Bloordale garage mural a touching tribute to Orlando shooting victims

What started as a mural to mask graffiti on a Toronto garage has evolved into a touching tribute to thevictims of the Orlando shooting.

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VictoriaBarringtonwent to an online swapping group to find an artist who would turn hergarage, which is in an alleyway in the Bloor Street West and LansdowneAvenue area,into avibrant artpiece in her west-end neighbourhood.

Through the Bunz Trading Zone Facebook page, she connected with Toronto artistAndreaManica.

Both wanted the art to celebrate Toronto andits people.

But after the Orlando shooting, Manicawanted to honour the victims. Barrington wholeheartedly agreed.

Manica, alongside a few friends,painted 49 roses to represent all 49 shooting victims. A rainbow in the right-hand corner dedicates the mural to Orlando.

"I had a lot of thoughts going through my mind as Iwas painting," the 27-year-old said.

"We're all queer artists.It just felt that much more meaningful."

ForBarrington, it was a way to honour the victims "in a loving way and not a tragic way."