The Mid-West Arts Council promotes and is willing to provide art and cultural opportunities for all age groups in the Town of Hamiota, and RM’s of Woodworth, Blanshard, Miniota, and Hamiota. It is a community touchstone for anyone looking for information, classes or events in a wide variety of arts disciplines – dance, drama, visual arts, quilting, and music, or cultural and seasonal special event
s like summertime teas, street markets, buskers, and BBQ’s. The Arts Council’s main office is located in the Heritage Arts Centre, a historic Royal Bank building, beautifully renovated by community volunteers to create a warm and inviting exhibition space. It features a kaleidoscope of exhibitions, which change monthly, from local and not-so-local artists, photographers, sculptors, needlework, and other artisans. It also houses the Gallery Gift Shop with a display of local artisans work available for sale –everything from quilted runners, hand-made jewellery and sculptures to knitted children’s sweaters and baby gifts. The gift shop rotates its’ work every three months so there is always something new to see and buy. The former bank manager’s office is a great spot to stop for a cup of coffee, sit by the working fireplace, admire the restored woodwork and discuss what arts discipline or idea you’ve always wanted to explore or get started anywhere in the Arts Council’s catchment area. The Hamiota Square Dance Club meets every Thursday evening throughout the winter months and encourages anyone who likes to square dance or wishes to learn, to join them in the main gallery for a little exercise and a lot of fun. Upstairs, the Heritage Arts Centre houses the Hamiota and District Archives, maintained by dedicated volunteers. They are available to answer any of your questions about the town or area of a historical nature, every Monday morning for ten months of the year and by appointment throughout the summer. Also upstairs, the Hamiota Art Group meets every Thursday from October to April in a warm and sunny workspace and welcomes all level of artists to join them from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Work on your own art projects or join them for workshops and classes as they are scheduled. It is a great opportunity to learn from peers in a very welcoming environment. A fresh schedule of workshops, classes, exhibitions, and special events is made available each spring and can be picked up from the Arts Council office. The Mid-West Dance Group is also affiliated with the Arts Council although its excellent instruction program in tap, jazz, and hiphop has helped it outgrown its former home at the old bank and dance instruction is now given at the school. Information on the dance program, registration forms, or dance committee contact numbers are available from the Arts Council office anytime. The registration meeting for the dance program is usually held at the Arts Centre in late August or early September and dance class instruction begins in the fall. In summer, Thursday is ‘Arts Centre’ day in Hamiota with “Tea at the Old Bank” running each Thursday from 2-4 p.m. from June to September. “The Sidewalk Dog” Café opens for business out front in July and runs throughout the summer also on Thursday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Buskers liven the air with music and the Street Market sells fresh vegetables and crafts for as long as there’s a crowd eager to purchase their wares. Throughout the year, the Arts Council provides special youth activities (Hallowe’en, Christmas, art classes, performers, facilitates birthday parties); organizes musical events of both local and touring talent; and opportunities for social and cultural activities like our Scottish Ceilidh in February. They are eager to encourage budding artists in area classrooms through school workshops or adult classes as well. The Heritage Arts Centre facility itself is available for rent – wedding/baby showers, Christmas parties, retirement/birthday celebrations, as well as a pleasant environment for meetings and workshops at reasonable rates. WiFi access, projector, and sound system equipment are available as well. Drop in, check out the exhibitions, sign up for classes – there’s always something new going on and the Arts Council looks forward to meeting you and helping you develop your art interests in the Mid-West Area. Office/Gallery/Gift Shop Hours:
Mon-Wed-Fri 1-4 p.m. or by appointment anytime.
