Collaborative mural will add to Beasley's alleyway gallery

Alleyway art is moving to the cultural mainstream in Hamilton during this year's Culture Day's weekend.

Local artistHamilton's AmberAasmanand her crew will be leading a community mural painting effort in a alleyway in the Beasley neighhourhood Friday and Saturday afternoon.

It will be the latest of several murals inBeasley, which are a point of pride for the community.

The public are invited to participate in the creation of the mural, designed by Aasman.

(Click here to see the location on a map.)

She said participation in creating this mural will be "organic," but at the same time, there is an overarching plan for the final image. She has designed a nature scene for the mural project.

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The event is part of this year's Ontario Culture Days weekend, an annual project since 2009. The program is run by a non-profit called Culture Days, and this year it's initiating something called the Youth Arts Ambassador Program, which selects local artists to lead workshops and other events.

The public mural painting is just one of many events that will be held in Hamilton on the weekend; a full list of events the Hamilton Public Library hosts is available here, and you can search for more local events using this page.

Aasman, who is a painter, jewelry-maker and musician, is one of five artists selected across Ontario.

Aasman was educated at McMaster University and then earned a Master's in Urban Studies in Philadelphia. She says that educational background informs her artistic and community work back in Hamilton. Up until recently she has worked as a program coordinator for the Art Forms youth art studio on James North, a place that serves youth "on the fringe."

Art rich with data

Coming from a field of study based on "the idea of using the arts for transformation," Aasman said that can manifest as "organizing people, sparking change, or just initiating a conversation." Her work at Art Forms strives to be a therapeutic outlet for youth dealing with social barriers such as homelessness.

One of the most consistent messages Aasman said these art projects have elicited from Hamilton youth is the idea that they value the opportunity for community engagement, and that it generally improves their well-being. She said these art programs have been the catalyst for many of the youth to pursue education in photography and other arts.

"And these are kids who have struggled their whole lives just to get themselves through public school," and through the other facets of their lives, Aasman said.

In the event of rain, Aasman said she will have a tent set up and people are still encouraged to attend.

dave.beatty@cbc.ca | @dbeatty