Hepburn Park in Downtown St. Thomas: New Mural, New Opportunities, New Growth

Photo: Carley Shearon and Andrew Gunn of Andrew Gunn Consulting and young & free press stand in Hepburn Park in downtown St. Thomas. In September 2026, artist Ola Volo will be coming to the community to paint a spectacular new mural in the park! Students in the new ‘Urban Arts’ program at Fanshawe College will have the opportunity to be part of the process.

Hepburn Park in St. Thomas: New Mural, New Opportunities, New Growth

Our team at young & free press is thrilled to announce that artist Ola Volo will be coming to downtown St. Thomas in September 2026 to paint an incredible new mural in Hepburn Park! The artwork will revolve around the theme of bringing Mother Nature back into the heart of urban spaces.

Over the past two years, we have been working in collaboration with the City of St. Thomas Parks and Recreation Department and Arthur Lierman Landscape Architecture to imagine the renewal of Hepburn Park. The new artwork by one of the leading mural artists in Canada marks a significant step forward! This project also connects with another recent announcement, specifically the introduction of a new Fanshawe College ‘Urban Arts’ program, which will be offered for the first time in St. Thomas in September 2026. Interested emerging artists can check out the program page here to sign up for the waiting list. Students will have the opportunity to learn from Ola Volo as she paints the new mural in Hepburn Park!

Stay tuned for updates in the coming weeks. St. Thomas City Council has supported the overall vision for the renewal of Hepburn Park contingent on assembling the full funding required. Images of past artwork in the park will be reproduced on signs and installed in the renewed space.

Questions? Please feel free to reach out to Andrew Gunn, President of Andrew Gunn Consulting and young & free press, at gunn@andrewgunnconsulting.ca