Thinking of tying a scarf or hat on a St. Thomas sculpture this winter? Under a new City policy, the answer starts at no.
City council approved the Public Art Temporary Additions and Decorations Policy, written by the St. Thomas Public Art Committee, on October 13th.
The policy puts it plainly: “Public art is an artwork, not a general-purpose structure or seasonal decorating surface.”
As a general rule, it says hats, scarves, bows, ribbons, costumes, wreaths, banners, signs, flags, stickers, yarn, paint and projected images “shall not be placed on public artworks.” It also bars using public art for advertising, fundraising, sponsorship or campaigning without approval.
The rules apply to everyone, including City staff, elected officials, community groups, event organizers, sponsors and the public. They cover art the City owns, commissions, leases, maintains or manages, indoors or out. Decorations that go up without permission can be removed by trained staff.
The policy comes a month after a request about the city’s most famous statue. On September 8th, council received a letter from a resident asking to put a large Santa hat on the Jumbo monument for the 2026 holidays. The resident offered to buy the first hat, $181.88 with shipping, and pointed out that Port Stanley puts a Santa hat on its fish statue each year.
Council did not say yes or no. It asked both the Parks and Recreation Department and the Public Art Committee for a report. The policy that came back on October 13th does not name Jumbo or any other artwork, and as of that meeting no separate report on the hat had reached council. During a short discussion that night, one member of council said they thought the policy started with the idea of a scarf or Santa hat on Jumbo, and was also driven by artists not wanting their work changed.
So what would it take to get a yes? The policy leaves room for an exception, but it says an exception is never an entitlement. A request has to arrive at least 60 days before the decoration would go up. Among other details, it needs drawings, a plan for putting it up and taking it down, proof of insurance and a plan to cover all costs.
Then come the approvals. The artist, or whoever holds the artist’s rights, has to agree in writing. A conservation check has to confirm the decoration will not damage the piece. The Public Art Committee gives the final recommendation.
The 60-day rule matters for anyone hoping for a holiday decoration this year. A request filed in mid-October could not go up before mid-December.
There is an easier option. A freestanding seasonal display near an artwork, not touching it, “may be considered,” the policy’s quick guide says, once staff confirm it keeps a respectful distance, does not block the view, is safe and accessible, and does not look like part of the artwork.
Why does the artist get a say? The policy points to a well-known Canadian case. In 1982, the Eaton Centre tied red Christmas ribbons around the necks of the geese in Michael Snow’s sculpture Flight Stop, without his consent. An Ontario court ordered the ribbons removed.
Canadian copyright law gives artists a right to protect their work from changes that hurt their honour or reputation, even after someone else owns the piece. That is why the new policy asks for the artist’s consent first.
Lighting up public art is a separate matter. It falls under a different City policy, approved in 2018, not the new one. The City’s latest council highlights show Jumbo lit purple on October 15th, blue on November 20th and periwinkle on November 30th.
The Public Art Committee says a new Commemorative Recognition Policy will come to council at an upcoming meeting. The decorations policy will be reviewed every four years.
Sources: Report STPAC-01-26, Public Art Temporary Additions and Decorations Policy · Keeping Track, Council Highlights, October 14, 2026 · Council minutes, September 8, 2026
By Anthony Zruna · About the LocVox Newsroom
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