2023 Acquisitions: Donations

Focused on the work of historical and contemporary artists who have contributed to the artistic life of the Ottawa-Gatineau region, our Permanent Collection is an essential part of the OAG’s activities. We are excited to look back and share a roundup of our 2023 donations, and the ways in which these works help to enrich our Collection. 

We’re excited to share that the OAG acquired a number of works through generous donations over the course of last year.  

As part of a multi-year donation, multidisciplinary artist Deborah Margo gifted seven works that span her artistic career – including an installation made of 100 jawbreaker candies in various states of alteration . Our holdings of sculpture and installation grew further, with seven mixed-media pieces by artist Cindy Stelmackowich that explore the intersections between art and science. 

A selection of artwork by photo and video-based artist Chantal Gervais from her series The Silence of Being and Without End, joined OAG’s Collection. Further enhancing the representation of women, six paintings by artist Jerry Grey – adding to the representation of the scope of Grey’s nearly 60-year career within the collection – were also welcomed.

In 2023, we were also pleased to accept the donation of EchoSense (2003), an interactive installation by artist Lynda Cronin created in consultation with individuals of the Blind and Low Vision communities, which makes use of echolocation technology to draw parallels between the gallery and natural world.

Artwork by several important artists including Barry Ace, Carl Beam, Marlene Creates, Jennifer Dickson, Evergon, and Robert Houle, were generously donated by esteemed Ottawa collector Victoria Henry as part of the first tranche in a three-year donation plan.  
 
A dynamic oil painting by David Kaarsemaker and a vibrant painted staircase scene by Ghitta Caiserman were also donated. Finally, our collection of photography was enriched with a donation of three works by photographer Alex Traube, along with twenty-two works by Michael Schreier. 

The OAG would like to thank artists Lynda Cronin, Chantal Gervais, Jerry Grey, Deborah Margo, and Cindy Stelmackowich, as well as donors Karen Capen, Jennifer Dickson, Victoria Henry, Sandra Miller and Mara Miller (in loving memory of Zavie and Ida Miller) and Kathe Roth for their generous donations.