We have been serving women in the promotion of their artistic endeavors in the city of Hamilton and beyond for over 110 years.
We also welcome those who just wish to expand their general knowledge of art.
We hold both selection and juried art shows on a regular basis.
Monthly meetings are held in the community gallery at the Art Gallery of Hamilton and include a speaker and high tea.

In addition to donating sums of money to the Art Gallery of Hamilton the Association has also donated the following paintings:
" Gray Rocks" by Arthur Lismer
" Composition: Red & Gold" by Hortense Gordon
" Looking South on James Street" by Juanita Le Barre Symington
" Children in landscape" by Paul Peel (augmented by Wintario Grant)
" Raspberries on Cabbage Leaf "by. J. R. Seavey

Who We Are

In 1894 ... Hamilton was in the throes of expanding.
A few women, fearful that cultural pursuits would be overlooked in the surging industrial growth, met at the home of Mrs. John Calder.
From this, the Women's Art Association of Hamilton was formed.
With Mrs. Calder as first President they met in private homes and in the stock rooms of central city merchants

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In1914 ... a temporary Art Gallery was set up in the old Public Health Building on Main West and a room was given to the Association for their use.
This group of women constantly pressed for a new Art Gallery, raising the sum of $2,313 for a donation.

In 1946 ... On April 19th the organization was incorporated.
Patronesses were as follows: Mesdames S. H. Alexander, Lady McLaren Brown, Miss Edythe Burroughs,
Newton D. Galbrealth, Charlotte Tutty LeBarre, James Roberts and Honorary Patron:
Mrs. Ray Lawson. Charter Members: Nina Alexander, Margaret E. Galbrealth, Ivy Hannaford,
Florence W. Jones, Agnes G. Mckie, Amy E. Pulham and Juanita LeBarre Symington.

In 1953 ... Mrs. S. H. Alexander (President 1925-1928) turned the sod for a new art gallery at Forsythe and Main Street West.

In 1968 ...Once again the Women's Art Association established a Special Project Fund and $ 12,608 was raised from many events
to be used as a donation for the present day Art Gallery at 123 King Street West Hamilton.

In 1994..we celebrated our 100th anniversary with a gala exhibition at the Art Gallery of Hamilton.
We commissioned Stuart MacCuaig to write our centennial history entitled "The First Hundred Years"and it was published in 1996 to help celebrate Hamilton's sesquicentennial

In 1995...In January, we donated $35,000.00 to the Art Gallery from the Westland Estate to enlarge the collection

Exhibitions

In 1896, the first exhibition of paintings was held.
Every year since that date there have been exhibitions in many galleries and locations,
the highlight of the season being an annual juried show at the Art Gallery of Hamilton

Examples of members' work.
Click on the 'Members' button (to the left) to see more