[raisethehammer]

www.jamesstreetnorth.ca

I just returned from the monthly art crawl on James and it was incredible.
It gets better every time.
I bought a couple great books from Under the Moon - one of them from 1899.
The new History and Heritage gallery at Cannon and James is amazing. The current exhibit is on the history of James North. Check it out this month.

This thread can be for all Hamilton arts and culture related events and new developments.
It can also be used as a kind of announcement board for folks to post upcoming shows. Hamilton is loaded with culture. Let's light up this forum with it.

[matt602]

Damnit. I forgot about it last night.

I need to get over to history-heritage at some point still.

[raisethehammer]

good story from today:


Arts study paints a hopeful picture


City's creative side poised to blossom
January 15, 2008
Wade Hemsworth
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jan 15, 2008)
Hamilton's creative industries are ready to grow quickly and to take the city with them as they blossom, says a new report.

The privately commissioned study, which goes to the city's planning and economic development committee today, provides a statistical snapshot of Hamilton's so-called creative industries.

The Phase 1 report of the Hamilton Creative City Initiative shows that Hamilton's privately owned creative industries -- including film, print, broadcasting, festivals, arts education, recording, advertising, photography, architecture, performing and visual arts -- account for less than 4 per cent of the total workforce, with employees working mainly in small organizations.

But with some sales and marketing help, it says, many of those organizations could grow quickly.

"If the economic development department is looking for something quick and easy to deliver on, this is it," said Jeremy Freiburger, whose Imperial Cotton Centre for the Arts on Sherman Avenue North commissioned the $25,000 study.

He says the report finally puts some hard figures to what has long only been described anecdotally, and gives the broader creative community a solid research foundation to build on.

"It's not a fully developed economy yet," he said.

Art has brought not only beauty but promise to Hamilton's core, said downtown city Councillor Bob Bratina.

"Art can provide real value to the city.

"I would say it's integral to many of our aspirations, to what we want to be."

Freiburger said creative organizations play an early role in the economic growth of communities, and their success tends to be followed by the success of other sectors.

The report was prepared by the Centre for Community Study, a nonprofit research organization in Hamilton. The centre analyzed survey responses from 90 creativity-based businesses last spring and summer.

Here's a quick look at the findings of the report:

* Creative organizations in Hamilton are clustered primarily in three areas: downtown, the southwest corner of the lower city and Dundas.

* Half the organizations taking part reported annual revenue of less than $50,000. Only 10 per cent reported bringing in more than $2 million.

* The customers of Hamilton's creative businesses are primarily local, with 59 per cent coming from the city itself, and nearly 20 per cent coming from elsewhere in the greater Golden Horseshoe.

* Only one in five people who work for creative organizations is employed full time, while two in five are volunteers.

* Four out of five employees of creative organizations in Hamilton also live in the city.

* Only 9 per cent of respondents' revenue comes from grants.

* Hamilton's creative organizations are highly interconnected.

The next stages of the Creative City Initiative are to study workers in the creative sector and consumers of the services and goods they create.

[raisethehammer]

very sad news....one of my favourite artists:

http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/313785

[raisethehammer]

cool stuff...another building housing artists is up and running on Cumberland:

http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/1098E510-1534-4356-82DE-CC6C762B5792/0/Apr01PED08078.pdf

that's a killer building. Used to house a carpet store or something.

[BrianE]

Yeah, I walk by it everyday on the way to the park. There used to be an office that sold imported and showcased area rugs. Went in there once to see what they had. Yep, nothing but area rugs. I think there was a family or two living in it at one time, in one of the areas that didn't have broken windows.

This is welcome news that this building is being used for the arts... although you wouldn't know it to look at it. Lots of broken windows still, plywood, graphitti, etc.

[DC83]

cool stuff...another building housing artists is up and running on Cumberland:

http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/1098E510-1534-4356-82DE-CC6C762B5792/0/Apr01PED08078.pdf

that's a killer building. Used to house a carpet store or something.

That building has been used for EVERYthing haha
Convenience Store, Area Rug Shop, I think they even used it for an art studio at one point back in the day.
I used to go to grade school right down the street YEARS ago and always admired the place.
Too bad it's right beside train tracks or they'd be perfect lofts!

