By Ken Hirter

This month’s Walkabout finds me back on the James Street North Strip catching the beautiful pockets of color.

James Street North between York Street Blvd to Liuna Banquet Hall came alive the 2nd Friday of each month. This past summer between the months of June till September saw the closure of James Street N to the traffic opening the street to the people of Hamilton, from Hamilton’s North End and beyond. 

These events celebrated the Art Crawl and the Super Crawl seeing shopkeepers and restaurants keeping their shops open later in the evening along James N.

 It was wonderful to see so many people take to the Streets and enjoy the beautiful Summertime weather. The neighborhood came alive!

Supercrawl was held from September 8th to September 10th 2023. The artist, artisans, clothiers, crafters, musicians came out along with the food trucks. They all set up shop on James Street North and the side streets. This year’s event also had 2 main stages and a kids zone.

Oncè every year a new Art Installation is installed and dons the side wall of the CBC building on James Street North at Vine Street. This year’s work is by artist Stylo Starr titled: “Reckoning” a 2023 digital collage.

After Supercrawl, what was left to admire was the new art for 2023 and a few older ones that adorn the alleyways, corridors and along James Street North. These are the talent of professional painters and artists.  

* Pease note with permission before painting be given by the owners/landlords of these buildings. To walk through these masters of their crafts you would be amazed.

I love living in the hub and center of these wonderful events from the Art Crawl, Mini Super Crawl & Supercrawl this past Summer, it was absolutely wonderful. It was a pleasure for myself and friends to have taken part in this year’s events. Seeing people from all over visiting, thoroughly enjoying themselves and having fun; it was the end of the most enjoyable summer season.

*:Please note that the Art Crawl continues throughout the calendar year and falls on the second Friday of each month on James Street North.   

Fall has now officially arrived, so get out and walkabout, go see the colorful pockets of changing leaves, enjoy the art on the walls from the alleyways, corridors and the streets in your neighborhood near you.

Till next time.