Autumn road trips from Ottawa for art lovers

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In autumn, nature’s palette of glorious colours compels us to jump into our cars, grab our bikes, and otherwise get outside to revel in the golds, scarlets and crimsons.

Equally splendid is to be invited into artists’ studios when they’re open for touring. It’s fascinating to speak to artists about the process of creation, whether they are making a fine piece of jewellery or an equally fine piece of furniture. And something else about these tours? They welcome kids. Studio tours encourage young people to view art as a worthwhile profession, where creators of all genres are perceived as valuable members of our communities who have something to say about the world in which we live.

Naturally, regional art galleries and other artsy destinations present us with stunning, thought-provoking artwork, too.

From Merrickville to Wakefield, and all places in between, artists await, so come on out and visit us!

Here’s a short list of artsy happenings in Ottawa, the Outaouais and Eastern Ontario this fall.

Artists in Their Environment: Chelsea and Wakefield Studio Tour

Artists in Their Environment: Chelsea and Wakefield Studio Tour (September 28 and 29, and October 5 and 6) is the longest-running studio tour in the Outaouais. Once again this year, it is jam-packed with a host of professional creators. For instance, you’ll find woodworkers such as Nick Barna and Glen Foster, who are design-building beautiful furniture.

Also, gifted painters such as Marilyn Smith will intrigue you with their takes on creativity. As Smith explains, “The process of mixed-media painting, to me, is a joyful but high-risk endeavour. What is not fun about squiggling words and lines with crayons and pencils, scraping gels into fanciful textures, dripping and flinging tar gel and paint? I love that I never quite know what will happen next.” She is also a very active member of the Old Chelsea Gallery at Les Fougères restaurant (a great spot to have a wonderful meal after your tour).

Many glass, ceramics and mixed-media artists will also welcome you to their studios during the Artists in Their Environment Tour.

Chelsea and Wakefield are both extremely picturesque villages bordering Gatineau Park and, in the latter’s case, the Gatineau River. On this tour, you’ll be travelling through one of Quebec’s truly natural, spectacularly beautiful regions—and Chelsea is a mere 15 minutes from Parliament Hill. So close. So much talent.

Details: Follow this link to the brochure and map to plan your tour.

Galerie d’art Riverside

While in Wakefield, you can visit Galerie d’Art Riverside, an art gallery overlooking the Gatineau River that is owned and operated by artist Shawn de Neire. In it, you’ll find many international, Canadian and regional artists’ works. In fine weather, you can purchase one of de Neire’s delicious coffees from his coffee bar, then sip it outside while appreciating colourful art in the back garden.

On Saturday, September 28, artist Murray Henderson will be painting on the front veranda. Murray has raised money with his paintings for Hockey Fights Cancer with the NHL. Also, his wildlife paintings have raised over $1.5 million for Ducks Unlimited. Come meet Henderson at the vernissage that day from 6pm to 9pm. His works will be for sale and two paintings will be available in a silent auction. His paintings will be featured at the gallery from September 30 to October 4.

In fact, De Neire loves to promote his artists and did so all summer long, inviting creators to “paint on the porch” during summer weekends. These popular events will continue into the fall. On October 5 and 6, Pamela Stewart will greet you; on October 12 and 13, you’ll find Johanne Sylvestre painting. These are insightful opportunities to watch artists creating their work.

Details: The Galerie d’Art Riverside is at 735 Chemin Riverside in Wakefield, Quebec; tel.: 819-743-0660.

Merrickville Artists Guild (MAG) Studio Tour and Sale

On the last two weekends before Thanksgiving (September 28 and 29, and October 5 and 6), the Merrickville Artists’ Guild (MAG) is holding its popular annual MAG Studio Tour and Sale.

This year’s MAG Tour welcomes 25 artists, plus others who are associated with various collectives and galleries, which are showcasing their works in Merrickville, Burritt’s Rapids and the nearby countryside. Therefore, this is an exceptional opportunity to discover some of the creators in their studios, galleries and shops.

The bonus? Both these villages are true historic gems situated alongside the Rideau Canal, itself a creative marvel, being Ontario’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Why not stay overnight and immerse yourself in the arts?

In fact, there is an opportunity to visit all of us artists at our vernissage on Friday, September 27, at the Merrickville United Arts Centre (MUAC), at 7 pm. (And yes, I do say “our” because this year, I was invited to be part of the MAG Tour, where I’m the guest of fibre artist Claudette Hart in Studio 13.)

Final point? Calling all gardeners! One intriguing MAG Studio Tour destination is the Rideau Woodland Ramble, whose mission is “to capture the imagination of gardeners and collectors.” Here, you can stroll woodland trails with art installations—including works by MAG Tour artists David Dunn and Douglas MacDonald—featured in the forests and near the ponds.

Details: Follow this link for the brochure and map.

West Carleton Arts Society

The West Carleton Arts Society (WCAS) is one of Ottawa’s most active art organizations, where member-artists enjoy many opportunities to exhibit their works throughout the year. For art lovers, WCAS events are opportunities to get to know and support regional artists.

