Originally from Toronto, Colina Maxwell moved to Hamilton in 1999. Maxwell is a practicing visual artist, as well as the co-founder and Executive Director of Centre[3] for Artistic + Social Practice. The centre has helped fuel a growing arts community in Hamilton with Maxwell at the helm.  She meaningfully engages the core of our community through boundary-breaking contemporary art and pushing the barriers in presentation, education, and community arts. In 2011, Maxwell was awarded the Arts Management for the City of Hamilton, and in 2013, she was awarded the Women of Distinction award for Art and Culture. As a feminist and an artist, Maxwell’s artwork is politically charged, exploring gender, social constructs, and labour.  Maxwell has a substantial amount of formal training in visual arts and art history: BA of Art History and English Literature (University of Toronto), Visual Arts (University of Toronto, Sheridan College joint program), Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and a summer at the Glasgow School of Art. She has successfully secured a wide range of project grant funding from the federal, provincial, and municipal levels.

Julie Shea is a life-long Hamiltonian where she has raised two daughters, successfully ran a business, and participated heavily in her community. Julie graduated with an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Waterloo, followed by a Masters in Health Administration from the University of Ottawa. Upon completion of her formal education, Julie began a career in financial planning and eventually became a managing partner of GIC Financial Services, where she worked for 15 years. Julie eventually sold her business and decided to shift gears and begin an entirely different career in public service. While not a visual artist, Julie is a musician and songwriter. Julie has always been very community minded and recently served as Volunteer Co-Chair for Telling Tales Festival, President of the Hamilton Rotary Club, and is currently the Chair of Body Brave.

Lesley Loksi Chan was born in Hamilton, which is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations, and within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. She holds a BA in Anthropology and Women’s Studies from McMaster University and a BFA and MFA in Film from York University. She is a multidisciplinary artist and her works have been exhibited nationally and internationally. As Artistic Director of Centre[3], Lesley oversees exhibitions, residencies and arts-based projects. She cultivates the critical and creative dialogue that exists through the Centre’s collaborations and brings a spirit of openness, curiosity and care.

Lauren Harnish was born in Hamilton, which is situated on the land of the Anishinabewaki, Attiwonderonk (Neutral), Haudenosaunee, Mississauga, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Lauren considers how the land is intimately tied to her work to be “in-community” and encourage dialogue at Centre[3]. As Development Manager at Centre[3], Lauren oversees grants, and also develops and engages in partnerships and collaborations. Lauren has a MA in Art History from McGill University and a BAH in Art History and Psychology. She is excited to be a part of the creative team at Centre[3], a space that shares her deep interest in arts pedagogy and collaborative approaches to building accessible spaces that support the preservation and sharing of stories.

Alex Borghesan is a Hamilton artist and art educator with a focus on observation, surface modification and experimental play. Most of Alex’s works go through several stages of development in the preparation and finalizing of each piece. In addition to creating art I work as an arts educator for youth and those living with challenges. It is here that I aim to help not only pass on art-making skills but foster safe spaces and community development to those in need. With the hopes to allow people to grow, find themselves and connect with others that can also help them grow.”

Arturo Jimenez (he/him) is a second-generation Filipino and Italian born and raised in Ontario. He graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a specialization in Public Law and Judicial Studies. He has taken part in various artistic and non-profit initiatives in Hamilton through Centre[3], McMaster University, and various organizations and artist-run centers throughout Hamilton. He is a practicing musician and artist and has collaborated with both emerging and established artists.

Angela Busse is a multi-disciplinary artist whose studio practice explores photo-based processes via traditional printmaking, and ceramics.

Sarah Sproule (she/they) is an emerging artist and arts administrator originally from Waterdown, ON. She received her BFA in Studio Art as well as a BA in Art History from McMaster University. During that time, she focused both her artistic practice and research on contemporary sculpture. Sarah works primarily in the casting and mould-making process, utilizing plaster, clay, and found objects to create dimensional images of abstracted bodies. Sarah is currently serving on the Board of Directors at Hamilton Artists Inc. and is a member of the Assembly Gallery. As an administrator, Sarah has previously held positions at Hamilton Artists Inc., at McMaster University’s Archives and Research Division, and The Bertrand Russell Archives and Research Centre.

Aaron Hutchinson is an award-winning musician and sound artist from Hamilton, Ontario. They hold a MA in Communication & New Media from McMaster University and currently make music as A Hutchie and with Eschaton. Aaron has performed with Haolin Munk, the Snow Beach Players, the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and the Hamilton All-Star Jazz Band. Hundreds of performances have taken Aaron to Europe, USA, across Quebec and around Ontario. Aaron is a founding member of the Hamilton Audio Visual Node (HAVN), Fort Rose recording Studio and the HAVNrecords DIY music label.

Amanda Rataj is an artist and weaver living and working in Hamilton, Ontario. She has studied at the Ontario College of Art and Design University and Kawashima Textile School in Kyoto, Japan. Amanda has developed her contemporary craft practice through research-based projects, artist residencies, professional exhibitions, and lectures. She has exhibited at the Textile Museum of Canada, Royal Ontario Museum, and the Art Gallery of Burlington, among others. Amanda regularly writes about textiles and publishes her textile designs online and in print, working with companies like Gist Yarn and Fiber in Boston, MA, and international publications like Väv Magasinet in Sweden.