Exhibitions / Submissions
Exhibitions at the Public Art Centre take place in our Gallery ONE, TWO and THREE. Tours are free of charge and can be organized in advance for school and community groups. For more information please see Education Programs.
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Current Exhibitions
Great Beginnings Secondary Art Exhibition
April 4 - May 2, 2026
Opening reception April 11 from1-3 pm
The St. Thomas–Elgin Public Art Centre is pleased to present Great Beginnings Secondary School Art Exhibition, showcasing a compelling selection of student artwork that demonstrates skill, experimentation, and personal voice. On view from April 4 to May 2, 2026, the exhibition highlights the depth and diversity of creative practices developed by emerging artists at the secondary level. An opening reception will be held on April 11 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, and the public is warmly invited to attend and celebrate the talent and dedication of these students.
Upcoming Exhibitions
SHARED GROUND
Kim Douglas Harrison & Carol Finkbeiner ThomasGalleries One & Two
May 9 to July 4, 2026
Opening Reception: May 9, 1–3 pm
Shared Ground brings together the work of Kim Douglas Harrison and Carol Finkbeiner Thomas in an exhibition rooted in friendship, mentorship, and a shared love of the landscape. First connected as teacher and student, the artists later discovered how deeply their experiences of the land echoed one another.
Both recall childhood drives through the countryside with their fathers—quiet excursions through places such as Elora, Paris, Grey County, and Elgin County. These early experiences of roads, fields, waterfalls, and rural vistas continue to shape their work. Through expressive use of colour, gesture, and atmosphere, Harrison and Finkbeiner Thomas explore landscape not as strict record, but as memory, feeling, and imagination. Together, their paintings reflect a shared visual language grounded in place, experience, and lasting connection.
Grounded in Place
Selections from the Permanent Collection
Gallery Three
May 19 to July 1, 2026
Grounded in Place brings together works from the permanent collection that reflect on landscape, atmosphere, and the experience of place. Presented in conversation with Shared Ground by Carol Finkbeiner Thomas and Kim Douglas Harrison, this exhibition highlights how artists return to the land as a source of memory, meaning, and inspiration.
Image: Donna Andreychuk Lake SIde View, 2007 Oil on canvas
Submission Requirements for Artists: Public Art Centre Gallery Spaces
For more details on our gallery space see map below.
Please carefully review the following submission requirements:
1. Eligibility
- Artists of all backgrounds, styles, and experience levels are encouraged to apply.
- Individual artists or collaborative groups may submit.
2. Submission Format
- Digital Portfolio: A minimum of 10 high-quality images of recent works. Images should be in JPEG or PNG format (max file size: 5MB each). Website link is acceptable.
- Artist Statement: A statement describing your artistic vision, themes, and materials used.
- CV/Resume: Include your professional history, awards, exhibitions, and relevant experience.
3. Artwork Requirements
- Medium: All mediums are accepted, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media.
- Size Limitations: Artwork must be suitable for standard exhibition dimensions. Large format and installations need to be outlined clearly in proposal.
- Installation Requirements: Specify any special installation needs for your work.
4. Submission Process
- Please email all required information to here Attention: Curator
- If you are sending your proposal via mail, please send to STEPAC, 301 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON. N5P1B5 c/o Curator
- Ensure that all files are clearly labeled with your name and the title of the artwork.
5. Important Dates
- Submission Deadline: ongoing
- Notification of Acceptance: Artists will be notified if their proposal is accepted.
- Review of proposals occurs annual in November
6. Exhibition Agreement
- Selected artists will be required to sign an exhibition agreement outlining terms, including insurance, sales, and commissions.
- Artwork must remain on display for the entirety of the exhibition period.
7. Questions
- For inquiries or additional information, please contact us at Curator 
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