Upcycle TOM is returning in 2026, bringing together art, education, and environmental responsibility through a creative partnership between the Tom Thomson Art Gallery and Owen Sound Waste Watchers, with Hillcrest Elementary School students at the heart of the project.
Once again, young artists will explore sustainability and collaboration by producing upcycled artworks inspired by the work of iconic Canadian painter Tom Thomson.
This year’s creations are influenced by Thomson’s well-known painting, 'Wildflowers'. Students are transforming recycled and repurposed materials such as cardboard, fabric remnants, bottle caps, and magazine clippings into colourful collaborative pieces. The project encourages participants to rethink waste and reuse while experimenting with bold colours, textures, and patterns that reflect Thomson’s artistic style.
The Upcycle TOM 2026 student exhibition will be on display throughout April at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery and will also be featured as part of Earth Day celebrations. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the artwork and see how sustainability and creativity intersect through the students’ work. A special Family Night will be hosted at the gallery on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m., welcoming students involved in the project along with their families, friends, and teachers for an evening of celebration and community connection.
“Hillcrest is excited to partner with the TOM and OSWW on the Upcycle TOM project," said Sue Crysler, Principal of Hillcrest Elementary School. "Bringing the school community together will inspire and support the school's EcoTeam and will engage the Hillcrest Huskies in thinking creatively and sustainably. Seeing student creations come to life shows that small, thoughtful actions can make a real difference for our students and the broader community.”
Support from the Community Foundation Grey Bruce is allowing the project to extend beyond the gallery, with student artworks displayed in storefronts throughout Owen Sound’s River District from May 1 to 31, 2026. Additional backing from Upwards Art, located at Heritage Place Mall, has helped supply canvases for the project.
“Projects like Upcycle TOM show how art can inspire environmental awareness and community engagement," added Deborah Eaton, OSWW Planning Committee Member. "We are excited to see how the students’ inventive use of recycled materials sparks conversations about sustainability in Owen Sound.”
A new feature this year is a student art auction, with proceeds shared between Hillcrest Elementary School, the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, and Owen Sound Waste Watchers. The funds will support classroom art supplies, creative learning opportunities, and local sustainability initiatives.
“This project celebrates the legacy of Tom Thomson while empowering students to confront the challenge of single-use plastics," explained Heather McLeese, Curator of Public Projects & Education at the TOM. "These artworks demonstrate that creativity can drive environmental awareness, and that small, thoughtful actions can have a meaningful impact on the environment.”
The Upcycle TOM 2026 exhibition runs at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery from April 1 to 30, followed by River District storefront displays throughout May, offering multiple opportunities for the community to experience student-led art rooted in sustainability.
