Ottawa police boardroom, city park renamed to honour ground-breaking Inuit artist Annie Pootoogook
A boardroom at Ottawa Police headquarters and a park in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood have been renamed to honour the legacy and life of Inuit artist Annie Pootoogook.
War museum enhances content on Remembrance Day virtual resource to share ‘stories we weren’t telling’
The Canadian War Museum has added new content, including stories of diverse perspectives in Canadian history, to their Remembrance Day online resource.
Bank Street BIA’s app project augments the reality of exploring downtown murals
Beyond the Art - Augmented Digital Experience allows Ottawans to explore Bank Streets arts and culture while learning about its murals and interacting with them.
Tagwàgi Festival a first event for new Indigenous cultural attraction in Ottawa
The 2021 Tagwagi Festival at Mādahòkì Farm brought dozens of individuals and families alike together to enjoy some autumn indigenous traditions. Attractions included Ojibwe Spirit Horses, a reconciliation rock station, local artisans and a traditional pow wow dance.
Girls rule … word: The 2021 Ottawa Book Awards went to female authors in all categories
Female authors dominate the 2021 Ottawa Book Awards. Six women took the prizes in the French and English fiction and non-fiction categories, along with two poetry awards. Conyer Clayton, an Ottawa-based artist and gymnastics coach, won the best author for fiction for her poetry collection We Shed Our Skin Like Dynamite was published by Guernica Editions. “It made me very...
‘The wardrobe of the metaverse’: Digital clothing could be the future of the fashion industry
In the new age of face and body filters, clothing may be next to dominate the virtual world.
Beyond Van Gogh: An Instagrammable experience could be the future of art
As shows like Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience rise in popularity, Ottawa art galleries are re-examining how they can market and share their art.
Two book projects on New Edinburgh highlight community’s rich history
The neighbourhood of New Edinburgh is the second oldest community in Ottawa and has an abundance of history that is only starting to be explored in two upcoming books.
Inuit filmmaker’s story of shaman’s quest highlights return of animation festival after pandemic pause
The Ottawa International Animation festival held its first in-person screening after a year of pandemic lockdowns, featuring a variety of diverse award-winning animation shorts.
New collections by three Ottawa-area poets shortlisted for Arc Magazine’s annual Archibald Lampman Award
Arc Poetry Magazine selects three finalists for the 2021 Archibald Lampman Award recognizing the year's best poetry collection published in Ottawa
‘Sunset Cruise’: In the company of mysterious creatures, local artist journeys across fragile, melting Arctic
The "Sunset Cruise" exhibition had its opening day on Sept. 04 and is showcasing the impacts of climate change on the arctic through an immersive surrealist landscape.
Annual West End Studio Tour brings artists, art lovers together in COVID-safe event
WEST brings community together for 26th annual studio tour.
Ottawa artist’s portraits reveal personal stories of Second World War
Ottawa's own Elaine Goble was present at the opening of her newest exhibition, "Homage," which features portraits of Second World War veterans and survivors. The collection is on display at the Canadian War Museum.
CityFolk, Bluesfest a ‘kick off’ for Ottawa fall festivals
Live music return to Ottawa with a successful opening weekend at CityFolk followed by a weekend of Bluesfest.
Dunbar Bridge has become a pillar of city’s vibrant graffiti, hip-hop scenes
As a place for legal grafitti, Dunbar Bridge has become a centre of urban art and culture in Ottawa.
Stories from Living Hyphen magazine adapted for play at Toronto’s High Park
nowhen is a two-part auditory and nature-based play that was performed in Dream in High Park at Toronto’s High Park Theatre this summer.
Trans Canada Project gives transgender and non-binary people a platform to share their stories
The Trans Canada Project was started by Kelly Schwab and Cary Scott earlier this year to share stories of trans and non-binary Canadians.
Augmenting our reality: Ottawa ARt City is virtually painting the town
Ottawa ARt City is a digital visual arts festival that uses a locally developed app called Hidelight to allow people to see the artworks without entering galleries.
Past and present meet in Rembrandt exhibition at National Gallery
The exhibition, Rembrandt in Amsterdam: Creativity and Competition, at the National Gallery of Canada makes a strong statement about modern times.
Dreaming of Vincent: Beyond Van Gogh takes viewers into the heart of the artist
This summer the creation, Beyond Van Gogh, will dazzle visitors to to Aberdeen Pavilion where they will be immersed in 300 works by the Dutch artist.
An ‘immersive’ theatre experience goes from Paris to London to Lansdowne Park
A unique theatre experience, called C-O-N-T-A-C-T, is now on at Lansdowne Park where audience members can follow two characters around outdoors and listen to their dialogue on their phones
Three steps forward? Ottawa venues welcome reopening but still look to a better fall
Step 3 in Ontario's reopening plan is opening the door to a return to performances in theatres and other venues, but it's not back to normal yet.
Ottawa Art Gallery to reopen with plan to ‘build back better’
The Ottawa Art Gallery is set to reopen its doors on July 21 and will introduce two new installations to the public as Ontario moves into Step 3 of its reopening plan.
Breaking down perspiration: Carleton professor spends some sweat equity on a book on a very human function
Carleton professor Sarah Evert has written a new book about the amazing science of sweat.
TikTok now wielding a huge influence over who rises to the top in today’s music industry
TikTok has a huge influence over the music industry. It has the power to make songs popular and push artists into fame.
