Women's Art Association of Hamilton - 125 year Anniversary: A Book Celebration

Commemorative Publication to celebrate 125 years of the Women's Art Association of Hamilton

Thrilled to be included in this lovely new book published by the Women's Art Association of Hamilton's to mark this vital arts organization's 125th Anniversary Year!

One of the oldest, if not oldest, art organizations in Canada, ( they predate the Women's Art Association of Canada and even Canada's Confederation), the WAAH has always understood the beneficial and restorative power of art. They understand the necessity of art creation and education to transform lives. 

With a focus on living female artists throughout the decades, this engaging arts organization presents annual scholarships to promising art students. It also holds regular art exhibitions for its members at various locations throughout the region including the Art Gallery of Hamilton , the Carnegie Gallery , Dundas Valley School of Art and the Conservatory for the Arts.

I have been a member of this art-advocacy group since the the early 1980s. It is always an interesting and fun experience to exhibit my 'naive-surreal-folk-art' paintings with members of this engaged bunch of ladies! We always have great turn-outs at the openings with (generally!) positive half-page press coverage from the largest regional newspaper, The Hamilton Spectator. 

Freesia & Hummingbird, 2013. - Copyright by MLHolton

It is a now my added pleasure to  have a few of my earlier paintings included in this new archival 125th year publication. What a marker!  

Of particular note is the one shown here: Freesia & Hummingbird, painted in 2013. This well-loved piece went on to become the cover wrap for my first musical CD, Summer Haze.

I have also been very honoured over the years by several invitations from past and present Presidents of this organization to speak about my life and practice as a living artist in southern Ontario as part of their informative and lively 'Speaker's Series'. 

An important cultural organization for the City of Hamilton, it is my sincere hope that the Women's Art Association of Hamilton will continue to inspire and promote talented artists on the local, national and global stage for another 125 fantastic years! Congrats to all members! With a particular shout-out to artist Carol Soo Lum who compiled this extraordinary legacy for this wonderful Canadian arts organization. Well done Carol!

Back Cover - with 36 current members including YOURS TRULY! :)