Art Not Shame is set to open its Community Arts Hub this weekend despite the funding shortfall it is still raising money for.
The goal was $100,000. It raised $37,962. Even though there is a $62,038 shortfall the non-profit arts organization is still going to open on Saturday. It plans to raise the rest of the money and add the remaining accessibility things it needs for the space, like pull-down cupboards, as the money comes through.
Art Not Shame is a non-profit arts organization aiming to bring artistic practices with a low barrier to entry so it can be more accessible to people in the community.
It is opening up a space at 119 Wyndham St. N. on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. In celebration of the opening Art Not Shame will be having a block party with musical guests Claire Voy and Ciccio Spagnolo, from Guelph band SHEBAD, and Rebecca Fernandes, artistically known as raia.
There will be a community art gallery inside the space featuring art from about 30 local artists including Jessie Buchanan, Jude Akrey, Nimra Bandukwala and Alexa Collette.
Joni Nehrita is hosting a workshop called Body Grooves where people can use their voices and bodies to create music. It’s a free drop-in workshop from 3 to 4 p.m.
Six parallel parking spots in front of Art Not Shame will have tents where the musical performances will be and art activities.
“It feels really surreal … this has been in the works for a very, very long time,” said Alisa McRonald, communications lead for Art Not Shame, in an interview. Her sole focus is on the opening and she is looking forward to it.
Ahead of the opening the Guelph Civic Museum has its exhibit opening called Art as We Are: Creative Community Care. It will open on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and include the museum’s monthly event Called Fourth Fridays, where a musical guest performs in the museum. Musician Joni NehRita is set to perform and share some original songs about witnessing the work of Art Not Shame.
