The 9th annual Hamilton Arts Week opens on Thursday June 8 with the City of Hamilton Arts Awards, officially kickstarting 9 days of community activities and live performances.
The event has grown and evolved since its origins, but within its packed schedule, remains true to its community roots. The Week features a number of “Signature” events that received funding and support from the Hamilton Arts Council; however, any artist, organization or collective is invited to submit events to the Arts Council’s event listings for inclusion in the Week’s activities.
“GHA residents and visitors alike will have the opportunity to engage with arts and culture events in Hamilton,” said Megan Divecha, the Arts Council’s Programs & Community Engagement Coordinator in a release. “Whether you choose to get a temporary tattoo while learning about tattoo culture, or experience the Cuban style of Salsa dance, there is something for everyone at Hamilton Arts Week 2023.”
Other signature events during the 9 day event include:
Saturday June 10
● The Art and History of Tattooing: a look into the art, tools and culture is an engaging and family-friendly event about the art of tattooing, presented by Anita Tang at Lowk’Ai
Tattoo Studio.
● Salsa Musicality Workshop with Vladimir Aranda: Explore the rhythms in salsa music, learn minor percussion using instruments and improve footwork and musicality, presented by SalsaSoul Productions at Main Stage Rehearsal Studios.
● Sonic Cypher: Taking place at Into The Abyss Records, collaborate and create music that is as unique as the individuals who bring it to life!
Sunday, June 11
● The Art of Healing: Cher Obediah presents a 12-painting exhibition, chronicling the
journey from domestic violence to self-love.
● Mini Hearts Arts Fest: Open Heart Arts Theatre hosts a day of bite-sized community engaged arts experiences at Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre.
● Casa Studios: a free ceramic mug painting workshop at the Bernie Morelli Recreation Centre.
Monday, June 12
● Aeris Körper Contemporary Dance: Dance artists in Hamilton are invited to gather, connect, learn, share and move at an open studio for movement/dance research, taking place at Theatre Aquarius Art Centre.
Wednesday, June 14
● Graffiti Techniques: Learn fun graffiti techniques and decorate a skateboard at Graffiti and Street Art with Julie Fazooli, held at The Mule Spinner.
● Transmogrification: The Iron Exhibition at Paul Elia Gallery, which samples diverse expressions of the materiality of contemporary cast iron arts hosted by The Canadian Society of Contemporary Iron Arts.
Thursday, June 15
● Emotional Footprints: Discover Dawn Grant’s six-month residency collection through the exploration of six stories in a multidisciplinary performance of contemplative art at The Cotton Factory.
● Hearing Portraits at an Exhibition: Trevor Copp and Mimi Han take the classical piano composition Portraits at an Exhibition and set themselves the challenge of making an audience hear it like they’ve never heard music before.
Friday, June 16
● FrancoFEST 2023: Centre Francophone Hamilton welcomes Innu-Quebecois musician, Shauit, for a morning school show and an evening concert in Gage Park in honor of National Indigenous Month.
● The Refuge Project: A screening of Sultans of String’s ambitious, diverse, and passionately political musical film featuring the Billboard-charting world music supergroup, premiering at The Westdale.
Saturday, June 17
● Hamilton Arts Hub Mic Pass: Industry shares information about creating a performing arts hub for Hamilton. Hosted at Collective Arts, the event features speakers, poetry, drag, a D.J. and more! Families are welcome.
● Sketch Hamilton will feature Hamilton graphic novelists and comic creators, the
cartoonist at King and James, in a three-panel event at Hamilton Public Library.
● The Talk To Me Nice Conference: Sharing tools with creatives for self-advocacy in the arts, presented by the Tune In Foundation.
