​Given our efforts to contain the Covid-19 virus, many people have been awarded time off during the spring of 2020. Therefore, to “take a sad song and make it better”, here are a few local family friendly activities that everyone and anyone is welcome to partake in during this uncanny time.

The Railway City has enjoyed the Arts Crawl for the past 7 years, and it’s become an exciting tradition for creative minds!

​Do you get your passport ready every year and plot out your route? Do you think you're a seasoned Crawler?

Think again!

This year we are shaking things up a bit with many added experiences. To help you out, we bring you 5 things you may not know about #ArtsCrawl2020!
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Attention legal age drinkers! At this years' Crawl, The Horton Market will be host to a Beverage Market consisting of craft beers and spirits and presented by Platform Event Co. This is a great chance to taste-test local and regional brewery creations at the Crawl and experience its artistry!
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To encourage Arts Crawl participants to visit the new experience locations, individuals that visit the new experiences will have a better chance at winning in the passport draw! The new experiences will include the following:
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• Cupcake and beer pairing (Caps Off Brewing)
• Cookie painting (Seed Confections)
• Yoga and Tea (Hosted by Exhale Yoga)
• Leap into Art (Van Pelt's Business Solutions)
• Something Wicked + tarot readings (Purely Wicked)
• Beverage Market (Horton Market)
• Behind the Scenes (Princess Ave Playhouse)
• Crocker's Artisans (Crocker's)
• Experience (The Atrium)
• STEAM & TEENS (Talbot Teen Centre) ​

St. Thomas’ chefs are artists too!  Food masterpieces will be available throughout the entirety of the crawl. Our food artists include:
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• Killdeer Food Co. food + taste experience (at The Destination Church)
• Tikka Tomato food truck (at Van Pelts)
• Shebaz Shawarma (at Horton Market)
• Quai Du Vin Estate Winery + Wildflowers Farm + Welsh Baker (at Railway City Tourism)
• Elgin Harvest + Relish! (at Railway City Brewing)

Whether you love a specific artist's work or you’re looking to become a fan of a new artist, the Arts Crawl will display the works of over 100 different creators! Just because our artists grow in number doesn't mean it has to be harder to see them all - we still cap it at 15 venues + 10 experiences.
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​You read correctly! This year the Arts Crawl will host the After Dark: Arts Crawl Carnival. This is a very exciting new feature of the Crawl, and will take place on February 29, at Railway City Brewing featuring magic from Keith Brown, a nacho bar from Elgin Harvest, music from Groove Station, and much more. See you there!

• ROTARY TOUR OF HOMES - @ Various around St. Thomas | Nov. 8-10 
• CANADALE CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE - @ Canadale | weekends in November
• PARADE OF POINSETTIAS - @ Family Flowers | Nov. 14-16
• SANTA CLAUS PARADE - @ Downtown St. Thomas | Nov. 16
• WINTERSCAPING WORKSHOP - @ Wildflowers Farm | Nov. 17, 30 & Dec. 3 
• HOOP WREATH & MESH WREATH WORKSHOP - @ Purely Wicked | Nov. 23
• CHRISTMAS IN HOGSMEADE - @ Purely Wicked | Nov. 23
• ​​SANTA TREATS TRAIN RIDE - @ Port Stanley Terminal Rail | Nov. 23-24, 30 Dec. 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22
• EAT DRINK CREATE HOLIDAY EDITION - @ St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre | Nov. 29
• DICKENS DAY PARADE - @ Port Stanley | Nov. 29
• DOWNTOWN SANTA - @ Downtown St. Thomas | Dec. 7
• CHRISTMAS IN HOGSMEADE - @ Purely Wicked | Dec. 8​​

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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

​Take a trip through spooky St. Thomas. Visit some creepy spaces, learn some local lore, and even hear a ghost story or two!

From April to October, explore Ontario’s heritage treasures at free public events across the province. Satisfy your curiosity and get behind normally closed doors to experience intriguing interiors, where you will be inspired by rare and exceptional materials, craftsmanship and design. From historical houses to modern marvels of construction, Doors Open Ontario has something for everyone - All Free of Charge.

St. Thomas’ Doors Open is coming up Saturday, October 5th from 10am-4pm and will feature some unique sites and activities with a fun “spooky” theme. This includes special activities such as ghost stories from Rail City Theatre on the train, tarot readings by Purely Wicked at Lemons Pharmacy, nighttime star gazing at the Elevated Park, and Capture Paranormal at the L&PS Station.
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WHAT IS IT?
​Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. At the end of each September, millions of people attend thousands of participatory arts and culture events across the country. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities.

St. Thomas is coming alive with street art!

What better time to celebrate our burgeoning street art scene, than during a national cultural celebration? The answer is, there isn't a better time! 

What you get: An open-house style event, pop by anytime to Moore and Talbot Street and view the recently completed boxcar murals, and see chalk artist Will Graham with some select students create a street art masterpiece right on the street!

When: September 28th from 9am-5pm with a special announcement + ribbon cutting at 4:30pm.

Where: Right on the street! Find the celebration at Moore and Talbot Street downtown St. Thomas (right across from our headquarters at 605 Talbot Street).

Some of St. Thomas’ trails are elevated, others follow routes of the aboriginals and explorers, and some are rail trails. Whether you like to enjoy these beautiful St. Thomas trails with your family, your furry friend, or become one with nature all on your own, be sure to check out this exciting event and rediscover your community by foot!

Save the date for an all-inclusive City-Wide Trails Open event to be held on Saturday September 14th in St. Thomas! This FREE open house style event will run from 10:00am - 8:00pm at Pinafore Park, Waterworks Park and the St. Thomas Elevated Park.

​Enjoy the new trails along with some local healthy snacks, outdoor yoga, guided walks -  including a ‘Superhero Walk’ around Lake Margaret, local musicians, nature walks, prizes and much more! This event is open to all ages and abilities. See the itinerary below.

​EVENT INFO: Facebook Event
AGES: All ages
LOCATIONS: Pinafore Park | Waterworks Park | St. Thomas Elevated Park

A partnership between the City of St. Thomas, Southwestern Public Health, and local developers including Hayhoe Homes and Doug Tarry Homes, has helped make St. Thomas more walkable.

Please bring a reusable water bottle as there will be drinking water available at the event.

Discover a trail near you at: http://www.activeelgin.ca/st-thomas-trail-system
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