Drivers traveling south from London on Highbury Avenue are met with a striking red barn that appears to break apart before coming back together. Now, this landmark in St. Thomas has gained international acclaim.
Fading Memories, located in the roundabout at Highbury Avenue and Ron Mc Neil Line, achieved Gold certification in the Art and Photography category at the 19th Grands Prix du Design awards.
Gold-certified projects received an average jury score of between 80 and 100, making them finalists for the Grand Winner title of the competition.
The Montreal-based Grands Prix du Design competition, established in 2007, recognizes work across various fields such as architecture, landscape design, art and photography. The Grand Winners will be revealed at two galas set for Oct. 8 and Nov. 19.
St. Thomas Coun. Steve Wookey, who represents council on the city’s public art committee, referred to the award as “fantastic validation” of the city’s efforts over recent years to promote arts and culture.
A truck rolls past the “Fading Memories” sculpture in St. Thomas on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. (Geoff Robins/The )
The sculpture reinterprets traditional red barns that once filled the landscapes around St. Thomas and Elgin County. From one angle, it seems solid; as drivers go around it, its familiar shape breaks into open cross-sections meant to symbolize a barn fading away with time.
“For me, it’s very important that many years from now where it sits, you’ll say, that’s where the country was. That’s what was here, and that’s what’s important,” Wookey said.
The city chose SHIFT Landscape Architecture’s submission in 2024 from a total of 13 proposals. The sculpture was created by Lafontaine Iron Werks at a cost of $220,640 before HST and within the project budget of $250,000. Wookey mentioned that funding came from the roundabout’s construction budget.
“This piece draws attention to barns and hopefully stands as a monument as more are lost through development,” said Mike Barker, landscape architect and principal at SHIFT Landscape Architecture.
Barker divided the barn into sections with varying openness so its appearance changes based on how drivers approach it in the roundabout. This concept is inspired by his experiences with functional barns alongside others left to decay.
“The award highlights the value of art in the public landscape,” Barker told The Free Press. “Many people question the value but it is critical we continue to tell stories of the past, present and future.”
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