Definitely one of my favorite galleries in Ottawa. It's got such a nice, cozy atmosphere, lots of…read moregreat art and friendly staff, sometimes they even have cheese and bread to snack on while you're browsing the gallery.

Cube Gallery is one of the best modern art galleries in Ottawa. The work shown there is never…read morestuffy or boring or touristy. In addition, it's a great place to hold an event. My company has shot several weddings there and I always appreciate that the backdrop is different at every "shoot". The rotating art pieces make for a different wedding experience for every couple. It helps keep me inspired to shoot their weddings a little bit differently each time too! All in all, it's a great setting for big gathering. I'd highly recommend that you check it out as a venue if you're looking for an event space in Ottawa.

Probably a 3.5 stars is about right,…read more What a lovely way to use open space in a mall! This outlet brings charm, character and culture to the Hazeldean Mall! The Art Gallery's full time permanent home is on Campeau, but from April of 2014 until October, they are also occupying a space in the Hazeldean Mall where the card and gift shop used to be. This big bright open space will change their display every month. They are showing a variety of local artists' works, from photography to painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Very intriguing! I might add that the pieces on display are in fact for sale.

One hidden gem of a Gallery in the same building as the Beaverbrook Public Library. This is an…read moreartist run gallery so chances are you will meet one of the artists.

Sure, I'll give it five stars. So what if Canada's most-important government landmark turns into a…read moreDisneyland spectacle every night?!? Lights, music, and fog machines - oh my!! Anyway, you just walk up to Parliament Hill 15 minutes or so before it starts (start times posted on their webpage), find a good spot to sit on the grass, and wait for the show to start. Bring a picnic blanket or something if you like ... if it's rained recently, the grass might not be too nice. The entire front face of the Parliament Building is the screen for this culture-infused video/light show that is Mosaika. It was somehow politically charged. I'm not too good with symbolism in the arts, but the European hand kept taking stuff from the First Nations hand, and gave very little in return. Plus there was a lot of French-English controversy. and no Asian representation. Spoiler alert: it all ends happily? Somehow all these differences come together through lights and music to form a happy Canada today. Also, there was a turtle involved somehow. I will admit that it got very very very very awkward at the end when people started to stand up and sing "O Canada!" I was just kicked back on the grass chillin, and I didn't know what to do. but hey, all this for a grand total of zero dollars!! It's definitely worth the cost of free, and that's why it gets five stars!

This is a trippy patriotic offering at Parliament Hill from July to September. The 30 minute shows…read moreare free, twice a night and with seating available anywhere on the lawn, including some bleachers. The Sound and Light Show mainly attracts tourists and families, but I often see many different people out at the show. It basically feels like a crazy, amped up Cliff's Notes version of elementary school social studies. You can't help but get drawn into the energy and feel happy you're able to partake in something like this on Parliament Hill's lawn. Obviously, there are parts where you feel like you're partaking in a bit of propaganda, so take the show with a grain of salt. Actually, the last time I went, the show was usurped by a couple of protesters, including one who peed on the building. I guess it offered a balance through extremes? Anyway, I would definitely recommend this free offering to anyone looking to do something a bit stereotypically Ottawa (capital of Canada, not city of Ottawa). It's a good time, energizing and kinda weird/funny.

We were greeted as soon as we entered this gallery, but given space to look…read more There were several cards and pamphlets available upon entering the gallery for information on the current artists and on the gallery itself. I liked that there was a bench in front of a couple of the bigger paintings for more relaxed viewing and it reminded me of some of the larger galleries I have been to. Some of my favorite pieces were a huge flower and some kind of splattered paintings with numbers and symbols as well a colourful areas. Art was hung on the walls, as well as leaning in other areas, giving the gallery a more relaxed feel.

Saigon Square is a tiny little park at the south west corner of Preston St and Somerset St West, in…read morefront of the Plant Recreation Centre, which is also the western edge of Chinatown. It was named in 2018 "in recognition of the contributions to the City of Ottawa by the Vietnamese refugees who came to Canada in search of freedom." There is a sizeable Vietnamese population in Ottawa, in part due to Project 4000, which was created by then-mayor, Marion Dewar, who in 1979 welcomed 4000 Vietnamese refugees to Ottawa through private sponsorship. There is also a monument in the square that is "in memory of those who have lost their lives in the quest for freedom." The monument was erected in 1995, before the square was named. I sometimes see fresh flowers at the monument and I sometimes see people praying at the monument. Since those who died fleeing persecution were often lost at sea or buried near former displaced persons camps throughout Southeast Asia, visiting their graves may not be possible, so I think this monument serves as a substitute for the family members of these people. I am always in support of things that provide solace and peace to those who need it. I see a lot of meaning and significance in this Square. The monument is a reminder of the innocent victims of war (the statue is of a woman running barefoot while carrying a child). The plaque acknowledges the positive contributions that the refugees have made to the place that received them. The benevolence of those who helped the refugees is implied. And the monument and square symbolize both realism and hope, two things that I think are vital, both in times of war and times of peace.

