These Are Not Toys
September 5, 2025
Interview by: Nick Supernova
Earlier this month we sat down with Trevor, creative director at These Are Not Toys. A Toronto-based brand of model cargo trailers that incorporate graffiti art curated and placed on limited edition and exclusive models.
Who are the creators of These Are Not Toys?
These Are Not Toys, was created by Steve Ferrara, of Well and Good Art Group. Steven has worked in community arts, event organization, and graffiti curation for over 25 years.
The project was in the making for maybe close to 5 years but for various reasons it never got off the ground.
In April 2025, I was brought in as creative director to manage artists, marketing and print production . I’ve also been working in graffiti arts for over 25 years as an artist myself and have organized gallery and community events as well. Currently, I am still actively painting in the graffiti culture.
We have been working with artists for over 20 years as curators and facilitators. We're both dedicated to creating high quality products AND creating opportunities for artists.
Our product price point reflects us giving as much money back to our artists as possible. We're really just interested in making some cool art projects with solid artists.
The underlying motivation for this project is to eventually be able to provide studio space and financial support for artists to launch their own creative projects. Portional profits from These Are Not Toys will go towards an artist relief fund to assist graffiti artists in times of financial or medical need.
What gave you the idea for creating model cargo trailers decked out with graffiti?
Well and Good operates a gallery and artist co-op space known as The JuncYards. The JuncYards is a gallery and art studio composed of several repurposed shipping containers where the JuncYards supports the graffiti and street art community by providing exhibition space, and access to tools and equipment. (printers, 3D printers, plasma cutting, etc.) So the union of graffiti and shipping containers is really a reflection of the larger purpose of Well and Good, and The JuncYards…and they just look cool!!
Are the pieces limited editions or originals? Both??
We are currently producing two lines of products: Editions and Originals
THESE ARE NOT TOYS: Editions - Limited to 11 prints per design. (See below)
THESE ARE NOT TOYS:
Originals - One-of-a-kind hand painted items. (See below)
How do you select the artists that you collaborate with?
Well and Good/The JuncYards have been working with local artists like Skam, EGR, and Horus for a while and those were the first artists that we produced prints and originals with. We will continue to focus on Canadian graffiti artists, but also have set our sights beyond any borders and have started to commission international artists from around the globe. As the brand expands we plan to offer collaborations where other groups can curate their own collections. For example setting up a show in New York, curated by and featuring New York graffiti artists.
Do you ever exhibit these creations? If so, can you elaborate about it?
We did an initial product launch at The JuncYards, but have no plans for further events. All of our products are available online at www.graffitiisart.com (graffiti is art)
Currently, we're setting up some in-store displays with local graffiti, and street culture retailers like Homebase, Third Rail Supply, and Parlor23.
The quality of printing and the container models really needs to be seen in person to appreciate what we're offering so we will be relocating The Juncyards exhibition space soon and creating a permanent display space.
Who are typically buying these collectibles? Is there a certain target audience you’re trying to appeal to?
What we’re building isn't obvious from the surface, but our goal is to create a marketplace for limited edition graffiti collectibles. We're looking for savvy art collectors who have an appreciation for the artform of graffiti and see these items not just as trendy disposable toys. THESE ARE NOT TOYS, but art that will appreciate in value. By limiting the editions to only 11 items in the world, we're offering a rare art piece that we believe will gain value over time. As supplies become limited I see the early releases as being highly sought after. Our website has the ability to collect and track NFT tokens too, which will connect to later product releases TBA.
What about your city/country, if anything, influences a graffiti style?
That's a good question. Every city seems to have its own flavour. Artists are influenced by other locals and colleagues and that slowly morphs into a local style. There is always outliers and style kings but I'd say a vibe for every city runs through whatever is popular at the time. The weather, economy, and materials available can be factors for sure.
When did you start your artist career professionally?
I've been an artist for as long as I can remember. From ‘comic book age’ I've been drawing and painting. I was into drafting during high school and eventually went to college for graphic design. Dropped out and moved to Toronto for raves and graffiti in ‘97 and have been a working artist ever since.
Top 3 hip hop anthems for graf artists gotta be…
Another good question, tricky to answer because what a lot of people don't realize is that graffiti isn't just influenced by hip hop, there are plenty of metal, techno, and/or rock fans out there too.
But if we were just talking hip hop anthems…
Wrong Side of the Tracks - Artifacts, Out for Fame - KRS 1, and The Subway theme from “Wildstyle” - Grand Wizard Theodore.
What are some of the artistic styles you pride yourself on featuring in your collections?
I’m like a kid in a candy store right now, we have a cool product and an excuse to reach out to all of my favorite artists to get them involved..
That said, we're really focused on well-established graffiti writers right now. Producing work from some old schooler’s as well as current style makers. I'm very lucky that I get a chance to hand pick artists whose work I enjoy, so really I'm very proud of all the designs we've made and have coming-up. Our Editions line features primarily established writers, while the Originals line is more of an open call to artists of various skill levels.
Between the two lines, we have some nice printed clean designs, or a more hand made imperfect style of art. So regardless of your preference we will have something that catches your eye.
What is ‘Make it Last: Live Experience’?
This is where it gets exciting! At the Make it Last event 1-3 artists will paint on real shipping containers for an exclusive ticket only event. Only 11 ticket holders (per artist) get to watch the live painting on a container, the mural will be documented and then destroyed. Ticket holders will receive an Xperience “Edition” of the art from that event, these Editions will not be available anywhere else. From there, we’ll expand into the NFT realm creating NFT versions that accompany physical prints; where by participating online, joining mailing lists, etc. members can earn tokens towards digital assets.
What are your favourite sneakers/brand of sneakers? Why?
I'm a Nike guy. SB’s are my jam. Solid all-weather kicks. I like a subdued style, not really into space slippers and weird concept stuff. Keep it simple.
What independent music artists are you currently listening to?
What are the most impactful/inspiring places in the graf scene that you have seen in the country? World?
There is crazy stuff going on all over. It's so wild that this graff bubble just keeps growing. The subway train scene has blown up since COVID. I’ve never seen so many subways painted as I have in Toronto and NYC. LA for illegal graff, and then you've got the Miami/Wynwood district mural events where literally the best painters in the world are transforming that area every year. Europe seems to have the biggest budgets for large-scale graffiti murals, which is very inspiring. Overall, I've only seen graffiti grow over the past 30 years. I'd love to go to Japan to paint one day personally.
Who’s a graf artist people should look out for? (Locally or abroad) Why?
Locally Toronto has some international level talents for sure:
MOZIE, and BLAZE, are two Toronto writers currently pushing their skills to new peaks.
BACON is one of the most talented writers out of Canada right now. His work has transcended graf with technical skill that stands above the crowd for sure.
KWEST was a solid freight writer for years putting up numbers in the hundreds, his wood sculptures eventually caught the attention of Drake, and he's since blown up internationally.
And keep an eye out for BUNSO, he’s a tattooer by day, but his murals slap for sure.
Who is in your graf HOF locally and internationally?
Where would you like to see these creations featured or displayed? What’s next for the brand?
In my mind, these are meant to be viewed, on display in your home, either as part of a collection, on a coffee table or bookshelf as an accent piece or conversation starter. Since they actually open and can serve as storage, they can be utilitarian as well as nice to look at. We put passion into our art, the least you can do is look at it.
Future brand goals? Maybe expanding the product line to include train replicas, or other vehicle models like delivery trucks. 3D Printing?