Art Not Shame

Home
Canada
Guelph, ON
Art Not Shame

Art. Community. Well-being. Social Justice.

Art Not Shame uses the arts to build community, deepen our access to creativity, increase well-being, and create the conditions for inner and outer systems change.

10/01/2026

We wanted to extend a huge thank you to everyone who came out to the Art for Social Change Community Gathering last month 💓

Together, we enjoyed art activations by the wonderful Justine Abigail Yu and Pardis Pahlavanlu, a fantastic spoken word performance by Truth Is... and a singalong with Singing Resistance Guelph. We also celebrated the opening of a new exhibition, featuring community member's artworks shown in dialogue with pieces created throughout the Artivism workshop series.

Here are some snapshots of an amazing evening, most courtesy of Justine 📸

Thank you to OPIRG Guelph for making this workshop series and closing event possible.

~

Image descriptions: (1) colour image, a figure standing in a dim room behind a microphone, with their arms slightly outstretched. They address a crowd not visible in the photo (2) colour image, printmaking materials laid out on a craft paper surface, with linocut stamps inked in teal and purple (3) colour image, a flat lay of hand-printed paper bunting triangles on a wooden table (4) colour image, several figures standing facing a countertop, with sage green cabinets above them and a pride flag on the wall in the background (5) colour image, a flat lay of a justice map, with markers splayed out on top (6) colour image, a figure looks up at an art exhibition featuring various mixed media artworks hung salon style (7) colour image, a hand works on the justice map from a previous slide (8) colour image, hand carved lino stamp letter sets are laid out on a white countertop for printmaking

09/16/2026

Details of the newest community exhibition at Art Not Shame 📣

This display connects works created during this summer's Art for Social Change workshop series (generously supported by OPIRG Guelph), with art pieces by talented community members. The works here emphasize the power of art-making in activism and creating meaningful change.

Be sure to join us this Friday, September 18 for our Art for Social Change Community Gathering, taking place from 6:30 - 9 pm. Enjoy this new exhibition, art activations, performances, good food, and great company! Free and all are welcome - no registration required.

~

Image descriptions: (1) colour image, an angled shot of a gallery wall, full of colourful paintings, prints, mixed media work, and photography in frames and on paper (2) colour image, a detail shot of two artworks. The oil painting on top depicts a family playing Monopoly, and below is a block print reading, "HEART" (3) colour image, a block printed artwork mounted on cardboard that reads, "The truth I speak is my own" (4) colour image, a series of artworks hung on a gallery wall, the main one a cyanotype of a figure in a book store (5) colour image, detail shot of various artworks in pencil crayon and mixed media, hung on a white wall (6) colour image, an angled shot of a gallery wall, full of colourful paintings, prints, mixed media work, and photography in frames and on paper

09/10/2026

📣 Downtown Guelph Construction Update 📣

Beginning September 8th and extending through November 2027, Wyndham Street will be closed to traffic from Carden Street to Woolwich Street. Located at 119 Wyndham Street North, Art Not Shame is positioned directly within this street closure.

We want to keep our community informed on what to expect and how construction will impact your visits, workshops, and events. We understand that these construction developments will greatly affect access to our space, and apologize for the inconvenience this will cause. Art Not Shame sincerely appreciates your patience and collaboration as these projects take place.

Swipe for more information, and stay informed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LMVecm8Eu-S2ffHzQLOEAHsk_pzm2mHc5KGR3lyLxAo/edit?usp=sharing

~

Image descriptions: (1) colour image, a photograph of the Art Not Shame hub's exterior, with text overtop reading, "Downtown Guelph Construction Update" (2) digital graphic, text announcing update to construction and street closure on Wyndham Street (3) digital graphic, barriers to street access and noise and activity changes are highlighted, with mention of pedestrian access to the space remaining open and a commitment to monitoring routes and supporting accessible entry (4) digital graphic, parking and drop-off details are mentioned as street parking will be limited at times in the area. A map of the street closure is above this text (5) digital graphic, a map of Downtown Guelph Parking (6) digital graphic, details on wayfinding and events/workshops are listed, with mention of programming continuing as scheduled and ANS staff availability to assist with navigation into the space (7) digital graphic, a slide with the heading, "Your Feedback Matters!" and contacts to reach out to if needed: For general access concerns: [email protected], for programming attendance concerns: [email protected], and for City concerns: [email protected] (8) digital graphic, text reading, "For more information and ways to stay informed, please visit the first link in our bio!"

09/03/2026

Dear friends,

Songbird: An Unconventional Choir update: Joni was accepted into a post-grad program in São Paulo that conflicts with the Songbird Fall session. Both Art Not Shame and Joni want to express how sorry we are to have to cancel our Songbird session this fall. She is excited to do a deeper dive that will add even more goodness to my toolkit for when she returns in one year. Please join us in sending our best wishes for Joni on this year-long adventure! All participants have been contacted directly.

The wonderful news is Joni would like to offer a special one-time Songbird workshop instead before she leaves! Please join us on September 27th from 2-4pm at Art Not Shame. Cost: $30*

Please register at the link in bio!

*We are committed to maintaining equitable access to our programs. While we strive to make all of our programs free of charge, we do not always have the resources to do so. When a program is offered for a fee, those who are able to pay are encouraged to do so, while those who cannot will receive the necessary support. Our goal is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate, regardless of their financial circumstances, while maintaining our commitment to fair wages for artists.

09/01/2026

Join us in celebrating Art Not Shame and OPIRG’s second iteration of the Art For Social Change workshop series!

We are excited to gather in community to explore the power of art in creating inner and outer change.

We will have art activations with Pardis Pahlavanlu and Justine Abigail Yu, singing with Singing Resistance Guelph, a community exhibition, light refreshments, and more!

