Daniel Toys creates trophy inspired by his dream staircase for the 9th Correio Braziliense/CASACOR Brasília Award

The winners of the 9th Correio Braziliense/CASACOR Brasília Award were announced on Thursday, October 8, in a ceremony that recognized highlights from 40 projects at the exhibition. The winners in the ten categories received a trophy created especially for the occasion by artist Daniel Toys.

The piece draws from one of the most recognizable elements of the artist's work: the so-called staircase of dreams. With colorful and crooked steps, the work represents the paths of life, including the plans, difficulties, failures, and falls that are part of any journey.

(João Pontes/CASACOR)

"The staircase symbolizes our life, the building of dreams, the steps. The idea with the staircase is also to always be looking upward with hope, head held high gazing at the sky in search of better days, a better life. To have hope and a change in our personal and spiritual growth," says Daniel Toys.

(João Pontes/CASACOR)

At the top of the trophy, the sky, the golden sun, and the word "dreams" revisit another recurring element in his production. The words applied with masking tape, in a purposely rustic way, work, according to the artist, as daily reminders.

"The sky with the golden sun and the word dreams is something that is very present in my work. And these words stuck with masking tape in a somewhat rustic way are daily reminders, reminding us that, when we put love into our life, it blossoms and everything works out," he explains.

(João Pontes/CASACOR)

The composition also reinforces a central idea for Daniel Toys: each person can build their own path, even when the steps are not perfect. "These adhesive tapes with these words are a reminder to leave marked on our path that we must have love in our life, make a difference, build paths, build our own staircase even if the steps are crooked," he adds.

Ten categories, two juries

(João Pontes/CASACOR)

The 9th Correio Braziliense/CASACOR Brasília Award is a partnership between CASACOR Brasília and the newspaper Correio Braziliense and seeks to recognize and promote the projects that stand out at the exhibition, in addition to valuing creativity, innovation, and the professionals in the sector.

Four categories are being disputed by the Popular Jury, with online voting by the public: Dream Living Room, Dream Bedroom, Dream Bathroom, and Dream Kitchen. The other six were evaluated by the technical jury: Most Original Project, Best Public Use, Best Use of Artwork, Boldest Project, Best Commercial Use, and Best Project.

In 2026, 40 projects designed by a lineup of 52 professionals are competing for the award, all inspired by the theme "Mind and Heart." The 34th edition of CASACOR Brasília began on August 12 and ends its program on October 12.

About Daniel Toys

(João Pontes/CASACOR)

Born and raised in Brasília, Daniel Toys is the son of a northeastern family that arrived in the Central Plateau in search of new opportunities. He painted his first mural at age nine and discovered graffiti at 12. At 34, with a degree in Advertising, he is building a career marked by the use of colors, symbols, and affections.

Masks, staircases to the sky, hearts, houses, and churches appear in his works as elements of a language that combines urban art, graphic design, pop art, and references from Brazilian popular art. His creations have been featured in 11 countries, including Germany, Austria, Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Spain, France, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hungary, and Peru.

For Toys, "everything begins in dreams." His work stems from the idea that love and color can transform the world, renew perspective, and awaken hope.