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 Exhibition
AFTERIMAGE
Paintings by Jamie Jardine
July 11 to August 22, 2026
Galleries One & Two
Opening Reception July 11, 1-3pm
The St. Thomas–Elgin Public Art Centre is pleased to present Afterimage, an exhibition of new paintings by Jamie Jardine. Through atmospheric landscapes and evocative industrial forms, Jardine explores memory, place, and the traces left behind by human presence. Suspended between reality and imagination, these works invite viewers to consider what lingers after a moment has passed and what remains embedded in the landscapes we inhabit.
Upcoming Exhibitions
In View of the Artist
Annual Juried Exhibition
Galleries One and Two
Opening Reception August 29, 2026 1-3pm
August 29 to October 3, 2026
In View of the Artist is an annual juried exhibition that celebrates the unique perspectives, ideas, and creative voices of artists from St. Thomas, Elgin County, and the surrounding region. Through original two-dimensional works, the exhibition invites viewers to consider what artists see, imagine, interpret, and bring forward through their practice. Featuring a range of media, styles, and approaches, In View of the Artist highlights the depth and diversity of artistic expression within our community. Each work offers a personal point of view, whether rooted in observation, memory, imagination, or lived experience. Together, the exhibition reflects the many ways artists shape how we understand the world around us.
Exhibition Proposal Submissions
Submit your exhibition proposal to STEPAC and share your work in a space dedicated to art, learning, and community connection.
The St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre welcomes exhibition proposals from artists, curators, and collaborative groups working across a wide range of media and approaches.
As a public art centre, STEPAC is committed to encouraging appreciation for and support of the visual arts in St. Thomas and Elgin County through exhibitions, educational programming, and the stewardship of a permanent collection. Our gallery spaces are places for connection, reflection, learning, and discovery, and we seek exhibitions that contribute meaningfully to that vision.
We welcome submissions from emerging, mid-career, and established artists. While all styles and media are considered, the strongest proposals are shaped by a clear curatorial vision. We are interested in exhibitions that do more than present individual works. Successful submissions show how the work comes together as an exhibition, how it responds to the gallery space, and what it offers to viewers through theme, material, process, or perspective.
Please review the gallery map below before submitting and consider the scale, layout, and character of our exhibition spaces.
Eligibility
Artists of all backgrounds, styles, and experience levels are encouraged to apply. Submissions are welcome from individual artists, curators, and collaborative groups.
Submission Materials
Please include the following in your submission:
A digital portfolio with a minimum of 10 high-quality images of recent work. Images should be submitted as JPEG or PNG files, with a maximum file size of 5 MB each. A website link may also be included.
An artist statement that briefly describes your practice, themes, materials, and areas of interest.
A current CV or resume outlining relevant exhibitions, education, professional experience, awards, publications, or related accomplishments.
An exhibition proposal or curatorial statement that outlines the central idea of the proposed exhibition and explains how the works relate to one another as a whole. Strong proposals help us understand why the work belongs together, how it will function in the gallery, and what kind of experience or conversation it may create for visitors.
Artwork and Installation
We accept submissions in all media, including painting, sculpture, photography, installation, video, textiles, and mixed media.
Artwork must be suitable for display in a public gallery environment. Proposals that include large-scale works, installation, or non-traditional formats should clearly outline dimensions, spatial needs, and display considerations.
Please also note any special installation, mounting, technical, lighting, audio-visual, or equipment requirements. This information helps us assess the feasibility of the proposal within our gallery spaces and available resources.
Review Process
Proposals are reviewed with attention to artistic quality, clarity of concept, curatorial cohesion, suitability for the space, feasibility of installation, and relevance to STEPAC’s mission and community context.
We are especially interested in exhibitions that show thoughtful consideration of audience experience. This may include how the works speak to one another, how the exhibition unfolds in space, and how it invites visitors into a deeper engagement with the ideas and materials being presented.
How to Submit
Please email all submission materials to
email with Attention: Curator in the subject line.
If submitting by mail, please send materials to:
St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre
301 Talbot Street
St. Thomas, ON N5P 1B5
c/o Curator
Please ensure that all files are clearly labeled with your name and, where applicable, the title of the artwork.
Important Dates
Submissions are accepted on an ongoing basis. Proposals are reviewed annually in November, and applicants will be contacted if their proposal is selected for consideration.
Exhibition Agreement
Selected artists will be required to sign an exhibition agreement outlining terms related to insurance, sales, commissions, installation, timelines, and other exhibition details. Accepted artwork must remain on display for the full duration of the exhibition unless otherwise arranged in writing.
Questions
For questions or additional information, please contact email.
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