Saigon Square is located at the west part of Chinatown. To officially have me walk the entire…read morestretch of Chinatown, we walked over here and found this little park. Even though it's a small park, it's significant when you take the time to read everything. First, there is a plaque that recognizes Vietnamese refugees who left their home to come to Canada, and start fresh by finding freedom. The plaque is in English, French, and Vietnamese. It is classy. Second, the statue of a mom, holding her child tightly in her right arm, as she flees, smack in the middle of this park, is powerful. This tribute is meaningful, especially to folks like me who didn't know that there is a huge Vietnamese population until I strolled through Chinatown to notice the positive mark that they have made in Ottawa. This park is pretty and quaint. It was also fitting to see the greenery and growth, which is symbolic on so many levels. Well done! (269)

The Oscar Peterson Statue is popular with tourists, who I often see snapping pictures of themselves…read moresitting on the piano bench next to the jazz legend. Oscar Peterson was a Canadian jazz pianist. His statue sits by the National Arts Centre at Elgin St and Albert St. It was commissioned by Canadian artist Ruth Abernethy and was unveiled in 2010. The statue is of Oscar Peterson sitting by his piano. It is life-size. There are speakers by the statue that play his music. It's a beautiful work of art that commemorates a most talented musician.

Oscar Peterson was incredibly successful. He was a legendary pianist, recording artist, and…read morecomposer. If you're downtown, around the National Arts Centre, you should definitely stop by his memorial statue and take a look, if you haven't already. Thanks to great fundraising efforts, this bronze statue of the late Canadian jazz icon was created by sculptor Ruth Abernathy and unveiled by the Queen on June 30th as a part of Ottawa's Canada Day celebrations just this year. The sculpture is outside and has a grand piano, which is attached to the NAC building, and a bench with Oscar Peterson sitting on it, turned away from the piano. He has a big smile on his face and looks very jolly. There's even room on the bench to sit beside him and take pictures, which you'll often find people doing.

For the art lovers, for the volunteers, for the event whores this is the event for you!!!…read more You really can't have a bad night at the National Gallery surrounded by lovely art, businesses looking for volunteers, a live DJ, a stocked bar, appetizers and some generally awesome people. Timeraiser is an annual event in Canada across multiple cities that bring together art lovers, volunteers, art galleries and local businesses. Artists and galleries donate art pieces to Timeraiser which in turn showcases them at the annual event were attendees can bid on these art pieces. Instead of bidding money, individuals bid volunteer hours on the pieces of art they like with a maximum amount of time they can volunteer. They can then choose one of the businesses registered with the event. I can't think of a better setting for something like this in Ottawa than the National Gallery. When you first walk in and up the ramp you see the amazing view out glass and nightfall of the Parliament buildings. Then you quickly notice all the dressed up people, pieces of art and tables that's setup for businesses looking for volunteers. They give you plenty of time to walk around and see what pieces of art you like. I recommend grabbing a drink and dropping by each business that might align with your interests and listen to their pitch! Once they announce that bidding begins for the artwork you should wait a little to bid on your pieces. It gives you an idea of what those pieces are worth to others and how much you might have to bid. One thing that wasn't made clear to us early in the evening is that you can only bid once on a piece of art unless it reaches max bid. You don't want to be in a situation were you can't make a second bid so wait a little bit before you bid! At the end of the night they announce the winners and hopefully you have a new piece of art for your house or a fantastic gift for someone in your life! The purpose of Timeraiser is a definite 5 star! The event has been going for 5 years and it's really far from polished as there were a lot of things in the night that can be improved. Hopefully they bridge the gap next year when I'm there :)

Founded in 1880, this art gallery in Ottawa Ontario Canada is a grand light filled structure of…read moreglass and granite. Featuring sweeping views of Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River. The iconic Maman Spider sculpture is right outside the entrance. The tickets are $15.68. This large museum premiers over 100,000 works. This includes the Group of Seven collection of Canadian landscapes, Indigenous and Canadian art, and International Masterpieces.

I had a great experience at this gallery. It was our first time with my family and we were able to…read morelearn about different art installations, it was cool. It wasn't too busy and it was clean and well-maintained. They also had multiple security stationed inside. Fairly priced and would definitely recommend checking it out at least once.