For five decades, The 519 has been a beacon for 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Toronto and beyond: a place of refuge, art, advocacy, and collective care. This anniversary invites us to ask: How can The 519 illuminate 2SLGBTQ life, art, and community in public space?

To explore these questions, The 519 has commissioned a contemporary public art installation that will be a new creative landmark in the Church and Wellesley neighbourhood. We are thrilled to launch and feature this installation as part of Nuit Blanche 2026!

Come, enjoy the installation (and a couple of other queer surprises) at The 519 [519 Church St.], Nuit Blanche’s queer destination…

About the installation:

“Prismatic Futurity” invites audiences to imagine queer futurity with The 519 at the centre of Toronto’s Church-Wellesley Village. Anchored to the facade between the heritage building and the modern addition, the installation unfolds as a field of iridescent triangular pyramids that bridge the past, present, and future.  

Using the blank wall as a canvas, “Prismatic Futurity” transforms light and reflection into an evolving landscape of queer imagination. Its iridescent surfaces catch sunlight as it shifts across the day, casting rainbows onto its surroundings. It mirrors queer space itself through its ephemeral yet enduring presence. The installation draws you near as light refracts, then recedes as it fades away.  

The triangle, a symbol of queer liberation, collectively reflects The 519’s 50-year legacy of resilience and community serving. As The 519 charts a pathway forward, “Prismatic Futurity” extends an open invitation to imagine, with queer joy, curiosity, and courage, a more equitable and fearless future. 

About the artist:

Simon Liao (he/him) is an award-winning architectural designer and community researcher based in Toronto. As a first-generation queer immigrant, Simon’s practice is grounded in intersectional lived experience and a commitment to spatial justice for equity-deserving communities. Working across architecture, public art, and community engagement, Simon centres collective memory, belonging, and imagination through inclusive, community-driven design. His work has been published, presented, and exhibited internationally. Simon is a strong advocate for bridging the gap between the built environment and the communities it serves.

Details about The 519:

The 519 is Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ community centre serving the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood and 2SLGBTQ+ communities since 1976. We’re located a few steps north of Church and Wellesley in Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ Village. The 519 building is an accessible space with a ramp, elevator, and all-gender washrooms.

Nuit Blanche hours:

Saturday, October 3, 7 p.m. to Sunday, October 4, 7 a.m.
The installation will be a permanent fixture after Nuit Blanche.

Acknowledgements:

• ART+PUBLIC Unltd
• Project Advisors: Raven Davis, Mary O’Neal, Kate Tessier, Syrus Marcus Ware
• Produced with support from TD

Adjacent events and activations:

Stay tuned to The519.org and our social media channels for more details about the Toronto Queer Market and a special Nuit Blanche party the same evening.