About Us

ORGANIZATION

Tide Pool is a socially-engaged art center that looks to empower Hamilton’s population through artistic opportunities and inspire community outreach. Tide Pool looks to bring together art and artists within Hamilton and encourages broad involvement and participation to build relationships within the community.

Our space currently includes an art gallery and community gathering space. Our artist residency program and performance art space are in progress as we look forward to initiating artist driven social practice projects and exhibiting work that stretches beyond our walls. We work with neighbors and community partners through asset-based development to promote programming and encourage visionary practices.

MISSION

Tide Pool creates community fulfillment through artistic opportunities. With exhibitions, creative engagements and collaborations we LISTEN. Tide Pool is artist led, ACCOMMODATING the concerns and interests of contemporary creatives. Tide Pool uses our platform to SHARE the ideas, expressions and work with the community.

Vision

Artists and communities remaking their world together.

Values

We share resources, build connections, and encourage creative experiments.

Consideration

We listen and learn, cultivating a culture of curiosity and empathy.

Community

We center the needs of artists in order to discover opportunities that can bring people together.

Experimentation: We seek out novel approaches to seemingly impossible problems through art.

Optimism

We believe that collectively we are enough and that things can be better.

DIVERSITY INCLUSION

Tide Pool believes in a world that is inclusive in approach, equal in opportunities, and equitable in outcomes for all. As a conduit for community change through artist opportunities including funding, professional development, mentorship, connection and advocacy, TidePool views every project as an opportunity to act on these ideals and support social justice in all its forms. TidePool uses our platform to amplify the ideas, expressions, and work through which the world is made more joyous and equitable.

STATION 7 FIREHOUSE HISTORY

The Station 7 Firehouse has been a significant fixture in the Hamilton community for over a century. Established in 1911, it served as a firehouse until 2012, when it was closed by the city of Hamilton. In 2021, the historic building was purchased by Tide Pool founders, Heather Bernal and Kate Yerigan, who have continued to invest in its rehabilitation, transforming the first floor into a community outreach and arts center, with short-term rental spaces upstairs.

The building's enduring presence and adaptive reuse reflect Hamilton's commitment to preserving its historical landmarks while meeting contemporary community needs and cultural enrichment. By converting the former firehouse into an arts center, the project aims to provide a hub for creativity, learning, and community engagement, contributing to the revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood.

OUR SUPPORTERS

Grant and Sponsorship Support. Tide Pool is grateful to the funders listed below who contributed to our 2025 fiscal year programs, exhibitions, and operations. Without their support it would not be possible to fulfill our mission to be a catalyst for social engagement and cultivate artistic development.