Bar – $35 (part of gift set)
The Health Shoppe
1375 Yonge St

Oliver Goldsmith Decades Sunglasses – $670
Kaltenbock Opticians
2 St. Clair E

Michael Kluthe Hairspray – $12
Michael Kluthe
1428 Yonge St

Fresh Foam Cruz v2 Sneakers – $119
New Balance
1510 Yonge St

Cabin Socks – $19
Roots
1485 Yonge St

For the ‘Athlete’

Women’s Heat Loft Funnel Pullover – $90
New Balance
1510 Yonge St

Genius and Almondmilk Cold Pressed Juices – $7 each
Greenhouse Juice
2 St. Clair E

Pop Socks – $18
Pop Physique
1560 Yonge St

Coffee Shop Reading Socks – $25
Legs Beautiful
1470 Yonge St

Tundra Fair Isle Mitts – $48
Roots
1485 Yonge St

This is it – the Yonge + St. Clair BIA’s inaugural Holiday Block Party. With activations from businesses across the neighbourhood together with curated sidewalk attractions, there is no better way to spend an evening. Pay a visit local merchants for special giveaways, promotions, and specials. Plus live music, a roaming Santa with candy canes for the kids, a dance trio, and of course, the Tunnel of Glam.

It all goes down on December 13 from 4pm to 8pm.

Explore the map and descriptions below to learn more about what’s happening in the ‘hood.

1. #TunnelofGlam – Dance Party
1501 Yonge Street, 4 – 8pm
Visit the #TunnelofGlam and be treated to non-stop beats.

2. Sidewalk Santa
Various locations, 4 – 8pm
Santa will be traversing the Yonge + St. Clair neighbourhood handing out candy canes. Can you find him?

3. Sapphire Dance Trio
Various locations, 4 – 8pm
The Sapphire Dance Trio will be glammed up in holiday sequins and spreading the festive spirit all over the neighbourhood. Plus, they’ll be handing out free glow bracelets for kids!

4. Juice Box Brass Band
Corner of Yonge + St. Clair, 4 – 8pm
Your favourite summer brass band returns to play holiday hits at the Four Corners.

5. Michelle Thibodeau – Musical Performance
1406 Yonge Street, 5 – 6pm

6. Carmen Toth – Musical Performance
1406 Yonge Street, 7 – 8pm

7. Hair Artisans – 20%-off All Retail 
76 St. Clair W, 4 – 8pm
20% off all retail items, including holiday gift sets!

8. Paperboy Cards & Gifts – Free Tea Sandwiches 
7 Pleasant Blvd, 4 – 8pm
Enjoy complimentary tea sandwiches while you shop the wide selection of holiday gifts!

9. St. Clair Dental Associates – Toothbrush Giveaway
65 St. Clair E, 4pm – 8pm

10. Sylvan Learning Centre – Coding Fun
60 St Clair E, #101, 5 – 8pm
Drop by our centre to learn how to code! Kids (and kids at heart) will create their own apps or games they can show their parents, and we’ll also print Hour of Code certificates they can bring home. And, it’s fun! With interactive, hands-on activities, students will learn computational thinking skills in an approachable way.

11. Holiday Craft Market
55 St. Clair W, 12 – 7pm
Holiday Market featuring one of a kind goods from local artisans.

12. Oxford Learning – FREE Gift Wrapping & come in to schedule a Dynamic Assessment for 50% off for the month of December!
44 St. Clair E, 5 – 8pm
Dynamic Assessment is an interactive way of conducting a learning assessment on students, and helps identify the unique skills and learning potential of every child. Also offering FREE gift wrapping from 5-8pm along with a Hot Chocolate bar!

13. Calvin Presbyterian/Deer Park United Church – Choir and Crafts 
26 Delisle Ave, 6:30 – 7pm
Come tour the sanctuary and enjoy a 15 minute uplifting choir concert beginning at 6:45 p.m. A kids craft corner will be available as well!

14. DAVIDsTEA – Hot Tea Giveaway 
2 St. Clair W, 4 – 8pm
Drop by DAVIDs TEA for complimentary hot tea!

15. Kaltenbock Opticians – $100 Gift Card Giveaway
2 St. Clair E, 10am – 6pm
Visit Kaltenbock Opticians and you’ll receive a free $100 gift card!

