WAG Scholarship awarded to aspiring art therapist Finn McCallum

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

The recipient of the 2025 Friends of the Woodstock Art Gallery Legacy Scholarship hopes he can become an art therapist and see his mentees share his passion for art.

Finn McCallum of Thamesford won the 2025 Friends of the Woodstock Art Gallery (WAG) Legacy Scholarship. The scholarship, worth $1,000, is awarded to a student in Oxford County who will be pursuing post-secondary education in media, fine, and/or visual arts such as photography, painting, fibre arts, sculpture, electronic media, printing, and graphic design.

McCallum, who will be attending Western University’s studio arts program in the fall, was thrilled to receive the scholarship and have a community rallying behind him. He also appreciated those who admired his artwork at the Student Open House at the gallery on June 18.

“It definitely made me proud of myself and proud to be a part of Ontario,” McCallum said.

His artwork is either inspired by emotions or his surroundings in Ontario. For example, he made a painting of a large cow that invoked self-deprecating feelings. He also gets inspiration from driving to school.

McCallum spent the past three school years at London’s H.B. Beal Secondary School, which is known for its specialized programs in all types of art. He was part of the Beal Art program, where prospective students must apply with a portfolio for a chance to pursue arts foundation education. The program has an optional third year in which students can specialize in studio, and McCallum spent the third year specializing in drawing and painting.

“That whole program was such an impactful experience, and I’ve had experience setting up shows and exhibits and just working in studio, which definitely has taught me all of the work that goes into art, like every aspect, not just creating,” he said.

McCallum aspires to be an art therapist after completing his post-secondary education. He currently works with children at the Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre and loves to teach them art.

“I think it’s really cool introducing somebody to art and seeing them find a passion for it like I have,” he said. “Art therapy is almost like the light at the end of the tunnel, like the type of artist that I want to be is somebody to help guide people and help them manage their emotions, too, because art has been a staple for my mental health in the past and I think it is such a good tool to use. Guiding the next generations of artists I think, is an important role in society.”

You can see McCallum’s artwork at the gallery until Aug. 2.