courses. workshops. open studios. Spring 2026. March 30 - June 22

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

We are delighted to share our Spring season and the many enriching and exciting opportunities it brings to our studio. This season, we are especially pleased to welcome several new artists who will be leading workshops and programs, bringing fresh perspectives and creative energy to our community.

We are also excited to present our annual group exhibition, unscene, which celebrates the diverse practices and voices within our community. The exhibition offers participating artists an opportunity to share new work and connect with audiences in a professional gallery setting. You can learn more about the exhibition and how to get involved here: https://thewillowcommunity.com/participate-in-unscene/

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, sponsors, and funders, all programs are offered at no cost. We are particularly grateful for the support of the City of St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program and the Niagara Community Foundation, whose investment helps make these opportunities accessible to folks living with mental illness/substance use in Niagara.

We look forward to sharing this exciting season with you and hope you will join us in the studio to create, connect, and celebrate.

With love and creativity,

Leigh MacLeod (they/them)
Founder/Director

How to Participate in Willow Arts Community Programs

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

By Registration courses and workshops require members to contact Willow staff to express interest in registering for these activities. There are a limited number of places in each course and workshop, and you would be committing to the full duration of the program.

Please email Leigh at thewillowcommunity@gmail.com (PREFERRED) or text/call 905-328-9277 to express interest in participating in “By Registration” activities.

If you are interested in more than one course or workshop, please list your top three choices in order of preference (first, second, third). We will confirm your registration(s) by email. This process may take several days.

Please Note: there are often waiting lists for Willow programs, so you may be placed on a wait list and contacted if a place opens up in that course or workshop.

FOLKS MUST BE A WILLOW MEMBER BEFORE ATTENDING PROGRAMMING

Membership is free and available to adults (18+) with lived or living experience of mental illness/substance use in Niagara. No formal referral is required and previous artistic 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. Mondays 1pm - 4pm. March 30 - June 22

Daytime Open Studio

Day and Time: Mondays 1pm to 4pm
Dates: March 30 to June 22
skipping April 20, May 18, June 8
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. Staff will be onsite to support unscene members’ exhibition proposal submissions. Some basic art supplies will be available. All Willow members are welcome.

unscene Member’s Exhibit 2026

Exhibition Dates: May 30 – June 20
Opening Reception: June 4

The annual Members’ Exhibit celebrates new artworks created by Willow Arts Community members. Members’ original works are exhibited at the gallery of the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, with performances shared at the opening reception. Supplies and artistic support will be provided during Open Studios.

Open Studio. Wednesdays 5pm - 7pm. April 1 - May 20.

Evening Open Studio

Day and Time: Wednesdays 5pm – 7pm
Dates: April 1 to May 20
skipping April 22
Drop In

unscene Member’s Exhibit 2026

Artwork Idea Proposal Deadline: May 1
Completed Artwork Submission Deadline: May 26

Willow Members are encouraged to submit work that brings to light “unseen” aspects of themselves, identity, experiences etc. Members are welcome to create work that excites you, and we will in turn make it widely “seen”. You can submit your artwork idea for unscene 2026 here: https://thewillowcommunity.com/participate-in-unscene/

COURSES

Mixed Media

Instructor: Miguel Albino (he/him)
Day and Time: Tuesdays 1pm – 3pm
Dates: March 31 to May 5
Art Practice: Visual Arts

By Registration

In this six-week course, members will learn how to create a mixed media artwork combining traditional collage techniques with acrylic paints, spray paint, charcoal paper, oil pastels, pencil crayon, pencil, and other materials. In the first several weeks, members will learn new techniques and create a different artwork each session. Instructor Miguel Albino will then teach participants how to bring together their new skills to create a piece combining all the techniques learned. No previous experience is necessary and all supplies will be provided.

Self Portrait

Instructor: Anabel Gauthier (she/they)
Day and Time: Tuesdays 6pm – 8pm
Dates: March 31 to May 5
Art Practice: Visual Arts

By Registration

In this six-week course, members will create a recognizable self-portrait using acrylic paints, emphasizing expressive and creative approaches. Self portraits are a great way for a person to showcase parts of their identity through art while simultaneously being an excellent way to expand an artist’s skill at any level. Members will learn many tips and tricks for creating self-portraits including sketching facial anatomy, mixing neutrals and skin tones, and rendering all forms of human hair. This course is suitable for both experienced painters and those completely new to the craft, and all supplies will be provided.