16. Baskits – 10%-off Store-wide
2 St. Clair E, 9am – 8pm
Store wide sale – 10% off!  Plus, we’ll be raffling one of our favourite holiday baskits “Sleigh” (valued at $160). For a raffle ticket, we will be accepting donations to The Shoebox Project. (The Shoebox Project for Women, supported by Dream, collects and distributes gift-filled Shoeboxes to women impacted by homelessness in communities across Canada and the US. Each thoughtfully created and decorated Shoebox is filled with items valued at $50 that can enhance self-esteem and reduce feelings of isolation for women in need.)

17. Stonerose Hair Studio – 20%-off Services
1504 Yonge St, 4 – 8pm
20% off all services if you mention the Yonge + St. Clair block party. Plus, buy a blow-dry package and receive 20% off any colour services.

18. Delisle Court – Photo Opportunity and Loot Bags Giveaway
1560 Yonge St, 4 – 8pm
We will be setting up a large inflatable penguin family in our pad on Delisle and besides that we will have holiday scene backdrop with photobooth props. We also plan to give away loot bags to visitors with contents donated by Delisle tenants

19. Pet Valu – Free Dog Treats
1560 Yonge St, 4 – 8pm
Enjoy a complimentary holiday dog treat!

20. Midtown Gastro-Hub – 15%-off All Food
1535 Yonge St, 4 – 8pm
Come watch the Leafs game and enjoy 15% off all food!

21. CNIB – Virtual Reality Jamboree
1525 Yonge St, 4 – 7pm
This will be a fun event involving refreshments snacks and a virtual reality experience that will indulge your senses and expose you to new inclusive ways of accessing Yonge and St Clair.

22. Chestnut Park Real Estate – Free Hot Chocolate
1501 Yonge St, 4 – 8pm
Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, cookies, and coffee, courtesy of Chestnut Park Real Estate

23. Legs Beautiful – Win a Gift Basket
1495 Yonge St, 9am – 8pm
Enter the draw to win 1 of 4 gift baskets!

24. Roots – Meet the Roots Beaver
1485 Yonge St, 4 – 8pm
Come meet the Roots Beaver, and receive complimentary candy canes. Plus, spend $75+ and receive a free pair of cabin socks!

25. Salon Scavo – 15%-off Blow Dry
1470 Yonge St, 4 – 8pm
Come join us Thursday December 13th from 4-8pm at Salon Scavo and enjoy a blow dry at 15% off. Including all retail along with Kerastase gift boxes! Take advantage of this perfect opportunity to do some last minute holiday shopping. With the service you’ll receive a ticket to be entered in a draw to win a gift basket, along with a voucher to come back between January 10-31 and receive 20% off any salon service!

26. Olsson Optical – Holiday Window Display + Germano Gambini Trunk Show
1407 Yonge St, 4 – 8pm
The mouse returns! Enjoy Olsson Optical’s annual holiday troll window display together with their wide selection of frames. Plus – a trunk show by Germano Gambini! Receive a $50.00 discount on any complete pair of Germano Gambini prescription eyeglasses.

27. Chi Laser Spa – Sidewalk Sale
1 Balmoral Ave, #5, 4 – 8pm
Sidewalk sale, offer promo deals, giveaways, and discounted products!

28. Barnsteiner’s – Cookies + Candy Canes
1 Balmoral Ave, 4 – 8pm
Come in for cookies and candy cane giveaways!

29. Honours Driving School – $30 discount on full course packages
46 St. Clair E, #201A
Sign up for a full course this Holiday season and get $30 off! Offer is only valid if you join us for the in-class sessions held from Dec 27 – Dec 30

30. Robert Dunne Salon – 15%-off retail and $25 Blow Dry
1430 Yonge St, 4 – 8pm
Visit Robert Dunne Salon and take 15% off all retail products, and get a $25 blow dry with a junior stylist.

