Peek into the studio with open window artist talks at Supercrawl

Hosted by local artist and McMaster alumna Julianna Biernacki, this free talk series gives artists a chance to share their creative processes

Open Window Artist Talks is a talk series that runs bimonthly at Rooney’s Cafe and was an event featured at Hamilton’s Supercrawl. At this event, artists are given the opportunity to speak about their craft, creative process and artistic journey.

Supercrawl is an annual festival showcasing many mediums of art, talent and culture which this year took place from Sept. 13 to Sept. 15. In partnership with the Hamilton Public Library, Julianna Biernacki hosted the Open Window Artist Talks series. This was a two-day event that happened on Sept. 14 and 15.

At Supercrawl, Biernacki organized a lineup of six artists, with three artists performing on each day. The artists featured were Zoë Pinnell, Douglas Tewksbury, Mikey Gracie, Melanie Cheung, Chelsea Reynolds and Ashes.

Julianna Biernacki is a local textile artist and McMaster University alumna. After graduating from the McMaster Studio Arts program in 2021, she missed the occasional artist talks she had during her undergrad. "In school I really enjoyed going to the artist talks that professors would bring in the program. Once I graduated and I was doing my own thing in the Hamilton art community, I noticed there was nothing like that going on," said Biernacki.

"I was catching up with a friend one day, I told her about this and she said that I should just run my own artist talks," stated Biernacki. This conversation eventually led to the creation of the Open Artist Talk Series where attendees can have an open and comfortable discussion with featured artists about their creative journeys.

When Biernacki initially approached Rooney’s Cafe, she noticed Rooney's already hosted events after hours and was integrated in the Hamilton community. "I reached out to Rooney's and they let me host an event there. Lots of people showed up, it was a fun time and they kept letting me host them after that," said Biernacki. "The first one was December of last year, December 2023."

This year, Open Window was able to take place at Hamilton's annual Supercrawl. "For Supercrawl, I was put into contact with one of the organizers. She said I could run the event there and put me in contact with the library," said Biernacki.

This recurring event gives Hamilton residents and visitors a chance to be inspired by local talent and unique artistry. "Hearing someone talk about something that they're passionate about and spend hours doing is just so inspiring," said Biernacki when asked about the impact of her series in the community. "It makes me want to leave Rooney's after the talk and go straight to the studio," said Biernacki.

These talks were designed with an informal and open format, allowing attendees to engage directly with the artists. "Rooney's also stays open for a duration of the talk so people can get a tea . . . it's also a BYOB event if people want to have a drink with friends," said Biernacki.

This setup encouraged a dynamic exchange of ideas and insights in a cozy environment, providing the audience a chance to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the artists' creative processes.

Biernacki’s goal with the talk series is to ensure that these events remain accessible to everyone, which is why they are always free to attend. "I wanted to make sure the events would be free so they'd be accessible for everyone to come," said Biernacki.

By providing this platform, Biernacki aims to foster inspiration and dialogue within Hamilton’s artistic community. The talks also serve as a bridge between emerging and established artists, creating valuable networking opportunities and fostering a sense of community among art enthusiasts.

"I'm just really lucky that Hamilton has so many talented artists. It really feels like I'm pulling from an endless bag of names," said Biernacki when asked about finding new featured artists in each Open Window event.

Julianna Biernacki’s initiative highlights her commitment to making art accessible and engaging. For those interested in experiencing these enriching discussions and exploring Hamilton’s vibrant art scene, attending future Open Window Artist Talks is a fantastic opportunity. Keep an eye on upcoming events through Biernacki's Instagram to catch a glimpse into the studios of some of the most exciting local artists.