Evening of Arts, Culture and Discussion About Workers’ Rights at Windsor’s Art Gallery
On May 18, from 6:30pm-7pm a panel discussion entitled “Workers Rights? A Community Conversation” will be held by Art Windsor Essex (AWE) at the Art Gallery of Windsor located at 401 Riverside Drive W. The event is taking place in the form of a moderated panel discussion and is part of the May 2023 AWE Night, which includes a broad variety of art and cultural activities as well as food and drinks, taking place between 5 and 9pm. Admission is $10 for the public and free for AWE members.
The panel will be moderated by Craig Pearson, Managing Editor at the Windsor Star, and will include panelists representing important sectors of the labour movement who are facing challenges in their sectors while significant changes are taking place in the economy. Panelists are: Dave Cassidy, Unifor National Chair of Trades and President of Unifor Local 444, representing 20,000 active and retired members in 32 workplaces including Stellantis assembly plant in Windsor where changes in automation and electrification are taking place, Laura Chesnik, part of Empower Yourself Now and an elementary teacher whose sector is in negotiations with the government of Ontario while various changes are being announced outside of any negotiation, as well as Giovanni D’Alessandro, a member of the Windsor and District Labour Council and of Unifor Local 240 at Green Shield Canada.
An excerpt of the Conversation’s description from AWE states: “Windsor has a rich history of union activity dating back to the early 20th century when workers in the automotive industry began to organize. Over the years, unions across Ontario, most recently salt mine workers and federal employees, have played an important role in fighting for workers’ rights and improving working conditions.”
In addition to the panel, other activities and events at the May AWE Night include the mixing science and art: Algae Painting with INCUBATOR Art Lab that invites participants to learn how to use algae as pigment to create works of art (5-9pm). A meeting of the AWE Teen Arts Council, that includes meeting members of the organization and joining in board games, art activities and fun (open to all ages, 5-9pm). From 6-6:30pm: a guided tour of Jon Sasaki: Aura with Nadja Pelkey and Jen Garden. Inspired by the concept that energy emanates from both living and inanimate objects, “Jon Sasaki sought help from four clairvoyants to visualize auras emanating from works of art created by members of the Group of Seven.” Following the 6:30-7pm Community Conversation, music, food and drinks are being provided by Windsor Eats and CJAM 99.1FM along with Dancing in the dark: A free-flowing movement workshop that includes two casual, free form dance jam sessions in the dark prioritizing the joy of movement and mental wellbeing (glowsticks provided).
For a detailed information on the entire AWE Night, click here.