Thousands of Torontonians share their stories through My City My Six this fall

The City of Toronto’s My City My Six project is presenting six-word stories from thousands of Toronto residents throughout the city this September and October. 

“To help celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, we asked Torontonians to share six words about themselves and received more than 4,200 submissions,” said Mayor John Tory. “This tremendous response is now being honoured with more than 15 free exhibitions across the city showcasing their work in a myriad of ways.”

A jury, which included Toronto Poet Laureate Anne Michaels, chose 150 submissions to be shown on billboards, TTC posters and at subway stops and transit shelters. The submissions will also be displayed September 25 to 28 in the City Hall Rotunda and the public is invited to a free exhibit celebration at City Hall on September 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. 

In addition to the juried selections, hundreds of My City My Six works are being promoted across the city in partnership with community art organizations and businesses. From spray chalk on sidewalks and alleyways to coffee cup sleeves, these local exhibits will enable hundreds of stories to reflect Toronto’s diverse cultures and neighbourhoods. The overall project involved people of all backgrounds and ages ranging from three to 96 years old. 

The My City My Six concept stems from the legacy of flash fiction, which has been used by writers in languages and cultures worldwide. In recent years, the six-word story, a type of flash non-fiction, was popularized by U.S.-based Smith Magazine.

My City My Six is part of the annual Cultural Hotspot initiative and TO Canada with Love. It is produced by the City in collaboration with the City’s six Local Arts Service Organizations: Arts Etobicoke, East End Arts, Lakeshore Arts, North York Arts, Scarborough Arts and UrbanArts.

More information on the My City My Six project and its exhibitions is available at http://www.toronto.ca/mycitymysix and on Twitter at #MyCityMySix.

The annual Cultural Hotspot program celebrates the arts, culture, events, food and communities that thrive in the city and is produced by the City in collaboration with local arts, cultural, educational and heritage organizations, community partners, local businesses and multiple City divisions. More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/culturalhotspot.

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