What to know
- Oakwood Station will receive a new art installation by Adrian Hayes celebrating the cultural vibrancy of Little Jamaica.
- The move follows community feedback that existing Eglinton Crosstown LRT artwork did not reflect the neighbourhood’s identity.
- Councillor Josh Matlow pushed for the change through a city motion calling on Metrolinx to better represent local communities.
- Officials are also exploring station-level advertising to support Little Jamaica businesses impacted by years of LRT construction.
Months after the Eglinton LRT was unveiled, one of the line’s stations is about to get a brand new art installation to reflect Little Jamaica’s vibrancy.
The long-awaited Eglinton LRT launched last year, with stations featuring art installations by contemporary artist Douglas Coupland titled Super Signals, which Metrolinx said was inspired by graphics frequently used in transit systems. But not everyone was completely convinced by the artwork.
Earlier this year, commuters in Little Jamaica told Now Toronto that although they appreciated the art, they would have liked to see their neighbourhood be reflected on the stations’ artwork.
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Locals’ wishes have now come to reality, as Coun. Josh Matlow announced on Thursday that Oakwood Station will get a new art installation. According to him, the artwork will be created by local artist Adrian Hayes, and will reflect the “cultural vibrancy of Little Jamaica.”
The decision comes after Matlow moved a motion last month for City Council to request Metrolinx to reflect the cultural heritage of Little Jamaica and other neighbourhoods across the Eglinton West corridor in the LRT’s station. This included a reproduction of Hayes’ Reggae Lane Mural, a project in collaboration with Hayes that transformed a parking lot at 1529 Eglinton Ave. W.
In addition, as part of the motion, Matlow also proposed that Metrolinx consider including free digital ads for businesses in the Eglinton West stretch impacted by the LRT’s construction, which he says the transit agency is exploring.
“I’m happy to announce that Metrolinx will finally deliver on the promised new art installation at Oakwood Station by artist Adrian Hayes, which will honour the cultural vibrancy of Little Jamaica. They are also committing to exploring opportunities to promote local Little Jamaica businesses through station level advertising. This wouldn’t have happened without community advocacy and support,” he Matlow said on X.
Little Jamaica has undergone several changes to allow for the LRT’s construction, including several business closures and reallocations during the construction period, which lasted over a decade.
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Some of these businesses have seen long-lasting consequences of the construction, as pointed out by Matlow in the motion.
“Despite promises of consultation and community engagement, Metrolinx has failed to meaningfully involve communities and BIAs in decisions about station design and cultural representation along the corridor, particularly failing to represent the cultural heritage of the Little Jamaica community in any LRT stations,” he wrote.
