Hamilton Art Fair: Where Art Intersects with Design

Natalie Hunter

Hamilton Art Fair: Where Art Intersects with Design

September 26 – 29, 2024
The Cotton Factory, Hamilton

The Hamilton Art Fair at the Cotton Factory marks the beginning of an exciting new event aimed at celebrating the vibrant art and design community in Hamilton. From September 26 to 29, visitors can meet local artists, explore their creative processes, purchase art, and enjoy a range of activities, including talks, film screenings, life drawing sessions, and presentations on the business of art and design. Running alongside the fair is Creative Convergence: The Art of Design Showcase, which highlights the fusion of art and design, showcasing functional yet aesthetically pleasing works.

Opening Reception
Thursday, September 26 | 7pm – 11pm

The Art Fair kicks off with a dynamic Opening Reception featuring several exhibitions that promise to captivate attendees. Artist Dawn Grant curates The Colour of Joy, featuring an impressive roster of artists, including Abraham Oghobase, Akosua Brown, and Eklipz, showcasing works that exude vibrancy and emotional depth.

The Women’s Art Association of Hamilton presents Celebrations, while The Art of the Build is a curated exhibition by Annette Paiement featuring artists like Stephen Altina and Keiren Hughes. Other exhibits include student work curated by Rae Bates at the Hamilton Studio School, and Abstract Perspectives, offering diverse views of the Dyeworks Artists through the lens of seven artists.

For sculpture enthusiasts, Gallery 206 will showcase sculptural works by artists such as Michael Allgoewer and Susan Barton-Tait alongside new works from the TH&B Collective and Smokestack Exhibition Space featuring David Trautrimas. This curated selection provides a mix of traditional and contemporary designs, underscoring the diverse talent within the region.

Nancy Benoy

Featured Events:

Friday, September 27 | 7pm – 11pm

On Friday evening, Creative Convergence continues with a showcase of design works that blur the line between art and function. Attendees can join an artist talk featuring Eklipz, Ravinder Ruprai, and Abraham Oghobase, exploring the themes behind The Colour of Joy. This is followed by the Rhythm and Vibes Dance Party, featuring DJ Verse One HD. Attendees can enjoy music, a cash bar, and a lively atmosphere.

Saturday, September 28 | 4pm – 11pm

Saturday promises a day of engaging talks, starting with Art, Design, and the Environment, presented by OMC Landscape Architecture and Gradina Design. This talk is followed by a presentation on the life of a craftsperson by Shao-Pin Chu of Shao Design and a discussion on the life of a designer with Rita B. Designs.

From 6pm to 9pm, guests can participate in a Costumed Life Drawing session, featuring live models and music curated by artist JD Howell, with short poses provided by Hamilton aerialist Trish Cook. The evening will also feature music, dancing, and culinary delights courtesy of Chef Ken LeFebour of Nellie James Gourmet. Chef LeFebour will showcase dishes from his upcoming conceptual cookbook, I’m Just Gonna Fcking Cook*, set to release in 2025. A portion of the proceeds from the $30 tickets will go to Martha House.

Adding to the festivities, NobleWolf iMage presents the Community Film Festival, which will screen original works by local artists and provide a space for creative dialogue.

Sunday, September 29 | 12pm – 6pm

On Sunday, the Creative Convergence Design Showcase goes “Unplugged,” offering a wellness-themed experience created by Daily Goods Design LABS and CoWork at the Cotton Factory. This event invites participants to disconnect from technology and focus on mindfulness and holistic well-being. Activities include a mindfulness and meditation session led by Steve Ferrell, a tech-free detox session for relaxation and self-care, and a life-as-art self-reflection activity with artist Akosua Brown.

Other Sunday highlights include a Listening Party for Blue Water Gold, a meditative audio experience produced by Annette Paiement for Waterlution, and a no-skills-required drawing workshop, Drawn Thoughts, led by artist Carolyn Dover.

At 2:30pm, the Dundas Valley Orchestra Celtic Ensemble will give a free concert, followed by another session of Costumed Life Drawing from 3 to 6pm. In addition, Jackson & Dickson will present Dream Hoarder, a video and sound installation, and Lost and Found, an interactive story exchange by artist Mandy Rovenda. In this installation, attendees can choose an object and listen to the stories associated with it, leaving behind their own memories.

Finally, don’t miss Echoes of Wind: Kimonos in Motion, an exhibition by Leslie Smith-Argona that showcases stunning kimonos made from rescued textiles, celebrating zero-waste fashion.

Sara Heidinger

Ongoing Exhibitions

Throughout the fair, attendees will have the opportunity to view a variety of ongoing exhibitions. Art On Our Walls brings together an eclectic group of artists, such as Gabriel Baribeau, Patricia Lynes, and Michael Hansen, whose works span painting, sculpture, and mixed media. In partnership with the Niagara Underground Railway Museum, Beyond the Mural features photographic works by Sara Heidinger, exploring the stories of community residents in Niagara Falls, New York.

The fair also highlights the work of talented sculptors, including Peter Gushie and Jo Johnson, whose pieces will be featured at Gallery 206. Whether you are drawn to sculpture, painting, photography, or design, the Hamilton Art Fair offers a rich tapestry of artistic expression, reflective of the city’s creative spirit.

The Hamilton Art Fair promises to be an unforgettable weekend, blending art, design, and community in a celebration of creativity and innovation. Whether you’re attending for the exhibitions, the artist talks, or the chance to experience Hamilton’s thriving cultural scene, this inaugural event is not to be missed.

For more information, visit:
www.cottonfactory.ca/art-fair-where-art-intersects-with-design

The Cotton Factory
270 Sherman Avenue North
Hamilton, ON L8L 6N4
www.cottonfactory.ca
info@cottonfactory.ca

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