There are many ways to see the work of RE-create’s youth artists coming up! From zines available at a local eatery to art displayed at Makers’ Markets and Art Crawls, there are many opportunities to see and even purchase their art.

RE-create is a drop-in art studio for youth artists in Hamilton’s core, offering free arts programming to youth who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities. RE-create youth artists include those who are experiencing marginalization and barriers in their day-to-day life, whether that is weathering the storms of mental health issues, living independently at a young age, or experiencing precarious housing or income.

RE-create recently had the opportunity to partner with the Hamilton Artists’ Inc. and local comic artist Sylvia Nickerson to offer a workshop addressing gentrification in Hamilton. Out of this, RE-create youth created a collaborative zine—a self-published, limited circulation magazine—entitled A Survival Guide to Gentrification. The zines are available for free at 541 Eatery & Exchange now until the end of July.

Over the past few months, RE-create had the opportunity to hire some additional guest artists to facilitate workshops that teach new skills to our youth. These workshops are possible thanks to funding from the Hamilton Community Foundation. There were a wide range of artists and art forms available, with workshops on embroidery, watercolour, ceramics, origami and macramé.

The youth have also continued to create art during the less structured open studio times, which run several times a week. They will have opportunities to display their art at the upcoming Hamilton Art Crawls. Please check out the RE-create exhibitions in the studio space at 126 James Street North during the upcoming art crawls on June 14 and August 9, 2019. Doors will be open from 7 to 9 on those evenings.

The youth and mentors from RE-create’s DIY-together Mentorship Program will be selling their work at Makers’ Market during Art Crawl all summer. The market is located in the courtyard of Christ’s Church Cathedral, 252 James Street North and runs from 7 to 10 pm on June 14, July 12, and August 9, 2019.

With such a wide range of art forms and medium that the RE-create youth are using, the resulting art is worth viewing, with every art lover sure to find something that appeals to them! Don’t miss out on these opportunities to support the arts and these artists this summer!

Megarrah Buxton is the Studio Coordinator of RE-create Studio