Let's hope the artists here get together with Notre-Dame school just down the street to beautify this neighbourhood.

[SteelTown]

Well spending some time at Quebec City I noticed they have an excellent Art Market, something I think can we can do for James St North.

They allow vendors to build their own hut space and the city supplies them with electricity, part of the permit system set up for artist.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/Aallen396/IMG_2937.jpg

Empty space - notice the electric post?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v384/Aallen396/IMG_2939.jpg

Guess where this market is located right next to? An Anglican Church - Cathedral of the Holy Trinity haha sounds familiar?

[SteelTown]

Here's a satelite map of the market

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=46.812813~-71.206381&style=h&lvl=19&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&where1=quebec%20city&encType=1

It's along the north side of the Church next to Ste Anne.

[raisethehammer]

You, me and a lot of momentum

'The times may be good or bad for the arts, but the arts are always good for the times'
July 09, 2008
Jeff Mahoney
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jul 9, 2008)
You often hear it said in the arts that the times are bad, to the point where it seems the times are always bad for the arts. I heard that said in Hamilton in 1996 when council scrubbed the sesquicentennial public arts project destined for the front of City Hall.

Council didn't like the decision of the jury that the city itself had impanelled. Maybe the art professors who were elected to represent the city's various wards at that time were expecting a big mural in bright detergent box colours. Maybe a pastoral, with morning mists, skipping deer, and a split rail fence, Stelco tower in the distance.

It's 12 years later, and now some are saying these are good times for the arts in Hamilton. And they are. With a big but (later).

There is more energy than there has ever been, says Bryce Kanbara, of whom more in a minute. Along James Street North, Locke Street, Dundas, the Pearl Company in the Lansdale neighbourhood, Barton Street, Sherman Street, the Beach strip, Stuart Street, Bay Street (Gallery on the Bay) -- west to east, and in the middle. Don't forget the looming institutional presence of the Art Gallery of Hamilton and the McMaster Museum of Art, with their vast collections.

What you're reading now is the first volley of a new, weekly column on the arts. I'll be writing it in place of my usual second column of the week.

The impetus behind the column is a recognition of the startling growth, vigour and versatility of our current visual arts "scene," and the need to keep readers abreast of it, guide them through it.

In turn, part of the impetus behind that growth is Kanbara, the subject of our first column.

Kanbara is a natural candidate for that distinction. A bridge of continuity with Hamilton's art past (he helped found Hamilton Artists Inc. in the mid '70s), he is also a trailblazer of the new, though it's hard to think of him "blazing."

There's not an ounce of "hurry" in Kanbara, not that you can tell, and yet -- appearances can deceive -- he gets a great deal done.

Serene, laconic, with an agreeably rumpled, mischievous good humour, Kanbara was the first in on James Street North, with his you me gallery.

He has also been a strong political force for arts advocacy and outreach (he has led arts projects for inner city kids) over the years, though no cheerleader. When the arts do something wrong, he is quick to point it out.

Now James North is lined with art spaces. Art is transforming the neighbourhood. And, as mentioned, it's not just James North.

"The momentum seems to be keeping up," says Kanbara, cautiously. "The real change is that there is a critical mass interested in the arts. When they do the art bus and the art crawls, we don't have to worry about lack of attendance.

"But financially none of us is making any money. People think we're making tons, but there aren't really that many galleries, and if a couple go under, the trend starts to reverse, like a house of cards."

That's the next step, Kanbara says. Finding a way to make a living income at the arts, even in good times. It's a little like the Internet -- how to translate the excitement into commercial viability.

"We're (the arts community) not prepared, in a business sense," says Kanbara.

It's a riddle complicated by a paradox. Art is inherently conflicted about its own popularity. It needs a business plan that allows as much for spitting in the eyes of fools as for churning out decor accents for the bourgeoisie.

Yes, it needs to sell, but without selling out, or such is the myth.

In the past year, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has become very interested in the downtown arts -- the arts are seen as a key to revival, a la Richard Florida's "creative class." It's a promising liaison, one fraught with challenges, but good ones.

"First," Kanbara says wryly, "they wanted to meet with us at 8 a.m. They thought the arts could benefit from rebranding, a new slogan and a publication that we could all pay $80 a month into.

