This fall, we return to our in-studio programming and launch our LIVING OUT: Creatively Connecting Community project.
We are in our *seventh* year of providing free artistic programming for folks living with mental illness/substance use in Niagara. Thank you for trusting in us.
This season we are launching a project called LIVING OUT: Creatively Connecting Community. This initiative responds to the growing needs of our current membership and fills a gap in the wider 2SLGBTQIA+ community for low barrier, safe, and community informed spaces and meaningful activities. During our Fall ’23, Winter and Spring ’24 seasons, we will welcome members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to participate in the programming alongside our queer and trans Willow Members and deliver creative and artistic programming that is informed and led by 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.
We have so much to look forward to in our program year ahead. In addition to our free and excellent seasonal programming, zines will launch, and special projects and events with community partners will form. We will be celebrating the exceptional work of our membership next June with another gallery show at the VISA Gallery in the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts/Brock University. We also envision a performance celebrating the LIVING OUT programming in June.
I look forward to another inspired season at Willow Arts. We are making a difference, we do things differently here, and the world needs different.
With hope and love,
Shauna MacLeod
she/they
Founder/Director of Willow Arts Community
Open Studio
with Trisha Franklin (she/her)
Dates: Sept. 18 – Dec. 11 (12 Mondays)
(Skipping Thanksgiving Monday Oct. 9)
Time: 1 – 3:30 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
Drop-in, Willow Members
Led by multimedia artist and Willow member Tricia Franklin, the 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 members are welcome.
Inside Out
(transforming memory-stories into tangible art)
with Azra Momin (she/her)
Dates: Sept. 26 & Oct. 3 (2 Tuesdays)
Time: 1 – 4 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
By Registration, Willow Members
Join multimedia artist Azra Momin in this 2-day workshop to embark on a journey of personal story-telling through paint, mark-making, writing, and collage, and mixed-media materials. This workshop will involve: planning a rough outline of the subject, preparing a personalized color palette, learning how to manipulate paper to make it more malleable for stitching, painting the background, preparing collage elements, and assembling everything into a tangible piece of art.
The Willow Choir
with Sarah Jerrom (she/her) and Mckell Lacroix Derosier (he/him)
Dates: Sept. 28 – Dec. 14 (12 Thursdays)
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Location: Silver Spire Sanctuary
By Registration, Willow Members and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
Sarah Jerrom strongly believes that anyone can learn to sing. This 12-week course is open to folks with all levels of singing experience. Using songs written by Willow members from the Songs from the Willow, choir participants will learn to sing and breathe together, and develop musical expression through dynamics and storytelling, with a final performance at the Fall 2023 Celebration. These sessions will have a focus on positive learning, growth as a choir community, and having fun!
LIVING OUT Open Studio
with Kim Height (she/her)
Dates: Sept. 28 – Dec. 14 (12 Thursdays)
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
Drop-In, Willow Members and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
Open Studio is a great place for self-directed learning, collaboration, connection, experimentation, and sharing resources. Willow member and artist Kim Height will introduce a new 2SLGBTQIA+ related theme or prompt each week that can be explored through different mediums (creative writing, collage, paint, drawing, fibre arts, sculpture etc.) You are also welcome to bring a creative project to work on and just be in the space to meet likeminded folks. Some basic art supplies will be available.
Exploration of Queer Artists
with Jo Barham (she/they)
Dates: Oct. 4 + Nov. 8 + Dec. 6 (3 Wednesdays)
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
Drop-In, Willow Members and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
These sessions will provide a space for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to discuss and share examples of Queer Art (literary, performance, and visual) for education, introspection, and inspiration. Participants will be encouraged and supported in creating their own art in response to our conversations, as well as researching artists and exploring ideas at their own pace in between sessions, and returning to each session with their findings, discoveries, and curiosities.
Indian Folk Art
with Rajshree Jena (she/her)
Dates: Oct. 21 – Nov. 25 (6 Saturdays)
Time: 1 – 3 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
By Registration, Willow Members
This 6-week workshop is based on an ancient art form practiced in India. Participants will understand the technique through the use of simple geometry, colour, and meditative background applications. This is an an introduction to the art form, its cultural background and its relevance to enhancing mind positivity. Participants will create geometric patterns (with or without template) on canvas. Come and explore colour and patterning in a mindful environment.
Multi-Arts Sharing Sessions
with Joe Lapinski (he/him) and Shauna MacLeod (she/they)
Dates: Oct. 23 + Nov. 15 + Dec. 13
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Location: Mahtay Cafe and Lounge
Drop-In, Willow Members and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
A Multi-Arts sharing experience to meet fellow creatives, gain inspiration, share work, and engage in conversations about creativity and expression. All are welcome to make some noise, enjoy the sounds, draw, dance, and experience the community. Feel free to bring a noise maker of choice and amplifiers, and other art materials to express yourself. Percussion instruments are welcome! No experience necessary. There will be a couple of mics set up for singing or spoken word.
The Business of Art
with Erik Upper they/them
Dates: Nov. 7 – Dec. 12 (6 Tuesdays)
Time: 2 – 4 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
Drop-In, Willow Members and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community
In this 6-week professional development course, Erik Upper will be introducing general business practices that apply to the art world and everyday life. The overall objective is to make the concept of art as a career less daunting. Bringing a laptop is encouraged, but not necessary. Note taking will be necessary, but online notes will also be provided.
Fall 2023 Celebration at Silver Spire
Monday, Dec. 18
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Location: Auditorium Silver Spire
Free Event. Friends and Family welcome!
We invite our friends, families, colleagues, partners, and supporters in the community to celebrate the end of our season with us. Come enjoy a performance from The Willow Choir, and visual art displays from the Open Studios, India Folk Art and more! Our latest zine celebrating Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer and LGBTQIA+ Indigenous voices will be available as well. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and we are accepting donations at the door.
How to Participate this season or Join Willow Arts Community
Current Willow Members
Opportunities marked as “Drop-In” are available to all members. You do not need to register or let staff know if you can or can not make it. Email Shauna and let them know if you are interested in participating in a registered course or workshop (Inside Out, The Willow Choir, Indian Folk Art). 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 website 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.
**Members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community do not have to register as a Willow Member to attend our LIVING OUT programming. If you fit our mandate and also want to join as a Willow Member, we encourage you to do so.