Nature, Being, Technology and November 18 in Hamilton
Latvian and International Artists Meeting at the intersection of contemporary textile art
How it started
Sometimes ideas come to you without you noticing. You happen to be sitting with a cup of coffee in your hand, talking to a cool person, and a little spark of an idea is born. Then you think – it’s not going to work; it’s too complicated; what are you thinking… but it turns out it can!
It all started when the Latvian Ambassador to Canada Kaspars Ozolins brough an exhibition of the well-known Latvian textile artist Egils Rozenbergs to Ottawa. One autumn evening in Oakville, at a Latvian social gathering, he met Elizabeth Ludviks. Conversations about art led to the idea: why not bring this exhibition to the Toronto area, where even more Latvians live?
Initially, it seemed almost impossible to find suitable premises. The galleries refused – one was too cramped, another too short of time. The idea was almost put aside. But then a turning point happened – a conversation with Emma Sankey, the director of the Burlington Art Gallery, opened the door to The Cotton Factory in Hamilton. The owner , Robert Zeidler, who himself had once been to Latvia for a textile symposium and had even met Rosenberg, enthusiastically agreed: “The space is yours!” But then Robert asked: how could this exhibition do even more? What can we do to open the door for Latvian artists to a wider audience and to open the door for Baltic textile art to a wider audience?
How could we do this? When? Who could make it happen?
HALO (the Hamilton Committee of Latvian Organisations) got involved. Ideas kept percolating and it seemed that the exhibition could be combined with Latvia’s National Holiday on November 18. November celebrations… but how? Then Elizabete contacted Ilze Godlevskis, a successful textile artist living in Milan – why not get suggestions from another textile expert. Luckily, it turned out that Ilze was in Toronto and had time to meet up!
An intensive weekend of planning followed, with ideas being bounced around, written down and erased… written on paper and written on the computer, and by the end of the weekend a much broader possible programme had been developed. A few more friends and acquaintances came to the rescue. But ideas alone were not enough. Would anyone go for it? Could the management of The Cotton Factory be convinced?
It turned out that Robert Zeidler , owner of The Cotton Factory , was willing to sponsor the project, both with premises and with advice. The Hamilton Latvian community supported the unconventional idea of creating a month of November celebrations with textile exhibitions and a symposium. As this programme was now more than just a Latvian community event, in early 2025, NoBa – North Baltica Contemporary Arts was founded, committed to creating events that connect Baltic contemporary art with Canadian and global audiences. The NoBa team consists of Ilze Godlevska, Elizabete Ludvika, Māra Rāviņa, Jānis Ivsiņš and Diana Atvara-Krave.
Our supporters
The exhibitions and the November 18 celebrations would not be possible without the generous support we have received from the LNAK Education and Culture Fund, the PBLA Culture Fund and Council, the Latvian Foundation, Northern Birch Credit Union (former Latvian Credit Union) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Ministry Diaspora Support Program.
We invite everyone to participate and to celebrate November 18 and art!
The exhibits
On 7 November , the international group exhibition “Nature, Being & Technology” curated by Māra Rāviņa (Nature, Being & Technology) will open in Hamilton, exploring how digital innovations are transforming traditional textile practices. The show, organized by NoBa, will feature 30 artists from Latvia and other countries, revealing contrasts: the natural versus the artificial, the handmade versus the mechanical, the traditional versus the innovative.
At the same time, Egils Rozenbergs’ solo exhibition ” Signsof the Times “ will open , allowing viewers to encounter the internationally acclaimed Latvian artist’s work right here in Canada. Rozenbergs’ weaving language unites materiality and idea, past and future. At the opening of the exhibition you will also have the opportunity to meet the artist himself. This exhibition is supported and organised by the Embassy of Latvia in Canada.
“The most important thing about this exhibition is that it shows technology not through machines or screens, but through the tangible language of textiles,” says Ilze Godlevskis, co-founder and artistic director of NoBa. “Textile has become a space where handmade, mind made and the digital creative element meet.”
Alongside this, on the third floor of The Cotton Factory , there will be an exhibition of textile art students from art schools across Canada.
Latvia’s Independence Day Celebrations in Hamilton
A celebratory event will be held at The Cotton Factory in Hamilton on 16 November at 15.00 to mark Latvia’s 107th birthday. . Everyone is warmly invited!
The festivities will be enriched by the folk music ensemble Tērvete Troubadours from Montreal, whose programme will include poetry and songs by Juris Mazutis. The keynote address will be delivered by Kaspars Ozoliņš, Ambassador of Latvia to Canada. The event is organized by the HALO Committee and admission to the concert is by donation.
The gala part will be followed by a festive dinner at long tables and singing with the Tērvete Troubadours. The cost of the dinner is $35 for adults, $20 for students and youth, and free for children under 13.
On the day of the event, both exhibitions, “Nature, Existence and Technology” and “Signs of the Times”, will be open to all guests from 12:00 to 19:00.
Please sign up for dinner by writing to or phoning Ilze Valdmane.
e-transfer to ilze.valdmanis@gmail.com (with a note giving your name and how many will be attending)
phone: 905-529-9028
The Independence Day event is organized by the HALO committee. Admission to the formal event and concert is by donation.
Symposium “Changing Landscapes” – at the crossroads of ideas
On November 22 ,The Cotton Factory will host the international symposium “Changing Landscapes”. It will be a one-day intensive gathering of presentations, panel discussions and a workshop that will connect Canada online with Europe and the rest of the world.
Participants include artists and art teachers Vita Plūme (LV/CA), Ilze Godlevskis (LV/CA), Ieva Krūmiņa (LV/CA), Fuzzy Mall Art (CA/US), Kristina Austi (LT/NO), Jacobo Alonzo (MX), Kadi Pajupuu (EE), Jonatan E. Jurkowski (PL), Maja Gecić (SRB) and
Beatrijs Sterk (NL).
“Technology is changing not only how we create, but also how we relate to our history and to each other,” says Ilze Godlevskis. The symposium will be an opportunity not only for artists, but for everyone to reflect on how art and innovation can intertwine in our everyday lives.
Symposium agenda and information about participants: https://www.nobacontemporary.com/events/changinglandscapes
Month-long Celebrations
November in Hamilton is going to be a colourful cultural celebration this year, combining art exhibitions, a national holiday and an international symposium. It will be a bridge between Canada and Latvia, between the past and the future, between tradition and new technologies. All are cordially invited!
Practical Information
- Exhibition opening: November 7 at 19:00 (“Signs of the Time” and “Nature, Being and
Technology”)
- Latvia’s 107th Independence Day Celebration: 2025. November 16 at 15.00 (Tērvetes Trubadūri, address by Ambassador Kaspars Ozoliņš). Exhibits open from 12:00 – 19:00.
- “Changing Landscapes” Symposium: November 22, 2025 (tickets available from Eventbrite, $50 CAD)
- Location: The Cotton Factory, 270 Sherman Ave N, Hamilton, ON L8L 6N4, Kanāda
- Exhibit Hours: November 7 to December 8, from Tuesday until Saturday, from 11.00 to 18.00
- More information:
www.nobacontemporary.com
- Contact:
nobacontemporary@gmail.com
Elizabete Ludviks
