2024/25 Monthly Meetings

Unless otherwise noted, meetings will be held the first Wednesday of each month. We'll be meeting out of the KW Art Gallery* and, while not required, we're asking for an RSVP if you plan to attend.

Note: An RSVP will help us with room setup and will give you a chance to share some work and information with other members!

While there will be some special occasions (ie. first and last meeting)... For most months, we'll be welcoming a guest speaker who will share their knowledge, work and experience as a Creator and Connector in the Waterloo Region and we'll likely follow a consistent format.

Note: RSVP May not be live for our next meeting! Check our newsletter for details
7:00 to 7:30pm (ish) Learning Together
KWSA Update and opportunity to share ideas, skills and questions that will help our practice and work.

7:30 to 8:10pm (ish) Community Connection
A Guest Speaker will share their unique perspectives and on creating in and with the Region.

8:10 to 8:30pm (ish) Coffee Talk
​Catch up with other Artists, connect with the leadership team and chat with our guest one-on-one.

*There is free weekday parking after 6pm across from the KW Art Gallery (101 Queen St N, Kitchener, ON N2H 6P7) on Otto Street. The Centre in the Square or City of Kitchener might change parking costs on evenings with special events but, in these cases, we'll try to let you know before the meeting through our Newsletter and this site.
Wednesday, September 4th
7:00 to 8:30pm @ KW Art Gallery, 101 Queen St. Kitchener
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Welcome to a new season! Meet old friends and new faces as we get together to share, chat and create.

At this meeting we'll be talking about our new meeting format, plans for shows, new partnerships, workshop opportunities, exciting activities and events AND we'll be taking some time to hear from you as we build connections , share ideas and develop KWSA's voice moving forward.​
  • ​No Cost for KWSA & GRACe Members
  • Guests Are Welcome - $5
Wednesday, October 2nd
7:00 to 8:30pm @ KW Art Gallery, 101 Queen St. Kitchener

Guest Visitor: President of GRIPS KW: Tracy Sanderson
Learn about GRIPS KW and the amazing opportunities for photography learning, exploring and sharing.
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Guest Speaker: Agnes Niewiadomski
Agnes is a visual artist (OCAD Sculpture/Installation graduate), small business owner and camp director of Mindful Makers. She offers hands-on arts programming to kids and adults in and around the Waterloo Region through day camps, workshops, festival events, craft kits, and her locally produced TV Show.

Agnes is passionate about teaching hands-on skills and spreading the joy of making through a multitude of crafting methods including: sewing, printmaking, felting, dyeing, basketry, weaving, electronics, 2D and 3D modeling, sculpture, mold making + casting, book binding, papermaking, cardboard and paper crafts. Many of her projects are available as at-home kits and can be ordered through her website: www.mindfulmakers.ca

More recently, Agnes’ love of stick work has led her back into the world of public art making where she collaborates with community groups to create woven sculptural installations. Two of her local public works are currently on display in Brighton Park, Waterloo and in the front garden of Old Goat Bookstore in Uptown. This fall Agnes will be working with the Beechwood North Neighbourhood to create a woven installation by the tennis court and pool facilities on Beechlawn Drive.

To follow along on Agnes' creative journey and to stay in the loop about her upcoming workshops and happenings check out her Instagram pages: @agnesmakes @mindful_makers or join the newsletter on her website.
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  • No Cost for KWSA & GRACe Members
  • Guests Are Welcome - $5
Wednesday, November 6th
7:00 to 8:30pm @ KW Art Gallery, 101 Queen St. Kitchener
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Guest Speaker: Krystyna Kwiecinski
Krystyna is the founder of the Art Shop Project, a business that supports Canadian artists and contributes to the fundraising efforts of local healthcare organizations for the benefit of local communities.
With a formal education in History and Political Science from the University of Toronto and Industrial Engineering Analyst from the Canadian Institute of Management, Krystyna has owned high end retail stores and has consulted as a marketing and business expert for small medical offices.  She also founded the Canadian Purchasing Collective. Under this banner Krystyna worked with hospitals and hospital volunteers to create thriving gift shops that increased revenue year over year.

After the pandemic Krystyna shifted focus to create the Art Shop Project… combining her love for art and her passion for giving back. Primarily an online gallery, it has also established a number of pop-up-galleries. The most recent, “The Love of Smalls” is at the Gallery at the Link until November 29th and will host a special weekend event from the 14th to the 17th.
The Art Shop Project --The Gallery that Gives Back -- https://artshopproject.com/

  • No Cost for KWSA & GRACe Members
  • Guests Are Welcome - $5
Wednesday, December 4th
6:30 to 9:00pm @ Pickle Barrel, Conestoga Mall
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Our Christmas Celebration is a chance to come together to create, celebrate and connect!

We're asking for $5 admission (we'll be ordering food!) and we'll need you to RSVP by Nov 27th!

We'll have a few activities planned... but the main objective will be to celebrate!
Wednesday, January 8th
7:00 to 8:30pm @ KW Art Gallery, 101 Queen St. Kitchener
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Guest Speaker: Ralf Wall (Raflar)
I have always pursued artistic expression my whole life. As a young child drawing animals and fantastic beasts to learning to play the piano. Eventually this was formalized in college, learning both commercial and fine arts. I have balanced this throughout my career being both a graphic designer as well as a painter, muralist and instructor of the arts. Most of my time is currently spent at the Homer Watson House & Gallery, promoting the legacy of this beloved Canadian Landscape Artist, instructing there and managing all graphical marketing content. I spend the rest of my time painting in the great outdoors, participating in art festivals and even leading an art safari to Kenya. Art is my life and I strive to bring life to my art.

