Workshop 23 is a creative studio at the intersection of art and adventure, specializing in canoe repair & customization, paddles, original artwork, and experiential workshops.
Rooted in Canada’s backcountry, our mission is to celebrate the beauty of wild spaces through craftsmanship and creativity, while inviting others to connect with nature and art.
Who we are
It was the 23rd day of the month when Matt and Andrea met for their first date at a Tim Hortons.
They quickly discovered a shared love for the outdoors, canoeing, and the Canadian artists, Tom Thomson & The Group of Seven.
Unbeknownst to them at the time, their connection through art had started long before that first coffee.
In 2019, Matt was on call when an early morning structure fire broke out in downtown Kincardine, destroying West Shore Clothing & Surf Shoppe where Andrea’s artwork was on display.
Thanks to Matt and his fellow firefighters, her work was salvaged from the blaze.
The number 23 came to hold an even deeper meaning for them both, being the day they met and also Matt’s firefighter number.
where to find us
Thorncrest Outfitters
484 Carlisle Street
Southampton, ON
1-888-34KAYAK (52925)
We acknowledge that our work takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across Canada. In particular, we recognize the territory of the Anishinaabek, which includes the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi Nations, collectively known as the Council of Three Fires.
At Workshop 23, we honour the sovereignty of all Indigenous Nations, their lands, and their waters. We are grateful for the ability to live, work, and create on these lands and remain committed to ongoing learning and reflection. As we move forward together in reconciliation, we also endeavour to protect the natural environments that sustain us all.