Being a Latin American Mural Artist in Toronto
Large-scale public art mural in Toronto by Latin American mural artist AndreaCataRo, featuring bold colours and tropical imagery
There are moments when I step back from a finished mural and realize that what I've painted is not just colour on a wall. It's memory. It's culture. It's a conversation between where I come from and where I live now.
I'm a Colombian-Canadian mural artist based in Toronto, and my Latin American roots deeply shape my work. Celebrating my cultural background helps the audience feel pride and a sense of shared identity in the artwork I create.
AndreaCataRo, a Colombian-Canadian mural artist, on site in front of a colourful public art mural in Toronto.
How my culture shows up in my murals
Most of Latin American culture is vibrant by nature. It celebrates contrast, rhythm, and emotion. That influence naturally shows up in my mural work through saturated palettes, organic shapes, and imagery inspired by flora, movement, and everyday life.
When I design a mural, I'm not just thinking about aesthetics. I'm thinking about how colour can transform a space, how design can invite people in, and how a wall can tell a story that feels alive. My Colombian background informs how I approach public art as communal, accessible, and rooted in human connection.
Why public art matters to me
Public art has the power to change how people experience their neighbourhoods. A mural can turn a forgotten wall into a meeting point, a photo backdrop, or a source of pride, inspiring communities and uplifting them.
Many of my projects involve collaboration with cities, BIAs, organizations, and local communities, ensuring the murals are grounded in place and foster shared ownership and visibility.
Mural on a storefront window in Toronto, Gabby’s at the Junction, part of the Window Wonderland 2025; created by Latin American mural artist AndreaCataRo.
The kind of mural projects I take on
I create large-scale murals and public art projects across Toronto and beyond, primarily on exterior walls, in community spaces, and on commercial buildings accessible to diverse audiences.
I'm especially drawn to projects that value storytelling, cultural expression, and community engagement. Whether the mural celebrates identity, nature, or collective history, my goal is always to create something that feels joyful, meaningful, and lasting.
AndreaCataRo painting a colourful mural in Toronto
Building a creative practice rooted in connection
Being a Latin American mural artist in Toronto means navigating multiple identities at once. It means honouring my roots while responding to the city I call home. It also means using my platform to advocate for creativity as a tool for connection and belonging.
Every mural I paint is an opportunity to bring colour into shared spaces and remind people that art is not reserved for galleries. It belongs on the streets, in neighbourhoods, and in everyday life.