Website:          www.raflar.com 
Facebook:        www.facebook.com/WallhallaArtStudio
Instagram:       www.instagram.com/raflar_the_artist

  • No Cost for KWSA & GRACe Members
  • Guests Are Welcome - $5

RSVP button (found at the top of the page) will be open for this meeting approximately one month before the meeting date.
Wednesday, February 5th
7:00 to 8:30pm @ KW Art Gallery, 101 Queen St. Kitchener

Two of our own members talking about how they connect art with the community and some of their work in the digital realm.
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  • No Cost for KWSA & GRACe Members
  • Guests Are Welcome - $5

RSVP button (found at the top of the page) will be open for this meeting approximately one month before the meeting date.
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Guest Speaker: Deb Flynn
https://www.instagram.com/debflynnart/​

In an attempt to represent the homeless, as many develop the not-in-my-backyard attitude, I started sketching on-site (urban sketching) different homeless encampments in Waterloo Region during 2023. My motivation for doing this may surprise you. The exercise was designed to acquaint citizens with those that are living rough, and what is being done to help them seemed like the right thing to do. To complement these sketches, I created a reportage of incidents witnessed while sketching, which later delved into some research of how the homeless are being helped, and by what organizations.

I’m hopeful that my art showcases this culture of desperate living, that the homeless are often offered available options by outreach workers, and that those living rough can have hope for the future.
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Tentative - Guest Speaker: Jason Panda
https://jasonpanda.com​

Belong Together is a tile based project created as a response to connections lost and communities fragmented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its goal is to remind us that, even apart, we’re each an integral piece of the puzzle.
The project began in January 2021 and one year later by the end of the year there were over 19,000 tiles in circulation connecting communities across the Waterloo Region.

Through his work and projects, Jason focuses on visual solutions and collaborative projects designed to build, celebrate and engage communities. His work celebrates people and the power of collaboration. 
Wednesday, March 5th
7:00 to 8:30pm @ KW Art Gallery, 101 Queen St. Kitchener
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Guest Speaker: Matt Morris (https://snowbankproductions.weebly.com/​)
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Matt Morris spent years working at IBM Canada and then resigned to become a high school business teacher. He became more serious about his interest in snow sculpting when he almost walked into a Moai statue while visiting a museum. On the spot he decided to try and make one using snow. This was the beginning of a journey of discovery using snow as a medium. He loves the fact that the hobby allows for literally massive creativity at almost no cost. He also enjoys the physical exercise involved and visiting with neighbours while he plays in the snow.

​He has created over 100 large statues on his front lawn over the last 14 years, started a virtual snow sculpting club during the pandemic, with members all over North America (even Texas!) and has developed a special device to help people have success—the QP7000 snow pounder. He does not sell this simple device but he has made and given away over 100. One community made and gave away over 500 pounders. He also has an extensive website with over 30 free how-to videos and so much more. He’s worked with schools and performed at Winterloo numerous times. In addition to continuing to develop his art, he is on a mission to get the message out that winter can be fun—and snow sculpting, especially with non-packing snow, can be a blast! He can’t wait to share his message.
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  • No Cost for KWSA & GRACe Members
  • Guests Are Welcome - $5

RSVP button (found at the top of the page) will be open for this meeting approximately one month before the meeting date.
Wednesday, April 2nd - Cancelled Due To Weather
​7:00 to 8:30pm @ KW Art Gallery, 101 Queen St. Kitchener

Guest Speakers: Eric Rumble & Karoline Varin (Arts & Creative Industries, City of Kitchener)
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  • No Cost for KWSA & GRACe Members
  • Guests Are Welcome - $5

RSVP button (found at the top of the page) will be open for this meeting approximately one month before the meeting date.
Eric Rumble is a multidisciplinary project coordinator, content developer and problem solver with 25 years of experience making ideas happen in the magazine industry and public service.

​Eric’s role as the City of Kitchener’s coordinator of arts & creative industries has involved him in cultivating an affordable artists’ workspace model at 44 Gaukel, refreshing the City’s public art policy, wrangling many temporary art activities & hatching strange things like The Beasting.
​Karoline Varin is a visual artist, arts educator, and a program administrator in the public service sector. Her practice spans various media: oil and encaustic painting, textile, and book arts. Alongside her practice of making and exhibiting art, she is grateful to have had many opportunities to teach, develop programming, collaborate, and curate with other practitioners.

​Karoline currently works at the city of Kitchener, on the Arts & Creative Industries team supporting the goals of local artists through two gallery programs, the city of Kitchener Artist in Residence program and public art opportunities.
Wednesday, May 7th
​7:00 to 8:30pm @ KW Art Gallery, 101 Queen St. Kitchener

Guest Speaker: Della vanDokkumburg (https://www.dellavandokkumburg.ca/)

I began a sketching habit in 2018, went on my first urban sketching retreat in 2019, and published my first book of sketches in 2020. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic  I've sketched hundreds of buildings and structures while developing my own whimsical style. I'm especially intrigued with older buildings and like to learn about all the lives they've lived.  Since 2020 I've participated in studio tours, art markets, hosted my own pop up shop, and have met many wonderful people along the way. 
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  • No Cost for KWSA & GRACe Members
  • Guests Are Welcome - $5

RSVP button (found at the top of the page) will be open for this meeting approximately one month before the meeting date.
Wednesday, June 4th
​7:00 to 8:30pm @ Location TBD

Our Year End Celebration!
Details Coming Soon!
Kitchener-Waterloo Society of Artists (since 1931)
Contact Us! - [email protected]
Interested in being a financial supporter of KWSA and Arts in the community?