The Corktown Community Paint-in is a one-time event featuring an art tutorial from a local artist where participants will paint a self-portrait on canvas, conveying what they love about the Corktown community.

Food and beverages, locally sourced from downtown Hamilton businesses, will be served to attendees.

On event day, the paint session will draw visitors from the Corktown neighbourhood and nearby communities. The event will create space for residents to express themselves through art and connect with each other. Through the art medium, attendees can engage meaningfully with the goal of self-expression and relationship building without the constraints of language, education level and ability.

The high foot traffic in the area will organically translate into economic activity for the surrounding businesses. All businesses collaborating for the event will be advertised to encourage local consumerism.

After the event, the artworks will be installed on a large chain-link fence at Corktown park. The installation will transform the industrial-looking fences into a feature that is a vibrant presentation of the community.

their art will act as a permanent mark on the space and foster a sense of belonging

For residents who attended the event, their art will act as a permanent mark on the space and foster a sense of belonging. Residents who did not attend will still feel a sense of ownership as they may relate to the sentiments expressed in the art. Overall, the aesthetic display will generate attraction to the space.

With the help of the Main Street Community Activator Placemaking program, the Corktown Community Paint-in will help unite and connect all residents of Corktown while creating feelings of community and belonging.

Do you love art? Are you looking for a rewarding experience to volunteer directly with community members? If so, we welcome you to volunteer at the Corktown Community Paint-in event powered by OPIRG McMaster, on Saturday, June 25th! 

The Corktown Community Paint-in invites residents of Corktown, Hamilton and surrounding areas to paint under the sun and connect with fellow neighbours at Corktown Park. This one-time event will feature an art tutorial from a local artist where participants will paint a self-portrait conveying what they love about the Corktown community.  Through art, attendees can engage meaningfully without the social pressure to speak English or be articulate. Food and beverages, locally sourced from downtown Hamilton businesses, will be served to attendees.

The art created during the event will be installed to transform an industrial-looking fence at Corktown Park. The once dreary fence will become almost like a welcome mat, representing the diversity of Corktown and its residents. The project is meant to inspire collective ownership over the space and foster community building between the diverse groups within the neighbourhood. 

We are calling for 15 to 20 passionate and energetic volunteers who are interested in helping to execute this event. We are looking for volunteers to execute the following tasks and responsibilities: 

• Event set up: setting up of blankets, tents and art stations (10 AM – 1 PM)
• Food and Beverages: serving of goods, plates and cutlery (2 PM – 5 PM)
• Event support: directing participants to art stations, answering questions, site upkeep, and other tasks that arise (1 PM to 5 PM)
• Event take down: trash clean up, canvases collection and tent/supplies/blanket collection (5 PM to 6:30 PM)

Volunteers must attend a virtual mandatory orientation session on Saturday, June 18th, 2022 from 6 to 7 PM. If you are interested, please fill out the Google form by June 15th, 2022. Volunteers will have their volunteer hours officiated. A reference letter can also be provided upon request!