TORONTO, May 19, 2026 /CNW/ – Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada has announced its newest exhibit, Graffiti Reef: Painted by Nature, will open on Tuesday, May 19th. This exhibit will immerse visitors in the vivid living world of coral reefs while bringing the energy of Toronto’s street art scene into the aquarium.
Graffiti Reef at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. (CNW Group/Ripley’s Aquarium Of Canada)
Coral reefs support nearly a quarter of all marine life, yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate. The world is currently experiencing the fourth, and most severe, global coral bleaching event on record, with heat stress affecting roughly 84 per cent of reefs across 83 countries and territories. Even a small rise in water temperature can trigger mass bleaching. Graffiti Reef will highlight this urgent reality, using art and storytelling to help visitors connect with reef conservation in a more immediate and meaningful way.
A first-of-its-kind experience for the aquarium, the exhibit will transform the space into an immersive environment where visitors will encounter vibrant reef species alongside large-scale murals by local artists. By placing Toronto’s street art alongside displays of reef fish and other marine life from thousands of kilometres away, Graffiti Reef will invite visitors to see coral reefs as living, dynamic communities, full of colour, movement, and countless individual contributions, much like Toronto’s own art scene.
“Graffiti Reef will give visitors a chance to see coral reefs in a completely new way,” said Peter Doyle, General Manager, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. “Just as the city’s artists come together to create something vibrant and lasting like Graffiti Alley, coral reefs are built by countless ocean creatures working in harmony. Experiencing that beauty and complexity up close will be a reminder that these ecosystems, like our city’s own communities, are always worth protecting.”
The exhibit will feature original murals by Toronto street artists Nick Sweetman, Jieun Kim, and Brother Moises, each known for a distinct style seen throughout the city. Drawing inspiration from coral reefs, their work brings an explosion of colour and vibrancy to the exhibit, echoing the shapes, patterns, and colours of coral reefs, creating a visual dialogue between Toronto’s streets and the ocean’s reefs.
The Toronto connection was a crucial component of this exhibit, with the aquarium working with the City of Toronto’s StreetARToronto team on showcasing their programming art work across the city and even providing some authentic Toronto street signage to bring Toronto to the reef!
“StreetARToronto is delighted to partner with Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada on this imaginative and important exhibition,” said Ashley Curtis, Acting General Manager, City of Toronto, Transportation Services. “Graffiti Reef demonstrates the powerful role public art can play in helping people connect emotionally with urgent environmental issues. By bringing Toronto street artists into dialogue with the extraordinary biodiversity of coral reefs, the exhibition celebrates creativity, education, and community, while showcasing how local artists help shape vibrant, inclusive, and culturally meaningful experiences across our city.”
Alongside the murals, visitors will encounter a diverse range of reef species and tropical fish, offering a closer look at the technicolour biodiversity that defines these ecosystems. This includes:
Parrotfish: The architect of reefs and tropical beaches, producing hundreds of kilograms of sand each year with their beak-like teeth.
Ornate Cowfish: Armoured and geometric, they can release toxins when threatened – a striking example of nature’s self-defence.
Rhinopias: Masters of disguise, these highly photographed fish blend seamlessly into the reef.
Discus: Known as the “King of the Aquarium,” no two Discus share the same pattern.
And many more!
Graffiti Reef: Painted by Nature will open May 19, 2026, at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Entry to the exhibit is included with general admission
About Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Since opening in 2013, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada has been immersing visitors in the wonders of ocean life. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto at the base of the CN Tower, the aquarium is home to over 18,000 marine animals across nine galleries, from the tropical waters of Rainbow Reef to local species in Canadian Waters. With more than 100 interactive experiences and a full calendar of educational and events programming, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada inspires learning, conservation, and research while entertaining guests of all ages from around the world. Learn more at www.ripleysaquariumofcanada.com
Graffiti Reef at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. (CNW Group/Ripley’s Aquarium Of Canada) Graffiti Reef at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. (CNW Group/Ripley’s Aquarium Of Canada) Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada Logo (CNW Group/Ripley’s Aquarium Of Canada) Cision
View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2026/19/c9263.html
