New Oneida Arrival Day Mural to be Painted for Port Stanley      

New Oneida Arrival Day Mural to be Painted for Port Stanley      

Andrew Gunn
Port Stanley, Ontario's Southwest, Elgin County

On October 9th, 2026, festivities in Port Stanley will mark the October 1840 arrival of the Oneida people at Little Beach. The event is scheduled for 11am to 6pm at Little Beach and will include Oneida storytelling, cultural teachings, historical displays, food, arts and craft vendors, activities for families, and more. All are welcome to attend the event presented by the Oneida Nation of the Thames in partnership with the Port Stanley Village Association. The Port Stanley Business Improvement Area (BIA) is very pleased to help support the painting of a new mural to commemorate the Oneida Arrival Day. Celebrated artist Mike Cywink has been engaged to develop the design and paint the piece, and he will facilitate a series of workshops with local Oneida youth, including students from Standing Stone and various secondary schools in the Thames Valley District School Board.

Students Build Cities 2026-27

Students Build Cities 2026-27

Andrew Gunn
St Thomas, Ontario's Southwest

Over the past six years, our team at Andrew Gunn Consulting and young & free press has worked in collaboration with the Thames Valley District School Board and STEAM Centre to connect students directly to local community-building projects. Now, we are thrilled to begin introducing our Students Build Cities projects for 2026-27!

New Fanshawe College Urban Arts Program Coming to St. Thomas

New Fanshawe College Urban Arts Program Coming to St. Thomas

Andrew Gunn
St Thomas, Elgin County, Ontario's Southwest

Fanshawe College Corporate Training Solutions has developed a new Urban Arts micro-credential program to equip emerging artists with the skills, experience and industry knowledge needed to participate in the growing field of outdoor art. The program, developed in collaboration with St. Thomas-based Andrew Gunn Consulting and young & free press, will launch at the College’s St. Thomas/Elgin Regional Campus in September 2026.

Downtown Woodstock Mural Project!

Downtown Woodstock Mural Project!

Andrew Gunn
Woodstock, Ontario's Southwest

Our team is very excited to be launching a new mural project in collaboration with the Downtown Woodstock BIA! In our visits to the city over the years, we have noticed the lovely Museum Square downtown, which serves as a great foundation to build a walkable, intriguing core. Adding murals will help to make every trip to the area more fascinating for both residents and visitors. Throughout 2026 and 2027, we will be coordinating locations, assembling support, and working with artists to design new landmark pieces for the area.

Making Waves in Port Stanley!

Making Waves in Port Stanley!

Andrew Gunn
Port Stanley, Elgin County

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.

The Future of Arts & Culture in St. Thomas

The Future of Arts & Culture in St. Thomas

Andrew Gunn
St Thomas

With the possibility that the City of St. Thomas might wish to develop an ‘Arts & Culture Master Plan’ for the community, our team offered to generate an early overview of what shape this could take. We are grateful to the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation for the opportunity to consider the potential for arts and culture in the city. Throughout 2025, our team met with community members to gather input, and as part of our ‘Students Build Cities’ program with Thames Valley District School Board, we received lots of feedback from local students as well.

Students Build Cities: New Projects for 2025 / 2026!

Students Build Cities: New Projects for 2025 / 2026!

Andrew Gunn

We are thrilled to begin introducing our Students Build Cities projects for 2025-26! First up, we are excited to develop a new ‘neon trail’ for St. Thomas. Participating students will have the opportunity to consider the significance of neon signs in urban spaces, learn about how neon signs work, and then imagine and design new installations for the community.

St. Thomas: What Comes Next in Arts & Culture?

St. Thomas: What Comes Next in Arts & Culture?

Andrew Gunn
St Thomas

St. Thomas is growing! With new private and public sector investments happening city-wide, the expectation is that the population will grow from 45,000 to nearly 80,000 by 2050. Naturally, this means that we need to consider what the community will need in the future, including essential infrastructure, transportation improvements, parks and recreation amenities, new schools, and much more. In this light, what is the future of the local arts & culture sector?  

Top Ten Ways to Make St. Thomas Vibrant for Young Adults

Top Ten Ways to Make St. Thomas Vibrant for Young Adults

Maddie King
St Thomas

We all know the quiet arc of growing up in a small city or town. Elementary school, high school, and then the decision – where do we go for college or university? If we choose to stay home, where do we work and where do we live? If we go away to school, should we return home at some point? If so, when is the best time to do so? Or should we stay away forever?

St. Thomas! Provide Input on Two New Park Designs

St. Thomas! Provide Input on Two New Park Designs

Andrew Gunn
St Thomas

Our team at young & free press is thrilled to be involved with the development of two fresh park spaces in downtown St. Thomas. Over the past year, we have worked in collaboration with the Parks, Recreation and Property Management department at the City to develop preliminary concepts, and early designs have been prepared by Arthur Lierman Landscape Architecture.

Elgin County Railway Museum to Launch Cycling Tours in St. Thomas

Elgin County Railway Museum to Launch Cycling Tours in St. Thomas

Andrew Gunn
St Thomas, Elgin County, Ontario's Southwest

Our team at young & free press is thrilled to help announce a new donation of $15,000 to the Elgin County Railway Museum to introduce cycling tours to St. Thomas! With the funds, staff members will purchase a fleet of new bikes, including two e-bikes, and coordinate guided tours that feature the rolling stock gallery at the Museum, the collection of large-scale murals in the city, and the St. Thomas Elevated Park.

STEAM Centre to Provide Unique Art Experiences in St. Thomas

STEAM Centre to Provide Unique Art Experiences in St. Thomas

Andrew Gunn
St Thomas, Ontario's Southwest

Beginning in summer 2023, the team at the STEAM Centre in St. Thomas will coordinate a new engagement project that will invite community members and visitors to produce artwork outdoors! Imagine painting at the St. Thomas Elevated Park, or in the new Westlake-Evans Civic Park downtown, or at other beautiful locations around the city … this is the goal for summer 2023 in St. Thomas! Our team at young & free press coordinated a contribution of $7500 to help make this program happen.

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