Ann Oxford – Contributor

On Thursday, Sept. 18, the Forman Community ArtLab buzzed with activity as it hosted its first Art Hive of the season. Students, staff and members of the community gathered around tables to enjoy a cup of tea, create art and chat over lunches brought from home.

Photo courtesy of Ann Oxford

Just a stone’s throw away, Esther Wiseman, Foreman Art Gallery’s Cultural Mediator and Education Intern, was promoting the ArtLab at the farmer’s market in the quad. “It surprised me how many people didn’t know about the ArtLab, even people who have been here for a few years,” she said. At the farmer’s market, Esther drummed up interest in the ArtLab’s activities, receiving a pageful of signups to the email list and directing people to the Art Hive happening just around the bend. In a Team’s message to me later that week, she speculated on why the ArtLab’s activities have struggled with visibility in the past: “[Art Hives] may seem intimidating for people that aren’t necessarily artists in their day-to-day. But we cannot emphasize enough how judgement-free the hives are. We just want more people to create for the sake of creating!”

The following Saturday, Sept. 20, folks gathered in the ArtLab again for a festive fall Art Hive. This event featured snacks and tea, as well as art-making in a variety of mediums. It was a very peaceful and welcoming environment, where everyone was fully engaged, working on their various projects. These projects included drawing, collages, sculpting with clay, painting rocks and sewing. The low-pressure environment of Art Hives focuses more on creating than the final product you are left with. This removes the expectation of making something highly skilled or impressive, and instead allows you to simply enjoy time making art with others.

As one of the few third spaces on campus, the Art Hives have so much to offer to students and staff alike. Whether you need a place to just exist and belong with no expectations, want to work on a new creative project or want to see how artmaking can bring diverse people together – drop by the Art Hives, you may be pleasantly surprised.

The fall semester Art Hives are scheduled for every Thursday at 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and one Saturday a month from 1-4 p.m. (mark your calendars for Oct. 18, Nov. 15 and Dec. 13!). All are welcome, so invite your friends, family and neighbours, whether they are Bishop’s students, staff or simply members of the larger community. Art materials are provided for free, there’s always tea and coffee available, and you can even bring your lunch and heat it in the ArtLab’s microwave. Happy creating!