“Can’t wait to go t the ballet!” People who know me would think I’m going bonkers if they ever heard me say this, but that’s reality now. Every Christmas season the Nutcracker comes to town and I’ve always wanted to experience it, but never really gave it much more than a thought. However after seeing Mao’s Last Dancer, I can’t wait to go to my first ballet production.

A few weeks back The Art Gallery Of Hamilton put on their annual World Film Festival and we were invited to cover it on OntarioAlive.com. Have you heard of the World Film Festival, put on every year in Hamilton? Unlike the Toronto Film Festival which is all over the news every fall, this festival is only just gaining some notoriety. Though we didn’t have time to go to any of the other shows or to any of the planned parties, it was such a wonderful experience that we can’t wait until next year.

The festival takes place across the city: at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Mohawk College’s STARRT Institute and McIntyre Theatre, Empire Jackson Square, Westdale Theatre, Ancaster Silvercity, and there’s even free movies shown on the street (check official website for locations and show times).

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After checking out the movie trailers which were going to be featured at this year’s event, we were intrigued by Mao’s Last Dancer and marked it our calendar to not this miss this presentation. After arriving at the Westdale Theatre and hurriedly finding parking on the street as there’s no designated parking, we realize that we were a bit early. So we had enough time to browse and get a feel for the chatter the others who were here for the show had to say about this movie and the others presented during the film festival. The Westdale Theatre was like stepping back in time, before digital surround sound and mega screen as we’ve now grown accustom to. A lovely setting and I could only imagine how grand this place was back in it’s hey-days. The seats were not the most comfortable and I’m sure the patrons at the back of us got annoyed at me for constantly having to move due to my fidgeting. But I wouldn’t change using this venue in the future, since it does give the film festival a sort of romantic ambiance. When movies were appreciated for the acting, directing and story telling and not the cgi stuff we’re bombarded with today.

Mao’s Last Dancer was an amazing movie and if this was any indication of the quality of movies at this years festival, I’m sure it was an overall success. I believe that 30 movies were screened in 10 days.  Films include The Coca–Cola Case, Ajami, Everything Is Fine, Captain Abu Raed, I Am Love, Mother, The Disappearance of Alice Creed, Rude, Pax Americana, Mao’s Last Dancer, Six Miles Deep, Tokyo Sonata, Amandala!, Police Adjective, The Necessities of Life, Animal Kingdom, Fish Tank, L’Affare Farewell, Land, Life During War Time, Life is Rosy, The Maid, Mid–August Lunch, Please Give, Poor Boy’s Game, Rocking Popenguine, Rudio Y Crusi, The Square, Tehroun, and White Ribbon.  Just wish we had time to catch a couple more, especially Captain Abu Reid, which did look like it had some promise from the trailer we saw.

The Art gallery Of Hamilton World Film Festival is one of those events that I highly recommend that you not miss! It’s your chance to support the arts in Hamilton and at the same time enjoy movies that you’d probably miss, since many of them are independent and not mass marketed. It’s very affordable at only $10 a showing and the events are well organized.

For the 2011 event, be sure to check out their official website at: www.aghfilmfest.com as I’m sure they’ll have updates on there very soon. Come out and support the Art Gallery Of Hamilton and the World Film Festival.

Have you been to the AGH (Art Gallery Of Hamilton) recently? It’s one of those places where there’s always something new and exciting to see and there are times when certain exhibitions are free to browse. More on that later. I’d never been to an art gallery before, but it was one of those things I had always wanted to do and on this day I really wished we had done this as a family. Our daughters have been at the AGH in the past on school trips, but I really missed having discussions with them on their take on the art that was on display. It’s always nice hearing other people’s perspective on things. Especially when it’s your children.

I was a bit late for my appointment with Steve Denyes, the Communication Manager at the AGH due to parking issues in the downtown core of Hamilton. It’s a common misconception that there’s limited parking and spots are hard to find. Had I done a little research I would have known that parking is plentiful. (see below for parking options)

Steve was very gracious in accepting my tardiness and gave me a tour of the entire galley. As mentioned, this was my first encounter with art in a gallery type setting so having a guide really added to the entire experience. Our tour/chat lasted for about 40 minutes, but I recommend you reserve at least an hour if you’re doing the tour on your own as there’s so much that you’re exposed to. Especially if this your first time at the AGH.

