‘Layers’ juried art exhibition opens as part of City’s Culture Days

The City’s 2025 juried art exhibition, “Layers” – opening next Friday, Sept. 26 and on view through March 2026 – asked artists to explore how they use layers, by adding materials and by building ideas, memories, and experiences.

The selected artists used this process to reveal hidden stories, histories, and changes, inviting viewers to discover what lies beneath the surface, working in a variety of artistic mediums, such as metal, textiles, and found objects.

“The concept of ‘layers’ resonates across cultures, generations, and artistic disciplines,” said Culture Coordinator Olivia Hope. “Each piece in this exhibition offers a glimpse into how individuals process and express the depth of human experience. We’re excited to see how this exhibition fosters dialogue and inspires curiosity. ‘Layers’ is a celebration of the complexity, diversity, and creativity that define our community.”

The “Layers” exhibition will be on display as of Friday, Sept. 26, in the Third Floor Gallery space at City Hall, 50 Church St. Featured artists include Emmauel Akolo, Tim Alblas, Kim Collins, Gillian Dickson, Samantha Fickel, Liz Hayden, Hannah Holmes, Rajshree Jena, Carla Mackie, Arnold McBay, Mori McCrae, Charlotte Moffat, Smiljana Petranovic, Anja Steensma, John Steensma, Donna Szoke, and Joshua Turgeon-Perez.

The City is celebrating our highlighted Culture Days’ weekend of Sept. 26 to 28 with several free, family-friendly events throughout the city, starting with a Culture Days flag raising on the front lawn of City Hall on Friday, Sept. 26 at 4 p.m.

Following the Culture Days flag raising, the public is invited to the opening reception of “Layers” at 5 p.m. in the Third Floor Gallery space at City Hall. Artists will be in attendance, and some will be speaking about their work.

Visit stcatharines.ca/Exhibits for more information.

The “Layers” exhibition is part of Culture Days, running this year from Sept. 19 to Oct. 12. Local artists and culture organizations will bring arts and culture to the community through a diverse range of live performances, events, and workshops. All Culture Days activities are free.

A full list of Culture Days activities in St. Catharines is available online at stcatharines.ca/CultureDays.