To my extraordinary community,

What a year! Definitely older, not sure wiser, but certainly lots of memories and moments along the way. And not different from years past on what has been the source of sustainment throughout all of this. A tonic, a solace, and definitely an inspiration throughout this wild year has been art, the arts community, and, of course, the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG).

Your continued support of the OAG has allowed the organization to blossom – reaffirming its commitment to artistic storytelling and excellence, while breaking paths in areas like art and wellness, and the power of art in downtown revitalization. As Ottawa celebrates its 200^th year of establishment as a city, the OAG is playing a critical connector and curator role to ensure that the artistic strengths of the region shine through.

This year, for my birthday, I am asking again for your support of this important institution. In particular, funds gained through this year’s campaign will support the production costs associated with a proposed acquisition of a piece by Anna Williams by the OAG. Anna is an incredible artist who calls Ottawa home, and whose sculptures already find homes in the collections of the Canada Council Art Bank, the Bank of Canada, and the City of Ottawa. In her masterful work, Revenge of Persephone, she reimagines the Greek myth of Persephone and Demeter, shifting the narrative away from victimhood and compromise toward resistance and autonomy. In her retelling, Demeter and Persephone escape the Underworld together in an act of defiance, recasting them as active agents of their own fate. A lofty goal of my own for the year ahead!

It is these powerful stories that the OAG has become masterful at telling. Through your support, the OAG can continue to evoke our sense of the possible, while building community, and holding us together through creativity and connection. I would be so thrilled if you could help me mark one more year on this planet with this commitment to art, community, and the profound power of supporting brilliant creators. Thanks in advance for your support!

Mark