The Hamilton Art Market 2025, taking place from September 26 to 2 at the historic Cotton Factory in Hamilton, Ontario, transforms the city?s industrial heart into a dynamic hub of contemporary art and design. This juried event showcases over 100 artists and designers, from local talents to international creators, presenting a diverse array of paintings, sculptures, textiles, and mixed-media works. Set in the reimagined Imperial Cotton Co. building, the fair celebrates Hamilton?s creative spirit with a rich program of exhibitions, workshops, and performances. With an expected attendance of over 5,000, it fosters a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere for art lovers, collectors, and families. The 2025 theme, ?Creative Confluence,? highlights the intersection of art, design, and community, blending traditional and innovative practices. Highlights include textile exhibitions like ?Tones, Textiles, Truths? and immersive installations by artists like Natalie Hunter. The fair?s vibrant energy, enhanced by food vendors and live music, creates a multisensory experience. Its commitment to accessibility, with features like tactile tours and open studios, ensures everyone can engage with Hamilton?s thriving art scene. The Cotton Factory?s historic charm and the fair?s focus on local and global voices make it a must-visit cultural event. This annual celebration strengthens Hamilton?s reputation as a burgeoning arts destination in Canada.
Brief Information
- Dates: September 26?2 , 2025, with an Opening Night on September 26 and public days on September 27?2 .
- Location: The Cotton Factory, 270 Sherman Avenue North, Hamilton, ON L L 6N4, Canada.
- Theme: Creative Confluence, celebrating the fusion of art, design, and community.
- Attendance: Over 5,000 visitors, including collectors, artists, and families.
- Type: Juried art fair featuring exhibitions, workshops, performances, and open studios.
Highlights
- Tones, Textiles, Truths: A curated textile exhibition by Dawn Grant, featuring artists like Kira Alexanian and Angela DeMontigny, September 26?2 .
- The New Silk Road: A visiting textile showcase from Beizhen, China, highlighting seven women artists, September 26?2 .
- Diane Twombly?s (un)familiar landscape: Surreal digital collages reimagining Hamilton?s architecture, September 26?2 .
- Natalie Hunter?s Trending Time Tending Time: A survey of photography and sculpture, September 26?2 .
- Networking Collage Night: A vibrant evening with DJ Dan Rivero, art-making, and food vendors, September 27.
- Open Studio Tours: Behind-the-scenes access to artists? workspaces, September 2 , 1?4 PM.
- The Printmaking Show: Curated by Tara Westerman, featuring innovative prints by Don Carr and Laura Fedynyszyn, September 26?2 .
- Ad Hoc Girl Gang Collective?s Common Thread: A collaborative sculpture using reclaimed materials, September 26?2 .
Organizer
- Art Fair Hamilton Events, led by Annette Paiement, orchestrates the fair with a focus on Hamilton?s creative community.
- The Cotton Factory, a historic creative hub, hosts the event, providing studios and exhibition spaces.
- Partnerships with the Women?s Art Association of Hamilton and the Art Association of Beizhen, China, enrich the program.
- Sponsors like Impressive Printing and Rita B Designs support the fair?s mission to promote local talent.
What to Attend
- The Colour of Joy Exhibition: A vibrant showcase featuring artists like Abraham Oghobase and Shea Chang, September 26?2 .
- Costumed Life Drawing Session: Live models and music by JD Howell, September 26, 6?9 PM.
- Community Film Festival: Screenings of local artists? works by NobleWolf iMage, September 27.
- Creative Convergence Design Showcase: Wellness-themed ?Unplugged? event by Daily Goods Design LABS, September 2 .
- The Art of the Build: Curated by Annette Paiement, featuring artists like Stephen Altina, September 26?2 .
- Mindfulness and Meditation Session: Led by Steve Ferrell, September 2 , 12 PM, encouraging holistic wellbeing.
- Hamilton Studio School Student Work: Curated by Rae Bates, showcasing young talent, September 26?2 .
Ticket Information
- General admission is $10 per day or $15 for a weekend pass, available at artfairhamiltonevents.com.
- Opening Night tickets are $20, including access to receptions and performances, September 26.
- Networking Collage Night tickets are $10, offering art-making and entertainment, September 27.
