Ottawa Valley Community Arts

MEET THE ARTISTS who are participating in the upcoming Good Ancestors Pop Up Art exhibit. Today meet artist Stephanie Park. Stephanie Park is a ceramic artist who creates original wheel-thrown and hand built pottery. Her work is consistently being influenced by the rural landscapes of her home in the Madawaska Valley.... She earned her certificate in ceramics from Haliburton School of Art + Designs in 2018 and recently spent a semester as the alumni artist in residence at the school. In 2020, Stephanie also built her own backyard studio (with lots of friendly help!) where she continues to develop and expand her practice. My focus is on practical, simple aesthetics inspired by the natural world. She loves working with her hands and using time-honoured techniques to create functional pieces for kitchen and home elevating the everyday. I love sitting down on a cool morning or after a long day with a choice beverage in my favourite mug. It gives me a chance to relax and really savour the moment. Check out Stephanie’s Instagram: @spark_pottery The Good Ancestors Pop Up Art exhibit is scheduled to begin in late May. #ottawavalleycommunityarts #communityart #popupart #goodancestors #artistbio #meettheartist #meetthemaker

MEET THE ARTISTS who are participating in the Good Ancestors Pop Up Art exhibit. Megan Spencer is a multi media artist from Golden Lake. If you'd like to learn more you can check out her work at... www.meganspencer.ca @dirthag on instagram https://www.instagram.com/dirthag/ The Good Ancestors Pop Up Art exhibit is scheduled to begin in late May in Eganville. #ottawavalleycommunityarts #artistbio #artist #goodancestor #creator #communityart #popupart #bio #creatives #ottawavalleyartists

MEET THE ARTISTS who are participating in the Good Ancestors Pop Up Art project. Introducing artist Tanya Lyons I have always been a gatherer, collecting and taking in, objects, moments and memories. As I move through life I take traces with me, from the places I walk and the people I meet.... When I unexpectedly entered into glass I discovered a material that had a life of its own, rich with qualities and full of endless possibilities to reflect life. I fell in love with clear glass and the strength it held. I started to combine glass with natural objects to reflect moments and emotions. I used glass as a carrier or shell, placing natural objects within to add colour, texture and a sense of familiarity. I started making life size glass dresses to express the idea of changing how you feel as simply as changing your clothes. Thinking about how different clothing can affect how we feel. As a continuation in this concept and theme of clothing, I decided to reflect back on my time of living in Japan and make metal mesh and glass Kimono’s that hang on the wall. Japanese have traditionally used their Kimono’s to express different aspects about the wearer. I found this idea very interesting as well as being drawn to the simple but very striking form. The Kimono has been worn traditionally and in the day to day for a very long time giving a great history and tradition to the form as well as making them a perfect canvas to express thoughts and conceptual landscapes. This work as well as new work that I have been developing expresses moments in time, escapism and change. Questioning our identity and the rolls we play in society. Creating pieces that trigger thoughts and raise questions about what is really important for quality of life. After living away for most of my life, I have returned to the Ottawa Valley, to the rocks, trees and water, to a place that heals and inspires. Bringing natural elements back into my work and drawing importance to the environment that surrounds and supports us. To see more of Tanya’s work head over to www.tanyalyons.ca or check her out on Instagram at @tanyamlyons #popupart #ottawavalleycommunityarts #goodancestors #glassartist #glass #creatives #makers #goblets

MEET THE ARTISTS who are participating in the Good Ancestors Pop Up Art exhibit. We’d like to introduce you to facilitator and artist Roberta Della Pica. Roberta epitomizes that wise adage, to serve one’s people, there could be no greater honour. A warm, sensitive, socially-conscious member of the community, she has dedicated her passion, devotion and commitment to the expressive arts for health and wellness, and community engagement, as an artist, workshop and manual desig...ner and co-facilitator. She has shown herself to be a powerful force for positive change, helping to make communities more vibrant, safer and even more wonderful places to live, work and co-exist. The Good Ancestors Pop Up Art exhibit is scheduled to begin in late May (pending lockdown legislation). #ottawavalleycommunityarts #popupart #artistbio #artist #meettheartist #bio #goodancestor #maker #communityarts

MEET THE ARTISTS who are participating in the Good Ancestors Pop Up Art project. Introducing artist Lesley MacDonald. I am a maker, mentor and healer. I have been plying my craft for over 55 years. I create functional art that wraps my family in warmth and acceptance.... As a knitter, I work with brightly coloured wool yarn in Fair Isle patterns that reflect my Scottish and English heritage. As a mentor, I have shared my enthusiasm for knitting with people of many ages over many years. I am delighted to teach simple and complex knitting skills to anyone who wants to learn. As a healer in my community, I listen and provide support to folks looking for a quiet space to process their reality. I encourage a strength based approach to the world. The Good Ancestors Pop Up Art exhibit is scheduled to begin in late May. #goodancestors #popupart #creatives #artistbio #ottawavalleycommunityarts #communityart #upcomingexhibition #meetthemaker

We're so excited to bring you our first live (and FREE) DIGITAL offering with artist Tanya Lyons. On Thursday May 27 at 7 p.m. we bring you... Forest Fashion - Wings, Crowns and Wands for enlightened living... For this class we will be using natural objects and mixed materials to create wearable wings, crowns and a wand. We will combine natural and mixed materials to explore making items that can be used to escape the day to day. Using natural items from your backyard or near by we will start with simple natural forms, then you will have the option to decorate these items with objects and materials that you can up-cycle from around your home. The class will be about an hour in length and will run via Zoom. We will provide you with a materials list (so you can start gathering), after you sign up. To sign up simply send us a PM or email: [email protected] This class is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario and the Ontario Trillium Foundation Hope to see you there! #makearttogether #ottawavalleycommunityarts #makers #creatives #forestfashion #artists #cometogether

Over the next few weeks, we will slowly start introducing some of the artists who will be taking part in the Welcome to my World, Pop Up Art, exhibition. Meet Eppo Van Houten. We're so happy to have you on board and can't wait to see what you create! #ottawavalleyart #ottawavalleyartists #ottawavalleycreativearts #artists #art #makeart #creatives #create #artist #welcometomyworld #popupart #communityart #artistbio

The tiny little details in these objects is exquisite. #art #makeart #creativity #tiny #artists #ottawavalleycommunityarts #create #makestuff

Celebrating this yarn bombing in one of our communities. A fine example of creativity in action. #create #createeveryday #art #artists #yarn #yarnbombing #knitting #eganville #ottawavalley #ottawavalleycommunityarts #creativity

Congratulations Kathryn Spooner Bossy!

Interested in participating in one of our Pop Up Art Exhibitions? Here is a tip sheet for wanna be participants. Remember, we are here to help you every step of the way. Please reach out if you need any help. #ottawavalleyart #ottawavalleyartists #creatives #ovcaos #communityart #communityartproject #popupart #art #artists