Keeping Six: This is Our Space Too

This is Our Space Too is a dynamic display of the range, depth, and passion of people in our community who have used art to capture their lived experience with substance use and homelessness, challenging society to redefine our perception of community and who gets to be part of it. This is an opportunity to celebrate, and learn from their perspectives, thus building deeper compassion and understanding. This is Our Space Too refers to all public spaces, including the Art Gallery of Hamilton and the city as a whole. 

Keeping Six – Hamilton Harm Reduction Action League is a community-based organization that defends the rights, dignity, and humanity of people who use drugs. It was formed in response to the ravages of the opioid crisis, and out of recognition of the need for an organized voice for people with lived and living experience of substance use.

The Keeping Six Arts Collective operates under the principle that being engaged in art creation is harm reduction. Over the past two years we have built relationships with people across the city who have lived experience with homelessness and /or addiction. Many of the members in our collective are expressive artists with something to say about the state of our city and their place within it.

There is a section of the gallery for work to be added as it is created – there is space for YOU too.