Mike Salisbury

Biography

In the vibrant art scene of the late ’80s, Mike Salisbury embarked on his artistic journey at the Toronto School of Art, turning his vision into a reality by establishing a gallery and shared live-in studio space in the Annex district. Post graduation, Salisbury’s career took several turns, from playground designer to elected councillor in Guelph where the serendipity of doodling during a particularly long city council meeting reawakened his artistic passion.

Salisbury’s art, now rich with emotional depth and critical insight, found new life marked by a profound engagement with contemporary social issues. He embraced the subversive appeal of street art to navigate the complexities of public and private personas. This period marked the beginning of a series of celebrated exhibitions and installations culminating in Salisbury’s complete dedication to his art practice in 2022, with the goal to connect, inspire, and provoke.

Curriculum Vitae

Juried Shows
2024 It Was All a Dream – Elora Sculpture Project 2024
2023 42nd Insights Juried Exhibition of Fine Art – Wellington County
2022 Carmichael Canadian Landscape Exhibition: Tradition Transformed, Orillia
2018 3rd Annual Landscapes International Juried Art Exhibition – Fusion Art

Group Exhibitions
2023 Celebration of the Seasons art in the Greenroom – Bookshelf Gallery
2022 Oeno Gallery Sculpture Park – Prince Edward County
2021 Unfolding – Boarding House Gallery
2019 FLEUR*ish – Art@Ebar, Guelph
2019 It’s All about ME! – Art@Ebar, Guelph
2018 Wall of Art: Pride 2018 – Guelph Civic Museum
2018 Creating Community – Green Party of Ontario

Land Art Installations
2022 Bateau Island Stone Circle – Private Commission, Parry Sound
2021 Pathways to Remembering Memorial – Royal City Park, Guelph
2020 Urban Wild Woods – The Shambhala School, Halifax
2019 Spiral Mountain – Queenston Heights Park, Niagara-on-the-Lake
2016 Rubber Circle – St John Brebeuf C.S., Erin
2013 The Big Bang – Family and Children’s Services, Elora

Public Sculpture
2022 Peace/War – Lumen Festival, City of Waterloo
2021 Call Now! – Permanent Collection, Springfield, OH USA
2020 Listen to Me – Graffiti Alley, Toronto
2019 Local Calls – Private Commission
2019 Truth Phone – McDougall Lane, Toronto
2018 Out of Time – Queen and Spadina, Toronto
2002 Festival Trees – University of Guelph, Guelph

Grants and Awards
2022 Canada Council for the Arts – Arts Abroad Grant
2021 RBC Emerging Visual Artists Program
2021 Ontario Arts Council Grant – Exhibition Assistance
2018 Ontario Arts Council Grant – Exhibition Assistance

Education
2015 University of Guelph – Masters of Planning
2003 University of Guelph – Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
1988 Toronto School of Art – Fine Art Diploma Program

contact (at) mikesalisbury.ca