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The Public Art Centre is temporarily closed until further notice. You can still reach us by email.
Annual Memberships available online. For more information.
Now more than ever, art can help lift our spirits and support our well-being. Stay connected with the Public Art Centre at home with our online activities, exhibitions and explore your local artists. Visit our Access to Art online art education page for great programs and activities.
Johnnene Maddison An Interior Life
Exhibition runs until June 12, 2021
Gallery ONE & TWO
An archive of the pandemic period using the universal language of art.
Robin Grindley Robin's Preserves
Exhibition runs until June 12, 2021
Gallery THREE
In View of the Artist 2021 Annual Juried Exhibition
This juried exhibition seeks original two dimensional works of art that celebrates the artist behind the work, what the artist sees and creates, "in their view", real or imagined. This means anything goes.
Works of art must NOT exceed 48" x 48" and must be suitably framed and properly and firmly wired. The official exhibit label must be attached to the back of each piece entered. Copies are acceptable.
For more details...
New Online Exhibitions
February is the month of LOVE around the Public Art Centre. We have curated a selection of art work from the collection to celebrate.
To view the online exhibitions"
XOXO, Selections from the Permanent Collection
Flames of Love: From the Permanent Collection
COVID UPDATE
To help, manage and mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19 the Art Centre is closed temporarily until further notice. During this time we can be reached by email.
Stay Safe.
STEPAC is a not for profit charitable organization reliant on community support. The membership fees you generously give help to support the many free community events, activities and educational programs we offer for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, STEPAC is always FREE admission! Our community is brighter and more artful because of your support.
Inspire a Student 2020/21
The St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre is a non-profit organization that encourages and facilitates the visual arts in St. Thomas and Elgin County. It is our goal to “enrich the human creative spirit through nurturing and supporting the visual arts”. We are dedicated to developing our young artists. The delivery of our programs may have change but the quality has remained the same. To support these exciting programs please visit: Inspire a Student.
Why not join us on YouTube and check out the many online resources. You will find surveys of our exhibitions, online instructional videos, art lessons and great content on our local artists. Visit our "Resources" page for our current videos. Subscribe today and never miss an update.
Please be advised that a properly worn face covering is required for people over the are of two, when entering the Public Art Centre.
To ensure the well-being of both Public Art Centre staff and visitors, new safety protocols have been established:
- All visitors must self-assess before visiting the Public Art Centre. Please stay home if you are not feeling well.
- Please visit Ontario Health West for their online assessment tool
- Visitors are required to wear self-provided masks.(additional masks are available at entry)
- Hand sanitizer is provided upon entry and throughout the public space.
- Please follow the directional signs when touring the exhibitions.
- The Public Art Centre will limit the building’s capacity and use signage to prevent congestion. (Current restrictions: 10 visitors at a time)
- All visitors and staff must maintain a two-metre distance from each other. Household groups may remain together. Children must stay with an adult at all times.
- No running in the facility.
We recommend that you visit plan your visit page for additional information
It is with disappointment that due to COVID-19 our fundraising event "Redtail Cocktail Party and Silent Auction" has been postponed until 2022. We like to thank our sponsors of this event. Please stay tuned for our online auctions throughout July to November.
Platinum Doug Tarry Homes
Platinum Kenny Insurance Brokers
Gold Aylmer Express
Silver Talbot Trail Physiotherapy
Silver Geerlinks Design Gallery Home Hardware
Silver Railway City Tourism
The St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre is pleased to announce that our Executive Director, Laura Woermke, will be coordinating the new “Art, Trees & Trails” project, a community-wide collaboration with partners including the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, Catfish Creek Conservation Authority, and St. Thomas Elevated Park. This project will bring historic and contemporary artwork from the Art Centre permanent collection to our beautiful local trails and Elevated Park through the installation of attractive signs that feature high quality reproductions of many of our landmark paintings. The “Art, Trees & Trails” project has been generously funded with $115,000 by the Estate of Donna Vera Evans Bushell.
Art has an incredible ability to unify. Supporting the mission of the Public Art Centre, especially “encouraging the appreciation for and supporting the practice of the visual arts in St. Thomas and Elgin County”, the “Art, Trees & Trails” project will allow us to engage with the community outside the walls of the Public Art Centre, promote art education, and add to our visual environment in places where community members and visitors explore nature. Signs will be installed along the trails at Springwater Forest, Dalewood Conservation Area, and St. Thomas Elevated Park. In each case, the artwork selected will correspond to the precise physical location.
Join us online!
The doors to our building may be closed, but please enjoy our online exhibitions and new artists biographies, online publications, and resources, sign up for the newsletter, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and subscribe on YouTube.
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