"It was well-intended but I think they think we're doing things for the same reasons they are. Because we're not successful financially doesn't mean we're failures."

Not that the chamber thinks that, but there's a learning curve for both. They must understand each other's models of operation, a process that's already started.

In the meantime, here's a challenge for the city (I'm whistling in the dark, but I'll put it out there). Restore the sesquicentennial art project. It was only $50,000, but full of symbolism about how we value, or don't, the artists, who have never abandoned downtown.

There are many stories in the local arts that we will try to tell in this column. I wanted to start with a list of the key players (all the Toronto transplants, for instance) and key issues (can just anyone be an artist?) but there'll be time for that.

I would like to leave this first column with a thought that I hope you will take to heart.

The times may be good or bad for the arts, but the arts are always good for the times. They remind us to deal with the past, thrust a mirror against the face of the present, and point a telescope at the future.

Every achievement we've made as a society -- our progressive tolerances, "shifts of paradigm" and "first black candidate" milestones -- was foreseen, scouted out, and absorbed by the arts community long before the slow, careful stage coaches of civic life crawled up to them.

Something to think about. And act upon, next time you're trying to decide between supporting a local gallery or buying some lottery tickets. The arts are always good for us. Are we good for the arts?

[block43]

I love the arts in Hamilton. I've slowly been building my art collection...i have 6 pieces now, all purchased from local artists along James North. It feels good to support this community.

[SteelTown]

Culture Minister to make funding announcements in Hamilton and Burlington

TORONTO, July 16 /CNW/ - Culture Minister Aileen Carroll will announce funding for four art organizations in the area.

Date: Thursday, July 17, 2008

Time: 9:45 a.m. at the Art Gallery of Hamilton
5:00 p.m. at the Royal Botanical Gardens

Location: Art Gallery of Hamilton
123 King Street West
Hamilton

Royal Botanical Gardens
680 Plains Road West
Burlington

[raisethehammer]

awesome....let's assume AGH and RBG are receiving money.

[markbarbera]

I am hoping one of the four beneficiaries is a group that's involved with tutus and a derelict theatre.

[matt602]

Highly doubtful. I am actually starting to think we're gonna see the Tivoli for sale again within the next year. Rumor is that the owners have lost nearly all steam for their project, and what is worse is that they are not taking the proper precautions to secure and protect it. The roof is having serious issues and theres some bad water damage in the auditorium along the North and West walls.

[raisethehammer]

big surprise.

on a positive note, some great stuff is happening to James North....you'll hear a bigger announcement in August, so look for it. The street is really coming along.
also, I found out today that the Threshold School of Building will be demolished next month and the new condo building will begin construction shortly thereafter.
A new bar, similar to one you'd find on College St in TO is opening on James, north of Mulberry - it'll be called 'The Brain'.
Anyone on the street I've spoken to about it can't wait...they are excited based on the plans and ideas they've been told by the owner.

[matt602]

Both the condo and "The Brain" sound like they're going to completely transform James North on their own. This district will probably rival Locke St. within 2 years if both of these projects go through.

[raisethehammer]

IMO it's already better than Locke. I was on Locke yesterday from 9-noon. While waiting for the bus at noon I couldn't believe how dead it was.
Not a soul on the street.
I hope James North evolves in a completely different direction, and I think it will due to the arts, great dining already on the street and the more urban feel to it.
Also, don't forget the Inc's project which should be done by the new year.

[block43]

Do you know what building 'the brain' will be in?

[raisethehammer]

yea, the skinny one just north of the laundromat on the northwest corner of James and Mulberry. I think it used to be a travel agency. they moved up the street.

[block43]

Awesome! :cheers:

[JT Jacobs]

big surprise.

on a positive note, some great stuff is happening to James North....you'll hear a bigger announcement in August, so look for it. The street is really coming along.
also, I found out today that the Threshold School of Building will be demolished next month and the new condo building will begin construction shortly thereafter.
A new bar, similar to one you'd find on College St in TO is opening on James, north of Mulberry - it'll be called 'The Brain'.
Anyone on the street I've spoken to about it can't wait...they are excited based on the plans and ideas they've been told by the owner.

Which new condo project is this? Can you give us some extra info (location, style of building, link to renderings, etc)? More condos down there is just what the area needs--and a cool coffee house.

