IAN LEVENTHAL

Born in Toronto in 1951, Leventhal is an honour graduate of Fine Arts from York University. He also studied at the Onatrio College of Art now OCAD and at Sara Lawrence College in Lacoste, France.

He has had several one man art exhibitions over the years but is probably best known for his numerous commercial work that adorn and define restaurants, hotels, libraries, malls, schools, cafes, hospitals and banks from Toronto to Jerusalem.

Leventhal's distinctive style has created a major impact on coffee shops across North America with his award winning designs for the Second Cup, a Toronto-based gourmet coffee franchise. Asked to create a new image for a local coffee shop in 1994, Leventhal's murals, sculptures and mosaics quickly transformed the location into a quirky visual landmark. His designs for the company now embrace over 100 of the popular cafes across the country. Each is totally unique and local touches of Leventhal's exuberant whimsy continue to endear coffee patrons from Halifax to Vancouver.

But Leventhal's corporate works do not just include coffee. His joyful paintings and sculptures grace the walls, ceilings and floors of many prestigious buildings, businesses and public institutions. From a commissioned work designing Tiffany's 5th Avenue windows to a one man show in Bloomingdale's flagship store in Manhattan.

Over the last few decades Leventhal has collaborated with the Pickle Barrel chain of restaurants in producing hundreds of sculpture, plaques, mobiles and murals in a range of mediums. Pink elephants carrying Pickle ladies in floppy hats, parades of clowns and camels, Gerkin Juggling Jesters and other improbable creations boldly flaunt themselves to the amusement of all.

In the mid 80 Leventhal was honoured with a UNICEF award for his contribution to the arts in Canada.

The early 90's saw Leventhal create a massive Christmas castle that reflected the multi-cultural nature of the Dufferin Mall, called "The Four Corners of the World," the towering structure comprised elements of African, Asian European and Native American architecture.

Leventhal's philanthropic nature has allowed many of his colourful and stylish creations to delight and enrich many hospital and schools both in Canada and Israel. In 1998 Leventhal was the patron artist for the Heart and Stoke Foundation. And in the same year he created the signature painting to mark the 50th Anniversary of Israel's founding.

In the later years of the 90's Leventhal produced a seventy foot, kinetic and special effects façade for Toronto's Yorkdale. P. J's Pet Centre, as well as murals for the Manu-Life Centre on Bloor St. He was commissioned by both Laura Secord and Bell Canada to design their Christmas programmes. His images were also used by Air Canada to illustrate their in-flight Coffee groupings.

In 1999, in the Galleria of Toronto's BCE plac in conjunction with the Starlight Children's Foundation. Leventhal held a one man show and gala fundraiser.

In 2003 Leventhal was presented with the Queens Jubilee medal for his intiative called the Gift of Friendship. This art exhibition featured 33 works of art created by Chinese and Jewish artist on the theme of compassion shown to the Jewish People by the people of China during the Holocaust era. The Gift of Friendship opened in Toronto in 2002 and then traveled to Shanghai where it became part of the permanent collection of the Ohel Moishe Synagogue museum.

In 2004 Leventhal worked with the Humanitarian Outreach Organization , called Ve'ahavta , in bringing art produced by street youth to a mainstream audience. The programme Tiferet Boulevard operated workshops both in Canada and Israel, which culminated in a fundraising exhibition at the Blue Dot Gallery.

In 2005 Leventhal was inducted into the honourary exhibiton "Treasures of Baycrest" for his work in beautifying the environment and spaces of that enowned institution. His artwork can be seen in several of the outdoor courtyards of the Apotex and Minnie Wagman Centres.

In 2005 Leventhal was asked to sit on the Mayor's Round Table for a Clean and Beautiful City. Through initiatives originating from Toronto's City Government, Leventhal was commissioned to paint one of the largest murals in Canada, the 400 foot support wall of the 401 highway.

Toronto , include. The north wall of the Forest Hill Public Library, the corner of Avenue Road and Mac Phearson and the Bloor and Mt. Pleasant underpasses.

In 2006 Leventhal designed the Baycrest Museum Exhibition " Get, Back the Boomer Experience" - growing up Jewish in the 50's, 60's and 70's. The same year saw Leventhal complete a mural called " Jerusalem -welcomes" at Crossroads , a social service centre in the heart of Jerusalem.

In 2008 in the Israeli city of Acco, Leventhal " transformed a Futuristic dome into a wondorous artistic landmark." As an artist in residence, Leventhal worked with three local art students on a unique design depicting the history of this ancient city.

And in the same year in Jerusalem Leventhal has left his mark on the whimsical gates to the largest Community Centre in the Holy City.