Page Builder Instructions
St. Thomas Ontario
  • Things To Do
    • Arts & Culture
    • Food & Drink
    • Downtown
    • Heritage
    • Jumbo
    • Murals
    • Parks & Nature
    • Shopping
    • Gift Shop
    • Spas & Wellness
    • Sports & Recreation
    • Whistlestop Trail
  • Events
  • Stay
  • Blog
  • Things To Do
    • Arts & Culture
    • Food & Drink
    • Downtown
    • Heritage
    • Jumbo
    • Murals
    • Parks & Nature
    • Shopping
    • Gift Shop
    • Spas & Wellness
    • Sports & Recreation
    • Whistlestop Trail
  • Events
  • Stay
  • Blog
Picture

Engage Augmented Reality LIVE in St. Thomas!

6/10/2021

1 Comment

 
Picture
Most people are familiar with AR technology through the popularity of Pokémon Go. With the Engage app’s St. Thomas adventure, AR technology is being used to learn about our own community. Users can walk to a particular location and use the app to scan the area, which will initiate the AR attraction. The attractions range from themed minigames to short history features, covering themes like the region’s railway history, mural artwork, and the veteran’s memorial.
The AR adventures are a great solo or small-group outdoor activity, meaning they’re possible to enjoy even with Covid-19 restrictions. The app is free to download and is suitable for all ages, although young children will need adult guidance. All of the attractions are within a 15-minute walk of each other, with the closest being only a few minutes apart.

The nature of the Engage AR will get people out walking in their communities and paying attention to parts of their city they might ordinarily walk by. AR also allows people to get up close with things that can’t be displayed in a conventional museum exhibit—like the steam and electric trains in the train attraction, or the statue in the Willowsheen mural attraction.  
Picture
EXAR Studios is a London, ON-based entertainment technology company dedicated to improving cities and communities. Engage Art is an augmented reality app showcasing local arts and culture through sustainable, smart tourism.
​
Daniel Kharlas, COO of EXAR Studios said, “The cutting edge augmented reality technology brings these vital stories to the people of St. Thomas in a way that is accessible and entertaining for the whole family. Whether you want to make a day out of it or just try one attraction while you’re out walking your dog, the beautiful, dynamic AR makes the perfect activity for summer break and beyond.”

Head over to www.engage.art to download the free app and www.engage.art/st-thomas!
 Watch the video to learn more: https://vimeo.com/560084195
Picture
Picture
Picture

St. Thomas Spots


​The Magical Garden
Near the spectacular, colourful mural on the side of the St. Thomas Public library, users can ‘tend’ a virtual garden as an extension of the artwork in front of them.

Trains of the Railway City
By the train tracks in front of the Railway City Tourism train station on Talbot Street, users can get up close and personal with a life-sized steam locomotive in AR. Modelled after a train on display at the Elgin County Railway Museum, users learn about St. Thomas’ rail history, as well as the future of rail transportation.

Willowsheen Worlds
Bringing the awe-inspiring Willowsheen mural to life in the alleyway just past the intersection of Moore and Talbot streets, users are able to walk through a portal and interact with a ball of energy to activate an extension of the mural.

​St. Thomas Remembers
At the Veteran’s Memorial, amid a field of AR poppies, users can learn more about the local men and women who served in WWI and WWII by selecting their image to hear their letters read aloud.

Slapshot!
To the west of the Joe Thornton Community Centre and Arena, users can celebrate our country’s national sport by playing an AR hockey minigame.
​

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO:

 Fiona Murray, Elgin County Museum
office: 519-631-1460 ext. 193
[email protected]

 Daniel Kharlas, COO, EXAR Studios
226-678-3658
[email protected]
instagram.com/engage_art

This project is done by the Elgin County Museum in partnership with EXAR Studios.

​The project is funded through the Estate of Donna Vera Evans Bushell. 
1 Comment
liana link
11/29/2022 08:58:10 am

thanks for info

Reply



Leave a Reply.

        It is not down in any map; true places never are. 
    - Herman Melville

    Author

    We are here reporting from the L&PS Station, home of Railway City Tourism. Join us as we explore this charming city, where nature, culture, and railway heritage intertwine at every turn.
    ​

    Categories

    All
    Arts & Culture
    Canada
    Downtown
    Elgin County
    Event
    Food & Drink
    Heritage & Museums
    Holiday
    Jumbo
    Parks & Nature
    Railway
    Shopping
    Sports & Rec
    Stay
    St Thomas
    Wellness


605 Talbot Street, St. Thomas ON N5P 1C6
​
Sitemap | About | Privacy | Contact
Picture
#ExploreRailwayCity​
© 2025 Railway City Tourism 
Photo from miguel.discart

E19823942023LUMIN283