Creative in St. Thomas

The creative adult is the child who survived. - Ursula Leguin

Believe it or not, winter is coming. We are ready and hope you are too! For those of us who like to hunker down indoors awaiting the arrival of Spring, this post is for you.

We have pulled together all the top creative spots in St. Thomas to inspire you over the long winter months. For those who are ready to dig in and get dirty, or those that want to sit back and be transported, we hope you can find something to make the cold days just a little warmer!
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St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre
The St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre's objective is to encourage and promote an appreciation for, and support the practice of the visual arts in St. Thomas and area. The Art Centre has programs for both adults and kids, as well as rotating exhibitions and is a fantastic resource for the seasoned professional or the aspiring artist!

Romantic Designs Artist Studio
Experience the Fantasy World of Romantic Designs Artist Studio.  The studio offers year-round workshops and classes in a variety of mediums, for beginners and beyond. 
 
​Little Red Mitten
The Mitten is a space to take a break from your busy life and nurture your creative spirit amongst a like-minded creative community. We want to show you how you can use the therapeutic and meditative qualities of creation to promote self-care and personal growth, all while exercising skills in knitting, weaving, crochet, and more!

Elgin Theatre Guild
The Elgin Theatre Guild was founded in 1967 and continues operating to this day producing 4 plays per year. The Guild lives in the historic Princess Avenue Playhouse, and also organizes a robust live music schedule. Theatre camps and workshops are also held throughout the year.

Railway City Brewing
Nearly every Saturday you can find live music at the Brewery's tap room. A great place to sit back with some friends, enjoy a pint and amazing tunes! If you are looking to flex your creative muscles, Paint Nite's are hosted once per month as well. 

Railway City Arts Crawl
This event is a MUST for everyone and anyone! The Railway City Arts Crawl is a FREE winter event celebrating local arts and culture. Set in various venues throughout St. Thomas Ontario, participants are given a passport to guide them to the sites and help them explore.

Laing Studios
This artist run studio is run by Grayden Laing and specializes in film production, photography, commercial art, animation, and fine art. Grayden teaches private and group classes and encourages anyone to pop by the studio to chat about any and every potential project and collaboration! Stop by, and you won't be disappointed! 
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Medlyn Studio​
Medlyn's has been a staple in the community for many years and has evolved to incorporate new collaboration efforts! Find stained glass, designer lighting, wrought iron, jewellery and more! All works created at the studio are as unique as you are, and starts with a concept, a pencil and paper.

Slate
Slate is an unique experience conceived by a small creative team that sees the world a little bit differently. They strive to bring back life to objects once forgotten and present them with a fresh and functional purpose. In a world of mass production, waste and uniformity Slate shows the alluring appeal of once abandoned objects that will expand the horizon of your imagination!

All the art studios and galleries have a gift shop or items for sale. But if you are looking to expand beyond our list and expand your winter retail therapy, check out these amazing local shops that feature artisan and locally made items!

Full list here - Artisan Shopping