Windsor is waking up to its own deeply-rooted arts community
In March 2026, Support YQG presented “Community in Colours” in collaboration with Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO). The project was showcased in Art Windsor-Essex (AWE) as a Something has shifted in Windsor’s Art scene. The first signals of real change. For as long as I can remember, being an artist in Windsor was a challenge – to put it lightly. Local talent struggled to get noticed. The message often felt to myself and others that our greatest chance for success was to hone our skills locally, and then look for another place to practice. So when Emily McKibbon offered to curate an exhibition of mine and The Exhibitionists work for Art Windsor Essex, I was shocked.
Shocked is the word that comes to mind for me. Shocked that they were taking a look at local art and artists.
In the past, the feeling in the community was that the gatekeepers had a mandate to bring in experimental work from other places. And although the community gained some benefits from that model, the sentiment among the local artist community was, if we were going to be taken seriously, if we were going to be seen, we had to leave.
However, this is my world. I grew up here, raised my children here. I have used the story of Immanuel Kant as inspiration to stay. The philosopher never left his hometown and his work is required reading for any graduate of philosophy.
Our current shows feel different, like we are on track to repair the effects of decades of local cultural indifference. Attendance at these recent openings reveal the secret that local artists have known for years – that when we promote the members of our own artistic community, the community shows up to support them. So many people, in fact, that the bartender at AWE ran out of booze at the opening of Skin In The Game and The Exhibitionists Take AWE. He had no idea there would be so many people in attendance. I don’t mind bragging that we rocked the house. People were excited, maybe even starved, for local connection, and what’s more telling is they showed up.
Serious artists don’t do the work for recognition or monetary gain. We’re wired differently. We can’t stop. We see the world as relatable experience that must be shared, celebrated and talked about. A rich, fulfilling life for everyone depends on this. We thrive when the community is supportive of the arts. There has always been a deeply committed group of artists and arts enthusiasts here and my hope is that this recent shift brings a lasting, sustainable and much deserved cultural identity to our city.
Since opening, so many great things have been said about these recent shows. I’ve been walking groups through and doing personal tours regularly. This new connection between local artists and the broader populace feels like an exciting and fully inclusive arts community for the first time in a very long time. I find myself looking forward to local events now more than ever. Artists, musicians, cultural workers, everyone, maybe it’s finally our time to show Windsor what a strong, culturally vibrant city looks like. And to build it on those deep roots.
