Caring for a Guild Park Favourite: The Bear

Few artworks in Guild Park are as beloved as The Bear.

Created at the Guild in 1979 by resident sculptor Michael Clay and his mentor, renowned Canadian sculptor E.B. Cox, The Bear has become one of Guild Park's most recognizable and cherished works of art. Generations of visitors have paused to admire it, photograph it, and  introduce it to children during walks through the park.

Unlike many of Guild Park's architectural fragments, The Bear is an original work of sculpture created for the Guild itself, representing the site's history as an active artists’ colony and creative community. The sculpture depicts a brown bear resting quietly with its head lowered between its paws. Carved from white limestone using air-powered tools, an innovative technique at the time, it remains one of the most enduring symbols of Guild Park's artistic legacy.

For many of us, visiting The Bear has become a tradition. We have admired its powerful yet gentle presence and watched it become a familiar landmark within the park. Over the years, however, we have also watched it slowly change.

What was once a bright, gleaming limestone sculpture has gradually become covered with lichen, biological growth, and accumulated grime. While this transformation is visually noticeable, the concern extends beyond appearance. Lichens and other microorganisms growing on limestone can contribute to the physical deterioration of the stone itself, gradually affecting the sculpture's surface and obscuring details carved nearly half a century ago.

Recognizing the need to protect this important work, Friends of Guild Park has been working with the City of Toronto and, in particular, Emily Ricketts, Conservator for Public Art and Monuments. Friends of Guild Park has also begun fundraising efforts to support future conservation and cleaning initiatives for artworks and architectural features throughout the park.

We are delighted to share that Emily has taken The Bear on as a personal cause and is actively working toward its conservation and cleaning. Conserving outdoor sculpture is a careful and deliberate process. The goal is not simply to make the sculpture look cleaner, but to remove biological growth and accumulated deposits while ensuring the long-term preservation of the limestone itself. To achieve this, Emily is currently experimenting with a variety of conservation techniques designed to safely clean the sculpture while protecting the stone.

Visitors may notice areas of the sculpture that appear to be at different stages of treatment. This is entirely intentional and reflects the methodical approach required for conservation work. The project remains a work in progress, and visitors are encouraged to keep an eye on The Bear throughout the summer as its appearance gradually evolves.

You may even be fortunate enough to encounter Emily at work in the park as she continues this important effort.

The conservation of The Bear is a wonderful example of stewardship in action. Through collaboration between Friends of Guild Park, the City of Toronto, and dedicated conservation professionals, this much-loved sculpture is receiving the care it deserves. By preserving The Bear today, we help ensure that future generations will continue to enjoy one of Guild Park’s most iconic artworks for many years to come.

Carl Doose

Director, Friends of Guild Park