King William Art Walk



King William Mural installed in Liuna Parkette, May 10, 2011
Media Release - click here

Mission Statement
The mission of King William ARTwalk is to foster, create and maintain through partnerships a designated urban art trail by connecting arts and cultural activity centres in the downtown core. The trail will create an animated pedestrian environment which will encourage increased exposure to a variety of artistic and cultural experiences. In addition, it will contribute to economic renewal through increased tourism and investment.

Vision
Art can be everywhere in urban environments, not just in concert halls, theatres, galleries and museums, but literally, right on the street.

What is ARTwalk?
• a community led initiative, supported by governments, businesses and residents.
• supported in the Public Art Master Plan for the City of Hamilton.
• an animated pedestrian environment which will encourage increased exposure to a variety of artistic and cultural experiences through celebrations, events and appreciation.
• an urban art trail that can encourage economic development and substantially increase property values.
• is a way of increasing community identity and contributes to Hamilton as a Creative City.
• provides new and exciting opportunities for artistic commissions of all forms of art through open jury competitions and economic return.
• creates increased economic and social capital, cultural tourism and increased quality of life.
• a totally unique philosophy and model for urban revitalization that has increased both social and economic capital in Cities which have implemented.
• a connector and unifier of the community through increased engagement with and support of the arts and culture.
• proves that even everyday elements like light poles, benches and building facades can inspire artful alternatives.

The purpose of the Arts Hamilton’s King William Art Walk Steering Committee is to develop and oversee the project to ensure:
• that the mission and concept of Art Walk is realized and achieved;
• identify art projects and strategies (i.e. ARTS animated, installations)
• to develop a set of procedures to implement the projects;
• to identify funding opportunities for projects;
• marketing and communications;
• establish jury systems that are representative of stakeholders for the projects and reflect public art policies
• working with professionals, advise on the process for installations in an acceptable and safe manner; and is maintained.



Street Canvas Program


The Downtown Hamilton BIA added two more Street Canvases to
the King William Art Walk in 2008 and 2009






The Downtown Hamilton BIA unveiled another in its series of Street Canvases at Veteran's Place in Gore Park
Friday, May 23, 2008

This image of the unveiling of the cenotaph in Gore Park on May 22, 1923 
was selected to compliment the amenities at Veteran's Place and to commemorate the unveiling ceremony of the Cenotaph 85 years ago.
The Street Canvas Project is a co-operative effort of the BIA and the City of Hamilton to clean up and enhance our Downtown.  






The Downtown Hamilton BIA, together with its partners Arts Hamilton and the City of Hamilton unveiled the first in a series of Street Canvas Art projects in the Downtown area on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007. The piece was mounted on an electrical box outside of 55 King William Street as part of a long term project to create an Art Walk on KingWilliam.  

 “Studio Interior and Still Life” was painted by now deceased Hamilton artist Alfred Joyce around 1988 from his studio in Suite 402 in the corner building at King William and Hughson Streets. Joyce produced an impressive body of work that included many images of downtown streetscapes, still-lifes, and people. This painting, the original owned by Cees & Annerie van Gemerden is a splendid example of his vibrant use of colour and local image. This image represents the city’s no nonsense working class culture, but on the floor, lie a couple of oil sticks (Joyce’s art implement of choice) and refer to the irrepressible role of art in society. 


 Summer Programs


The Downtown Hamilton BIA hires a summer student each year to co-ordinate the BIA's efforts to make Downtown Hamilton a cleaner, brighter place to live, work and play.  A Co-ordinator is hired every summer to powerwashing the sidewalks, removing graffiti, picking up litter and doing maintenance and clean up work around the BIA area from June to September. Meet Mel Ling, a McMaster Student specializing in Political Science who will be co-ordinaitng the summer clean up crew. 

With him is Kelly Bacon, another McMaster student specializing in Advertising - Integrated Marketing Communications who is co-ordinating our Gore Park Summer Promenade program.




Planning & Beautification Committee

Our Planning & Beautification Committee,  made up of dedicated business operators in Downtown Hamilton and chaired by Drew Mitchell, Scotiabank, work tirelessly to improve the conditions in the Downtown core.  Their priorities for 2011 are:

Graffiti Removal & Abatement Strategies
Downtown Planters
More Street Canvas Artwork Pieces in the BIA
King William Art Walk Project Implementation
Christmas Lighting program
Excellence in Property Awards
Working with city to facilitate an urban park at Rebecca and John
Working with City of Hamilton to implement Gore Master Plan
Liaison with Hamilton Police Services on safety & security issues
Cigarette Litter Education & Awareness Program