In celebration of Canada 150, the Quilt Of Belonging makes its way to Hamilton to be displayed from July 10th – August 16th. The Hamilton Halton Brant region is one of only three stops on the Quilt Of Belonging‘s 2017 Ontario tour.
A richly hued portrait of the human family, Quilt of Belonging is a 120 foot (36 metres) long collaborative textile art project. Its 263 blocks portray the rich cultural legacies of all the First Peoples in Canada and every nation of the world at the dawn of the new Millennium.
Canada’s most comprehensive textile art project is the work of volunteers from Victoria to Newfoundland to the Arctic Circle. From across Canada, participants were invited to contribute their talents and ideas, reflected through the prism of their cultural backgrounds. The range of materials is astonishing, from sealskin to African mud-cloth, from embroidered silk to gossamer wings of butterflies. – official statement
Creative arts space The Cotton Factory (270 Sherman Ave. N) is the perfect place to showcase this expansive and colourful display. Not only will you be able to drop by to take in the stunning Quilt Of Belonging July 10th – August 16th, there is an awesome lineup of programming throughout the run consisting of local artists and institutions. Live music, dance parties, talks, workshops, and demonstrations – there’s lots to check out!
While there are too many events to highlight – here is a brief rundown of what to look for when planning your visit to the Quilt Of Belonging.
Launch Event
Quilt Of Belonging kicks off with a public launch event on July 10th at 6pm (doors open at 4:45pm)
The exhibition is free to visit during the run:
Monday 10am – 6pm
Tuesday 10am – 6pm
Wednesday 10am – 6pm
Thursday 10am – 9pm
Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday 12pm – 5pm
Sunday 12pm – 5pm
Live Music
Tom Wilson headlines with a special show on July 15th at Theatre Aquarius. The show will be an evening of music curated by Tom and friends. If you haven’t seen Hamilton’s own legendary Tom Wilson, now’s your chance!
More local acts take the stage at The Cotton Factory including but not limited to: Family Of Things (July 14), Jennifer Budd (August 4), Emma VanDyk, Dan Edmonds, and Coszmos Quartette (July 22), Logan Staats and Iskwe (August 5).
Diamond DJ Collective brings you a dance party on August 11th and I’m so excited to join forces with these women for that one!
Mondays
Each day of the week brings a different set of events – start off the week by getting crafty with hands-on activities. Try your hand at quilting, botanical illustrating, needle felting, eco dying, drawing, and more. Maybe you’ll uncover some artistic talents!
Tuesdays
The second day of the week is dedicated to storytelling. Celebrate Canada’s 150th by hearing historic stories from Canadian authors, illustrators, and more personalities. These events are suitable for children and youth.
Wednesdays
Try out a different yoga class each week along with other Zen-like activities – bring a yoga mat to stretch out in some community classes to get energized for the day. Sessions include New Moon Yoga (July 19), Mindfulness (July 19), Watercolour Demo (July 26).
Thursdays
Each Thursday showcases what we have to offer in our own backyard with activities from local museums and galleries. Events include Quilts of the Underground Railroad (July 13), Letterpress & Screen Printing (July 20), Pewter Making (July 27), Corn Husk Bracelet Making (August 3), Women Of War (August 10).
Fridays
The weekend starts off with a different genre of art every Friday including Drum Making (July 14), The Two Row Wampum (July 28), Moveable Paper Puppets (August 11).
Saturdays & Sundays
The weekends have more creative workshops in store including:
- Make Your Own All-Natural Canadian Products (July 15)
- Chocolate & Tea Pairing featuring Monarch Tea Co. (July 22)
- Creating Flow guided meditation (August 5)
- Afro-Caribbean Movement with Live Music (August 12)
- Salsa For Beginners (July 16)
- Introduction to Belly Dance (July 30)
Please visit The Heart Of Ontario for the full schedule and event times as they may be subject to change. Images are taken from the official artists and Quilt Of Belonging.
