The Art of Reflection

A Year-End Message from Alexandra Badzak

As 2025 comes to a close, I am filled with deep gratitude for what has been a remarkable year at the Ottawa Art Gallery — a year that reaffirmed our commitment to the artists and communities we serve. This year alone, OAG supported and presented more than 300 artists from across our region, reflecting the extraordinary creativity that defines Ottawa–Gatineau.

A major highlight was our strengthened collaborations with key cultural partners. We were honoured to present the anniversary exhibition with the School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa (SPAO), celebrating two decades of photographic innovation and the many artists who shaped that legacy. We also deepened our work with the Canadian Craft Federation, affirming the vital role of craft and material practices in Canada’s cultural landscape. And building on our long-standing relationship with uOttawa’s Department of Visual Arts — now spanning 15 years — we co-presented Endless Becomings: Explorations in Contemporary Art, celebrating a new generation of emerging artists whose work explores transformation, memory, identity, and belonging.

Through an acquisition and exhibition, we deepened our commitment to working with community to tell meaningful stories — as seen in Grotto: The Bill Staubi Collection, whose voices and histories reflect identity, activism and belonging, and we launched the Bill Staubi Acquisition Fund to ensure this work continues. This was also a transformative year for our Art + Health initiatives. We officially welcomed Radical Connections into the OAG community, embedding wellness programming directly within the Gallery. Through creativity-centred care — from artist-led support for seniors to collaborative health initiatives — we continued to demonstrate how art can heal, connect, and foster belonging. And outside our walls, OAG advanced foundational work on the role of art in downtown revitalization, helping to shape a more vibrant, inclusive, and imaginative urban core. The Gallery’s presence, programs, and partnerships continue to contribute to a stronger cultural heartbeat for our city.

To our artists, partners, supporters, and visitors: thank you for making this year extraordinary. As we look ahead to 2026, we remain dedicated to championing regional artists and building a thriving creative future for Ottawa.

Warm wishes for a joyful and art-filled new year,

Alexandra Badzak, Director and CEO