FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
2018 Estonian artist residency in Hamilton, Canada
Hamilton, ON – June 18, 2018. The Hamilton Arts Council and The Cotton Factory in partnership with the Estonian Artists’ Association are pleased to launch their artist exchange. The artist selected for Estonia’s centenary year is Peeter Laurits, who has exhibited in London, Berlin, and Moscow.
The Cotton Factory and the Hamilton Arts Council are excited to launch their artist exchange between Estonia and Canada. The Cotton Factory has built an industrial strength, creative community in Hamilton, Canada and is pleased to celebrate Estonia’s centenary of independence by building bridges between our artistic community and that of Tallinn, Estonia. The artist selected for Estonia’s centenary year is Peeter Laurits, who has exhibited in London, Berlin, Chicago, Lisbon and Moscow. We would like to thank the Estonian Artists’ Association for partnering with us and selecting this year’s Estonian artist.
In an era when nationalism, protectionism and isolationism seems to be on the rise, art brings out the best in the human spirit. As part of the Hamilton Arts Council’s Cotton Factory residency program, an exchange of artists between Estonia and Canada will help to counter these destructive trends and help span the gaps that divide us. During last year’s Estonian artist residency, Marko Mäetamm gave 3 artist talks in Hamilton, Toronto and Ottawa. Marko will be returning to Canada in the Spring of 2019 for exhibitions of his work in Hamilton and Toronto. A larger exhibition of Baltic textile art is being planned for 2019. As before, we will work with both the Hamilton arts community and the local Estonian-Canadian community to organize other related cultural events.
ABOUT THE COTTON FACTORY
The former site of the Imperial Cotton Co. is a prime example of adaptive reuse. In the heart of lower Hamilton, The Cotton Factory has been transformed into a creative industries complex, with space for workshops and small manufacturing, office space for creative professionals, and studios for artists.
THE HAMILTON ARTS COUNCIL
The Hamilton Arts Council exists to strengthen the role of the arts and culture in the City of Hamilton by making the arts accessible and relevant to the entire community. Founded in 1969 and incorporated in 1973, the Hamilton Arts Council is the second largest and one of the oldest community arts councils in Ontario. Originally known as the Hamilton & Region Arts Council and later Arts Hamilton, we have a long history of supporting local arts and culture through publication, advocacy and community partnerships.
The Hamilton Arts Council receives operating support from the City of Hamilton, the Ontario Arts Council, and Project Support from Canada Council for the Arts, The Ontario Trillium Foundation, Incite Foundation for the Arts and Hamilton Community Foundation as well as generous contributions from Hamilton Arts Council Members, Donors and Corporate Sponsors
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Annette Paiement, Executive Director, Hamilton Arts Council
(905) 481-3218 or executive@hamiltonartscouncil.ca
Web: www.hamiltonartscouncil.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/hamiltonarts.council/
Twitter: @HamArtsCouncil
Instagram: Hamartscouncil