Brampton residents will have opportunities to learn weaving and other textile crafts for free this summer with Shiemara Hogarth, the city’s newly announced 2026 artist in residence.
Brampton Arts Organization and Brampton Library announced the appointment May 15, according to a Brampton Library news release. Hogarth’s residency will run from June through September at the library’s South Fletcher’s branch.
The program welcomes participants of all ages and experience levels. Residents can meet Hogarth during drop-in office hours, book individual mentorship appointments or take part in hands-on workshops covering hand weaving, coiling and surface pattern design.
All residency activities will take place at the branch inside the Susan Fennell Sportsplex, at 500 Ray Lawson Blvd. All events are free to attend.
When to visit and how to book
Hogarth’s weekly public office hours will take place Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., starting June 10 and continuing through Aug. 26. There will be no office hours on Canada Day, July 1.
The drop-in visits are open to experienced makers, people hoping to begin and anyone curious about textile and craft work. Visitors can see what Hogarth is creating and speak with her about making crafts.
Individual mentorship sessions will be available Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., from June 14 through Aug. 23. Each appointment lasts 60 minutes. All times are Eastern.
To request a mentorship appointment, residents can email events@bramptonlibrary.ca with their preferred dates and times, along with a brief description of what they want to discuss or work on.
A Brampton artist working across textile forms
Born in Jamaica and based in Brampton, Hogarth works with weaving, embroidery, digital printing and sculptural forms. Her practice examines belonging, memory and storytelling.
Her MFA thesis, Personal Geographies, has been exhibited nationally. She also curated Threading Black with the Alberta Craft Council, an exhibition shown in Edmonton and Calgary, and her writing has appeared in Studio Magazine.
Hogarth organized and hosted the symposium Canadian Women in Craft: A Conversation. Her training spans history, material art and design, and craft media.
The residency program began in 2023 and is entering its fourth edition. It provides the selected artist with an $8,000 stipend and workspace at no charge to develop a community-based residency.
Hogarth said in the library’s news release that the residency will give her time to develop ideas while connecting with residents through craft.
“Being able to teach and share my process with others while continuing to develop new work is an amazing opportunity.” — Shiemara Hogarth, in the Brampton Library news release.
