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.

Due to the uncertainty of 2020 and the risks and challenges, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 call for artists and the Annual Juried Exhibition, "in view of the artist".  We thank all the talented artists that have submitted artwork to this exhibition over the last seven years.  We will be continuing with the "in view of the artist" in 2021 with applications starting May 2021.

Please note that our Summer Art Programs have been cancelled.  For over 40 years the Public Art Centre have provided summer art programs at the Art Centre so it is with disappointment that we are announcing this development. We cannot operate unless we are confident that we can maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone.  We look forward to welcoming everyone back as soon as we can.

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.

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Reconnect! July 2, 2020

What you need to know before you visit the Public Art Centre.

The Public Art Centre will reopen on July 2, 2020 with new hours of operation.  

As the Public Art Centre re-opens, our priority is the safety of all visitors and staff. We want to welcome you in a safe environment so you can reconnect with the remarkable art and artists in our current exhibitions.

Following Public Health and government guidelines, new protocols are in place to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable visit.  Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Thank you for your continued support during this unbelievable time. We send our best wishes to you and your family, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

For further information on our new protocols and what to expect see here..

New Exhibition

Selections from the Permanent Collection

Heather Keating online

The St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre is pleased to present, Heather Keating, Presence of Light, in Gallery Three. “My artwork is a fusion of realism and impressionism. I attempt to create paintings that show a strong sense of light, vivid colour, fluid brushwork and deep emotional content. I strive to evoke in my viewers the same emotions that compelled me to paint the subject.” ~ Heather Keating 2020

Visit the VIEWING Room and find out more.