Students Transform Recyclables into Art for 2025 Upcycling TOM Exhibition
Students from East Ridge Community School showcase upcycled artworks inspired by Tom Thomson’s Sunset Sky in the 2025 Upcycling TOM exhibition at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, on view April 1–30.
Building on the success of last year’s initiative, the Tom Thomson Art Gallery (TOM) and Owen Sound Waste Watchers (OSWW) have partnered once again for Upcycling TOM 2025, this year in collaboration with East Ridge Community School.
The project challenges students to create artworks using only recycled materials, drawing inspiration from the iconic Canadian landscape painter Tom Thomson. For this year’s theme, the school selected Sunset Sky, one of Thomson’s most recognized works, as the foundation for their upcycled recreations.
Over the winter months, students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 contributed to the project, working with materials such as plastic waste, discarded textiles, cardboard, and old books. The initiative aimed to encourage creativity while promoting environmental awareness.
“The Upcycling TOM project has been an incredible opportunity for our students...showcasing not only their creativity but their commitment to sustainability,” said Brent Thompson, Vice Principal of East Ridge Community School. He noted that the collaborative nature of the project brought together students across grade levels in a meaningful way.
The resulting student artworks will be exhibited in the atrium of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery from April 1 to 30, 2025. The exhibition will also be featured as part of Earth Day celebrations on Saturday, April 26, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
In addition, a Family Night event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the TOM. Open to students, families, and teachers, the evening will include refreshments and guided tours of the exhibition.
Deborah Eaton, a member of the OSWW Planning Committee, said the initiative continues to encourage conversation around sustainability and environmental responsibility. “We’re excited to see how the students’ creations will spark conversations about our impact on the planet,” she said.
Admission to the Tom Thomson Art Gallery is by donation. The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the month of April.
Students in our region are so fortunate to have the opportunity for their artworks to be exhibited at the TOM. Using art as the backdrop, important conversations about sustainability and environmental responsibility will take place.