‘Toonies for Tom’ tracking board finds new artistic life

The Rotary Club of Southampton and Southampton Arts are delighted to confirm the installation of a mural in the “Gateway to the Arts” alley between the Town Hall and the Art School in Southampton, Ontario, Canada.

This whimsical mural of the High Street was originally commissioned by the Rotary Club of Southampton in 2022 for use as a tracking board for “Toonies for Tom”, a Rotary fundraiser for a CT Scanner for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation, raising $20,002 for the campaign.

(L)Rotarians Tony & Sylvia Sheard, Trish Saunders, Artists Darlene McConnachie & Joann Sturgeon, Rotarians Bob Speight & Wendy Buckley, (Front L)Sara Porter (BIA) & Michelle Casolino (Southampton Arts) – photo by Saugeen Times

The painting was created by local artists and friends of Southampton Arts and the project was led by Darlene McConnachie and Jo Ann Sturgeon.

After the “Toonies for Tom” campaign, the artists asked if the mural could go on permanent display and Rotary suggested changing the title to reflect a “Shop Local” theme.

The mural was installed by Town staff on August 2, 2023.