In 2017, Stephanie Boutari took a big leap to paint big, joining her husband Adam (BOKO Studio) on a path of artistic and design exploration to make ideas happen. Her large-scale murals, often featuring vibrant palettes and geometric shapes, have been commissioned for dozens of public and commercial spaces throughout Waterloo Region. Inspired by the ways in which colour and scale transform the perception of space, Boutari’s work is refining her relationship between art and architecture. Watch the episode below of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region to learn how Boutari is painting the town big.

Tapestry Hall is a new skin on old, strong bones. From its foundry roots of 1847 to today's reinvention as a premier event venue in Galt's burgeoning Gaslight District, this new, chic space is a warm embrace with storied limestone bricks, beaten wooden beams and smooth concrete. Voluptuous windows spill light throughout the hall, taproom and onsite brewery as the world's largest living sculpture, called Meander, draws from the ceiling to greet and guide visitors throughout this historical masterpiece. As part of Digital Doors Open, learn more about this unique venue through the video below.

Since its inception in 2002, The Timeless Material Company has operated in the true spirit of salvage. While preserving and repurposing wood and other building products from historical and iconic local structures, this Waterloo family business has simultaneously diverted tons of quality material from landfill. Working with its sister company Kieswetter Demolition, The Timeless Material Company promotes and facilitates a modern afterlife for the building components of our past. During Digital Doors Open, explore this unique site through the video below and learn more about its spirit of salvage.

While it is now the largest craft brewery in Ontario, it was also the first, and Waterloo Brewing is simultaneously expanding its scope while stoking that pioneering spirit that launched it 36 years ago. Brewing beer with character, for people of character, the entire operation now runs from a single Kitchener location. It features a new beer store, patio and taphouse where a microbrewery affords passionate beer-loving staff to dream up and test the next big thing. Learn more about Waterloo Brewing's passion for craft beer in the following episode of Digital Doors Open Waterloo Region.

This scenic driving tour highlights four heritage cemeteries while winding through the three cities and four rural townships of Waterloo Region. Each stop tells a historical tale of mischief, mystery, mayhem or murder: the Bean Puzzle tombstone (the poisoning by chocolate of Meta D. Cherry), ghostly nights with the founder of Castle Kilbride, and a bodysnatching in Kitchener. As part of Digital Doors Open, watch the video below for a tour of these four heritage cemeteries: Trinity Anglican Cemetery on 72 Blenheim Road in Cambridge, First Mennonite Church and Cemetery at 800 King Street East in Kitchener, Rushes Cemetery at 1915 Hutchison Road in Wellesley, and Fairmount Cemetery at 1062 Brewery Street in Baden (Wilmot Township).

Waterloo’s first educational institution was a simple log schoolhouse, built in 1820. As the region expanded and outgrew the school’s modest capacity, this 5-metre by 6-metre (16-foot by 20-foot) structure served as a residence for the next 50 years. This important landmark now rests in Waterloo Park. Thanks to the efforts of many individuals and collectives over its 200-year history, it continues to serve the community. Among its many admirers is social historian Joanna Rickert-Hall who has written extensively about this historical gem and its relationship to other important local narratives. As part of Digital Doors Open, watch the video below for a behind-the-scenes experience of this historical gem.

The William Street Pumping Station is an architectural landmark of uptown Waterloo and a symbol of the region’s innovation and industrial spirit. Built in 1899 as the site of the first groundwater wells in Waterloo, it provided access to a clean and reliable water supply that contributed greatly to the social welfare of the community. A point of pride for those who work to protect and provide water for our booming municipality, William Street Pumping Station is a reminder of the parts we all play in protecting the community’s public health. As part of Digital Doors Open, watch the video below for a behind-the-scenes experience of this historical pumping station.

Olivetti. Olympia. Remington. Royal. Smith-Corona. Underwood. Typewriters are enjoying a big revival and Waterloo resident Currie Russell is swept up in the nostalgia revolution. What began as a pandemic passion project has evolved into a thriving side-hustle for this Waterloo collector. Russell is one of a handful of people in Ontario currently equipped to buy, sell and repair these majestic machines, but he is also part of a global movement spanning all corners of the planet where enthusiasts are connecting to share knowledge and learning that will keep these vintage marvels alive for others to discover into the future. Learn more about these machines and about Russell's passion as part of Digital Doors Open through the video below.