The City of Toronto is preparing to commemorate Terry Fox with a landmark mural that will be established along University Avenue in the downtown core in the coming months.
The project is part of Artworx-TO, an initiative showcasing public art for 2021 and 2022 to encourage a return of visitors to outdoor art installation as COVID-19 restrictions loosen.
The collaborative mural is a joint venture between the city's street art program, the University of Toronto (U of T) and the Legacy Art Project. Once approved, the painted mural will be on the north side of U of T Rehabilitation Sciences Building at 500 University Ave.
Fox’s Marathon of Hope in the 1980 passed through University Ave. as part of the route he ran through the downtown core towards Nathan Philips Square.
Five designs by Toronto-based artisits were submitted for the project. A committee headed by Terry’s brother, Darrell Fox, as well as feedback from the public will be considered for the mural’s final selection process. Members of the public have until Oct. 31st to submit their feedback on the designs. After a design is choosen, work on the mural is expected to begin in summer 2022.
"Terry Fox is a national hero who represents hope, determination and inspiration for people across Canada, and around the world," said Toronto mayor John Tory. "Thousands of people gathered along University Avenue and on Nathan Phillips Square to witness his courageous journey and to cheer him on during the Marathon of Hope.”
University-Rosedale city councillor Mike Layton commented on the mural as well, saying that the mural will be an important part of the community at large.
“It is tremendously exciting for residents of University-Rosedale to know that, one day soon, there will be painted monumental mural along the historic route down University Avenue that Terry Fox ran during his Marathon of Hope, and that it will celebrate the lasting impact he left on our community.”
Further, the Legacy Art Project wrote on its website about Fox and the project:
"Throughout the Marathon of Hope, Terry Fox encountered challenge after challenge, both physical and psychological, taking myriad forms. Over the 3339 miles of terrain he crossed, every step was a test, and for anyone else, an excuse to quit. Yet he didn’t, and the world was inspired by his astounding perseverance. Although our challenges may be vastly different, the example of his optimism in the face of a challenge is applicable to every journey."
Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope across Canada to help spread awareness for cancer research in 1980, about a year after having his leg amputated due cancer and a series of chemotherapy sessions.
The marathon has been an annual event to help raise money and awareness for cancer research since 1981.
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