There is so much to be thankful for this fall! We believe there is something here that will spark curiosity and joy in all of our Willow members. Whether this is your 8th year with us or you’ve just joined, we are excited for the studio to be full of artists and creatives gathering to explore the abundance of enriching programming.

Alongside our in-studio programming, we will continue our Renew The View community mural work on the fences surrounding the old GM site. We are also thrilled to partner with the Ronald McDonald House Charities to help brighten the hallway leading to the children’s medical wing at the St. Catharines Hospital. Please follow along on social media and show your support for the Willow member artists leading this exciting work. We will have more mural opportunities in 2025 so stay tuned!

New this season, we are thrilled to partner with the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and The Foster Festival. This is an incredible opportunity to provide access to various cultural performances and events. More details will come out as tickets become available.

Here’s to another inspired season at Willow Arts. Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

With hope and love,
Leigh MacLeod
they/them
Founder, Director of Willow Arts Community

Open Studio

Dates: Sept. 9 – Dec. 16 (12 Mondays) 
(Skipping Monday Sept. 30, Monday Oct. 14, and Monday Nov. 25)
Time: 1 – 3 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
Drop-in

Open Studio is a great place for self-directed learning, collaboration, connection, experimentation, and sharing resources. Bring a creative project to work on and gain inspiration by sharing space and discussing possibilities with your peers. Some basic art supplies will be available. All Willow members are welcome.

Speak to it Radio Show
with Deb Cartmer (she/her)

Dates:
Sept. 10 – Oct. 29 (8 Tuesdays) 
Time: 7 – 8:30 PM
OR
Oct. 23 – Dec. 11 (8 Wednesdays)
Time: 2 – 3:30 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
By Registration

Join us as we develop episodes for a new Willow Arts member-produced radio show: Speak to It. Participants will receive hands-on training in radio production from microphone basics and voicing technique to sound recording, editing, and show development. We’ll also discuss hosting roles and responsibilities, research, and regulatory considerations for broadcast. No previous experience required.

Experimental Photography: Lumens
with Amber Lee Williams (she/her)

Dates: Sept. 11 – Oct. 16 (6 Wednesdays)
Time: 2 – 4 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
By Registration

Throughout the 6 weeks, participants will explore lumen prints, an experimental photographic process using old and new darkroom papers. Materials such as flowers and fabric will be placed on the papers and exposed to UV light, producing surprising results of various shapes and colours. The course includes techniques for working with light-sensitive materials and archiving your creations. There is an opportunity to have your work considered for a published book in the new year, which will also feature writing from the poetry classes.

Poetry
with Dani Hummel (they/them)

Dates: Sept. 13 – Oct. 18 (6 Fridays) 
Time: 2 – 4 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
Drop-In

This 6-week drop-in creative writing course is open to anyone interested in exploring poetry in a supportive environment. Led by Dani Hummel, this course offers poetry exercises, prompts, instruction, and time to write. There is an opportunity to have your work considered for a published book in the new year, which will also feature images from the experimental photography classes. No prior experience in poetry is necessary. Whether you’re trying poetry for the first time or developing a writing project, this is a welcoming space to create and share your work.

Altered Books
with Lisa Forstinger (they/them)

Dates: Oct. 5 & Nov. 2 (2 Saturdays) 
Time: 1 – 4 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
By Registration

In this 2-day workshop, participants will learn how to turn an old book into a unique piece of art. An altered book is made by repurposing and reimagining the pages and covers of a book using techniques like tearing, cutting, gluing, painting, sculpting, stitching, and more. Original content from the book may inform the overall concept, or the book may be completely covered up to transform it into a new object altogether. Lisa will teach techniques and provide inspiration to get started, and participants are encouraged to attend the Open Studios in between sessions to independently work on their altered books.

