Making Waves in Port Stanley!
Photo: Andrew Gunn and Carley Shearon of Andrew Gunn Consulting and young & free press paused recently in Port Stanley to highlight the new ‘Making Waves’ art project, which will run throughout 2026 and 2027.
Making Waves in Port Stanley!
Request for Qualifications – Art Project
Fun news! The Port Stanley BIA is working in collaboration with Andrew Gunn Consulting and the team at young & free press to add new artwork in the village. Port Stanley is one of the great tourism destinations in Ontario and has a lovely, walkable core and vibrant harbour. This new project – titled ‘Making Waves’ – will run through 2026 & 2027.
One element of this initiative is already well-established in the region. Over the past five years, Andrew Gunn Consulting has partnered with the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre to introduce the popular ‘Art, Trees & Trails’ project to the community. This has involved reproducing landmark works of art from the permanent collection at the Art Centre on signs, which are subsequently installed along trails in the community. Currently, these pieces can be found in Springwater Forest and Dalewood Conservation Area, as well as at the St. Thomas Elevated Park and along pathways in the City of St. Thomas.
For Port Stanley, the project comes with a twist! Along with paintings from the permanent collection at the Art Centre, the aim is to add three (3) original paintings to the series!
Professional artists based in southwestern Ontario may send expressions of interest to the contacts below. As part of the submission, please include (i) a portfolio of past work, and (ii) a short letter indicating the reason for your interest and early thoughts on potential subject matter. The ‘Making Waves’ theme revolves around ideas and efforts that have made an impact on Port Stanley past and present – and what might be significant in the future.
The three artists selected to paint pieces will be paid $1000 (+HST, if applicable). All works must be original and painted specifically for this project. Photographs of the paintings will be taken for reproduction on signs that will be installed outdoors in Port Stanley. The original works will become part of the permanent collection at the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre.
Deadline for submissions: May 8, 2026
Please send submissions directly to the following:
Laura Woermke, Executive Director, St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre
and
Andrew Gunn, President, Andrew Gunn Consulting Inc. / young & free press
Port Stanley BIA
The Port Stanley Business Improvement Area (BIA) represents property and business owners in the village and aims to promote and beautify the community. Visit https://portstanley.net
St Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre
The St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre sparks creativity, connects community, and brings art to life for residents and visitors. Find out more at http://www.stepac.ca
Andrew Gunn Consulting
The team at Andrew Gunn Consulting imagines and develops community-building projects in southwestern Ontario. Details are shared regularly through the youth-driven media outlet young & free press. Check out the company at www.andrewgunnconsulting.ca
Art, Trees & Trails
Beginning in 2020, the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre has coordinated the ‘Art, Trees & Trails’ initiative, which showcases artwork through the installation of attractive signs featuring high quality reproductions of landmark paintings. Locations include Springwater Forest, Dalewood Conservation Area, St. Thomas Elevated Park, and trails in the City of St. Thomas. The project was funded initially through a contribution from the Estate of Donna Bushell. Additional details can be found at http://www.stepac.ca/art--trees-and-trails
Andrew Gunn and Madison Comfort of Andrew Gunn Consulting and young & free press highlight one of the past installations in the ‘Art, Trees & Trails’ series — ‘Fish Clan’ by celebrated artist Norval Morrisseau, which can be found along the walking trail near Lake Margaret in St. Thomas. Discover all the locations at http://www.stepac.ca/art--trees-and-trails