All are welcome, we’d love to have you.

Friday, September 18th
6:30 - 9pm
119 Wyndham St N, accessible venue
FREE!

Itinerary coming soon!

~

Image ID: Digital graphic, bold white all-caps text reads “You’re Invited! Art for Social Change Community Gathering” in the centre of the design against an eggplant purple background, above an image of people laughing and clapping and looking towards a performer, surrounded by various collage cutouts and designs.

08/21/2026

Submit your activist-themed artwork to a community exhibition at Art Not Shame, to be displayed this fall! Visit the link in our bio to submit your work by September 3rd at 11:59 pm 📣

Artists and makers in Guelph and the surrounding region are invited to submit art exploring themes of activism, community care, and social change.

What you need to know:
- Those who live, work, and gather in Guelph and surrounding areas are welcome to submit
- Artists can submit one artwork for consideration
- Size limit: 20 x 20 inches
- 2-d works only - must have D-rings and wire installed on back
- We do not take a commission on any sales. Viewers are to contact the artist directly to purchase any work. Artists are responsible for facilitating the transaction and delivering the artwork
- Artwork will be on display until Thursday, January 7th

There will be a community gathering at Art Not Shame on Friday, September 18th from 6:30-9pm to celebrate this exhibition and the Art for Social Change workshop series as a whole. Light refreshments and art activations will be available in our space.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

~

Image descriptions: (1) digital graphic, bold white all caps text reads "Call for Submissions in the centre of the design against a blue background, surrounded by various collage cutouts and designs. Above reads, "Art for Social Change Exhibition" and along the bottom, "Deadline: September 3 @ 11:59 pm" (2) digital graphic, white text highlights the exhibition theme against a blue background, surrounded by various collage cutouts and designs. Above reads, "Art for Social Change Exhibition" and along the bottom, "Deadline: September 3 @ 11:59 pm"

08/20/2026

That's a wrap on this summer's iteration of the Art for Social Change Workshop series! Time sure has flown by.

Thank you to OPIRG Guelph for their support of this series. Their generosity has allowed us to bring in artists, activists, and facilitators to explore the power of art to create inner and outer change.

Be sure to save the date for our closing community gathering for this series, taking place on Friday, September 18th from 6:30-9pm. More details to come soon!

~

Image descriptions: (1) colour image, a flat lay of various zines, cue cards, and a book by Kazu Haga titled "Healing Resistance" (2) colour image, a figure in a green dress sitting on the floor and using white singing bowls (3) colour image, cordage made using plant materials, wrapped and displayed in someone's open hand (4) colour image, a figure with their hands on their hips, wearing a name tag and smiling at an audience off camera (5) colour image, a pair of hands doing lino printmaking, depicting various fish and text reading, "fish" (6) colour image, a figure smiling in front of a little library, holding their illustrated children's book to the camera, titled "Pink & Blue" (7) colour image, collage materials laid out on a wooden table, with an artwork depicting geese in different outfits with text reading, "I'm me" (8) colour image, people seated in a dark walled performance space, engaged in an activity with their eyes closed (9) colour image, a flat lay of children's books on a wooden surface (10) colour image, a figure wearing a mask facilitating a printmaking workshop

08/12/2026

Songbird: An Unconventional Choir is back this fall as a 4-week community choir offered by local musician, song-writer, and producer, Joni NehRita in partnership with Art Not Shame. Songbird: An Unconventional Choir will invite community members (16+) to participate in the art of choral singing, regardless of past choral experience, musical skill or ability. Sign up at the link in our bio or on our website!

Time & Date: Wednesdays, 7-9pm (September 9th - September 30th)
Location: Art Not Shame: 119 Wyndham St. North.
Cost: $140 for 4 weeks*

*We are committed to maintaining equitable access to our programs. While we strive to make all of our programs free of charge, we do not always have the resources to do so. When a program is offered for a fee, those who are able to pay are encouraged to do so, while those who cannot will receive the necessary support. Our goal is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate, regardless of their financial circumstances, while maintaining our commitment to fair wages for artists. Please email [email protected] if cost is a barrier.

08/04/2026

Join us on Saturday, August 15th for the last workshop of the Art for Social Change series! So much gratitude to for supporting this series, and thank you to everyone who has attended a workshop so far!

In Telling Our Stories: Children’s Bookmaking, participants will find a story that's important to them, and tell it through the visual medium of a children’s picture book. Jasper Bryan – facilitator, art therapist, author, and illustrator of Pink & Blue – will support attendees in drafting their own storyboards for children’s books, as well as mock covers so that they can continue creating at home. There will be a focus on being seen and witnessed, telling diverse stories, and community art-making.

📌 Art Not Shame (119 Wyndham Street N, Guelph ON)
⏰ Saturday, August 15, 2-5 pm
🌿For teens and adults, ages 15+
Free - register here: https://forms.gle/2WY3VPjoowp5WW3PA

We hope to see you there!

07/23/2026

This is your friendly reminder to register for Elly Pond's upcoming workshop Beyond the Stereotype: Creating Authentic Characters 📣

Taking place on Sunday, July 26 from 1 - 5 pm, this free workshop invites participants to break the mold! Through movement, writing, discussion, and play, we'll challenge the typecast characters we absorb from mainstream media by creating layered, nuanced alternatives that reflect the complexity of ourselves and our communities.

This workshop is part of the Art for Social Change workshop series, generously supported by the always incredible .

Register now at https://forms.gle/JyCCjA5QmuDCc8Rc6 📌

Address

Guelph, ON

Telephone

+15192657278

Website

https://www.artnotshame.org/, https://linktr.ee/artnotshame

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Art Not Shame posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Art Not Shame:

Want your organization to be the top-listed non profit organization in Guelph?