Over 1,000 Hamiltonians transform Jamesville construction site into outdoor art gallery

After months of preparation, the Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) and CityHousing Hamilton (CHH) unveiled the completed Jamesville Community Art Project Tuesday afternoon.

Vibrant colours and provocative art pieces from over 1,000 Hamilton residents now hang on the fencing surrounding a construction site in the city’s north end, creating an outdoor art gallery.

For several years, the former affordable housing complex at 405 James St. North was left abandoned and neglected before demolition work began in September.

The Jamesville Community Art Project launched in October to rally people from ages two to 82 in sharing their creativity in decorating the barrier around the construction site.

WATCH MORE: Demolition work at Hamilton’s Jamesville housing complex begins

“The Jamesville Community Art Project is a powerful example of how creativity can bring people together and amplify community voices,” said Shelley Falconer, the president and CEO of the AGH in a statement. “We are proud to celebrate the contributions of over 1,000 participants whose work transforms this space into something vibrant, welcoming, and deeply connected to the north end.”

The AGH and the CHH worked with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, local development partners and the local community.

Students from Bennetto Public and St. Lawrence Catholic schools enjoyed taking part in the project, with some students saying how exciting it was to make the site a little prettier.

The project also worked with local artists Nancy Benoy, Nathan Eugene Carson, and Vanessa Crosbie Ramsay in creating mixed-media pieces.

WATCH MORE: Art Gallery of Hamilton rallies kids to turn Jamesville construction site into art