Art crawl and great weather bring residents to Holmedale

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There is a lot to love about living in Holmedale, says Caitlin Robertson.

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“I’m never moving, I’m never leaving,” Robertson of Fey Child Art & Jewelry declared. “I love having a park at the top of the road that has a skating rink in the winter.

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“I love that the school will be within walking distance for my kids and that the high school will be within walking distance for my kids”

Robertson, formerly of Burlington, said one of the most amazing things about the neighbourhood is the age of the homes. Each home has a unique footprint reflecting different owners over the years.

It’s a small, tight knit community with open space giving Robertson plenty of opportunity speak with neighbours.

The neighbourhood is also home to the annual Holmedale Art Crawl – another feature that appeals to Robertson, a resident of Brantford since 2020.

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The art crawl is a self-guided tour of an area between Brant Avenue, Scarfe Avenue, Grand River Avenue and Parkside Drive. This year’s event, held Sunday, included more than 40 artisans at 30 different locations.

A graduate of Sheridan College arts program, Robertson had an exhibit of her work in front of her home for those walking through the neighbourhood.

“I’m a dabbler,” Robertson said with a smile. “I have jewelry, I have prints, screen prints as well as etching prints.

“But mainly I focus on jewelry – earrings and bracelets.”

Robertson has been participating in the art crawl for the past three years and said it is her first big regular show as an artist.

It gives her a chance to showcase and sell her work.

“The work that I do brings me a great deal of joy and through the art crawl I now know that it brings other people joy as well,” Robertson said. “It’s so fulfilling and instead of finding events to attend, I’m here at my house speaking to my neighbours and welcoming people to the neighbourhood.”

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People exchange business cards, share information and promote artisans in the neighborhood which can lead to more sales and commissions.

“I feel like a real artist,” Robertson said.

Although Robertson, like others affiliated with the art crawl, was delighted with the weather, she said the event attracts people even in inclement weather.

“My first year it was cold, rainy and miserable but we still had a lot of people come out,” Robertson said. “It’s something that people really enjoy.”

The art crawl is organized by a small group of artists including Kim DiFrancesco, who volunteer their time to promote the event.

“We had an amazing day,” DiFrancesco said. “We couldn’t have asked for better weather and there were a lot of people walking through the neighbourhood and visit our artisans.

“What really struck me was the number of young people, couples in their 20s and 30s who were out and about.”

The event featured a range of art forms including painting, photography, crochet, jewelry-making and pottery in an area that has become a creative hub in Brantford.

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