EVENTS

Cotton Factory Fireside Chat | The Transformative Power of Community Building with Special Guest, Saladin Allah

Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT | CoWork at the Cotton Factory Studio 301

Presented by the Cotton Factory, CoWork, Empowerment Squared & What’s Your Story Book Publishing.

RSVP: info@coworkfactory.ca

Cost: Suggested Donation $10 or Free – You decide

We believe in the strength of the community to tackle challenges and foster positive change. That’s why collectively we are excited to host this interactive discussion, where you’ll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals dedicated to building better communities and cities.

Key Discussion Points Include:

The Who: How everyday people can become catalysts for extraordinary change.
The What: Exploring avenues such as volunteerism, event organization, networking, & more.
The When: Understanding the timing and relevance of community collaboration.
The Where: Identifying strategic partnerships and locales for impactful initiatives.
The How: Practical steps to engage, contribute, and effect meaningful transformation.
In this Fireside Chat, Saladin Allah will share insights garnered from years of experience in grassroots activism and community mobilization. Gain invaluable knowledge on how to navigate challenges, forge alliances, and mobilize resources for community-driven projects.

Whether you’re a seasoned community advocate or just starting your journey, this Fireside Chat promises inspiration, networking opportunities, and actionable strategies for driving positive change. Join us as we embark on a journey towards a brighter, more inclusive future for all. Together, let’s harness the transformative power of community building.

Fun, Fancy and Fabulous Awesome Women’s Brunch

Sunday, April 7, 2024 | 12:30 – 4:30 PM at the Cotton Factory

Come celebrate yourselves & many awesome inspiring women over a delicious brunch & Sunday afternoon dance party in support of YWCA Hamilton. Bring your glamorous self and all your good vibes & girlfriends! Wedding dresses, formal gowns & attire are encouraged. DJ, guest speakers, onsite photographer, Photo Booth, cash bar, raffle prizes & more!

Each ticket includes brunch, a drink ticket & a raffle prize ticket entry. Each table seats 8 guests. Diverse women, gender-diverse women and young women are welcome.

COTTON FACTORY 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

May 4th, May 5th, 10 AM – 4 PM DOORS OPEN HAMILTON

Come join us as we celebrate our 10th year as an industrial strength creative community!

We have grown over the years in many ways and we are grateful for all those who have supported our journey. Thank you to all who have walked through our doors and joined us in celebrating arts and culture in Hamilton. We appreciate you!

MUSIC

Rising Hedons and Trout Lily Live In Concert

Mule Spinner Sat, Mar 30, 2024, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM EDT

Come join us for an unforgettable night of music and fun at The Mule Spinner! Get ready to sing along as Rising Hedons take the stage. Don’t miss out on this epic event – mark your calendars now!

For Tickets

Rapid Transit Reunion Show

Mule Spinner, May 10th, 7:30 PM Pre-Show Photo/Art Exhibit Featuring Jose Crespo & Terrence Kramer

Don’t miss out on this historic night of music nostalgia! Rapid Transit, Hamilton’s legendary band that rocked stages across Canada, the UK, and the Netherlands in the 90s, is back for an unforgettable live performance for the first time in 3 decades performing live at The Cotton Factory on Friday, May 10th, 2024. Join us as Rapid Transit hits the bandstand to celebrate the 30th-anniversary re-release of their iconic album “Speed” and their self-titled debut album Rapid Transit.

Get tickets now and be a part of this momentous occasion where founding members drummer/composer/producer Dave King and Keyboardist Rob Fekete reunite with original members saxophonist Mike Filice, guitarist Kevin Vienneau and bass legend Paul Intson to bring their electrifying sound to life once again! Be there as history is made and memories are relived. Grab your tickets today and let the music of Rapid Transit transport you back in time for an unforgettable evening of progressive funky jazz-rock!

EXHIBITIONS

The Cotton Factory Presents

NAX 5

An Art Exhibition showcasing the work of five talented artists who have participated in the Nordic Artist Exchange [NAX] program.

Tor Lukasik Foss | Ty Tekatch | Vanessa Crosbie Ramsay | Lisa Pijuan-Nomura | Andrew McPhail

Opening Reception: April 12, 2024 Exhibition: April 12 – May 5, 2024

What is NAX? The Nordic Artist Exchange (NAX) is an annual call for submissions, organized by The Cotton Factory in collaboration with the Hamilton Arts Council and Estonian Artists’ Association. This unique program offers mid-career visual and media artists an enriching 4 to 6-week residency exchange opportunity in Estonia.

HOMECOMING

March 15 – May 5, 2023

Homecoming presents an expansive group exhibition of print-based works on the occasion of Smokestack’s 10th anniversary. Showcasing works collaboratively created with support from the digital, analog, and mounting studios, the exhibition proudly brings the work of 37 artists back to the origins of their making.

EMILY ANDREWS, STRANGE HAPPENINGS & RARE FINDINGS

April 12th, 2024 – May 4, 2024 | 5 PM – 9 PM

CoWork Gallery, Studio 301, Opening Reception April 12, 2024

Artist Emily Andrews is both a multi-media artist and musician. A true surrealist at heart, her work is often inspired by science, nature, history, and her strange dreams. Strange Happenings & Rare Findings features surrealistic oil paintings that explore bizarre and unexplained scenarios in mid-century settings.

ANNE SMYTHE, OIL PAINTINGS

April 12th – May 5th, 2024 – Opens April 12th | 5 PM – 8PM

Hallway Gallery, Studio 206, The Cotton Factory

THE BOUDOIR, An Art Exhibition

Featuring work by Susan Barton Tait and Corine Van Hoeve
April 12 – May 12, 2024 Studio SH 248 | Open Reception April 12
Closing Reception May 16, 2024

The Boudoir ushers the viewer into an intimate environment, a room that impresses with its sense of peace and tranquillity. Corine van Hoeve and Susan Barton-Tait’s exhibition presents an atmosphere where explorations occur and personal discoveries are made.

I HEAR MUSIC

May 1 – July, 2024. Group Show – Open Juried Exhibition

Reception May 12, 2024

This exhibition aims to explore the intersection of visual art and the auditory world, capturing the essence of music through the lens of various mediums

Image Courtest Tim Albas

SILVIA GALBRAITH

What Time is This Place

Smokestack Gallery | May 16 – June 27, 2024

Opening reception Thursday, May 16th, 5 – 9 PM

stylo starr

Rx retrograde

Cowork Gallery | May 10 – July 3, 2024