Shiemara Hogarth: 2026 Brampton Artist in Residence

Shiemara Hogarth, photo by Aditi Ganeev Sangwan

Brampton Arts Organization (BAO) and Brampton Library are excited to announce that Shiemara Hogarth is the 2026 Brampton Artist in Residence. Initiated in 2023, the Brampton Artist in Residence program awards the recipient an $8,000 fee and free workspace to undertake a community-based artist residency at Brampton Library’s South Fletcher’s branch. This year, the residency runs across the summer from June to September.

Over the course of the residency, community members of all ages and experience levels are invited to engage with Hogarth. This will be possible in multiple ways: through both drop-in office hours and one-on-one mentorship sessions as well as a series of free low-barrier and accessible hands-on workshops exploring hand weaving, coiling, and surface pattern design.

About the Artist

Shiemara Hogarth is a Jamaica-born, Brampton-based textile and craft artist whose practice explores belonging, memory, and storytelling through weaving, embroidery, digital printing, and sculptural forms. Her MFA thesis ‘Personal Geographies’ has been exhibited nationally; her curated exhibition ‘Threading Black’ with the Alberta Craft Council has been shown in Edmonton and Calgary; and her writing has been featured in Studio Magazine.

She organized and hosted the symposium ‘Canadian Women in Craft: A Conversation’. Trained in history, material art and design, and craft media, Hogarth has had her work included in volume 2 of the Jarislowsky Institute for Studies in Canadian Art’s Craft & Craftivism: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporary Ceramic, Fibre and Class Artists in Canada.

Residency Office Hours

From June 10 to August 26, Hogarth will hold weekly public office hours on Wednesdays, 4pm – 8pm, except for Canada Day on July 1st. All experienced, aspiring, or curious textile and craft makers are invited to drop in to meet her, check out what she is working on, and talk about craft making.

One-On-One Mentorship

In addition to her office hours, Hogarth will hold weekly one-on-one mentorship sessions on Sundays, 12pm – 4pm, from June 14 until August 23, 2026. To schedule a mentorship session, community members are asked to email events@bramptonlibrary.ca with their preferred dates and times and a brief summary of what they would like to discuss or work on during the session. Please note the appointments are 60 minutes each.

Shiemara Hogarth, photo by Aditi Ganeev Sangwan

Residency Programming Series

All residency activities will be held at Brampton Library’s South Fletcher’s branch, located at 500 Ray Lawson Blvd, Brampton, ON L6Y 5B3, in the Susan Fennell Sportsplex. All events are free to attend.

Meet Brampton Artist in Residence Shiemara Hogarth
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 | 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Meet Shiemara Hogarth and learn about her journey as an artist, her creative practice, and what her residency will offer the community.

Introduction to Hand Weaving
Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Learn the fundamentals of hand weaving by making a small textile sample. Free, all ages, no experience needed.

Introduction to Coiling by Making Baskets & Rugs
Monday, July 20, 2026 | 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Learn how to make a small, coiled basket or flat rug. Free, all ages, no experience needed.

Introduction to Surface Design Using Repeat Patterns
Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Learn how to create a small pattern tile that can be used on fabrics, wrapping paper, stationery, and more. Free, all ages, no experience needed.

Brampton Artist in Residency Showcase
Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Celebrate the residency with a showcase featuring the artworks created by the program participants and hear about Shiemara’s residency experience.

About the Brampton Arts Organization

The Brampton Arts Organization is a registered non-profit that champions Brampton’s diverse arts, culture and creative industries and advocates for the #BramptonArtist. We work to build a thriving, confident, valued, and empowered creative scene by offering a range of programs, services, and resources. In this, BAO is a key partner in fulfilling the City of Brampton’s strategic vision and Culture Master Plan.

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Facebook @baobrampton

About Brampton Library

In its nine modern branches and online, Brampton Library is building an inclusive community by inspiring learning, literacy, and social cohesion. Apply online for a free Brampton Library card, or in person at any of the branches. Discover in-person and virtual programs in the spring issue of Inspiring Connections magazine or search the online calendar of events. Subscribe to email updates to be among the first to hear about new library services and monthly highlights. Download or reinstall the latest version of Brampton Library mobile app on the Apple App and Google Play stores.

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Facebook @bramptonlibrary

Media Contacts:
Gardenia Flores, Brampton Arts Organization
gardenia.flores@brampton.ca

June Dickenson, Brampton Library
jdickenson@bramptonlibrary.ca

Image Descriptions:
1. Photograph of Shiemara Hogarth, a Black woman with natural hair who is posing with her arms crossed in front of a floral curtain backdrop. She is wearing a black button-up blouse and blue apron.
2. Photograph of Shiemara Hogarth, a Black woman in a blue apron winding blue thread onto a small black loom against a floral curtain backdrop in her artist studio.