[raisethehammer]

The condo is being built by the owners of Acclamation.
It will be 5-6 floors with 50 units. It will be located in the parking lot next to Acclamation and the soon to be demolished Threshold site.
Acclamation will be expanded with a cocktail lounge along the James St frontage with removable glass walls in summer. A large banquet hall will be built on the ground floor of the new building and the kitchen will be expanded in order to accomodate both the restaurant and the banquet hall (the current Acclamation will be joined to the new addition as one restaurant).
Office space and a few walk-up condos will occupy the 2nd floor and then condos will occupy the rest of the floors with rooftop terraces on some.
Earlier renderings showed a terraced-style building from floors 3-5. Final renderings will be done in the next week or two.

[SteelTown]

Good to see this will still go ahead even with the death of the general manager I believe a few weeks ago. The architect is John Mokrycke, a fellow Acclamation addict it appears lol.

[raisethehammer]

steeltown...where did you get that rendering of the new Inc building?? I'd love to see a larger one.

[northender98]

A BOOST FOR HAMILTON'S ART COMMUNITY
McGuinty Government Supporting Local Arts Organizations



Hamilton — At-risk high school students in Hamilton will benefit from an arts apprenticeship program offered by Culture for Kids in the Arts, one of three arts organizations in the city to get a funding boost from Ontario.

The Government of Ontario is investing $30,000 in CONNECT with the Arts, which exposes secondary school students at risk of not graduating to skilled trades within the arts and entertainment businesses.

The government is also providing $56,000 through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund to the Art Gallery of Hamilton to attract new audiences to see the Inspiration East exhibition this summer. Inspiration East is a celebration of Asian arts and culture which runs until the fall.

Arts Hamilton is also receiving funding for its ARTwalk project. The government is investing $10,000 in ARTwalk, a permanent urban art trail which will connect arts and cultural activity centres in Hamilton’s downtown core.

QUOTES
“Hamilton has a vibrant and eclectic arts community that is helping transform the city’s landscape and quality of life through innovative partnerships and programs,” said Culture Minister Aileen Carroll. “Ontario is proud to support arts and culture initiatives that build stronger communities, help students achieve success and provide a boost to our economy.”

“Ontario’s investments in Hamilton’s growing arts sector benefit everyone by raising the profile of our artists and arts organizations and highlighting the positive impact they have on our community,” said Hamilton Mountain MPP Sophia Aggelonitis.

“The investment from the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund has allowed us to draw new audiences to the Art Gallery of Hamilton during our celebration of Asian arts and culture,” says Art Gallery of Hamilton President and CEO Louise Dompierre. “We’re delighted to attract visitors to Hamilton and, in many cases, art galleries, for the very first time.”

"Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture, 315 new elementary and secondary students will have the opportunity to experience the arts as a vehicle to learn and grow," said Culture for Kids in the Arts founder and programming director Vitek Wincza.

“The King William Artwalk is an animated pedestrian environment that will encourage increased exposure to a variety of artistic and cultural experiences through celebrations and events," said Arts Hamilton Executive Director Paul de Courcy. "Thanks to the Ontario government for helping bring the King William Artwalk to life."

[raisethehammer]

the press release I was sent had an extra paragraph in it:

"The King William artwalk is being merged with the King William Destruction Project going on at the same time.
Brought to you by the good folks at LIUNA and fully funded by City of Hamilton taxpayers.
These two unique cultural tours will highlight everything that makes King William a great street.
Enjoy it while it lasts."

[matt602]

Destruction Project? One building has been demolished. There's no official plans to take any more down. I understand that was probably made in jest, but I don't think it's fair to jump to conclusions.

[raisethehammer]

yes, that was made in jest. not as funny as I thought I guess. lol.
however, to answer your question, they plan on taking down the one next to Reardons. They are fighting the designation of the Thomas building (in order to take it down).
And they want to bring down Lister.
They are destroying the street.

[highwater]

Many Canadian artists struggle to make a living

Emma Reilly
The Hamilton Spectator

(Feb 10, 2009)

By trade, Gary Santucci is a composer, musician and co-owner of the Pearl Company Art Centre on Steven Street.