Songs of Healing

Instructors: Joe Lapinski (he/him) and Nicole Joy-Fraser (she/they)
Day and Time: Wednesdays 12pm – 2pm
Dates: April 8 to June 3
Art Practice: Performing Arts | Indigenous Arts

By Registration

This nine week course led by Joe Lapinski and Nicole Joy-Fraser will bring together songwriters, musicians, and the Indigenous community in a unique way. Fusing together Joe’s songwriting techniques and the single and double drum beats of Nicole’s hand drumming, participants will write at least one original song that will be performed at the unscene Members’ Exhibition opening reception on June 4.

Scrappy Sculpture

Instructor: Lou Losier (they/them)
Day and Time: Thursdays 1pm – 3pm
Dates: April 9 to May 14
Art Practice: Visual Arts

By Registration

This six-week course is an introduction to the wonderful world of using cheap and accessible material to build sculptures of all kinds. Each week in this course will take members step by step through the process of bringing a small (up to 2 feet tall) sculpture to life. Participants will experiment with materials for armatures, exteriors, and colours, and learn how to use various tools for sculpting with unconventional materials. No previous experience is necessary and all supplies will be provided.

Grassroots Comedy

Instructors: David Green (he/him) and Jimmy England (he/him)
Day and Time: Fridays 1pm – 3pm
Dates: April 10 to May 15
Art Practice: Performing Arts

By Registration

The Grassroots Comedy Course is a fun and informative hands-on course designed to help aspiring performers build stand-up material in a supportive, collaborative environment. Participants will learn joke writing, stage presence, and performance techniques while workshopping material with fellow comics and helping them gain confidence both on and off stage. It culminates in a live showcase where students perform their best material for an audience. No previous experience required.

WORKSHOPS

Weaving Our Pride

Learn, create, collaborate, and share your Pride! Participants will engage in hands-on textile art practices in three workshops. They will also collaborate on creating elements of a textile artwork that will be brought together by professional artists and exhibited at City Hall in June.

These workshops are led by 2SLGBTQ+ artists and are for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies from both the Willow membership and wider Niagara community.

Please email thewillowcommunity@gmail.com to express interest in attending one or more of these workshops.

This project is supported by the City of St Catharines.

Eco-Dyed Textiles

Instructor: Ainsley Arnold (she/her)
Day and Time: Saturdays 1pm – 3pm
Dates: April 11 and 18
Art Practice: Textile Arts

By Registration

In this two day workshop, participants will create one-of-a-kind textiles using eco-friendly dyes & printing methods. The workshops will explore techniques such as botanical imprinting, leaf contact printing, natural dyes & mordant chemistry processes. Participants will design and dye their own unique textile, and participate in the creation of a collaborative piece for the project artwork.

Interlay Textile Creation

Instructor: Kathy Black (she/they)
Day and Time: Saturday 1pm – 4pm
Dates: May 2
Art Practice: Textile Arts

By Registration

This no-sew workshop introduces the Interlay Method, a modular textile-making technique that transforms fabric into adjustable, reusable pieces that may be garments, artworks, or both. Participants will explore soft-structure construction using everyday materials from fabric strips to strands of beads, garlands, and cord. Each participant will create a unique upcycled textile piece, and participate in the collaborative creation of embellishments and other elements of the project artwork.

Textiles and Political Expression

Instructor: Kate Spiegel (she/her)
Day and Time: Saturday 1pm – 4pm
Dates: May 9
Art Practice: Textile Arts

By Registration

This workshop is about finding your place within a long legacy of artistic political expression through textile arts. We will develop skills such as messaging, composition, lettering, sewing, embroidery, incorporating found objects, and most importantly, developing your own voice and creative expression to amplify a statement. Participants will create a personal fabric banner with a message they are passionate about, and collaborate on developing a collective message for the project artwork.

Improvised Movement

Instructor: Sean McClelland (she/her)
Day and Time: Saturday 1pm – 4pm
Dates: June 13
Art Practice: Performing Arts

By Registration

This one-day workshop for movers of all levels and backgrounds will explore how movement can be used as a vehicle for ensemble play, improvisation and creative storytelling. Through a series of gently guided exercises, members will explore free movement, breath, and deep listening to examine the dynamics of movement in a group setting. Members are encouraged to participate in ways that feel good for them and at their own pace. The workshop is suitable for people of all abilities and bodies.