Art Workshops at Riverdale Hub
Learning Through Art:
An Introduction to Indigenous Cultural Practices Workshop Series
An Introduction to Indigenous Cultural Practices, a hands-on workshop series and public exhibition guided and co-created by four Indigenous professional artists.
Rooted in shared learning and creative exchange, this series offers a welcoming space to gather, listen, create, and build relationships. Through art-making, participants will be invited to explore themes of land, resilience, and community. The program centres Indigenous knowledge and artistic practice, honouring culture as something living, and connected to place.
The Riverdale Hub is grateful to the Canada Council for the Arts for their generous support in making this project possible.
About the Art Workshops and Artists
The series includes eight free workshops (two led by each artist), each three hours in length, held on Saturdays afternoons between April and June 2026. The program will culminate in a public exhibition at the Riverdale Hub Gallery in September 2026, featuring work created by both the participating artists and community members.
No prior artistic experience is required — only openness, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. This program warmly welcomes newcomers, BIPOC community members, and those who may not always see themselves reflected in traditional arts spaces. All are welcome.
Participants will learn alongside four Indigenous artists, each sharing their unique practice, cultural teachings, and creative perspective.
Accessibility & Community Care Information
All materials are provided. Workshops are designed to be welcoming, supportive, and accessible. We are committed to reducing barriers to participation and will invite participants to share any access needs during registration so that we can provide appropriate accommodations. For Bradley Reinhart’s workshop, we have iPads available for up to 12 participants. If you have your own iPad, please indicate this when you register.
Bradley J. Reinhardt
Bradley J. Reinhardt (Ojibway, Batchewana First Nation) will introduce digital painting using iPads and the program Procreate in his first session, followed by a traditional painting workshop to bring your digital creations to canvas. Reinhardt will first share his own work: he draws from the rich heritage of Woodland art and infuses elements of punk and street culture. He will also share the Seven Grandfather Teachings and showcase examples of historical and contemporary Indigenous artists. Participants will learn the basics of Procreate and explore personal storytelling through digital media & paint. All equipment will be provided to ensure accessibility.
* iPads are available for up to 12 participants. If you have your own iPad, please indicate this when you register.
Workshop dates:
Saturday, June 20th from 1pm to 4pm
Saturday, June 27th from 1pm to 4pm
Saturday, June 20th from 1pm to 4pm
Saturday, June 27th from 1pm to 4pm
Mel Bartel
Mel Bartel (Nishinaabe, Lac Seul First Nation, Wolf Clan) will lead beadwork sessions centered on hoop earrings as representations of the Sacred Circle. Participants will incorporate colors and patterns of personal or cultural significance. In her second session, Bartel will introduce her painting series Hope, a body of work that explores and inspires optimism across the spectrum of human aspiration—from love and career to personal growth and resilience.
Workshop dates:
Saturday, May 30th from 1pm to 4pm
Saturday, June 6th from 1 pm to 4pm
Saturday, May 30th from 1pm to 4pm
Saturday, June 6th from 1 pm to 4pm
Kathlene Eley
Kathlene Eley (Mohawk, Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory) will work with participants to create forest and nature inspired mushroom ornaments using polymer clay, real preserved moss, quartz crystals and stones, and a variety of natural and decorative elements. Alongside the making process, Eley will share reflections on the value of community and creativity as forms of resilience, drawing parallels between human relationships and mushroom growth within forest ecosystems, as well as the significance of community and art for First Nations peoples.
Workshop dates:
Saturday, April 4th from 1pm to 4pm
Saturday, April 18th from 1pm to 4pm
Marcel Charlebois
Marcel Charlebois (Ojibway, Bear & Wolf Clans, Beausoleil First Nation) brings over 30 years of experience as a dreamcatcher artist and advocate. Over the course of two sessions, participants will learn the origin and spiritual significance of dreamcatchers and create a large dreamcatcher using natural materials. They’ll reflect on hopes from their past, or future aspirations.
Workshop dates:
Saturday, May 9th from 1pm to 4pm
Saturday, May 16th from 1pm to 4pm
Saturday, May 9th from 1pm to 4pm
Saturday, May 16th from 1pm to 4pm
Exhibition: Learning Through Art: An Introduction to Indigenous Cultural Practices
Exhibition Reception
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 2 to 4pm
The culminating exhibition Learning Through Art: An Introduction to Indigenous Cultural Practices is now on display, bringing together artwork by Indigenous artists Kathlene Eley, Marcel Charlebois, Mel Bartel, and Bradley J. Reinhardt, alongside pieces created by workshop participants.
We warmly invite you to the exhibition reception this Saturday. Come experience the artwork, meet the artists and participants, and celebrate the learning, creativity, and connections that emerged through the eight workshops held from April to June, 2026.
The exhibition also features a selection of paintings by Diane Montreuil, a Métis Algonquin artist and Knowledge Keeper. Diane will lead a smudging ceremony during the exhibition reception, offering a meaningful opportunity to connect with Indigenous teachings and traditions.
kind words from participants
Throughout the workshops, participants had the opportunity to explore Indigenous art-making, storytelling, and conversation.
These reflections capture the spirit of the program and the enthusiasm, curiosity, and creativity that participants brought to each workshop.