By necessity, he's worked as a taxi driver, project manager, a renovator and a cemetery property salesman to support himself as an artist.

According to a new study by Hamilton-based Hill Strategies Research, he's one of 140,000 artists living in Canada, many of whom struggle to make a living.

The study, released last week, found that musicians, visual artists, dancers, craftspeople and other artists earn on average less than half the typical wages of all Canadian workers.

"We do a lot of things to cobble together a living, whether it's teaching or part-time work," he said. "Most of us find a way to scratch out a living, because that's what we love. It's something you can't let go of because that's who you are."

The study was based on data from the 2006 census and commissioned by Canadian Heritage, the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council.

It found the average artist makes $22,700 per year, compared with the $36,300 income of the average Canadian worker.

It also found that 62 per cent of artists make under $20,000, compared with 41 per cent of the overall workforce.

Six of the nine arts occupations have average earnings that are less than Statistics Canada's low-income cutoff for a single person living in a community of 500,000 people or more ($20,800).

Dancers had the lowest average income at $13,167.

"I think we should care about the salary of an artist as much as we should care about the salary of a steelworker," said Hill Strategies' president and founder, Kelly Hill. "People want to be part of a happening, vibrant community, so we need to make sure that artists are fairly paid."

At 42 per cent, the percentage of artists who are self-employed is six times the self-employment rate in the overall labour force. The average earnings of self-employed artists ($15,200) are 51 per cent less than the average earnings of all self-employed workers in Canada.

The figures don't take into account today's recession, Hill said.

"It may have gotten worse. These are tricky times in arts and culture," he said. "I'd be hard-pressed to think they'd be better off now."

The income of artists has been steadily declining for almost two decades. Between 1990 and 2005, the average earnings of artists fell by 11 per cent, with most of that drop happening between 2000 and 2005.

In the overall labour force, average earnings grew by 9 per cent during the same timeframe (after adjusting for inflation).

"These kinds of figures aren't really new to us," said Bryce Kanbara, a visual artist and the owner of you me gallery on James Street North. "People who don't do art have a hard time understanding what we do and why we do it, and it's not to make a lot of money."

The arts community is especially valuable in Hamilton, Santucci said, evidenced by the revival of James Street North in recent years.

"We go in, create the buzz, create energy. Then gentrification starts to happen," he said. "What we do is create that streetscape and create a mixed-use cultural community."

ereilly@thespec.com

905-526-2452

[highwater]

March 04, 2009
Jeff Mahoney
The Hamilton Spectator
(Mar 4, 2009)

Hamilton and Toronto have what you might call a "special" relationship. That means that if we were two human beings and not whole cities, the only place we'd be able to sort out our " stuff" would be The Jerry Springer Show, or maybe Montel.

Hamilton would sit there, a bit crazy looking, arms crossed, and Toronto, 10 times its size, would swagger in talking on its cellphone and sit right down on top of Hamilton, not even realizing it was there.

We're tempted to think that Toronto is a black hole whose enormous gravity sucks us in, even as we feel repelled. Or that we're a bird on the hippopotamus's back.

But it's more complex, the system of repulsions and attractions between us.

Toronto is starting to like our real estate prices, our neighbourhoods, our prices and our pace of living. Our character.

Artists especially. The arts in Hamilton happen largely in the shadow of the arts in Toronto. People flock from all over to be artists in Toronto, only to find they can't afford it. So they come to Hamilton to live.

As Jeremy Freiburger of the Imperial Cotton Centre For The Arts (on Sherman Avenue in Hamilton) points out: "In the Toronto papers there have been a rash of stories about Toronto artists flocking to Hamilton for the affordable rents and such."

And when they get here they find we have a vibrant and distinctive art presence of our own.

Kim Selman, like many Hamiltonians, shuttles between the two worlds, living in our downtown but getting on the 7:04 every morning to her job with MMPI Canada, which produces Toronto's famous One Of a Kind arts and craft show.

MMPI also produces The Artist Project, which is somewhat like One Of A Kind but dedicated to work of, for lack of a better phrase, the fine arts of painting, sculpture, mixed media, and so on. Selman is exhibition co-ordinator for The Artist Project.

