Welcome to Open Heart Arts Theatre

Through community-engaged collaboration, we create performances that connect and inspire.

We are all connected.

This fall, Open Heart Arts theatre is beginning our next, two-year community engaged project, The Lake Effect, which looks at our relationship with the land and water that surrounds us. For this first phase of relationship-building, we’ve partnered with community organizations to offer a wide range of workshops that encourage conversations and connection. Scroll down to see what we have planned.

What are our shared responsibilities to care for the land, water and each other as a community?

  • Textile Art for Newcomers

    November 9 and 30

    In collaboration with ABRAR Trauma and Mental Health Services, this workshop welcomes newcomers to Canada to explore themes of land and water through textile creation.

  • Keith Neighbourhood Parskide Puppets and Poetry

    November 10 and 24

    In partnership with the Eva Rothwell Centre, this All-Ages event invites Keith neighbourhood residents to connect through art, puppets and poetry inspired by natural objects.

  • Tatreez for newcomers

    November 23

    In collaboration with ABRAR Trauma and Mental Health Services, this workshop invites newcomers to explore Tatreez, form traditional Palestinian embroidery.

Where we are.

We work in Hamilton, Ontario on the traditional territories of the Erie, Attawandaron (Neutral), Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes.

Recognizing the history of the land is one way of honouring the lives and stories of Indigenous people who have been living and working here from time immemorial, but it’s just one small action in a larger story of reconciliation. Here and now, Open Heart shares this commitment to care for this land and the people who live here. We do this by being intentional with how and who we work with, challenging traditional colonial methods of theatre making, and making environment-conscious choices whenever possible.

Get in touch.

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Open Heart is always interested in meeting new artists, community members, and local organizations who want to connect. Fill out this form and we’ll get back to you shortly.