A public art installation featuring 51 four-foot-tall decorated beaver sculptures has launched in downtown Toronto to welcome visitors and celebrate the 48 countries participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Organized by the Old Town Toronto Business Improvement Area (BIA) and a local arts organization, the Great Beaver Quest places the locally manufactured fiberglass rodents across sidewalks, building lobbies, and restaurants in the historic neighbourhood.
The interactive scavenger hunt includes 48 beavers representing competing tournament nations and three extra sculptures dedicated to welcoming the global community before they are eventually auctioned off for charity.
Artists Share Their Inspirations
Former Prince Albert resident Jack Jensen created a Swedish Viking soccer fan beaver painted in blue and yellow, complete with tin pie plates for a helmet and shield, and a curtain rod flail.
"It's an honour, certainly, to be part of all of this," said Jensen, an artist. "Art is kind of like a learning process all the time.
So, it was really interesting to me to work on this, and really, a privilege."
Jensen spent nearly 30 years in Saskatchewan working for the City of Prince Albert's engineering department and co-founded the Kyla Artist Group before moving to Toronto four years ago.
"I recall living in Prince Albert fondly," said Jensen, who volunteered at Creative Works Studio to finish his sculpture.
"Just put yourself out there," he added for young artists hoping to secure similar opportunities.
Prince Albert artist Patti Cannon-Levesque noted that Jensen and his wife Linda were active mentors whose departure left a gap in the local arts community.
"I've never seen an artist that does work in as many mediums as Jack does," said Cannon-Levesque in a statement to CBC News.
She expressed excitement about seeing a local Saskatchewan artist participating in a high-profile international public art project tied to the World Cup.
Father and son duo José and Jonas Lobo collaborated on the Portugal-themed beaver sculpture along Wellington Street, utilizing traditional blue and white tile patterns known as Portuguese azulejo.
"I love when people pat it," said Jonas Lobo, a first-generation Portuguese Canadian artist, while admiring his handiwork.
The sculpture details various elements of Portuguese folklore, culture, architecture, and food, alongside a soccer ball resting at the beaver's paws.
"I never would have imagined something like this happening, so it's nice to be able to get involved and showcase my pride for my Portuguese heritage and Canada," said Jonas Lobo.
His father, José Lobo, moved from Portugal to Canada forty years ago and used his decades of experience as a soccer coach to channel tournament excitement.
"I coached soccer for 16 years… multiple teams.
And participating in this way in the World Cup gives me the illusion that I'm part of the big the big tournament!"
said José Lobo.
Near the Scotland Yard pub, artist Margaret Cresswell dressed her Scotland-themed beaver sculpture in a classic tartan kilt, adorned with thistles and a depiction of the Loch Ness Monster.
"Of course, she had to be wearing a kilt so she's wearing a classic tartan," said Cresswell, who drew inspiration from her Scottish grandmother.
Cresswell explained that public art serves as a major creative inspiration, particularly during an event hosted in Toronto.
"To participate in the public art realm is one of my amazing inspirations… And to be able to do something that would be in the public realm during such an amazing event in Toronto was something that I couldn't pass up," said Cresswell.
She noted the Canadian symbolism of the animal template itself.
"I think the beaver is a symbol of strength for Canada and I hope that everyone who visits here and sees our beaver sculptures, understands that we are people of strength and from around the world, as each beaver is dressed in the 48 different countries," said Cresswell.
Old Town Toronto BIA director of marketing and events Robyn Posner stated the initiative was modeled after Toronto's historic moose statue campaign from 25 years ago.
"The whole goal of it is to really get people to connect and spend time in our area, and really experience what it has to offer," said Posner to CP24.
Amid the festivities, CFRA's Ottawa Now reported that a United States beaver sculpture created by an Ottawa-based Canadian-American artist named Alyah Holmes was vandalized in the downtown area.