The first edition of it was last year -- it was an enormous success, says Selman (born and raised in Hamilton) -- and the second, featuring 150 artists, is on this weekend, from March 5 to 8, at the beautiful Liberty Grand, 25 British Columbia Road, Exhibition Place, in Toronto.

OK, now here's the interesting part in terms of the Hamilton-Toronto dynamic. There have been Hamilton shows in the past that were dominated by Toronto artists. And while The Artist Project isn't exactly dominated by Hamilton artists, seven Hamilton artists have been chosen to show in it, which is a phenomenal representation, say both Freiburger and Selman.

"I like to think that maybe I had a hand in that," says Selman. "I've worked hard to connecting with artists here. I go to the galleries and love the art that's being produced here. It's my home and the place I love and I love being involved in the arts scene here."

Of course, the artists had to pass muster on their own. There is a rigorous external jury screening process and successfully coming through it are Hamilton artists Fiona Kinsella, Steve Mazza, Lori Skinner, Gordon Leverton, Lorraine Roy, Janusz Wrobel, and Susan Wilde. Congratulations to all of them.

The Artist Project runs Thursday, March 5 from 7 to 10 p.m. (opening night preview party); Friday, March 6 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 7 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

jmahoney@thespec.com

905-526-3306

[adam]

Very cool. Having spent 3 years in Toronto, I can say that Hamilton's character is just as interesting and fulfilling, if not moreso. Friends of mine from Toronto come to visit so they can rejuvenate and still enjoy an urban setting.

[SteelTown]

Public art program past rough sketch stage
Using tax dollars to transform city

April 27, 2010
Meredith Macleod
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/759154

A city initiative to bring more art to the streets of Hamilton is earmarked to spend more than $1 million in the next several years.

One public art installation is already complete, one is set for this spring, public consultation is completed for five more and planning is under way on an additional nine.

It all springs from the city's first 10-year public art master plan that was adopted in February 2009, which calls for investments of at least $250,000 each year.

The plan "ensures that public art installations make living in Hamilton and travelling through the city's streets, open spaces and parks, an engaging and more pleasant experience for residents and visitors."

Last year, the city spent $164,110 on public art projects, exclusive of a public art co-ordinator's post.

In recent budget deliberations, council approved a culture department staff request to preserve the $250,000 of block funding available to install public art and to add the co-ordinator's position, at a cost of $99,313, to the department's overall budget.

Patti Randazzo-Beckett, who chairs the Hamilton Arts Advisory Commission, acknowledged that public art may not be high on some people's agenda for spending tax dollars but she said it builds a sense of pride and community identity and is a catalyst for economic development and tourism.

"We're talking about the Pan Am Games now and we want to put our best face forward. ... People want to walk in this city, but you have to give them something to look at and enjoy."

Public art is widely defined. It includes one-of-a-kind park benches, murals, fountains, lighting, walkways, sculptures, multimedia and robotics, and landscape architecture.

It can be large or small, permanent or temporary, functional or aesthetic, stand on its own or be integrated into existing infrastructure.

It can sit on a busy sidewalk or be tucked away in a public building.

The master plan calls for public art to be included in budgets for capital improvement projects such as park redevelopments and road works.

And culture staff are reaching out to private developers to include public art in their projects.

The public is invited to offer ideas for themes or concepts for each installation. They can also make comments and vote on artists' proposals that have been shortlisted by a jury.

The final selection is made by the jury.

Public engagement has been really strong, said Jennifer Kaye, manager of arts and events for the city. An upcoming project on Locke Street drew 570 comments after the artists were shortlisted.

"Our process is a model for how it can be done," she said. "I think it finds a balance between artistic expression and public input."

Public art is profoundly important to a city, said Daniel Laskarin, chairperson of the visual arts department at the University of Victoria.

"Public art is a conscious attempt to build a visual presence for a city."

It has two roles: to affirm and comfort and to provoke and investigate, he says. The latter is often met with criticism and sometimes outrage, said Laskarin, a Grimsby native, because "people protest the unfamiliar."

That's why public input should be heard but shouldn't be the final decision, he said.

"Without expertise, you could end up with something that seems fine and dandy and that makes everyone happy at the time but five years from now it looks stale and dated and you're stuck with it forever."

Laskarin praised Hamilton's move to allot a yearly budget and to consider public art in capital projects.

