Local 2SLGBTQ+ Community Invited to Join Six-Week Art Workshop

Article and Photo by Jason Setnyk

Cornwall, Ontario – Diversity Cornwall, in collaboration with Seaway Valley Community Health Centre, is offering a six-week art workshop for the 2SLGBTQ+ community starting May 20th. The workshop will take place every Saturday morning from May 20th to June 24th at the Cornwall Public Library and is free of charge. Registrants must be aged 12 and over, and supplies will be included.

The workshop is limited to 2SLGBTQ+ residents of Cornwall, Akwesasne, and SD&G, and participants must register through the Diversity Cornwall Facebook page. Limited spaces are available, so interested parties are encouraged to register early.

Jade Thompson, a 2016 graduate with distinction from St. Lawrence College’s Visual & Creative Arts – Fine Arts program in Brockville, Ontario, will lead the workshop. Thompson, who hails from both Akwesasne and Cornwall, specializes in creating portraits of people or pets, landscapes, and colorful contemporary abstractions in acrylics, oils, and inks. In the workshop, they will assist participants in creating various drawings and mixed-media works of art to take home.

Diversity Cornwall President Liz Quenville expressed excitement about the workshop, stating, “We recognize the vital importance of peer support and the availability of safe and welcoming spaces for our 2SLGBTQ+ community members, especially now when we are seeing an increase in transphobia and homophobia in our community. We will continue to promote visibility, acceptance and inclusion for 2SLGBTQ+ community members of Cornwall, Akwesasne and SD&G through community events.”

Artist Jade Thompson added, “Thanks to this wonderful volunteer-run organization, 2SLGBTQ+ folks in our area have a way to connect with each other through meaningful discussion topics and create some really nice artwork in the process. It’s very comforting to have these safe spaces being created for us, especially for trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals like myself who may be seeking support and community – whether that’s through Pride events, funding for gender-affirming expenses, or workshops like this one. I am truly thankful for everything Diversity Cornwall has done for Cornwall, SD&G, and Akwesasne.”

The Seaway Valley Community Health Centre is sponsoring this series of 90-minute art workshops. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to register as soon as possible via the Diversity Cornwall Facebook page to secure their spot.