I’ve always been an amateur history buff so the featured exhibit, “Dance of Life: The Tanenbaum African Collection” allowed me the opportunity to connect with a part of the world that I’ve always been fascinated with. From the tall carved pillars that encased the doorway which remind me of the Totem poles from Western Canada, (used as palace posts by the Yoruba people in Nigeria) to the wonderful carved work by Lamidi Olonade Fakeye and the many tribal masks, it’s a fascinating exhibit… let’s just say I was in my own mini heaven. Pieces from the Art Gallery of Buffalo, Art Gallery Of Ontario, Museum of Art in New York and many pieces from personal collections made up this truly absorbing centerpiece.

Cake as ART?

Come prepared to be amazed by the work by Fiona Kinsella who use cakes to get her message across. I was quite amazed by the way the pieces on the wall jumped out at you with a tempting desire to be touched (no touching please).

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Not To Miss.

The collection by locally based artist Robert Mason, the Architecture of Cloud by Max Streicher (be sure to check out the pictures of his working blueprint for the piece) and no visit to the AGH is complete without being amazed by the Bruegel-Bosch Bus (see pic at the top of this page) by Kim Adams which I’m told is a work in progress. As new elements are added ever so often. So the next time you visit you may notice something new.

On site there’s a also a terrific cafe and the gift shop on the left side as you come to the top of the stairs is packed with many souvenirs and trinkets to remember your visit to the AGH. I must also make mention of the statue garden off the main floor which is very serene and a wonderful space to relax, as well as the fact that the AGH also offers a catering service for social and business events. So if you’d like a perfect setting for your wedding or business meeting, you should give them a call.

Parking Options (from the AGH website)

a) Directly underneath the Art Gallery of Hamilton
The City of Hamilton runs the parking garage located directly underneath the Art Gallery of Hamilton. This garage can be entered from Summers Lane and from King Street (look for the green P sign). Carry the ticket you?ll receive upon entering with you and pay your parking fee at a pay station before you return to your car. These parking stations accept credit cards, bills and coins (daily maximum is $7.50).

b) Other Municipal and Private Parking Lots and Garages
There are a number of municipally- and privately-run parking lots and garages throughout downtown Hamilton. Generally, the fees range from $3.00 to $7.00 a day to park.

c) On-Street Parking
On-street parking meters in the Downtown are $1.00 per hour. All meters are clearly signed and marked with rates and times relative to each parking space. In addition, the hours of operation may vary according to location by either time of day and/or day of week. A large portion of the downtown allows for free on-street parking after 6:00 pm daily, and all day Saturday, Sunday and Statutory Holidays.

The AGH is not only heavily involved in the community, they try to make the gallery as accessible as possible to everyone. Level 2 is open to the general public at no cost and they also run a program called “First Fridays” where access to level 1 of the gallery is open to the public, free. For full details on this opportunity to do something fun with your family if you’re on a limited budget, check out their website (see below for link). BTW, don’t be fooled into thinking that going to an art gallery is reserved for the rich and cultured. It’s a marvelous experience for one and all.

Information About The Art Gallery Of Hamilton.

123 King Street West | Hamilton ON | L8P 4S8
T: 905-527-6610 | F: 905-577-6940
E: info@artgalleryofhamilton.com

Gallery Hours
Tuesday & Wednesday 12 noon – 7 pm
Thursday & Friday 12 noon – 9 pm
Saturday & Sunday 12 noon – 5 pm
For more information about First Fridays, exhibits, camps for kids, community involvement of the AGH and all other information to help you plan your next trip, visit their website. http://www.artgalleryofhamilton.com

I’ll definitely go back to the AGH since the exhibits tend to rotate about 3 times a year. But on my next trip, hopefully we can do it as a family.  I highly recommend that you take an hour or two from your schedule and give the AGH a try, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how engaging it can all be.. Even for an art novice like me.

Special thanks to Steve Denyes and the staff at the AGH for taking time to accommodate with such an informative tour.  Don’t forget to leave us your comments if you’ve already been to the AGH or should you have any relating questions. We also invite you to be part of our Facebook fan page, by clicking on the image below.