Barbara Ochman (left) and Hannah Terry display their own art pieces. They are organizers of an “Art Party” at the Daily Grind café, which will feature 13 Ottawa Artists.
It started in the guest bedroom of an apartment – an exhibit of nine local visual artists selling prints and original works.
The event was an art party, organized by local artist Hannah Terry. She had never shown her art before and wanted to bring people together for one night to “sell art like crazy” at affordable prices.
For emerging artists in the city, it’s difficult to find a place to sell artwork without paying a commission, making it harder to earn a profit while trying to gain exposure in the local arts scene.
“That’s the big thing – with putting art in a restaurant or a venue that’s taking commission, prices are always higher, and I did want to make it affordable for people,” Terry says.
After her apartment exhibit last fall and another in a backyard, 27-year-old Terry has for the first time secured a public space for her latest event, Art Party III, at The Daily Grind café on Somerset Street West, Nov. 16.
There will be 13 local artists exhibiting and selling pieces – from pencil drawings to canvases and prints – with live music as well.
Mike White, co-owner of The Daily Grind, says their venue usually takes commission from art sales, but for this event, all proceeds will go to the artists. The café will take down its current monthly showing temporarily to create an impromptu gallery for the art party.
“It seemed like the right thing to do,” says White. “This was a good event, and we wanted to do it. We always want to support artists.”
Barb Ochman is a visual artist and friend of Terry’s who helped organize the art party. Her recent “Visions” collection features illustrations in black and white, notably one of hands aligned at the wrist, staggered within a diamond shape. The image plays with depth and symmetry.
Ochman will sell her prints at the event and Terry will sell her drawings. Most recently, Terry is focused on recreating medieval and renaissance manuscripts, hand-drawn to look like calligraphy ink-work.
She and Ochman posted street signs outside their second art party in June to draw people in beyond the artists’ circles of friends.
As they noticed more strangers popping by, they decided it was time to take their show to a local venue.
“It was a really great response. It ended up being a much bigger success than we anticipated,” Ochman says.
Chris Sheppard, a friend of the two artists who attended their previous art parties, linked them up with The Daily Grind.
He says the space is unique, because it used to be a house, and there are three rooms upstairs that aren’t being used.
“I had conversations with the owners about what they could be used for,” Sheppard says.
“Especially Barb’s show, which has been related to people’s home spaces and small rooms – I thought it would be a really good fit.”
With a larger venue in place, Terry says there’s no cap on the amount of artwork the artists can bring in.
She also aims to keep prices affordable – with pieces selling for as little as $10.
“Hopefully when people come, they see a wide variety of mediums and style. There should be something for everyone,” Terry says.
Art Party III will start at 7:30 p.m. and run until 2 a.m. The showing is listed as part of Apartment613’s Support Local month, which showcases creative events in Ottawa.