City of Hamilton Plein Air Festival June 5, 2025

This is a painting that was painted for a festival/competition sponsored by a wide number of interested parties, such as Mayor Horvath, Councillor Kroetsch, the Conservation Authority, Tourism Hamilton, the Art Gallery of Hamilton etc. The subject, "Cathedral Place", is located in Councilllor Kroetch's ward, and while I painted it, I was very conscious of people who made the Church grounds their home. Every person who passed by was encouraging and positive about my painting; not like other "kibitzers" who sometimes saw me only as an audience for themselves ("My daughter is a wonderful artist -- you should see her work.")

The plaque explains that the local parrish (presumably Roman Catholic) was in place by 1852 but the present building erected some thirty years later. It is now an Anglican church, and appears to staffed seven days a week by volunteers in the kitchen. I was inspired to use the French version of the plaque for the title "La Cathédrale de l'Eglise du Christ", which, along with the flags and the Oilers' jersey, show what a wonderfully diverse place Hamilton is!