Abby Epstein – Arts & Culture Editor

In the Centennial Theatre building, beneath the Foreman Art Gallery, lies the Bishop’s Artlab’s Art Hive. The community art space freely welcomes people of all ages and experience. From Sept. 14 onward, it will be open Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., and Saturdays 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m..

The Art Hive operates within the metaphor of a beehive – a shared collaborative effort that is part of a larger artistic movement aligned with other art hives. “The Artlab positions itself on the cutting edge between art, education and community,” says Camila Vásquez, the Artlab coordinator. It operates with the goal of “exploring how these worlds collide and interact with one another, to disrupt the hierarchy of knowledge and enrich community life.”

Bishop’s Art Hive is facilitated by students of fine art, art education and psychology (with an interest in art therapy). Facilitators offer their experience to anyone seeking artistic guidance; otherwise, participants are welcome to create independently. Materials are free to use at a self-directed pace, as they have been donated as part of the communal undertaking.

Beyond regular drop-in hours, the Art Hive organizes themed events throughout the academic year. The first one of the semester will take place on Nov. 13 during standard hours. The theme, “Connecting with the colors of diversity,” invites participants to “experience a moment of autonomous artistic creation with others, while taking part in exchanges on interculturality.” Vasquez also hints that “the idea of organizing a talk on the principles of beehives is also in the air,” which would expand on existing collaborative efforts between art hives and campus partners regarding spirituality and reusing. In the spring, the Bishop’s Art Hive hopes to be a part of an annual event which brings together the whole of the Eastern Townships’ art hive community.

Reflecting on her own experience, Vásquez speaks to the opportunity to create holistically, as well as a chance to take time for oneself and relax away from the activity of everyday life: “I find that the opportunity to gather, to feel at home, to explore one’s creativity without pressure or expectations is accompanied by a sense of gratitude, calm and joy.” 

All members of the community are welcomed into the Art Hive to experience this for themselves; thereafter, like bees, they can carry this spirit with them out into the world.