A new collaboration between Toronto's Lassonde Art Trail (LAT) and York University is set to reshape the city's public art landscape.
The partnership is part of LAT's ambitious plan to establish a public art trail along the waterfront, backed by a landmark $25-million donation from the Pierre Lassonde Family Foundation, known for its generous contributions to art and education, including the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University.
Kara Hamilton (Photo by lfdocumentation)
The Lassonde Art Trail will span 4.2 kilometres along the revitalized mouth of the Don River, integrated into a series of parks developed by Waterfront Toronto. Scheduled to open in 2026, this initiative aims to create an accessible outdoor art experience that combines nature and culture, inviting residents and visitors to engage with contemporary art in an urban setting. The trail will feature a mix of permanent and rotating installations from local, national and international artists, transforming the waterfront into an open-air museum.
At the heart of this effort is incoming L.L. Odette Sculptor in Residence at York University, Kara Hamilton, a Toronto-based artist recognized for her innovative work that often intersects art and architecture. Hamilton studied architecture at the University of British Columbia and art at Concordia University and Yale.
Throughout her residency, which begins May 2025, she will collaborate with students to develop a sculpture that explores ecological themes through innovative materials and techniques. This hands-on experience will not only enrich students' artistic skills, but also allow them to contribute meaningfully to a project emphasizing sustainability and environmental awareness in art.
Additionally, LAT has partnered with the Public Art Fund to commission a sculpture from Monira Al Qadiri, a Kuwaiti visual artist known for her exploration of cultural histories and subversive gender identities. Al Qadiri holds a PhD in intermedia art from Tokyo University of the Arts and has exhibited internationally in prestigious venues such as MoMA PS1 in New York and Le Centre Pompidou in Paris. This collaboration enhances Toronto's status as a centre for public art.
"Such partnerships represent an exciting opportunity for students to connect their artistic practice with community engagement," said November Paynter, chief curator of the Lassonde Art Trail Foundation, in a prepared statement.
For information and updates on this free, open-air contemporary art trail, visit the Lassonde Art Trail website.
This story was originally featured in YFile, York University's community newsletter.
