TORONTO – Hand-painted beaver statues, each representing different countries in the FIFA World Cup, have taken center stage in Old Town Toronto as they are now being auctioned off. The auction, which commenced on Friday, features 50 unique beaver installations that have already attracted more than $30,000 in bids, as reported by the Old Town Toronto Business Improvement Area (BIA), the organization responsible for the initiative.
Bidding for the sculptures began at a price of $300 each, with the auction scheduled to conclude on August 24. The proceeds garnered from this creative project will be equally distributed between two charitable organizations: Toronto's First Post Office and KidSport Ontario, aiding in local community support.
The beaver statues, characterized by their vibrant colors, wide grins, and a soccer ball clutched tightly under their right paw, were part of an engaging artistic scavenger hunt that ran from May 25 to August 16. Altogether, there were 51 distinct statues displayed throughout the historic neighborhood of Old Town Toronto, in close proximity to notable landmarks such as St. Lawrence Market and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Out of the 51 sculptures, 48 were designed to represent the nations participating in the World Cup. These statues were hand-painted by artists who possess roots or connections to the respective countries. Two other sculptures were created as a welcoming gesture to visitors from around the globe, while one specifically celebrated the local neighborhood itself.
In an added twist, the BIA secretly introduced a 52nd beaver, themed with Canadian iconography and featuring a maple leaf pattern in fall colors. As of Monday afternoon, this particular Canadian-themed beaver had received the highest bid of $2,100. Additionally, the beaver sculpture representing Spain, the tournament’s champion, had attracted bids nearing $1,000, while the Scottish beaver was also a popular choice, with a bid of $2,025 recorded on the same day.
It is important to note that two of the sculptures—those representing Canada and Old Town Toronto—are not available for bids in the auction. This initiative has successfully engaged the community, with more than 13,000 participants taking part in the Great Beaver Quest over a span of nearly 12 weeks.
Each of the four-foot-tall sculptures was equipped with a QR code. This code linked players to the scavenger hunt's sign-up page, enabling them to earn points by completing various challenges, which in turn allowed them the opportunity to win gift cards to local businesses. This initiative mimics other successful public art projects, such as the Moose in the City event that showcased hundreds of life-sized decorated moose statues throughout Toronto in the year 2000.
The beaver sculptures not only serve as artistic expressions of cultural pride but have also fostered community engagement and support for local charities, enhancing the vibrancy of Old Town Toronto during the FIFA World Cup excitement.
