Being an art lover I always prefer to visit art museums or galleries wherever I go to explore the artworks of different artists from all over the world. That’s why I usually choose my travel destinations accordingly. If you are in Canada and love to experience unique artwork, I would suggest you visit the Ottawa Art Gallery.
Located in the city’s heart, the Ottawa Art Gallery(OAG) is a public art museum situated on traditional Anishinābe Aki. Apart from sharing and acquiring art, it is also the cultural hub of the city. The gallery showcases historic as well as contemporary Canadian art. Providing a home to the art and artists of the Ottawa-Gatineau region, the gallery holds over 1,500 local, national, and international artworks.
This cultural hub features a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, and digital art along with various educational and outreach programs and events. The Ottawa Art Gallery, is a very vibrant cultural hub, capturing the eyes of visitors across the city and beyond.
Earlier known as “The Gallery at Arts Court”, the OAG was founded in an effort by artists to represent local art, in 1988. Its name changed to Ottawa Art Gallery in the year 1993 and a survey exhibition for local art was held soon after its opening which included artworks by more than 150 artists.
The art gallery was established as a nonprofit organization in an attempt to allow artists to represent the city of Ottawa. In the year 2018, a new 55,000-square-foot area was added to the original building growing it three times its previous size. This expanded OAG building opened on 28th April 2018.
The new building includes exhibition galleries, a rooftop terrace, a cafe, and a gift shop for visitors to shop from after exploring the art galleries.
What’s There in Store for You?
The Ottawa Art Gallery’s collections include over 1,500 works of contemporary and historic art, which focus on the artwork of Canada. It is mainly known for its two main collections: The City of Ottawa-owned Firestone Collection of Canadian Art, and its permanent collection.
Firestone Collection of Canadian Art
The Ottawa Art Gallery is known for housing the City of Ottawa-owned Firestone Collection of Canadian Art (FCCA), which it became the custodian of in 1992. The Firestone family donated their collection to the Ontario Heritage Foundation in 1972, to make it accessible to the public. The Foundation later transferred this ownership to the Ottawa Art Gallery.
The Permanent Collection
The permanent collection of the Ottawa Art Gallery is a growing artwork of thousands of works of art by historic and contemporary Canadian artists. You will find paintings, sculptures, films, photographs, and new media from all over Canada. Some of the notable works in the Ottawa art gallery include Tom Thomson’s “Northern Lake” (1914), Alma Duncan’s “Summer Tangle” (1979), and Wanda Koop’s “Road Trips” (2010). International contemporary art includes artwork from various corners of the world, such as Asia, America, and Europe. The work features various media, including painting, video, installation art, and sculpture.
Exhibitions
It’s not just limited to collections but the Ottawa Art Gallery also hosts a variety of exhibitions throughout the year which showcase both contemporary and historic art of Canada. These exhibitions portray the culture and identity of Canada through different themes, ranging from solo shows to group exhibitions. Some recent popular exhibitions were:
- Wilfrid Flood (1904 – 1946)– Flood’s paintings were done in oil, pencil, pastel, and watercolours and gave a sense of warmth to the viewers. The paintings captured a strong sense of the Ottawa-Gatinueau region. The exhibition started in January 2023 and will be continued till February 2024.
- Reference point– The year 2023 marked the Ottawa Art Gallery’s 35th anniversary and so in the celebration, the exhibition showcased recent historical acquisitions and artwork that was created before 1988. They help to widen the story of their evolution as a community.
- Interconnected– It is a group exhibition. It contains artwork that explores the relationship between depth, form, and colour. A wide variety of media is used to portray depth and flatness such as digital painting, fibre art, digital collage, and painting.
- Àdisòkàmagan / Nous connaître un peu nous-mêmes– This exhibition was held in 2019 and was based on indigenous stories, traditions, and cultures.
Events
Along with the numerous exhibitions it hosts, the Ottawa Art Gallery also offers various events throughout the year, including workshops, performances, and artist talks. I recommend you to join them. The reason I am saying this is these events provide opportunities to interact with the artists whose work has impacted them and learn more about them and their creative process. Some recent events held at the gallery include a workshop on cyanotype printing and a talk show by the artist Jinny Yu. The events are organized every week and are accessible to all.
Such art collections and exhibitions provide you with a wide range of art experience that aims to inspire, educate and engage. You can also join other programs such as guided tours, lectures, and workshops to understand the idea behind the creative work of the artist.
The Ottawa Art Gallery is an important cultural institution located in the heart of Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. It is known for housing a diverse collection of art from Canada that depicts Canadian history and art. Admission to the Ottawa Art Gallery is free, although they do accept and appreciate donations. Pre-registration is not required anymore, so you can simply walk in.
Overall, the Ottawa Art Gallery is a must-visit destination for those who are interested in Canadian culture and its art. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor to the region, a trip to the art gallery is a must-see as it is sure to be an enlightening and enthralling experience.
Last Updated on April 21, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani
