Art is the Answer: Exploring Art Hives in London

Writen by Katie Wilhelm for the 'Art Hives Creative Summit Keynote Speech - June 15, 2026

Introduction

Hello everyone. My name is Katie Wilhelm. I am a designer and an artist; I’m a board director with the London Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Theatre, and a proud Indigenous woman from the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. 

But before I worked in design and consulting, I was a young adult looking for community in London. 

Art wasn't just something I created for money - like I did as a freelance graphic designer making show posters for APK Live, through arts organizations that I co-created like 379 Collective, (a creative production and events management company), like LondonFuse, an arts and culture publication, or The Met, a weekend artisans market on Dundas Street in Downtown London. 

These projects shaped my career - but it was my art practices that allowed a way to connect, to start healing from a traumatic childhood that also included houselessness, to learn and gain confidence, and to find my place in the world and brought me to where I am today.

You know - some of the most powerful moments I've witnessed haven't happened in offices or boardrooms. They’ve happened when people are given a space and a voice, and I’ve seen how art can transform lives.

For several years, I was involved with Artfusion, a community arts organization in London with a gallery space in Citi Plaza, a curated art show that took over a different space every to host a new collection of local artwork each month, and a mural production company responsible for the bird artwork behind Innovation Works and the Octopus on Dundas Street, among several others.

I was a co-director at Artfusion Gallery, where we showcased 5,000+ pieces of artwork by 500+ artists and contributed to 100+ events over 3 years.

Through that experience, I saw firsthand what happens when creativity and access to opportunity in the arts become accessible to everyone.

And this is what brought me to the Art Hives, and the discussion we are having today. 

What I Learned Through Artfusion

From those experiences of Artfusion, I want to share 3 main observations:

Observation 1: Art creates belonging

I watched people who felt isolated find connection through creativity. Sometimes they didn't have the words to introduce themselves, but they could share their artwork and start to find their voice. 

Showcasing both emerging artists alongside established, we saw how community can be curated through a diverse description of what “art” and being an “artist” is.

We featured artists who experience homelessness or transient housing, who would tell me that the reason they stopped ‘using’ once a month was to create their piece to put in the monthly Artfusion.

The gallery space also served as a common place for caregivers to come check in on their clients or loved ones, asking “have you seen Person A today?”

It was a space for art that led to a community and the sense of belonging that gave people the hope and drive to keep going.

Observation 2: Art builds confidence and changes lives

I've seen people arrive saying, 'I'm not a professional artist,' only to later become proud of the life they created. 

The mural productions and gallery spaces were often facilitated by volunteers in partnership with St. Leonard’s Community Services - who saw youth charged with illegal graffiti activity work off their community hours doing their artwork on legal murals and canvas on the walls of the Artfusion productions, and saw the impact of giving back. 

These small moments of accomplishment seen over and over again built confidence and changed lives - including mine. 

Observation 3: Art creates community

When people create together, barriers begin to disappear. Age, culture, language, profession, background—we start seeing one another as community members. 

Building empathy is something the world desperately needs today. The greatest example I ever saw of this was through the Steven Watson Memorial Mural, the Octopus Mural on Dundas Street.

Created to honour the life of Stephen Watson, a co-founder of Green Peace and Londoner, it features his last painting, called Octopus’ Garden and is about 90 feet high and 200 feet wide. 

It was completed from August 6 – August 29, 2013, by a team of volunteer artists using 10 tonnes of paint donated in a community paint drive and equipment rented with $30,000 raised over 3 months, by a team of volunteer committee members from local businesses, many along Dundas Street. 

The launch of the mural was celebrated with Artfusion Fest 3, a 3-day block party featuring live art on 2 buildings, 15+ musical performances, 20+ craft vendors, and a special performance by award-winning Canadian DJ “Skratch Bastid.” An estimated 2800+ patrons attended the weekend festivities, with the mural gaining international attention through Stephen Watson’s extended network and legacy.

It is amazing what community can do what they come together through art and vision and compassion.

So, Why a Creative Summit for Art Hives?

When I first heard about Art Hives, it reminded me so much of Artfusion - and I thought about the service gaps within our community today that Artfusion programs used to fill.

Then, I thought about the London Chamber of Commerce Summit in 2022, when we were new to our UNESCO City of Music designation, and brought together leaders in the local creative industry to ask “what's next?’

One clear call to action was to include the makers in the discussion and to recognize that art can solve some of our community's biggest problems. I heard business leaders eager to support solutions but not sure where to start.

Today, our biggest problem is on our doorsteps, and one that Art Hives looks to provide support for. 

The Challenge

The question isn't whether art changes lives. We've seen that happen countless times.

The question is: What could an Art Hive look like in London, and how do we build it together?

Today is not about recreating another organization's model. It is about creating something shaped by this community, for this community.

So I encourage you to enter the discussions today with an open mind.

Ask the hard questions.
Share your experiences.
Challenge assumptions.
Listen deeply.

Your voice matters in this process because the future of Art Hives in London will be shaped by the people in this room.

The Solution

The artwork people create is important. Yes. 

But what often matters most is the belonging, confidence, and community that are cultivated alongside it.

Art is not just about making things. It's about making connections.

What happens next is up to all of us.

Miigwetch!