Sobey shortlist: Removing age limit on 2021 award opens an important door for Lorna Bauer
Lorna Bauer says the lifting of an age limit on the 2021 Sobey Art Award better reflects the time it takes for an artist to find their place in the world.
Ontario artworks nominated for international award celebrating commissioned art and design
Several Ontario artworks are among those shortlisted for the prestigious CODA Awards, which celebrate commissioned art and design in interior and public spaces. The awards are given out every year by CODAworx, a global online community that provides a platform for interior designers, artists and architects. Alongside design prizes decided by a jury, two of the top 100 projects are...
Sobey shortlist: Gabi Dao says COVID crisis helped her realize the “healing” value of art
Vancouver’s Gabi Dao is one of the five finalists for the prestigious 2021 Sobey Art Award.
Powwow dancers showcase talents during virtual Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival
Indigenous dancers celebrate their culture with a virtual powwow.
Sobey shortlist: For Rémi Belliveau, there is “honour” in representing Acadian culture
Sobey shortlisted artist brings Acadian culture to the fore
Struggling in the shadows: Pandemic leaves backstage workers facing financial, mental health crises
Backstage workers in the country’s live entertainment industry are struggling with mental health issues, but little research exists to highlight their predicament. Lydon Thorpe produced sound for live entertainment on a cruise ship starting almost every day at 9 a.m. and ending work around midnight for six months. After that, he would take his semi-annual vacation on land. That life...
Ottawa Symphony Orchestra emerges from the pandemic under new artist-led management and no deficit
The 56 year old Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (OSO) has undergone a massive makeover in a bid to to remain sustainable and relevant after the COVID-19 pandemic. The key administrative change involves the creation of an Artistic Planning Committee in place of a conductor and artistic director. The contract with Alain Trudel, the former artistic director ended in 2020. “I think...
COVID consequences: Ontario arts organizations rally against “unfair” reopening restrictions
Arts groups across Ontario are expressing concern about the province's reopening plan and the limitations it places on performance.
Capital Music Awards to highlight resilience of Ottawa’s recording artists
The second Capital Music Awards will take place online on May 7.
In the virtual spotlight: Dance crews adapt to Carleton’s COVID-era showcase
The Carleton University Dance Club weather the challenges of the pandemic's online format as they prepare for their upcoming virtual showcase.
‘A magical place’: Grammy-nominated songwriter sings Ottawa high school’s praises
Grammy-nominated songwriter and musician Kaan Gunesberk fondly remembers his formative experience at Ottawa's Canterbury High School.
Good trick: Magicians in Ottawa and beyond have learned how to deal with the pandemic
Ottawa-based magicians are transforming their careers during a year of COVID-19.
City’s Paint It Up! program embarks on a ‘totally COVID’ year
Paint It Up! Ottawa is gearing up for its first full-year venture amid COVID-19.
‘A landmark show:’ Asian-Canadians reflect on the legacy of Kim’s Convenience
As the CBC sitcom Kim's Convenience comes to a close, the Asian-Canadian community reflects on its legacy.
Rolling with it: Ottawa’s Dungeons and Dragons community thriving online
You blow on the dice in your hand and pray: one missed roll and this could very well be the end of you. The dice rattle across the table as your heart beats faster. Then an outburst of excited shouting, the defeat of a strong foe and a strengthening bond with your peers over the tabletop. How could this moment...
Local photographer partners with Carleton gallery to provide free portraits for 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC communities
The Carleton University Art Gallery is conducting its first collaboration with a local photographer to provide free portraits for 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals.
New to Ottawa, artist makes mark with painting of a drag queen Jesus
American-born, Ottawa-based artists Anna Gale is gaining attention with her portrait of a r=drag queen Jesus called Shezus.
Ottawa’s drag queens have kept their art alive during COVID-19
Ottawa's drag queens have used the pandemic to practice and improve their art form and to test out online performance.
Some light in dark times: Photographer’s body-shaped candles promote positivity
Charlie Baze is a boudoir photographer from Kitchener Waterloo, Ont., recently launched an online business selling body-shaped candles to compensate for the lost income caused by the pandemic lockdown.
Coping with COVID: Making art helping people handle the stress of the pandemic
Art has been helping people cope with the stress of the pandemic.
Karsh Award laureate selects three ‘emerging artists’ for 2022 exhibition
By Abigael Lynch Three young, emerging artists in Ottawa will get a chance to showcase their work next year in an Ottawa City Hall show celebrating photography and other lens-based work. The Karsh Award, one of Ottawa’s top art prizes, is presented every four years to a local photographer or other lens-based artist. The emerging artists were chosen by Andrew...
New exhibition at the Canadian War Museum puts Anne Frank’s story in a wider context
The "Anne Frank - A History for Today" exhibition at the Canadian War Museum held its virtual opening on March 3. The exhibition will be at the museum until April 25.
City recognizes the hidden history in Ottawa’s heritage hydro substations
Five historic buildings were designated as heritage sites. Find out what they mean to the community.
Performing artists profoundly punished by the pandemic, arts groups say
The impact of the pandemic on performing artists has been profound, arts organizations say
Lookahead ’21: Palestinian club at Qatar university plans quiz show, other events to share cultural traditions
The Palestinian Culture Club at Qatar University is showcasing Palestinian culture and history