to play is to be whole: freeplay mural and wheatpasting

Image shows a colorful text-based poster that has been hand-drawn onto white paper that markers have bled onto, in spare, organic splotches. The title reads: ‘to play is to be whole’, and the subtitle reads: ‘freeplay community mural’, and the words take form in vibrant lines of blended primary color. Text is also typed in the bottom left corner listing: curated and hosted by Carmella Dolmer, Saturday. July 19th, 1-4pm, at the Hamilton Artist Inc.

Jul 19, 2025 1 - 4pm / The Inc.

‘To play is to be whole’
Freeplay & mural wheatpasting
Curated & hosted by Carmella Dolmer
Saturday, July 19th
Play drop-in: 1-3pm
Wheatpasting: 3-4pm

Carmella’s ‘To play is to be whole’ is a free picnic-style freeplay and mural making event, with all materials provided. Participants are welcome to bring their own mediums, but sharing and collaborative-making is encouraged. The finished plays will be wheat pasted onto the eastern wall of the courtyard gallery, to form a collage-style community mural. There will be snacks, drinks, and collaborative spotify-jams to share in the tunes. Bring your dogs, cats, coworkers, and babies! Drop-in, no registration required.

“It’s been a long time since I last played, and I wish to remember how it feels to not be weighed down by perfectionistic fear while doing things that bring me joy. I use play as therapy, and I wish to create that nurturing space for myself, and for others, in a way that can also provide a formal gallery-exhibition credit for participating folks to put on their CV’s after, because I really think that playing without expectation, even if it is ugly, or silly, or small, is the most impressive and beautiful work there is.” - Carmella Dolmer