New Fanshawe College Urban Arts Program Coming to St. Thomas
Photo: Andrew Gunn and Carley Shearon of Andrew Gunn Consulting and young & free press stand near Fanshawe College, St. Thomas/Elgin Regional Campus, where a new Urban Arts micro-credential program will be offered. The program will emphasize training emerging artists to paint large-scale outdoor murals.
New Fanshawe College Urban Arts Program Coming to St. Thomas
120-hour, four-week offering will give emerging artists a canvas for career growth
Fanshawe’s Corporate Training Solutions (CTS) has developed a new Urban Arts micro-credential program to equip emerging artists with the skills, experience and industry knowledge needed to participate in the growing field of outdoor art.
The program, developed in collaboration with St. Thomas-based Andrew Gunn Consulting and young & free press, will launch at the College’s St. Thomas/Elgin Regional Campus in September 2026.
“Urban art is creating new opportunities for artists, communities and local economies across the region,” says Heather Carey, senior manager of Fanshawe’s CTS. “By working closely with industry partners, we’ve developed a unique learning experience that will help emerging artists build their portfolios, expand their professional networks and gain valuable real-world experience.”
The program curriculum, delivered in approximately 120 hours over a four-week period, emphasizes artistic development, safety certifications, project planning, business and marketing fundamentals, portfolio development and the tools and techniques used in large-scale outdoor art projects. Students will learn how to design, plan, execute and manage urban art installations responsibly, professionally and sustainably.
A significant portion of the program will focus on mural design and painting. Students will have opportunities to apply their learning through hands-on projects, including adding a mural on a dedicated practice wall recently installed by the City of St. Thomas Parks and Recreation Department.
Andrew Gunn, president of Andrew Gunn Consulting, says his team has been working with the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation and Railway City Tourism for several years to add murals and other outdoor artwork in the community.
"We have seen tremendous interest from emerging artists who want to learn more about this art form," says Gunn. "We're excited to support Fanshawe in bringing this program to the region. St. Thomas is the perfect setting. Over the past six years, the city has transformed into a community bursting with artwork."
Interested in applying to join the inaugural intake? Click here to join the waiting list.
About Corporate Training Solutions:
Fanshawe’s Corporate Training Solutions (CTS) develops and delivers responsive, industry-informed training that helps individuals, businesses and organizations build skills and achieve their goals. Through customized training, professional development, micro-credentials and continuing education opportunities, CTS provides flexible learning solutions that respond to evolving workforce and community needs.
About Andrew Gunn Consulting and young & free press:
Andrew Gunn Consulting focuses on assembling funding for community projects in cities, towns and rural areas in southwestern Ontario. The company concentrates on city-building and youth engagement, accelerating economic and cultural development by facilitating innovative projects and collaboration. Details are shared through the media platform young & free press, which is driven by university, college and high school students from the region. Youth are kept front and centre in project development through the ‘Students Build Cities’ program run in collaboration with Thames Valley District School Board. Learn more at www.andrewgunnconsulting.ca
For more information, please contact:
Kyle Rooks
Corporate Communications Officer
Fanshawe College
(519) 520-6679
Andrew Gunn
President, Andrew Gunn Consulting
(519) 709-5227
