This spring, we are dreaming big and showing up in a big way. Our program season is designed to help get folks ready for our first real exhibition since “the before times”.
We are offering a variety of artist-led Open Studios and registered courses this season, as well as leading some exciting projects and opportunities in the community. Check out our social media for updates and announcements along the way.
As part of their Truly Local Commitment to health and wellbeing, this season is generously sponsored by the PenFinancial Credit Union. Together we are able to provide weekly access to arts training and open studios. Our members will gain skills, create new work, build relationships, and have the opportunity to showcase their perspectives and work in an art gallery. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to supporting our community.
All members are welcome back, even if you’ve missed a couple of seasons or didn’t come out as much as you had hoped last season. Come hang out and explore the arts with some excellent people. It will feel good.
With hope and love,
Shauna MacLeod
she/they
Director of Willow Arts Community
Drop-in Studio Time
with Katherine Sunita (she/her)
Dates: March 27 – May 8 (6 Mondays)
(Skipping Easter Monday April 10)
Time: 1 – 3 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
Katherine Sunita has an extensive background in drawing, painting, murals, sculptures, and mixed media and is here to help bring your ideas for the exhibition to life. Come work in the studio alongside fellow member artists and gain access to supplies (some restrictions will apply). There are six weeks before the exhibition deadline, which is plenty of time to dream up and create something you feel good about. If you are not wishing to submit work for the exhibition but would like to create in the studio, you are also invited during this time. All members are welcome.
Drop-In Studio Time
with Andrea Eby (she/her)
Dates: April 4 – May 9 (6 Tuesdays)
Time: 4 – 6 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
Andrea Eby has an extensive background in drawing and design and will be in the studio to help provide feedback towards elements of art like colour and composition, and can help research particular concepts that you may want to explore. Come work in the studio alongside fellow member artists and gain access to supplies (some restrictions will apply). There are six weeks before the exhibition deadline, which is plenty of time to dream up and create something you feel good about. If you are not wishing to submit work for the exhibition but would like to create in the studio, you are also invited during this time. All members are welcome.
Finding Your Voice – Radio Production and Show Development
with Deb Cartmer (she/her)
Dates: April 5 – May 24 (8 Wednesdays)
Time: 6 – 7:30 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
Participants will receive hands-on training in radio production from microphone basics, voicing technique, mixing, sound recording, editing, and program development. Time will be given to discuss components including hosting roles and responsibilities, research, and learning regulatory considerations for broadcast. Together we will develop an episode for a new Willow Arts member-produced radio show called “Speak to It”. No previous experience required.
Visible: From Unseen to Seen
with Jo Barham (she/they)
Dates: March 30 – May 4 (6 Thursdays)
Time: 6 – 7:30 PM
Location: Willow Arts Creative Studio at Silver Spire
PLUS Recording time for Audio Component of Exhibition
Saturday May 6, 12 – 5 PM with Matt Alvarez
In this 6-week writing course, we will be ruminating on the topic of the exhibition Visible. Using this as a prompt, we will create individual pieces that will be recorded and played within the gallery space. Participants will have the opportunity to create a piece, engage in peer editing, and space to practice their performance while implementing feedback. No previous experience necessary, all welcome!
Fibre Arts Drop-In Open Studio
peer-led
Dates: March 31 – May 12 (6 Fridays)
(Skipping Good Friday April 7)
Time: 1 – 3 PM
Location: Willow Arts new Stitch N’ B*itch space at Silver Spire
We are making friendship bracelets for Gillian’s Place this season. Members are welcome to bring crochet projects, quilting, knitting, up-cycled fashion, sewing, cross stitch, embroidery, rug hooking, or needle felt projects to work on in the studio. If your exhibition submission includes fibre elements, the studio is available to you during this time. Some basic supplies will be on hand. This is a dry studio space, meaning painting/gluing/pastels etc. are discouraged.
Welcome Home – Fibre Arts Project
with Lisa Forstinger (she/they)
Dates: June 2 – June 23 (4 Fridays)
Time: 1 – 3 PM
Location: Willow Arts new Stitch n’ B*itch space at Silver Spire
Help us make our new Stitch n’ B*tch space feel like home. Members are invited to come and learn some basic sewing and stitching skills each week. During the course, participants will be asked to think about fabric and other embellishments in an abstract way to create a story of comfort and warmth. At the end of the season, all Willow members will be invited to pick up a prepared kit to work on a collaged fibre arts square over the summer. In the fall season, the individual squares will be combined to create a community fibre arts piece to be displayed in our new fibre arts space.
VISIBLE – An exploration of intersecting identities
VISA Gallery, Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts/Brock University
Exhibition Dates: May 16 – June 6
Opening Reception: May 19, 4 – 7 PM
Submission Deadline: May 11, 3 PM
Willow Arts members share one thing in common; we all have lived or living experience of mental illness/substance use disorder. We also embody different identities, cultures, relationships, and experiences that creates a diverse and beautiful mix of people. We want to celebrate and hold space for our unique perspectives and invite our friends, families and the wider community into the conversation. This exhibition will support all arts practices (visual, literary, mixed media, performance, digital, and craft).
Music and Performance Nights
with Joe Lapinski he/him
Wednesday, March 29
Wednesday, June 7
Time: 6 – 8 PM
Mahtay Cafe and Lounge
241 St. Paul St, St. Catharines
All are welcome to make some noise, enjoy the sounds, and experience a great evening out in the community. Bring your noise maker of choice and amplifiers if you can. No experience necessary. Percussion instruments are welcome! There will be a couple of mics set up for singing or spoken word. Visual artists and dancers are welcome to be in the space and feel inspired by the sounds. This event is free and open to Willow Arts members, friends, and families.
How to Participate this season or Join Willow Arts Community
Current Willow Arts members: Drop-in Open Studio times are available to all members. Members are welcome to submit work for the exhibition that wasn’t created in our studio this season, but please reach out to staff first. Shauna will continue to send out weekly email updates along the way.
Email Shauna and let them know if you are interested in participating in a registered course (8-week Radio Show and/or 6-week Creative Writing course). Spaces are limited.
Email thewillowcommunity@gmail.com or text/call 905-328-9277 if you need support or have any questions. Staff will be onsite for all listed program times.
How to join Willow Arts Community: Folks must first register as a Willow Arts member before attending programming. Visit our website to learn more and email thewillowcommunity@gmail.com 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.