31. Healthy Habits Nutrition and Fitness Consulting Inc. – Breath and Meditation Lecture
85 St. Clair E, 6 – 7pm
We will be serving hot detox tonic with holiday spices and listening to ancient musical tones as we learn about the magic of breath pattern and quick mediation techniques. A sure way to help set a blissful and calm tone for the holiday season.

32. The Health Shoppe – Free Giveaways
1375A Yonge St, 4 – 8pm
Free mini gift bag to the fist 60 customers. Free stainless steel water bottle if you spend $50, while supplies last. Be entered into a draw to win 1 of 3 gift baskets.

33. New Balance – 20% Off Sale
1510 Yonge St, 4 – 8pm
Take 20% off all regular priced apparel!

34. Druxy’s Famous Deli – Sale and Giveaways
2 St. Clair E, 9am – 6pm
Free coffee/ tea with purchase of any breakfast bagel or sandwich. $2 off any lunch sandwiches

35. Rexall – Cosmetic Gift Bag Giveaway
2 St. Clair E, 7am – 10pm

36. Sean’s Quality Shoe Repair – 2 for 1 Shoeshine or Heel Repair
2 St. Clair E, 9am – 6pm
2 for 1 shoeshine OR heel Repair (ladies or mens). Offer expires Dec 31 2018. Must mention ad to receive offer.

37. Glamour Secrets – 20%-Off Coupons
2 St. Clair E, 9am – 6pm
Glamour Secrets will be giving away 20% off coupons (first come, first serve).

38. TPH – Holiday Poster Special
2 St. Clair E, 9am – 6pm
30% savings! 46lb bond – $15. 8mil Satin – $16. Mount to White Foamcore for an additional $5.00

39. CIBC – Hot Chocolate and Candy Cane Giveaway
1 St. Clair W, 4 – 8pm
Stop by CIBC for free hot chocolate and candy canes!

40. Union Social Eatery – Free Appetizer
21 St. Clair W, 4 – 8pm
For tables of 4 persons or more, receive a complimentary appetizer!

41. RBC -Take 20 and Get $20 
10 St. Clair W, 4 – 8pm
Think all banks are the same? With a quick conversation, we can show you how RBC® can help you in ways other in person banks can’t – and get $20 for your time!  We have new, innovative ways to save and make your life more convenient – including partnerships and unique banking tools. Come talk with us for award-winning advice, and experience the RBC difference for yourself.

PLUS – CONTESTS! 

Follow @YongeStClair on Instagram for 12 days of holiday giveaways from local merchants.

Pop Physique
December 10 – 12
Win a free pair of Pop Socks and 4 free classes

Midtown Gastro-Hub
December 15 – 17
Win $40 in gift certificates

Hair Artisans
December 17 – 19
Win $200 in gift cards

SEMI Sports & Exercise Medicine
December 20 – 22
Win a free 1-hour massage

The Yonge + St. Clair BIA has launched a Streetscape Master Plan process to reimagine the streetscape and determine investments in the public realm over the next 5 – 10 years.

The Streetscape Master Plan will guide the BIA’s investments in public realm improvements such as:

– Sidewalk improvements
– Paving materials
– Trees and vegetation
– Street furniture (benches, bike racks, etc)
– Lighting

The Master Plan is expected to be completed by Spring of 2019.

Over the coming months, we’ll be providing ongoing updates to the process including opportunities for the public to get involved!

October 30, 2018
Public Open House

This past summer Yonge + St. Clair was home to nine unique brain sculptures as part of the Toronto wide art initiative titled The Brain Project. As part of the initiative, Yonge + St. Clair was the title sponsor for the ‘People’s Choice Award’ which allowed the public to vote for their favourite brain sculpture which would have been designed by a talented group of artists, celebrities and thought-leaders from across North America.

This year’s People’s Choice winner was Eden Bender, whose sculpture titled ‘Connect/ Disconnect’ brought in over 3800 votes! We recently sat down with Eden during her exclusive private dinner provided by BUCA and The Delisle Space (as one of her two winning prizes) and asked her about the inspiration behind Connect/ Disconnect and why she chose to be a part of The Brain Project.

What was your creative thinking process behind Connect/Disconnect and how long did it take to create this sculpture?

