DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Winter invites reflection, care, and connection, and it’s in that spirit that I’m proud to share our Winter 2026 season.

At the heart of our programming is a belief in art as a form of care. We remain deeply committed to supporting people living with mental illness and substance use in Niagara. This season reflects that commitment — centering slowing down, collaboration, and the power of creative expression to foster understanding and belonging.

Willow Arts is a space where stories are shared, voices are amplified, and community is strengthened. We look forward to seeing you here at the studio. Stay tuned for more opportunities that will be announced in January.

With love,
Leigh MacLeod (they/them)
Founder/Director

How to Participate in Willow Arts Community Programs

Programs marked as “Drop In” are available to all Willow members. You do not need to register or commit to every session, please come on by!

Programs marked as “By Registration” require signing up in advance. There are a limited number of places in each course and workshop, and you would be committing to the full duration of the program.

Email Leigh at thewillowcommunity@gmail.com (PREFERRED) or text/call 905-328-9277 to express interest in participating in a “By Registration” course or workshop. Please indicate your 1st, 2nd or 3rd choices if you are interested in more than one opportunity. Leigh will confirm enrollment via email, and often times there are waiting lists.

Folks must be a Willow member before attending programming

Memberships 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 is required and previous experience isn’t necessary to join, learn new skills, create art, and meet awesome folks.

Membership registration can take 1-14 days. Learn more about membership and how to register on the Membership page of our website.

Open Studios

Open Studio

Day and Time: Mondays 1pm to 4pm
Dates: January 12 to March 9
skipping February 16
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.

Drop in Life Drawing

Day and Time: Tuesdays 6pm to 6pm
Dates: January 13 to March 10
Drop In

Drop-in life drawing offers artists of all levels an open and non-instructional session with a live art model for drawing from the human form. Participants will draw from fast gestural poses and work up to longer poses over this 2 hour period.

Opportunities for chatting with other artists and seeing each other’s drawings during the model breaks can offer inspiration and examples of varied approaches.

A time-honoured tradition for learning to draw more quickly with a focus on seeing larger shapes, light and shadow patterns, and better understanding overall proportion will result from spending more time drawing from the human model. Artists can bring their own materials and work however they like in this open drop-in life drawing session. All Willow members are welcome, no experience required.

Free for Willow members

$15 per week for non-members (cash or e-transfer)