Small actions can lead to big changes in creating a brighter, greener future!
Following the success of
last year’s student art exhibition with Keppel-Sarawak Elementary School, the Tom Thomson Art Gallery (The TOM) and Owen Sound Waste Watchers (OSWW) partnered once again to present Upcycling TOM 2025, featuring East Ridge Community School.
From junior kindergarten to Grade 8, East Ridge students took on the challenge of creating upcycled artworks inspired by iconic Canadian landscape artist, Tom Thomson. The school selected
Sunset Sky, one of Thomson’s most celebrated works, as inspiration for the project. Students worked collaboratively over the winter months, using only recycled materials — from plastic waste to old textiles, cardboard, and discarded books — to recreate the stunning colours and textures of the famous artwork.
A celebration of the students’ incredible works took place on Tuesday, April 29 with Family Night at The TOM. Students, staff, and families joined TOM and OSWW representatives to view the exhibition, enjoy refreshments courtesy of generous local business partners, tour The TOM, and listen to remarks about the project.
“Following the success of last year’s Upcycling TOM initiative with Keppel-Sarawak Elementary School, we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the community and involve an even larger group of young student artists,” said Heather McLeese, Curator of Public Projects & Education at The TOM. “The students at East Ridge Community School have truly gone above and beyond in their creative approach to raising awareness about sustainability.”
The Upcycling TOM student art exhibition was on display at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery during the month of April and was highlighted during Owen Sound’s Earth Day celebrations with over 130 visitors viewing the students’ artwork.
“This project builds on the success of last year’s initiative and continues to inspire our community to think about sustainability in new ways,” said Deborah Eaton, OSWW Planning Committee Member. “We’re excited to see how the students’ creations will spark conversations about our impact on the planet.”
“The Upcycling TOM project has been an incredible opportunity for our students at East Ridge Community School to work together, showcasing not only their creativity but their commitment to sustainability,” said Brent Thompson, Vice-Principal, East Ridge Community School. “From junior kindergarten to Grade 8, every student participated in this initiative, and the collaboration across grades has been inspiring. It’s truly heartwarming to see our school community come together to create something meaningful while honouring the legacy of Tom Thomson. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication to making a positive impact on the environment.”
“This project is a reminder of how art can engage young people with important and challenging global topics such as the environment,” said Aidan Ware, Director and Chief Curator at The TOM. “The students’ work showcases not only their talent, but also their ability to think creatively about the world around them.”
Upcycling TOM is about more than creating art - it is about creating awareness. The project dares individuals to rethink what they throw away, and to see waste not as garbage, but as potential. The students’ transformation of single-use plastics into powerful messages proves that creativity can educate, activate, and ignite real environmental action. It also shows that young people are not just part of the conversation, but are leading it.
Many thanks are owed to the East Ridge staff who supported the project’s success through their leadership, which extends to those who made space in their classrooms. OSWW is also thanked for their shared vision and commitment to bringing environmental awareness to life through art.