- Free entry to Open Studio Tours on September 2 ensures accessibility for all.
Getting There
Hamilton, Ontario, a vibrant city an hour from Toronto, offers easy access to the Hamilton Art Market 2025 at the Cotton Factory. Fly into John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM), a 20-minute drive from the venue, with flights from Canadian cities like Toronto and Calgary. International visitors can fly into Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), a 45-minute drive via Highway 403, serviced by Air Canada, WestJet, and major global carriers. GO Transit trains from Toronto?s Union Station to West Harbour GO or Hamilton Centre GO are a convenient 70-minute ride, with HSR buses connecting to Sherman Avenue. Bus routes 2 and 3 stop near the Cotton Factory, a short walk from Barton Street East. Driving from Toronto via the QEW takes under an hour, with accessible parking and a freight elevator at the venue. Cyclists can use Hamilton?s bike lanes, with racks available, though bikes are left at visitors? risk. Taxis and Uber are plentiful, especially during evening events like Networking Collage Night. The Cotton Factory is partially accessible, with ramps and accessible washrooms for inclusivity. Book accommodations early in downtown Hamilton, from boutique hotels to Airbnb lofts, for proximity. Pack layers for September?s mild weather, and explore James Street North?s cafes before or after the fair. The journey to Hamilton blends urban energy with cultural charm, making it a perfect art-filled getaway.
History
The Hamilton Art Market, launched in 2024 as the Hamilton Art Fair at the Cotton Factory, emerged from the city?s vibrant arts scene, rooted in the monthly James Street North Art Crawl that began in 2005. The Art Crawl, pioneered by galleries like You, Me, Gallery, transformed Hamilton?s industrial core into a cultural hotspot, inspiring the fair?s creation. The inaugural 2024 event, held September 25?29, drew thousands with its juried exhibitions and focus on local and international artists. Building on this success, the 2025 edition, rebranded as the Hamilton Art Market, expands its scope with partnerships like the Art Association of Beizhen, China. The Cotton Factory, a former 1900s mill, has been a creative hub since its adaptive reuse in the 2000s, hosting studios and events. The fair?s roots trace back to Hamilton?s arts revival, driven by organizations like the Hamilton Arts Council and Women?s Art Association. In 2024, exhibitions like ?The Colour of Joy? and open studios set a precedent for community engagement. The fair?s growth reflects Hamilton?s shift from a steel city to a creative powerhouse, with support from the Canada Council for the Arts. Its focus on diverse mediums, from textiles to digital collages, showcases the city?s artistic evolution. The 2025 event continues this legacy, blending Hamilton?s industrial heritage with bold, contemporary creativity.
Mission
The Hamilton Art Market 2025 is dedicated to celebrating and promoting Hamilton?s vibrant art and design community, fostering connections between artists, collectors, and the public. It aims to showcase a diverse range of contemporary artworks, from local to international, in an accessible and inclusive environment. By curating juried exhibitions and interactive events, the fair bridges traditional and innovative practices, highlighting Hamilton?s creative confluence. The mission prioritizes equity, encouraging participation from artists of all backgrounds and career stages. Sustainability is central, with exhibitions like ?Common Thread? using reclaimed materials to promote eco-conscious art. Through workshops, talks, and open studios, the fair seeks to educate and inspire, nurturing the next generation of creators. It celebrates Hamilton?s industrial heritage while positioning the city as a leading arts destination in Canada. The Hamilton Art Market aspires to create lasting cultural impact, fostering community pride and global dialogue.
Tips for Visitors
- Book tickets early at artfairhamiltonevents.com to secure Opening Night and Collage Night access.
- Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the Cotton Factory?s studios and exhibitions.
- Visit nearby Mulberry Coffeehouse for coffee or Mesa for authentic Mexican cuisine between events.
- Download the fair?s schedule from artfairhamiltonevents.com for real-time updates.
- Attend Open Studio Tours on September 2 to meet artists in their creative spaces.
- Arrive early for life drawing sessions to secure a spot with live models.
- Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated while browsing galleries.
- Explore the ?Tones, Textiles, Truths? exhibition for unique textile artistry.
- Connect with artists like Natalie Hunter for insights into their creative process.
- Plan family-friendly activities like the Community Film Festival for an inclusive visit.
