Now on, “Awakenings” at Foyer Gallery, a focus show featuring artworks by OMMA’s Elisabeth Arbuckle and JungHee Lee-Marles. The show runs from April 2nd until April 21st, 2024, with a Vernissage on Sunday, April 14th from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, click HERE.

Opening Friday, April 13th, 2024 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Artisan Village, 10 Maple Avenue in Smiths Falls.

“Sixteen artists from Ontario, Quebec and Alberta who explore the multi-layered concept of protest through a creative lens. Artists challenge perceptions and ignite discussion through traditional and non-traditional mediums, assemblage, textile art and spoken word. Is This a Protest gives the platform to the 16 artists’ creative expression on anti-racism, feminism, anti-violence, representation, story-telling and inclusion. Creativity can be a voice, a medium for inquiry, a platform for change! join us in this edgy, thought-provoking exhibition that challenges, inspires, and resonates with audiences. Join us in this edgy, thought-provoking exhibition that challenges, inspires, and resonates with audiences.”

This show includes three OMMA members, Bel Angeles, Magi and Julia Lockie. It runs until May 18th, 2024.

On Feb. 8th, 2024, way out at the Shenkman Arts Centre, Ottawa School of Art held a well attended and very enjoyable critique night. Chrystal Lewis was one of several OMMA members who attended and had their work critiqued. Chrystal said it was “very informative,…while at the same time…friendly and kind. The two people critiquing were Andrew Fay and Adrian Gore. Both very knowledgeable and really listened to what the artist had to say about their work. I learned some ideas of how to plan and what to look for in the overall presentation of my work.”

The evening was so great and well received, Charmaine Swain, our trusty treasurer, is looking into having the same kind of critique night at a future OMMA Members’ meeting.

You may not be aware that OMMA’s President, Elisabeth Arbuckle, and Past President, Sue Shuker, will be tearfully saying goodbye to their much loved studio spaces at Stafford Studios in the Nepean Creative Arts Centre. As they, and five others, leave in March, they find themselves with a lot of art ‘stuff’ to move. They have decided to have an Art Show and Moving Sale, March 22nd to 24th, 10 - 4 p.m., all 3 days. There will be artwork, art materials, frames and easels …. lots of great deals to be had.

Check it out at STAFFORD STUDIO,

NEPEAN CREATIVE ARTS CENTRE,

35 STAFFORD RD., BELLS CORNERS, OTTAWA behind East Side Mario’s

This Saturday, Jan. 27th, 2024, our very own Helen Rogers will be at DeSerres in St. Laurent Shopping Centre from 11:30 until 3 p.m.

Helen will be demonstrating how she does her mixed media mosaics and sculptural art. She will be available to answer questions about her use of unconventional materials and construction techniques as she builds her stunning artworks.

And maybe hang around for a while to check out all the wonderful art supplies at DeSerres!

Call to Artists: "Is This a Protest?" Show

Calling artists to explore the multi-layered concept of protest through your creative lens. Challenge perceptions, provoke thoughts, and ignite discussions through your artwork. Whether it's traditional mediums, digital art, sculptures, installations, or any form of artistic expression, we invite you to delve into the question: Is this a protest? We invite reflections on topics such as climate change, environmental challenges, gender, race and ethnicity, power, anti-hate and anti-oppression, equity, diversity, inclusion.

Share your interpretations, reflections, and narratives on the idea of protest. Your unique perspective can spark conversation or be a catalyst for change. Let your creativity be a voice, a medium for inquiry, a platform for change.

Submission details:

- Artworks in any medium welcomed

- Submission deadline: February 29, 2024. Accepted artists will be informed in the first week of March, 2024.

For more information about entering this show, please click HERE.

You can always count on Elisabeth Arbuckle, our trusty President, to identify a problem and work to find out how we can solve it for our members. Liz couldn’t see the WHOLE website on her laptop. On the “Summer Solstice” Entry Form page, most was showing except the entry form! If you have had problems like this , please read further.

How often have I heard that OMMA artists are wishing for feedback on their work? Frequently. Well here’s your chance to have a professional critique by some of the highly qualified teachers at the Ottawa School of Art.

I’ve been having a great time painting for the Arts Carleton Place Itty Bitty Art & Artisan Sale. There will be 50 artists and artisans (including me) and we’d love you to drop by and see our wonderful new works. Hope to see you in Carleton Place!

This is an annual pre-holiday sale of art items priced no more than $200.  For 2023, this show is planned for Saturday and Sunday, November 18th & 19th at the Carleton Place Arena – Upper Hall, 75 Neelin Street, Carleton Place.  Hours are 10am – 4:30pm.

Artists in many disciplines have sale booths in four sizes.  A central cash is provided and a wrapping service.  In addition to an entry fee for the artists, a commission is taken by Arts Carleton Place of 8% for each sale.  There is no entry fee for the public.  Lots of parking.

At long last, My Covid Collages are being shown for the first time. They can be seen in the Foyer Gallery Display Cases on the concourse of the Nepean Sportsplex (See map) for the whole month of October, 2023. As a part of my ‘survival’ strategy, or at least my recipe for well-being and structure in my life during Covid, a very strange and stressful time, I created a mixed media collage every day for 209 days from July 2020 until March 1, 2021. Only about 65 of the 150 mounted collages are being seen in the display cases at any one time, but I have created a colour catalogue of all 150 pieces for your viewing pleasure. That catalogue is in the Foyer Gallery and may be seen during their opening hours, which are as follows:

Mondays: Closed

Tue & Wed: 10 am – 1 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm

Thu & Fri: 9 am – 3 pm and 6 pm – 9 pm

Sat & Sun: 10 am – 4 pm

This stunning show, on now at Foyer Gallery, features OMMA’s JungHee Lee-Marles and Mary Ann Varley, with FG glass artist, Eiko Emori. Check out the beautiful works; on until Aug. 6th, 2023. For more information and a preview, click HERE to view a slide show of the work.

OMMA Member Bel Angeles sends us information about an exciting new art initiative in Smiths Falls. This is a wonderful example of what we all wish for, a beautiful creative space for artists and artisans. OMMA members might be interested in checking it out at their OPEN HOUSE on May 17th, 2023 from 4 to 6 p.m.

I am participating in the Ottawa Art Battle this Thursday the 27th, 2023

AND

I am beyond excited to share with you my recent collaboration. I am a co-author of a unique best-selling book, “The Creative Life Book: Reflections on the Art of Living a Fully Expressed Life”.

Art Exhibition & Sale

Apr. 29th to May 14th, 2023

St. Johns Church, Somerset at Elgin St. in Ottawa

Two special events, Paint Along Night and Poetry Reading Open Mic.