A $250,000 yearly budget might be considered small but each year that could buy several modest projects or one big one, he says.

"In 10 years, that will make a real difference."



Completed project

Where: East Kiwanis Place, Ottawa Street

What: Dressmakers Mannequin with Drapery, Daniel Davelaar

Cost: $133,997

Projects under way

Where: Locke Street South between Stanley Street and Hunter Avenue

What: Concrete Poetry, Simon Frank

Budget: $50,000

Where: James Street North between Vine and Murray streets

What: Public consultation completed, call for artists planned for spring, installation planned for fall

Budget: $30,000

Where: Central Police Station/ART Walk, King William Street

What: Consultation completed in February. Call for artists this spring and installation planned for spring 2011

Budget: $55,000

Where: Dundas Driving Park

What: Public consultation completed, call for artists this spring, installation planned for spring 2011

Budget: $250,000

Where: Battlefield Park

What: Public consultation completed, waiting for completion of park master plan

Budget: $250,000 to $300,000

Where: MacNab Street at Hunter Street

What: Pedestrian underpass youth mural, pilot graffiti prevention project, spring 2010

Budget: $10,000

Projects being planned

Where: Northeast corner of James and Hunter streets

What: Public consultation planned this spring

Budget: $275,000 ($250,000 from Downtown and Community Renewal)

Where: Northeast corner of Main and Queen streets

What: Public consultation planned this spring

Budget: $75,000 ($50,000 from Downtown and Community Renewal)

Others:

* Hamilton Farmers' Market

* West Hamilton Rail Trail

* Gore Park

* West harbourfront

* King William ART Walk

* Red Hill Trails/QEW pedestrian bridge

* Gage Park

See hamilton.ca/publicart

[emge]

How about some public art on our MAIN streets... you know... ones people will actually see during the Pan Am Games and the like. It's nice to do the smaller areas and streets, but except for a few of these planned projects, they're not exactly in areas that will transform the city.

[SteelTown]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/rm-vaughan/steeltown-is-where-the-artists-are/article1649681/

[thistleclub]

Arts Advisory Commission (Tourism and Culture Division, Planning & Economic Development Department) presents:

Developing A New Approach to Arts Investment in Hamilton (http://www.hamilton.ca/CultureandRecreation/Arts_Culture_And_Museums/Arts/ArtsandArtistsForum.htm)
Wednesday January 16, 2013, January 16, 2013, 7-9pm
Central Library, 55 York Blvd., Hamilton

Does the future of arts funding in Hamilton matter to you? The City of Hamilton’s Arts Advisory Commission will be presenting its ideas about the development of a new approach to arts investment in Hamilton. The event is open to the public so that the community can provide input that will shape the Commission’s funding recommendations and a presentation to City Council in spring 2013.

Further event details will be made available on this site (http://www.hamilton.ca/CultureandRecreation/Arts_Culture_And_Museums/Arts/ArtsandArtistsForum.htm) in early January.

Questions? Please contact the staff liason to the Arts Advisory Commission:

Jennifer Kaye
Manager of Arts and Events
Tourism and Culture Division
Planning and Economic Development Department
City of Hamilton
T: 905-546-2424 ext. 4807
E: Jennifer.Kaye@hamilton.ca

[thistleclub]

Haven't seen a reminder but today is not just 4/20 (420rally.ca/420hamilton) but also Record Store Day (http://www.recordstoreday.com).

Local participating record shops apparently include Dr. Disc (http://www.recordstoreday.com/Venue/5353), Cheapies (http://www.recordstoreday.com/Venue/6529), Records On Wheels (http://www.recordstoreday.com/Venue/5801), Hammer City Records (http://www.recordstoreday.com/Venue/7218), The Beat Goes On (http://www.recordstoreday.com/Venue/6451), Looney Tunes (http://www.recordstoreday.com/Venue/7576) and Sunrise Records (http://www.recordstoreday.com/Venue/7034).

Here's a complete list of titles up for grabs. (http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialReleases) Selection varies by store.

The whole thing may make you nostalgic (http://www.blogto.com/city/2013/04/that_time_when_record_store_day_was_everyday/), depending on your age (http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/22208446).

Maybe the same could be said of 4/20 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-FfoUHYUIY).