More than murals: Paint It Up! builds youth skills and neighbourhood pride in Ottawa
Tucked away on Wellington Street West, a vibrant peafowl fans its feathers across the side of a barbershop, a splash of colour that serves as a point of pride for area residents. Since its completion last year, “The Proudest Plumage” has drawn visitors, sparked conversations and helped community members see themselves reflected in the public space around them. The mural...
Grassroots art collective marking 10-year milestone with November exhibition
Ten years of community-based art will be celebrated with a special show later this year. Artawa, a grassroots collective run by Kina Forney, is marking its 10th anniversary in November with the group’s biggest exhibition yet. The event’s theme has not been decided. Forney said she wants to get input from the Artawa members before she makes any final decisions...
Carleton gallery fosters close-knit feeling with textile exhibit, fibre-art workshops
The Carleton University Art Gallery recently welcomed students with an interest in fibre arts – knitting, crochet, visible mending and more – to come together to create and celebrate its new exhibition, Material Journeys. The gallery held a third installment of its “Art + Friends” series Feb. 8, this time with a focus on textiles. Around 50 students sat around...
Agreement aims to keep artists working in Gladstone high-rise development
A high-rise development appears set to proceed on Gladstone Avenue west of Preston Street, a project that will see the renovation of the historic Standard Bread Company building while maintaining a place for the artists who work there. The building, constructed in 1924 and designated as a heritage property in 2020, is home to the Enriched Bread Artists collective of...
‘We need to unearth these stories’: Ottawa’s first all-Chinese hockey team showcased in new Glebe mural
Tia Wong, artist and long-time Glebe resident, turned the story of Ottawa's first all-Chinese hockey team into a mural celebrating local history and diversity.
City seeks public input for five-year plan to transform Ottawa’s cultural life
The City of Ottawa has begun a major public consultation aimed at creating a new five-year plan for the development of the capital’s cultural life. “This is the first city-wide cultural planning exercise since 2012 and aims to help the city better serve the evolving needs of Ottawa’s culturally diverse populations,” according to the official announcement in late March. Everything...
Intersectional art exhibits showcased resilience in Black History, Winter Pride
Black and queer communities flooded Arts Court in downtown Ottawa last month to celebrate intersectionality with two multidisciplinary art exhibits. The early February vernissage, an ode to Black History Month and Ottawa’s Winter Pride festivities, spearheaded the undercurrents theatre festival organized by the Ottawa Fringe Festival. In one room, Capital Pride and the Ottawa Trans Library curated a colourful display...
Crépu celebrates the creativity of Black hair in Ottawa
From a young age, Charifa Labarang had a fascination with hair. Long before she mastered her craft, the Gatineau-based hairstylist and designer spent hours experimenting, using her hair as a canvas for creativity and self-expression. As she taught herself to cornrow, braid, and twist, she discovered that hair could be more than just a style—it was a medium for innovation...
Family of renowned muralist petitions Ottawa library to save two public artworks
In 2015, Denise Trottier emailed the Ottawa Public Library’s main branch expressing concern over the protection of two mosaic murals designed by her late father, the renowned artist Gerald Trottier. Ten years later, Trottier still hasn’t received a definite answer from the library and she is still advocating for the preservation of her father’s art. She said public art plays...
Artists spotlight housing insecurity in ground-breaking SAW exhibition
Ottawa local gallery, SAW's Give Me Shelter exhibit highlighted the ongoing homeless and housing insecurity issues in the country and internationally. While it was a successful exhibit, participants and officials alike say more needs to be done still.
Ottawa galleries are hard at work making art accessible
Ottawa artists and organizations are bringing a fresh and accessible approach into the local art community.
Ottawa graffiti artists say more legal spaces, better education could lead to fewer complaints
Graffiti complaints in Ottawa have risen in recent years, but local artists argue that providing more legal spaces for street art could reduce negative perceptions of graffiti.
Flourishing street art prompting important conversations in the Glebe
Eighteen pieces of art can be found on the sides of buildings in the Glebe. And people agree it makes the area more attractive for all.
City Builder: The quirky world of artist and history sleuth Andrew King
Manotick artist Andrew King has just published another book of little-known historical facts about Ottawa.
City Builder: Jean-François Bélisle is at the forefront of art in Ottawa and beyond
Jean-François Bélisle is bringing new ideas to the National Gallery of Canada.
New National Gallery exhibition celebrates Indigenous beadwork
The National Gallery of Canada unveiled its newest exhibition on May 17 celebrating contemporary Indigenous beadwork.
Ottawa Arts Council announces 2024 awards celebrating artists, upcoming and established
The Ottawa Arts Council celebrated local artists, educators and donors at the 2024 Arts Awards.
Museum unveils new exhibition featuring 200 years of war art by women
New exhibition at the Canadian War Museum features some 70 works by women artists over the past two centuries.
Stone carver Danny Barber keeps an old tradition alive in Ottawa
Danny Barber's work as a Parliamentary stone carver and his sculpture festivals are key to the survival of traditional sculpture techniques in Ottawa.
Ottawa Gallery show explores the intersection of motherhood and artist
Ottawa-based mother-artist collective 44.4 unveiled their first exhibition Nobody Sees a Flower, exploring the complexities of motherhood and art.
Touched by art: Legally blind Ontario painter makes tactile paintings to enhance the experience for all
Legally blind artist, Lynda Todd, presents paintings you can touch in an exhibition called Tap: Please Touch
Flowers bloom on Centretown sidewalks as mystery artist adds colour to the community
An anonymous Ottawa artist has begun spray-painting flowers all over the streets of Centretown in an attempt to brighten people's day.
City builder: Artist, entrepreneur Fiona Khaemba boasts diverse representation in fashion
Fiona Khaemba is an artist, entrepreneur and founder of Ayana Arts, an arts and apparel brand that highlights the work of Black artists.
City builder: Alexandra Badzak led the Ottawa Art Gallery expansion, boosting local art scene along the way
Alexandra Badzak is one of Ottawa's many "city builders" and works to preserve Ottawa's art scene at the OAG.
Living the dream: Ottawa artist Bob Waters celebrates solo exhibition decades in the making
At 68, Bob Waters has finally fulfilled a lifelong dream to feature his art in a solo exhibition.