Culture Days Series – 2 Workshops and 2 Events

Every fall, Culture Days celebrates creativity and connection across Canada, and this year was no exception. Between September 19th and October 12th, Happy Hands Pottery & Art Studio, led by event coordinator and host Angelica Candido, brought the community together through four unique events: two creative workshops (Roots & Reflections and Portraits of Place), a Creative Mixer night, and the culminating open mic and art showcase, What We Carry.

These gatherings became more than just events but a shared moment of reflection, expression, and artistic growth. Here’s a glimpse into how it all unfolded.

Our Personal Narrative – Roots & Reflections

The first workshop, Roots & Reflections, invited participants to explore their personal narratives through collage, painting, drawing, and writing. Everyone has a story, but sometimes it can be silenced; workshops like these are a gentle reminder that every story, no matter how small, matters.

Participants browsed through a rich collection of collage materials like animals, quotes, people, places, nature, objects, and art. Each person began piecing together images that resonated with them. By the end, every individual had a personalized artwork that uniquely captured their essence.

One participant reflected on her story as a yoga practitioner and daughter, inspired by her father, who was a pilot. Her collage of a green field and blue sky became a tribute that was filled with a nostalgic memory and love.

A Journey Beyond Time – Portraits of Place

Our second creative session, Portraits of Place, took imagination to another level. Through a guided meditation, participants envisioned a place behind an enclosed door and then brought that vision to life.

Some found themselves transported to meaningful destinations like Thailand or Mexico. Others imagined dreamlike worlds or tender reunions with loved ones who had passed on. The creative interpretations were as diverse as the people themselves.

As everyone began their collages, scavenging through piles of paper, yarn, and fabric, a sense of discovery filled the room. From depictions of oceans and beaches symbolizing serenity, to abstract portrayals of family expectations using layers of tape, each artwork spoke volumes about belonging and emotion.

A Chance Encounter – The Creative Mixer

Some people we meet suddenly, and the friendship can last a lifetime.

After the workshops, it was time for connection and collaboration at our Creative Mixer. The evening started with networking prompts that encouraged artists, poets, and creatives to share their work and practice open conversations.

Tables were filled with art pieces, poems, and sketches. A spontaneous collage station buzzed with energy during the break, and the creations from this session later became part of the photobooth backdrop for our final event.

As the night wound down, a creative circle opened the floor for an informal open mic. From heartfelt poems to music and even stand-up comedy, everyone got to test the waters before the big night. A particularly memorable moment came when two participants improvised a duet blending Indian classical vocals with hip hop instrumentals. The fusion between traditional and contemporary sounds became a beautiful metaphor for what the entire series represented: unity through difference.

What We Carry – Open Mic & Art Showcase

The final event, What We Carry, was the culmination of weeks of creative energy. From setting up artwork and lighting to preparing food and building the photobooth, the entire team worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring everything together.

As guests arrived, they were invited to contribute to our One-Word Poem Wall, expressing their feelings in a single word. Words like zen, relaxed, curious, and peace filled the wall — a collective portrait of presence and calm.

The night opened with a soft classical guitar performance by Megan, followed by poetry from across Brampton and the GTA — verses about nature, love, heartbreak, and rebirth. My co-host, Andrea, shared pieces from her book Awake, while others offered newly written works.

After we had a short intermission of refreshments and mingling, here people browsed through the wall art from the first two workshops, took photos at the photobooth, and looked at the zine. Our community zine featured gathered pieces from the first two workshops that people got to take home.

As the second set began, it opened with a grounding meditation. I shared the story behind my book Interconnectedness and read two poems written during recent workshops. The evening continued with more performances — Indian classical vocals layered with Game of Thrones themes, heartfelt poetry, and original songs.

By the end of the night, the studio glowed with connection. People laughed, created, and most importantly — shared.

Hosting four events in just a few weeks was no small feat — it required planning, collaboration, and heart. But what emerged was something truly special: a creative community that showed up for one another, ready to listen and express.

The laughter, conversation, and art shared across these gatherings reminded us that creativity thrives when it’s nurtured together. These moments will be remembered — because our stories, once shared, carry echoes to the heart.

If you’re interested in writing and community, you can read about our last open mic event here. You can also check out our upcoming events and workshops at Happy Hands Pottery & Art Studio. For more inspiration and stories from our creative community, explore our previous blogs.

Photographer for What We Carry Event: Colourblind Photography