By Katharine Fletcher
What are artists near Ottawa up to? Find out on these artsy self-driving tours, which will take you to destinations throughout the Ottawa Valley and the Outaouais.
The irrepressible energy of visual artists means that, despite the pandemic, you can still visit them in their studios by appointment or find their work at galleries. And some creators are still offering workshops, with strict COVID-19 precautions in place.
Read on to find out more about Ottawa-area artists. Don’t see your favourite artist or gallery mentioned? Contact them and let us know whether they’re open. Here at Ottawa Road Trips, we’re always looking for ideas from readers!
And don’t forget: Even during COVID-19, some artists may accept visitors to their studios. Why not contact them, make an appointment at a mutually convenient time and build your very own studio tour amid October’s glorious palette of autumn colours? Note: Because of the pandemic, most artists aren’t offering the traditional drop-in or “by chance” studio visits at the moment, so please call or email in advance.
Arnprior
“The Prior” is home to two artists who have galleries where you can pop in and view regional artists’ works, and even plan a workshop!
Kevin Dodds Gallery
Kevin’s studio is located in his great-grandparents’ home. Full of Canadiana antiques, the studio is also a showcase for this artist’s personal portraits of country life in the Ottawa Valley. From Krieghoff-like studies of cottages peopled with horse-drawn carriages and dogs, to flowers, pastoral scenes and portraits of animals, Kevin’s work portrays a charming view of Valley life.
Happily, he is also offering workshops. “They’ll be small,” he says. “During COVID, I’m offering instruction to up to three people.”
By the way: Do you have art that needs to be framed? I’ve just taken some of my prints to Kevin for his advice regarding framing and I’ll be returning—he offers excellent insights, advice and rates.
If you go: Kevin Dodds Gallery, 47 John Street North, Arnprior. Open 11am to 5pm daily, or by appointment. Call (613) 286-8512 or email the gallery for more information.
ARTprior Gallery
This summer, Rick Gagne opened the ARTprior Gallery, where he exhibits his own and many other regional artists’ works. Word travels fast; visitors have come from Toronto, Brockville, Kingston, Ottawa and Montreal to view and purchase art.
“I stopped counting when I sold more than 90 artworks,” he says. Obviously delighted, Rick’s also modest, adding, “I’m so thankful to my visitors who are supporting us artists.”
Rick understands how artists are suffering during this pandemic. With exhibitions, studio tours and other events postponed, he is thrilled to have taken a gamble, opened the ARTprior Gallery, and seen clients come in and enjoy artists’ work.
Says Rick, “My real goal is to make visitors feel really welcome. We all know galleries can be a bit intimidating, because people might feel shy to come inside. So I just want everyone to know they’re welcome. Come on in. Take a look. Enjoy what you see by way of landscapes, still-life portraits of flowers, horses and more.”
So there you have it! Enter a colourful world of heron statues, carvings, paintings and many other artworks.
If you go: ARTprior Gallery, 12 Elgin Street West, Arnprior. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am–4:30pm.
Merrickville
Many of us love Merrickville’s heritage ambiance, which includes a Rideau Canal blockhouse, and beautiful stone shops and houses. However, the village has a prospering artistic community, too.
MAG Virtual Studio Tour
The Merrickville Artists Guild (MAG) is usually gearing up for its annual studio tour at this time of the year. However, with COVID, this innovative group has created its first-ever MAG Virtual Studio Tour (October 3 and 4). This year, you can take the tour from the comfort of your own home, viewing 24 artists’ YouTube videos (plus a compilation video of their works)—and possibly purchasing some art that speaks to your soul.
MAG artists have a vibrant presence in the village because many live in or near Merrickville. For example, you’ll find Monika Viola’s ceramics at Monsky Creations Gallery, where her husband Gary Viola will help you discover that perfect bowl, box or vase, or other functional—or purely whimsical—artworks.
You can find MAG members via the website above. Contact them to find out whether they are currently welcoming visitors to their studios by appointment.
MAG Window at the Merrickville Food Market
MAG members are promoting a local business—plus their own work—with a mini-art-show in a window at the Merrickville Food Market. The show is by no means static; every couple of weeks, you’ll discover another set of artworks by different artists. So keep coming back to view MAG’s ever-changing window gallery!
If you go: Merrickville Food Market, 205 St. Lawrence Street, Merrickville.
Renfrew
Located on the Bonnechere River, Renfrew was established by Scottish settlers who arrived in 1820. A stroll down its main road, Raglan Street, will introduce you to lots of late 19th-century architecture. But did you know this former lumber town is now also home to a thriving artsy business?
ArtFactory
Painter Patrick John Mills has been making a name for himself and the Ottawa-area arts community by transforming a town landmark—the H. Imbleau and Son Foundry—into a thriving art centre. Although COVID-19 created its challenges, Patrick rose to the occasion, putting all of his art supplies online at his website (see “If you go,” below). If you’re an artist or buying gifts for artists you know, getting your materials from ArtFactory is a great way to support a local creator.
Patrick also has a gallery here, where he’s showing his own works. An inveterate community supporter, he also held two popular fairs this summer. “The artists were delighted,” he says. “Next year, we’ll be doing more!”
As well, he’s supporting Art Helping Canada. This novel idea sees artists donating their works for auction, with proceeds going to local food banks.
If you go: ArtFactory, 11 Bridge Street, Renfrew. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Check out Art Factory’s Facebook page, too.
Gananoque
Known as the Gateway to the Thousand Islands, this town boasts beautiful waterfront views. I’ve also discovered a gallery in Gananoque that’s especially intriguing to visit if you are a photographer.
O’Connor Gallery
Dennis O’Connor is the dedicated owner of this gallery, where he’s committed to representing a variety of artists—even during this pandemic time. Until mid-October, you can catch an exhibition of works by three photographers: Ginny Fobert, Charles Low and Bill Milward.