I wanted to symbolize some of the challenges one faces with ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder). This sculpture required three weeks to produce with periods in between for drying. The first step was to create the contours of the brain and allow for it to dry. The pods were individually flocked and then applied to the surface of the brain. The flocked pods were then attached one by one to the brain.

Connect/Disconnect references Autism Spectrum Disorder and how the ASD brain experiences the world, sometimes in isolation. How have you captured this reality in your sculpture?

I selected the colour blue because of its emotional impact. There is an implied sadness but blue also represents the sky and the sea. These are symbolic of the need to feel grounded. The blue is also a cool colour that creates a distancing effect, symbolizing the isolation a person on the spectrum might experience. The flocking has a very soft surface that draws you in to touch. Sensory stimulation is very calming for those with ASD. The pods represent memories that in a normal brain connect as a point of reference and help to define appropriate behaviours but these pods remain disconnected.

Your work is heavily influenced by the adversity of the human condition. Was this theme always the motivation behind your sculptures and paintings, or has it
evolved over time?

I think I have always been intrigued by the ability to overcome hurdles in life. Everyone has their own trials but it is how we learn to overcome them that I try to depict in my work. I think part of being human is having flaws and the inner strength it requires to challenge them, our resiliency. My years of volunteer and community involvement have inspired most of my work and tell a story of inner strength. We have all at some point in our lives felt defeated, but success is defined differently for everyone. Part of my work is to demonstrate positive reinforcement to others including a kind of mantra for myself.

Have you always worked in this medium, or did you begin your career as an artist producing other types of work?

I have always loved discovering new materials that best relay my concepts. I studied Fine Arts majoring in painting, sculpture, and drawing. I have worked with bronze, wood, silver, oils, acrylics, resin, wax, steel, industrial waste, and more but I still enjoy researching and taking courses on new materials and techniques.

Is this your first year participating in The Brain Project? If so, what excited you the most about this city wide initiative?

It is my first year participating in The Brain Project. I have had many family members and friends who suffered from a brain disease and so it is close to my heart. The number of youth afflicted with mental illness and an ever growing population of elderly will leave us in a crisis for resources to provide proper care. We need to build more facilities like Baycrest to meet the demand. This venue has reached a large audience and has been a great way to engage the public with issues surrounding the brain. Hopefully it will inspire others to support this cause and realize the urgency.

What role do you think public art plays in sparking conversations or raising awareness about particular health or social issues?

I think The Brain Project is an innovative example of how we can start conversations. Public art is an excellent way to stop people in their tracks on the way to work voluntarily.

You exhibit some of your work at Muse Gallery – a neighbourhood gallery here at Yonge + St. Clair. Can you tell us about some other current projects that are underway and what we can expect from you in the near future?

I have been exhibiting in this neighbourhood for many years and there are so many art lovers and supporters here. It is one of the many attributes of this community. I am currently working on several projects, one of which is a sensory exhibition inspired by ASD. I am creating sensory sculptures and spaces that challenge traditional living spaces. I am a firm believer that as our needs change, we also need to adapt our homes, schools and work spaces to meet them. I am also in the process of making a participatory installation that explores the impact of acts of kindness.

Yonge + St. Clair is home to many different art forms, what compelled you to participate in this project and what initiatives are you excited to see in the area?

The world around us has a great effect on our mental stability. It is great to see that there is an effort to maintain historical low rise buildings and green spaces incorporated into the neighbourhood. I look forward to more site specific art initiatives.

Thanks Eden!

For more information on The Brain Project please visit www.brainproject.ca

We were lucky enough to get the very busy Josh Cooper, president and CEO of the Baycrest Foundation, to answer some of our questions about this year’s The Yogen Fruz Pinkberry Brain Project, which is on now until the end of August here at Yonge + St. Clair.

Take a peek below to learn more about this incredible art initiative, and how it brings awareness to brain health here within the City of Toronto.

Q: In its third year now, what was the motivation for starting The Brain Project in 2016 and how did this initiative come to life?