Songs from the Willow
with Joe Lapinski (he/him)

Dates:  Oct. 17 – Dec. 5 (8 Thursdays)
Time: 1 – 3 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
By Registration

Join us for this 8-week songwriting session where we look at a wide variety of techniques that will help in the process of songwriting: listening to music together, writing exercises, meditation, discussion, collaboration, and more! We will also spend time during classes looking at a specific genre or style of music and examining what makes it “tick”. We’ll use this as inspiration for our own writing. Our discoveries may lead to complete songs, or simply the seeds to songs that we pursue outside of class. We’ll celebrate some of our creations at the Music Gathering on Dec 10.

Circle of Songs
with Nicole Joy-Fraser (she/they)

Dates: Oct. 22 – Dec. 10 (8 Tuesdays) 
Time: 1 – 3 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
Drop-In
Open to all Willow members and our Indigenous friends

Through sharing circles, storytelling and guided by Anishnaabe ways of knowing, Nicole Joy-Fraser will facilitate music making for Willow members who are interested in learning from Mother Earth’s hand drum songs while connecting to their heart centres. Explore the ways in which spirit and ceremony guide us to connect and create a group synergy of sound and song-making and discover how the medicine of music reminds us that we all have a place in creation. This weekly session will cover a whole repertoire of songs from Turtle Island and culminate in the birthing of an original song inspired by the Circles of Song community and shared at our final Music Gathering in December.

Multicolour Screenprinting on Paper
with TJ Charlton (he/him)

Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 1 – 4 PM
Location: Niagara Artists Centre
By Registration

Learn the basics of multicolour screen printing on paper! In this hands-on workshop, you will create a collaborative multicolour screenprint using simple drawings collaged together to create a unique compositional print. Participants will learn the entire process of screenprinting: from image creation, to screen setup, and finally pulling their own prints. No prior experience necessary.

Homeward
with Kosar Dakhilalian (she/her) and Skye Rogers (she/her)

Dates: Nov. 4 – Nov. 18 (3 Mondays)
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
By Registration

What is home? It is a place? A person? A feeling? An idea?

Join Kosar Dakhilalian and Skye Rogers in the process of exploring these questions through collaborative theatre-making! Over three sessions, we’ll develop scenes around personal and collective ideas of “home,” through different stylistic approaches of creation. We’ll explore physical theatre, object theatre, and voice work, while introducing symbolism, realism, and abstract creation.

Homeward is a new play-in-process, exploring the notion of home through different lenses. Participation will help inform the research and creation of this play developed by Kosar and Skye. No previous experience necessary.

Letterpress Greeting Card Printing
with Tone Ventresca (he/him)

Saturday, Nov. 23
Time: 1 – 4 PM
Location: Niagara Artists Centre
By Registration

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the art of letterpress printing to create unique, personalized greeting cards. Using antique presses and movable type, participants will experience the tactile joy of pressing ink onto paper, resulting in beautifully crafted cards with a distinct, textured feel ready to be shared with friends and loved ones. This workshop is suitable for individuals of all ages and skill levels. No prior experience is necessary.

Music Gathering

Tuesday, Dec. 10
Time: 1 – 4 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
Free Event. Friends and Family welcome!

Join us for an inspiring afternoon in the studio as Willow members share new music created this season in the Songs from the Willow and Circle of Songs courses. Light refreshments will be provided, all are welcome.

How to Participate or Join Willow Arts Community

Current Willow Members
Opportunities marked as “Drop-In” are available to all Willow members. You do not need to register. Email Leigh and let them know if you are interested in participating in a registered course or workshop (Speak to It Radio Show, Experimental Photography, Altered Books, Songs from the Willow, and Homeward). Spaces are limited, and you would be committing to the full duration of the program.

Email [email protected] (PREFERRED) or text/call 905-328-9277 if you need support or have any questions.

Staff will be onsite for all listed program times.

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How to Join Willow Arts Community
Folks must first register as a Willow member before attending programming. Registration can take 1-14 days. Visit our how to join page to learn more and email [email protected] to begin the process.

Memberships and all opportunities are free and available to adult (18+) artists and creatives with lived or living experience of mental illness/substance use in Niagara. No formal referral required and previous experience isn’t necessary to learning new skills, creating art, and meeting awesome folks.