Artsy in Ottawa – Events to Bring out Your Inner Artist this Spring

Ottawa has a dynamic arts scene, from visual artists working in watercolour, pastel, oil, acrylic, to mixed media, and wearable art. Whether you’re looking to get inspired with your personal style and shop local handmade jewelry, take in the the latest exhibitions, or try your hand at creating your own masterpiece, there are countless artistic offerings this spring, moments from ArtHaus Condos.

David W. Henderson The Four Seasons of Life Presented by Ottawa School of Art

Reflect on the beautify of nature’s ever-changing states with the abstract paintings of The Four Seasons of Life exhibit  by David W Henderson Sunday March 26, 2017 from 1 to 4 pm at The Ottawa School of Art. Representing a step forward from his previous Experiments in Light, this new work has luminous qualities which are his trademark, but imbued with the strength of a high degree of texture. His first works in this series are in the Fall colours; evoking a time of walks in the woods, kids jumping in the leaves, progress and joy in his personal life and career. David’s wondrous Winter paintings evolved from the darkness of the short days, brilliance of the sun and imply movement and the vivid colours of carnivals. Move into the slow unfolding of Spring from the artists’ Vancouver youth, transforming fog into cherry blossoms evoking the sense that everything is possible. Finally there is Summer, a time of disconnect and renewal to face the real world again. The four seasons reflect the nature of life; the perfect Spring event to bring out your artistic sense.

SAW Gallery

Art takes on contemporary environmental issues at this exhibition ‘Protecting the Peel Watershed: Voices from Canada’s North; at SAW Gallery March 20-31, 2017. The exhibition ‘Protecting the Peel Watershed: Voices from Canada’s North’ presents the faces and voices of people most deeply connected to Canada’s last unspoiled and globally celebrated wilderness areas, the Peel Watershed in northern Yukon. On March 22nd, 2017, Canada’s highest court will be asked to make a landmark interpretation of Yukon’s modern-day treaties. Attend the public reception on March 22nd 5-9pm on the day the Peel Watershed case is heard by the Supreme Court. Meet the people behind the project, become educated about this story of conservation and of indigenous rights in the North. Short excerpts from individual interviews are presented alongside stunning photographs from Yukon photographers Cathie Archbould and Peter Mather. Flown in from Northwestern Canada just in time for the Supreme Court hearing, this one-of-a-kind exhibition shares the voices from some of the many whose lives are entwined with this incredible wilderness. Be part of the conversation while your sip some Yukon themed mocktails!

L.A. Pai Gallery

Since its establishment in 2000, L.A. Pai Gallery has made important contributions to the presentation and dissemination of contemporary Canadian sculpture and jewellery, both in Canada and around the world. Located on  Murray in The Market, L.A. Pai offers some of the best of the Byward’s unique shopping experiences. Peruse the one of a kind and limited edition contemporary jewellery collection, hand made by established and emerging Canadian jewellers. With pieces for both men and women, bracelets, earrings, necklaces and even engagement rings are among the possibilities. Higher range pieces are featured such as  ‘Résilience’ neckpiece is a collaboration between Anick Dusseault et Gustavo Estrada in sterling silver, copper, enamel and cotton. For something moderately prices, pick yourself up  a set of ‘Mini Rondes’ earrings by Karine Rodriguez, comprised of silver and 24 karat gold which has been diffusion bonded and formed, resulting in an exciting interplay between two fine metals. Sterling silver, gold and a wonderful variety of precious and non-precious materials make up this vibrant array of wearable art to accessorize your spring wardrobe.

Ottawa Art Gallery Sketchy Thursdays

Draw the natural wonders of spring with ArtHaus Condos’ downstairs neighbour The Ottawa Art Gallery, at their Sketchy Thursdays. April 6 learn the basic of observational sketching with a local artist in the Carleton University Greenhouse. This stunning setting  is Canada’s best university greenhouse complex, used for research, teaching and display to the general public. The set of greenhouses hold comprehensive plant collection of several thousand specimens ranging from popular crop species such as corn, soybean, papaya, banana and sugarcane to some quite unusual desert specimens. Welwitschia, usually found only in the Namib desert regions of South West Africa, resides in the desert room. Find your natural inspiration and create your own masterpiece. All materials will be provided at this free event. The following Thursday, get sketchy at the Canadian Museum of Nature with local artist Alexis Boyle. Home to one of the world’s largest and finest natural history collections, you’ll surely be inspired by the 14.6 million specimens, covering four billion years of Earth history!

Life is art, and ArtHaus Condos is proud to be among the country’s best artistic offerings, where you can work, live and play in the capital’s cultural centre.