Cases in point are two very popular annual shows: Expressions of Art at the Carp Fairgrounds (October 11 to 13) and the $100 & Under Christmas Art Show and Sale at St. Paul’s United Church (December 6 to 8). As the latter event’s title informs us, all artwork there costs $100 or less—now, that’s a good price for Christmas budgets, isn’t it?

During Expressions of Art, more than 30 artists’ works will be on display at the Carp Agricultural Hall Fairgrounds. During the vernissage on Friday, October 11 (7pm to 9pm), live music will provide a backdrop for conversations with the artists. Cash bar on premises.

Incidentally, the $100 & Under sale takes place the same weekend as the Carp Farmers’ Market Christmas Sale, at the nearby Carp Fairgrounds.

While in Carp, you can dine at Alice’s Village Café or the Juke Joint Soul Kitchen; both establishments feature WCAS artists’ paintings on their walls. You can also visit KIN Vinyards and the Ridge Rock Brewing Company.

Details: You’ll find the Carp Faigrounds at 3790 Carp Road and St. Paul’s United Church at 3760 Carp Road.

Solo exhibition: All My Relations

Colleen Gray is a Métis artist and the founder of Art For Aid. She explains, “I’m a proud Indigenous artist working to put new and gently used art supplies into the hands of remote community students. Canadian reserve schools receive less funding per student than other Canadian schools. Isolation and poverty often lead to desperate measures for Indigenous youth. Art can help.”

This fall, the City of Ottawa Atrium Gallery will be hosting a solo exhibition of Gray’s work, All My Relations, from October 18 to November 20.

She’s been working hard to build the Art for Aid project for more than seven years. All funds from her sales go to this initiative, she explains. “I take no salary and work as a volunteer.” Through Art for Aid, she adds, “We’ve shipped 97 boxes of knitting wool and materials to Iqaluit that benefit the hospital’s neo-natal unit, the homeless (imagine being homeless in Iqaluit in the winter), marginalized and isolated families and, [offered] skill-teaching programs.”

Details: The City of Ottawa Atrium Gallery is at 101 Centrepointe Drive in Nepean.

Shawville Pop-up Art and Artisan Show and Sale

Louise St. Laurent Nicoll is the organizer of this pop-up art show on Saturday, November 9, at the beautiful Little Red Wagon Winery, just west of downtown Shawville. Nine artists will be present, including watercolour pencil and acrylic artist Jelly Massee, whose animals, country scenes and portraits are simply astounding works of art.

You’ll also meet Jennifer Judd, owner of the winery, who is also an artist. Her gaily coloured acrylics depicting pastoral country life decorate the walls of the winery’s dining area.

Little Red Wagon Winery makes a wonderful destination for a country drive. Check the winery’s event page, because it is also a live music destination.

Details: The Little Red Wagon Winery is at 165 Chemin de Calumet Ouest in Shawville, Quebec. The November 9 show will run from 11am to 6pm.

Solo exhibition: per·i·dot

Wallack’s is not only an artists’ supply store; it’s also a gallery. In fact, it’s one of Canada’s oldest commercial galleries, and Michael Wallack sent me information about the upcoming November exhibition, per·i·dot. Artist Tami Galili explains, “As an Israeli immigrant to Canada, my art is constantly shaped by opposing poles. I attribute much of my inspiration to the geographic, cultural and political contradictions within each country.”

You can meet the artist during the vernissage on November 9 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. The show runs from November 9 to 23.

Wallack’s also offers workshops, so you can learn a new skill or brush up on a favourite technique. It’s a good place to visit, learn about the arts and meet artists during the varied exhibitions.

Details: Wallack’s Art Gallery is at 225 Bank Street in Ottawa.

Ottawa Mixed Media Artists

“Artists with Attitude” is the moniker for Ottawa Mixed Media Artists, a group of some 80 or so artists who meet bi-monthly, on the second Tuesday of the month. (The next meeting, where all are welcome, is on Tuesday, November 12, at 7pm, in the Heritage Room of the Nepean Visual Arts Centre at the Nepean Sportsplex. At most meetings, an artist talks about some aspect of his or her creative journey.)

OMMA is exceptionally fortunate to have its own gallery at the Nepean Sportsplex (follow the back entrance hallway, just above the Nepean Visual Arts Centre). Called D’OMMA, it displays members’ extremely varied, vibrant works. This active group also shows in other places in Ottawa; its next exhibition, Small Wonders, will be at the Good Eats Café from November 1 until the beginning of January.

Details: You’ll find the D’OMMA gallery at the Nepean Sportsplex at 1701 Woodroffe Avenue in Nepean, and the Good Eats Café at 473 Albert Street in downtown Ottawa.

Looking for other artsy destinations in and around Ottawa?

There are many, many more opportunities in our region to view art and meet the artists. There’s the Ottawa School of Art, the Shenkman Arts Centre, La Fab and the Art House Café, just to name a few. So get outside in our glorious palette of colours—both as interpreted by artists in their works and in the spectacular Ottawa Valley!

Editor’s note: Looking for another artsy weekend getaway idea? Check out this Ottawa Road Trips post about the Madawaska Valley Studio Tour, taking place this year from October 4 to 6.

About the author

Disclosure: Katharine Fletcher is a visual artist. She will be at some of these exhibitions (this year will be her first time on the MAG Studio Tour and she welcomes you to visit).

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.