“It feels like a great big smile.”
A young visitor to the Art Gallery of Hamilton recently used these words to describe Julianna Biernacki’s textile art piece, Meeting at the table, upon seeing it for the first time. The small boy was beaming with joy as he made this comment – a reaction many people have experienced when viewing this colourful and exuberant work.
Created with acrylic yarn tufted onto monks cloth, Meeting at the table hangs on the wall of the main lobby and heralds the arrival of the 2025 AGH art+music+food Festival. The piece perfectly captures the celebratory sense of community that defines the Festival itself.
In March 2025, Hamilton-based Biernacki responded to the Gallery’s call for artists who would be interested in creating work for the Festival. They were asked to submit concepts for artwork to be used in the Festival’s program, posters, postcards, and other promotional materials. Only one artist was ultimately selected to create their final piece of art.
“I was so excited to receive a call from the Gallery and learn that I’d been chosen,” recalls Biernacki. “It’s a true honour to be working with the Art Gallery of Hamilton and helping to promote such a wonderful Festival, which is a celebration of creativity in all its forms.”
Running from November 13 to 23, 2025, the AGH art+music+food Festival immerses participants in a dynamic fusion of artistic expression and cultural connection. Participants can enjoy a wide range of arts programs and activities that cross media, genres, and cultures – and admission to all exhibition spaces is free for the duration of the Festival.
“When creating Meeting at the table, I was inspired by the concept of togetherness in community,” says Biernacki. “The concept went through many different iterations before I settled on the final design, which shows a dinner spread with spots at the table for art, music, and food.”
Meeting at the Table showcases Biernacki’s love of vibrant colour. She particularly enjoys tufting with acrylic yarn because of the wide variety of brilliant colours available.
Biernacki’s fascination with textiles and fabrics was fueled at an early age by her grandfather, who was a tailor by trade.
“He was always making things like pillows, curtain, and pajamas,” she recalls. “I loved the hands-on nature of his work, and that eventually led to my passion for rug-making.”
In the Studio Art program at McMaster University, Biernacki studied painting during her first three of study years before transitioning to textile art during her fourth year.
“The tactile nature of rug-making is extremely satisfying. It’s a very meditative process for me – an escape from the worries of the world. The experience is almost like journaling – I can express my thoughts and feeling through my work.”
In recent years, Biernacki has enjoyed arts residencies at the Sweetpea Gallery in Victoria, British Columbia and the Harvest Moon Society in Clearwater, Manitoba. She currently works out of her studio at Westinghouse HQ in Hamilton, and she enjoys connecting with other artists in the city.
“I’m really inspired by the Hamilton arts community,” says Biernacki. “Everybody is so supportive of one another and we all want each other to succeed. Hamilton is a great place for the arts, which is one reason why I’m so grateful to be a part of the AGH art+music+food Festival. I’m looking forward to seeing the community come together for this amazing celebration.”
For more information about the Festival, please visit: www.artgalleryofhamilton.com/aghfest
