Shaping 2026: New Goals, Fresh Faces, and Lasting Connections
- Melissa Auchincloss
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
As 2026 begins, Over Here is buzzing with excitement! This year, we’re celebrating major milestones, including the Caboose Hop public art installation, which is reaching
its public art building phase, and launching fresh initiatives like the Utility Box Project and the multi-year Barn Quilt Project. We’re also thrilled to welcome back community favorites like the Arts By The Pond Festival and Paintout, while introducing an inspiring new lineup of workshops through our Creative Workshop Series.
Together, we’ll nurture new leadership, celebrate creativity, and build lasting connections that make the Town of Erin unique.
If you’re an artist, storyteller, builder, or community supporter, there’s a place for you in our journey. Get involved—your presence can make a real difference!
Caboose Hop: Honoring Heritage, Inspiring Community
We’re thrilled to announce that the Caboose Hop is entering its next exciting phase! This year, we’re completing the public art building component of this multi-year project, which will take up residence at the Elora-Cataract Trailhead in Hillsburgh.
The Caboose Hop honours our railway heritage while reimagining how public art can forge bonds. Much like the rail line once linked our towns, this installation will help reconnect our community. Interactive features, like an embedded QR code, will share stories, historical photos, and memories from the railway era. Snap a selfie, reflect, or enjoy the view—this installation will become a site for lasting memories and new traditions.
📍 Want to see more? Visit the Over Here Gallery By The Pond inside the Hillsburgh Library to preview conceptual sketches and project plans.
🌐 Learn more online: For more details about the Caboose Hop, visit our website at overhere.ca/caboose-hop.
🎥 Watch the mini-documentary! Earlier this year, a short film premiered at Arts By The Pond 2025, capturing the spirit of Hillsburgh and our railway story. Watch it here.
🤝 Want to help? Volunteer with the build, share railway memories, or simply spread the word—there’s a spot for everyone. Together, we can create a community landmark that brings us all closer.
Utility Box Project: Art Where You Least Expect It
The Utility Box Project is bringing creativity to unexpected places! This year, two of Erin’s utility boxes will be transformed into bold, colorful pieces of public art. Vibrant designs will brighten town corners and daily routines, adding a splash of creativity to our community.
🎨 Interested? Artists can submit designs in Spring 2026—keep an eye on our website and socials for calls for artists.
Arts By The Pond Returns
Mark your calendars! Arts By The Pond returns on September 19, 2026. This beloved annual event gathers artists, musicians, families, and food lovers for a day that celebrates Erin’s creative heartbeat.
🌟 Want to join in? Sign up to volunteer, donate, sponsor events, showcase your art, or help us spread the word. Every hand shapes a more vibrant festival!
Modern Barn Quilt Project: A Stitch Through Time
Inspired by Wendy McIssac and brought to life with the Erin Village Quilters and other members of the Erin community, we’re thrilled to launch a multi-year "barn quilt project"—a celebration of textile stories, heritage, and fresh creative voices.
So, what exactly is a barn quilt?
Picture a vibrant quilt block—painted on wood or perhaps crafted with stained glass or tiles—proudly displayed on the side of a barn, building, or other structure. These stunning designs, inspired by traditional fabric quilt patterns, are more than just art; they’re storytellers. Each barn quilt weaves together threads of cultural, historical, or personal significance, connecting us to the past while adding a splash of beauty to our surroundings.
Barn quilts are also part of a growing movement called "barn quilt trails." These trails transform rural landscapes into open-air galleries, where communities come together to create and showcase these colourful works of art along mapped routes. It’s a celebration of heritage, creativity, and community spirit—all rolled into one.
At Over Here Community Arts Adventure, we believe in the power of art and creativity to bring people together, celebrate shared stories, and inspire. This barn quilt project is a perfect reflection of that mission, blending tradition, innovation, and community collaboration.
Honoring the Past: Paying tribute to generations of quilters and timeless traditions.
Showcasing Today: Highlighting the artistry of local quilters and textile creators.
Imagining Tomorrow: Blending design with digital storytelling to inspire the future.
Launching This Year: A Community-Driven Journey
This year marks the beginning of an exciting, multi-year journey. Together, we’ll take the first steps in creating unique wooden quilt patterns that reflect the values, stories, and heritage of our community as it stands today. These designs will serve as a foundation, honouring our past while celebrating who we are now and imagining what’s to come.
At its core, this project is an ongoing exploration of cultural and historical design patterns—what they mean, how they’ve evolved across time and geography, and what they reveal about our community’s identity. Over the years, we’ll continue to uncover and share these stories, building a vibrant tapestry of our shared history, present-day experiences, and future aspirations.
Want to get involved?
Whether you’d like to paint, design, or help document local stories, we’d love to have you join us at the start of this creative journey. No quilting experience is needed—just a passion for community and creativity!
📧 Email us at melissa@overhere.ca to get started.
Together, we’re not just creating art—we’re building a legacy of creativity, connection, and community pride. We can’t wait to see where this journey takes us!
Creative Workshop Series: Hands-On Inspiration
Our Creative Workshop Series is back for 2026, offering opportunities to learn, create, and connect. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just looking to try something new, there’s something for everyone:
Spring Tapas with Chef Gui 📅 March 28, 2026, 1–3 pm, Hillsburgh Library ($105) Book Now
Indigo Shibori Dyeing Workshop 📅 May 2, 2026, 1–4 pm, Elliot Tree Farm ($105 + $22 material fee) Book Now
Spring into Colour: Colour Expressions 📅 May 23 & 30, 2026, 10 am – 2 pm, Elliot Tree Farm ($170) Book Now
Guided Foraging Walk & Dish Tutorial 📅 May 24, 2026, 11 am – 2 pm, Everdale Farms ($105 + $6 material fee) Book Now
Nature’s Blueprints: Cyanotype Sun-Print 📅 May 31, 2026, 1–3 pm, Everdale Farm ($90 + $5 material fee) Book Now
✨ More workshops are added regularly—check our website or follow us on social media for updates and registration links!
New Faces, New Leadership
Progress means new voices, and we’re thrilled to welcome Mark Latam to the Over Here Board. His experience and drive will help steer our 2026 goals and beyond.
At the helm of the Creative Workshop Series, Dainora continues as Committee Lead. Her passion promises a lineup of workshops for all backgrounds and interests.
💡 Ready to shape your community? Join a committee, sit in on a meeting, or share your ideas!
Comments