Image: 2022 Artist in Residence, Vick Naresh, hosts an Artist Talk at the conclusion of his residency, moderated by HAC Program Coordinator, Megan.

In partnership with The Cotton Factory, Hamilton Arts Council offers an Artist in Residence (AIR) program. This opportunity is designed to support the individual artistic practices and professional ambitions of emerging and mid-career artists/creatives in Hamilton.

The AIR program provides a selected recipient with six (6) months of access to free studio space and associated benefits of being absorbed in the creative ecology of The Cotton Factory.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an individual to develop both their creative processes and professional skills in building a successful career in the arts.

Sonali Menezes

Sonali is a Hamilton-based zine-maker, writer and interdisciplinary artist. She brings to the residency 15 years of experience in the creative industries and a deep dedication to her community. With a passion for zine-making as an accessible medium, Sonali’s artistry revolves around the body, food, and navigating the world, while simultaneously expelling the bounds of capitalism.

In 2019, Sonali received the City of Hamilton’s Emerging Artist Award in Media Arts. Her cookbook zine, Depression Cooking, won Broken Pencil Magazine's Zine Award for best info zine in 2022.