A Lake Story - Melissa McGill

This was absolutely magical.

A Lake Story by artist Melissa McGill transformed Toronto’s waterfront with a one-of-a-kind live art installation. From the Cherry Street Bridge, the lake itself became part of the performance. Across the water near Biidaasige Park, colourful flags rippling in the wind added to the scene. Light, reflections, sound, and movement all came together in a lovely palette that turned the industrial Port Lands into a dreamlike stage.

The best part? The people. Crowds gathered along the shoreline, not just to watch but to cheer on the canoers as they paddled across the water, becoming part of the artwork itself. It was moving to see that sense of community—strangers brought together, sharing the same magical experience in real time.

That’s the beauty of public art in Toronto: it transforms familiar places into extraordinary ones. A Lake Story reminded us that the lake carries histories, connections, and stories that continue to ripple outward. It’s the kind of art you take with you long after the lights fade, a memory that belongs as much to the city as it does to the people who gathered to see it.

September 28, 2025