Not all art galleries feature photographers. Why not? As Ginny explains, all too often, photography is not considered “art.”
“Someone once told me that photography was not art. My goal ever since has been to try and bring my photography more into the art world,” she says. “As many galleries will not accept photographers, I am extremely honoured to have been asked to be part of a gallery exhibit that was going to showcase three photographers. Dennis O’Connor, owner of O’Connor Gallery, is a joy to work with and orchestrated a very COVID-safe person-to-person show opening with live video streaming. The gallery is full of incredible art and a great road trip away from Ottawa.”
If you go: O’Connor Gallery, 130 King Street East, Gananoque, (343) 363-6844.
West Carleton (Ottawa)
Closer to home, the western reaches of the capital include villages such as Fitzroy Harbour, Galetta, Kinburn, Carp and more. All are lovely heritage villages to explore—and all are also home to studios of artists who are on this year’s Red Trillium Studio Tour.
Red Trillium Studio Tour
Head to the Red Trillium Studio Tour’s website for a map showing details of the participants in this year’s tour, which takes place on October 24 and 25. Visit potter Lis Allison at her Pine Ridge Studio, where she creates beautiful handmade dishes, vases, garlic and honey pots, and much more. As a gardener and lover of all things country, I enjoy visiting Lis’s studio because of its location, tucked into a lovely woodland. Also at Lis’s studio find Chris Van Zanten, whose art glass glimmers.
With 10 studios welcoming you, you’ll have lots of opportunities to chat with creators about their inspirations and techniques, and to find that special something to purchase.
Cumberland (Ottawa)
Ottawa’s east-end village, Cumberland, borders the Ottawa River and was first settled by Europeans in 1802. Here you will find Da Artisti Studio & Gallery.
Da Artisti Studio & Gallery
Mixed-media artist Mary Ann Varley and glass artist Janet Evans are currently featured at this Cumberland gallery. Their exhibition, Deconfinement, runs until November 1. If you’d like to chat with them about their works and creative process, contact the gallery to find out when they will be on site.
If you go: Da Artisti Studio & Gallery, 2565 Old Montreal Road, (613) 833-2565.
Chelsea, Quebec
Always a pretty village to visit because it’s the gateway to Gatineau Park, Chelsea is home to many little bistros and shops, and is also a thriving centre for the arts.
La Fab
La Fab is not only a gallery and boutique; it is also a lively centre where visual artists rent studio space. This means you can immerse yourself in a unique experience where, if the doors to their studios are open, you can chat with artists as they work.
If you go: La Fab, 8, rue Mill, Chelsea. Check the website for hours and for information on current and upcoming exhibitions.
Portage-du-Fort, Quebec
Portage-du-Fort is another beautiful heritage village on the north side of the Ottawa River. Before the Chenaux hydroelectric dam was built, anyone paddling upriver had to portage here around raging rapids. Today, the community overlooks a peaceful part of the river, where a small public dock allows you to launch your canoe or kayak. Perhaps you could have a picnic on the sandy beach after you visit the Pontiac School of the Arts?
Pontiac School of the Arts and Stone School Gallery
With its ongoing exhibitions, the Stone School is a great place to check out artists’ works. In addition, artPontiac is again offering its popular artists’ talks. On October 11, well-known Ottawa-area printmaker Tina Petrovicz will lead a discussion on the concept of play as an integral part of her creative process.
If you go: artPontiac and the Stone School, 28, rue Mill, Portage-du-Fort.
Ottawa-area visual arts groups
Many local arts groups welcome you to join them. Several run ongoing “challenges,” where they present members with a theme, which the artists then interpret in whatever medium they choose.
Due to the pandemic, many groups are unable to meet in person. However, they’re still active, with many offering Zoom meetings and other online connections for their members. Contact the groups to find out what’s going on: There may be pop-up fairs, exhibitions or other activities to enjoy. Remember: Christmas is coming up, and membership opens so many doors to creativity and artistic support. Memberships are usually inexpensive, and the rewards are many.
Ottawa Mixed Media Artists (OMMA)
Ottawa Mixed Media Artists president Elisabeth Arbuckle notes, “Our ‘artists with attitude’ are enjoying art challenges, where, every two weeks, members receive an email notification of a theme. They have two weeks to send a photo of their creation to us, which we then post on Instagram. The group will also be engaging in online presentations. We always welcome new members.”
West Carleton Arts Society
Another Ottawa-based artsy group whose active members are still showing is the West Carleton Arts Society (WCAS). Their upcoming Expressions of Art annual show is online this year, with 26 artists showing 243 artworks. Previews started on September 21, and online sales will take place from October 9 to 31.
Some members’ works are also on display in such venues as Zolas (in Bells Corners) and the Juke Joint Soul Kitchen (in Carp). So head out to these restaurants and check out the creators’ works while enjoying tasty meals.
Kanata Art Club
The Kanata Art Club was started in the 1960s. Check in regularly to see what activities are happening. Like most organizations and businesses, they’re hoping to bring back workshops and speakers in 2021.
Enjoy your exploration of our region’s artsy life! Do you know of other artsy destinations? Let us know!
Disclosure: Katharine’s art will be featured during both the MAG Virtual Studio Tour and the WCAS online Expressions of Art event mentioned in this story.
About the author
Katharine Fletcher is a freelance writer, visual artist and author of historical guides such as Capital Rambles: Exploring the National Capital Region. She invites you to like her artist page on Facebook.
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2 comments
Great article Katharine !
Thank you for keeping everyone informed. Road trips are always fun. Rick Gagne is doing a fantastic job at the ARTprior Gallery in Arnprior.
The gallery is well worth a drive.
Glad you enjoyed the article, Catherine!