The Brain Project is the brainchild of Baycrest Foundation donors who wanted to spark discussion about brain health, inspire the creation of thought provoking works of art and raise funds for Baycrest. The initiative came to life in 2016 with 100 amazing artists who designed brains, in the medium of their choice, depicting the many ways in which the human brain is perceived and how brain health is crucial to our overall well-being.
Since its inception in 2016, notable participants in the Project have included Michael Bublé, John Mann, Peter Mansbridge, Mr. Brainwash, Kim Kardashian, Kurt Browning, Emanuel Pavao, Bruno Bilio, Alec Monopoly, David Drebin, Sarah Farndon and Joe Carter.
Last year, The Brain Project raised more than $2.3M for Baycrest – that’s $2.3M towards helping people live better with Alzheimer’s disease; and towards helping education and support programs at Baycrest for the caregivers who are on the frontlines of brain health care, looking after family and loved ones.

Q:  A city wide public art installation at the core of this initiative. Why did Baycrest choose art to start the conversation about brain health, rather than other fundraising efforts?

Art is infused in so much of what we do at Baycrest. Through a holistic view of what it means to age well, we have a better understanding of the vital importance of engaging in activities that bring meaning and purpose and tap into our strengths and creative abilities.

From creating conversation, to triggering memories, connections, creating beautiful art work and interacting with other people, art has been used as a form of therapy at Baycrest to help with recovery and also as a tool to help people stay healthy, active and engaged.

With art playing such a large role in our care, it was a natural fit to have it be the vehicle for such an important initiative.

Q: Over 700,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Do you think brain health and aging is misrepresented in the mainstream news and media? If so, what common misconceptions still exist about Alzheimer’s that are not factual?

Over the last few years, brain health and aging-related issues have increasingly made their way into our news and media. However, we still have a long way to go to make these issues mainstream.

Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias impact us all – directly or indirectly. The oldest baby boomers are turning 72 this year and the seniors care sector is already facing unprecedented demand and difficulties. These challenges will rise dramatically over the next few decades and take a very serious toll on families and society at large.

The biggest misconception is that you don’t have to worry about your brain health or aging until you are an older adult. This is wrong. In fact, Baycrest research continues to show us that the earlier we begin to take preventative measures, the better our odds for improving outcomes for our population’s brain health.

Q: Baycrest is a global leader in brain health and aging. What is your primary research focus and what role does The Rotman Research Institute play in this process?

The Brain Project serves as a critical vehicle for fundraising in support of world-class care for older adults and research into aging and brain health being conducted at Baycrest’s world-renowned Rotman Research Institute, where our scientists and researchers are working to discover ways to delay the onset of dementia.

If we can delay the onset of dementia by just five years, we could reduce its incidence in the population by about one third.

Q: The Brain Project has raised $2.3 million to-date. How much do you hope to raise this year and where will the funds directly go?

Funds raised through the Brain Project will help our Baycrest scientists continue to advance our understanding of the best ways to delay the onset of dementia.

Q: Yonge + St. Clair is a new location for The Brain Project this year and is home to many public art initiatives. What goes into the selection process of the brain locations?

We like to partner with companies who share our vision of promoting awareness for brain health, helping to amplify our exhibit in order to reach new audiences, getting more people to think about their brain health. We are thrilled to have Yonge + St. Clair as a new location this year and can’t wait to see which artist will win the Yonge & St. Clair People’s Choice Award!

Q: Ten years from now, how far do you envision The Brain Project going? Is this an initiative you hope to execute in many cities and communities worldwide?

As an organization, Baycrest has innovated for 100 years. We’re proud to be celebrating our centennial this year. It’s hard to say what the installation will be in ten years but our vision is about the impact. We aim to make brain health top of mind, reaching more and more people – whether we are empowering them to impact their own future or the future of others by supporting initiatives like The Brain Project.

Q: What do you hope people take away from this initiative and are there resources online where people can learn more about brain health and aging?

We hope this initiative will encourage everyone to consider their own brains in much the same way we consider our hearts, kidneys, livers, lungs and overall body health. That is to say: the brain also responds positively to a healthy lifestyle, creativity and interaction. It is never too early to take action.

For more information, visit www.baycrest.org

To learn more about the unique brain sculptures we have here in the neighbourhood, CLICK HERE