Workers Arts and Heritage Centre


Home About WAHC Contact Us Facility Rentals Membership and Support Travelling Exhibitions Previous Exhibitions WAHC Resources and Links What's Happening at WAHC Working with WAHC	February is Black History Month Visit our Virtual Museum of Canada online exhibit: virtualmuseum.ca …and still I rise: A History of African Canadian Workers In Ontario: 1900 to Present Whether as the architects of civilization in an ancient world or the backbone of the economy of the modern West, African people have played a pivotal role in world history. In Canada, as slaves and 19th century frontier builders, Black workers had been essential to the development of the country. By the turn of the 20th century, and with the changing tide of world events, they were no longer considered important to the Canadian workforce. Using the powerful symbol of the railroad train in African Canadian mythology, "...and still I rise" traces the story of the Black community in the 20th century -- how it endured and how it fought back against the racism it faced. In their struggle for dignity and equality, people of African descent have helped to forge a better society for all Canadians. Come and explore this unique history for yourself Chinese Fever: Liki-Liki by Karen Tam January 8 to May 8, 2010 karentam.ca "Chinese Fever is an installation made up of gold paper-cutouts that would take over the gallery walls. Inspired by hand-painted export Chinese wallpaper, which was popular throughout Europe and North America in the 1700s, I hope to subvert some of these chinoiserie images with an undertone of indignation and violence, and to comment on current events and attitudes." - Karen Tam	Thursday, February 18th, 2010 - Sex Workers Event The Labour Lounge returns from a winter hiatus for a special Thursday night edition. The Workers Arts & Heritage Centre, in partnership with Hamilton Artists Inc. and with additional support provided by the Hamilton AIDS Network, SACHA - Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton & Area) and The Well (L.G.B.T.Q. Community Wellness Centre), presents a special Labour Lounge event that focuses on the challenges, and highlights the working experiences of persons involved in various aspects of the sex trade. Featuring panel discussions and film screenings along with burlesque and drag performances. ALL ARE WELCOME. FREE FOOD. $$ BAR Frank sexual discussion and sexual imagery are a part of making this event 100% sex positive and creating a safe space for open dialogue. We encourage audiences to consider this when deciding whether or not to attend this event. The Labour History Team is a new outreach program from the Workers Arts & Heritage Centre. Let us help document your local's history, stories, and legacy. S.O.S.! Save Our Stories! We will be focusing on the 3 P's - Preserve, Protect, Prevent. If your local has boxes of files, stories to share, documents, memorabilia or souvenirs, please call on us to help you organize your records and find a home for them. Our goal is to preserve these stories for future generations by protecting your records from being destroyed and preventing our history from being lost. We will come to you! Please contact us so that saving our stories can begin today. For more information please contact: Ian Walker, Labour Heritage Coordinator ian@wahc-museum.ca or (905) 522 3003 x25 Looking for Community Service Volunteer Hours? We are currently recruiting volunteers Please Contact Fabiola at 905-522-3003 ext 21 for details Labour Arts Needs You! Next Deadline for Applications to Ontario Arts Council's Artists in the Community Workplace Program - March 25th, 2010 Are you an artist, community group, union or professional organization seeking creative ways to engage your audience or membership with regards to issues related to work, the workplace, employment or social justice? WAHC's Labour Arts programme wants to hear from you! read more...	Main Gallery: Chinese Fever: Liki-Liki by Karen Tam Entrance: Custom House History & The Hall of Hamilton Labour [view photos] In our West Gallery: Punching the Clock: Working in Canadian Factories from the 1840s to the 1980s [view photos] In our East Gallery: Gateway to the Workers City & Made in Hamilton Industrial Trail [view photos] In our Second Floor Gallery: Nine to Five: A History of Office Work [view photos] In our Community Gallery: Broken City Lab Hamilton Youth Arts Network [view photos]