Presenting: Ottawa's Byward Market - Special Events, Culture & Art, Boutiques and Culinary De
January 27, 2006
Presenting: Ottawa's Byward Market - Special Events, Culture & Art, Boutiques and Culinary Delights in a Historic Setting
Ottawa has a myriad of sights to visit and the ByWard Market is one of the major entertainment areas in Ottawa. It combines a great selection of restaurants and night spots, with funky boutiques and retailers, galleries and artsy places and a busy outdoor market. Throw in a good dose of special events and you've got yourself a happening place!
I myself will be heading off to Ottawa on February 10 to sample Canada's capital, and to check out Winterlude, Ottawa's winter festival, which will be held this year from February 3 to 19, 2006. Winterlude includes skating on the Rideau Canal, the world's largest outdoor skating facility according to its Guiness World Book of Records designation of November 2005.
Let me give you an idea of the enormity of this skating opportunity: the Rideau Canal's surface is the equivalent size of 90 Olympic rinks and stretches for 7.8 km (4.8 miles) through downtown! And it features all kinds of outdoor entertainment as well as the famous Beavertails, Ottawa's signature pastry, so skating on the Canal will be a definite must on this upcoming trip.
So, after a good round of outdoor exercise I will certainly be checking out what the ByWard Market area has to offer and quench my well-deserved hunger with a great meal.
In anticipation of my visit I had a chance to talk to Meg McCallum, from the ByWard Market Business Improvement Association, who was able to give me a great overview of this ecclectic area.
1. Please give us a general overview of the ByWard Market, its location and its history.
Established by Lieutenant Colonel John By in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets. The legendary builder of the Rideau Canal, Colonel By himself laid out the street plan of the Market, designating George Street and York Street to be extra wide to accommodate the creation of a public market and gathering place. 180 years later, the Market is still going strong!
Within an area roughly four blocks square, you'll find cafés, specialty food shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, pubs, hair & aesthetics salons and more! Easily accessible on foot, by transit, by bicycle or by car, the ByWard Market offers a unique experience for all.
Whether you're here at dawn to welcome the outdoor vendors with their overflowing stands of fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, and art & crafts; joining some friends for brunch/ lunch/ dinner or shopping; or staying up till the wee hours at one of our hip nightspots, you'll find the ByWard Market has something for you!
2. The ByWard Market still houses a farmers market today, please give us more information about that.
Outdoor vendors are an integral part of the ByWard Market experience. You'll find ByWard's vendors outside, no matter the weather, 363 days per year (closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day)! At the peak of summertime, there may be 175 stands operating, selling fruits & vegetables, bedding & gardening plants & cut flowers, arts & crafts, maple syrup & honey. In the winter months, you're more likely to find Christmas trees, natural wreaths & garlands, firewood, cut flowers, maple syrup & honey, and art & craft.
The farmers market is surrounded by specialty food retail shops - butchers, bakeries, imported items and more. As an example of the variety of goods you'll find, there are over 1000 types of cheese to be found!
3. Please tell us about the variety of culinary experiences that are available in the ByWard Market.
With over 80 restaurants, you'll never run out of options for dining. In the summer months, patios are the place to go, both to take advantage of the sun and warm weather and to people watch. In the winter, you'll find a warm welcome in some of the area's most beautiful heritage buildings, such as the Courtyard Restaurant and Mamma Grazzi's Kitchen. The ByWard Market is home to several internationally recognized chefs and sommeliers - try the Social, Luxe, E18hteen and Domus Café. You'll find Canadian cuisine at its finest, along with Thai, Mexican, Indian, Aboriginal, Japanese and more. If you're in a hurry, the ByWard Market building is home to several take-out options, or you can assemble a picnic lunch with breads, meats, cheeses, fruits and veggies from the farmers market. Don't forget dessert - there are several bakeries and gelato shops to choose from, as well as the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or Sugar Mountain for those with a sweet tooth!
4. There are also a number of nightlife opportunities in the ByWard Market. Please tell us about those.
The Market is home to over 20 nightclubs featuring world reknowned dj's and live music; as well as more than 50 restaurants, pubs and lounges that stay open until 2 am. You'll find everything from martinis and single malt scotches to a world wide selection of wines and spirits. Venues run the gamut from intimate to extravagant; for the salt of the earth and the cream of the crop. Some not to be missed experiences include Fat Tuesdays New Orleans Experience (cajun cuisine and a carnival atmosphere), the Rainbow Bistro (live blues music), The Collection/Mercury Lounge/ Bar 56 (3 floors of martinis, dj's, culture and style), and Zaphod Beeblebrox (recently made famous as the filming location for the Rolling Stones latest video).
5. What type of retail and shopping opportunities can be found in the area?
With most retail shops being locally owned and operated, Market business owners are masters of their crafts. You'll find quality, experience and cutting edge trends in the many fashion, housewares and specialty boutiques. If you're looking for locally designed jewelery and clothing or picks from designers across North America and Europe, the shops on Sussex, Clarence and Dalhousie will wow you! If your interest in cooking has been piqued, try Ma Cuisine, Les Concepts Zone or Domus Housewares for kitchen gadgets galore! From there, of course, you'll start to want to redecorate your whole house... and this is the place to do it. Roche Bobois, Philip Van Leeuwen and many more furniture shops are to be found, along with specialty bath and bedding stores such as Mon Lit and Bed Behaviour. This is only a sampling of the variety of shops - you really have to visit to see for yourself!
6. What special events are you planning during the ByWard Market Mardi Gras?
Warm your fingers, toes, and your spirits as you take part in a variety of great activities all week long. From a masquerade ball to live Southern bands, you will find fabulous entertainment options for everyone at ByWard Market Mardi Gras from February 3 - 14th.
Plus, all week long, take advantage of extraordinary discount prices at 20 of the ByWard Market's trendiest boutiques and salons. Over 25 great ByWard Market restaurants and bars will be serving up special Mardi Gras Menus all week; with tasty Southern dishes and beverages such as all-you-can-eat Creole mussels, Mardi Gras martinis, Cajun seafood jambalaya, and much more.
7. You are planning a "Winterlude Stew Cook-Off" for February 3, 2006. Please tell us about this special event.
For only $10 you can sample stew created by over 20 of the Market's finest restaurants, including last year's winner of both Judge's and People's Choice awards, Luxe Bistro. The 15th annual Winterlude Stew Cook-Off takes place at the south end of the ByWard Market Building on Friday, February 3, between 12 and 2 p.m.
Winners are chosen by the public as well as by a panel of celebrity judges including a master chef from Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School. All proceeds from the stew cook-off will be donated to Operation Go Home.
8. You have another special event planned for February 18, 2006: a Snow Volleyball Tournament. Please tell us about that.
Winter doesn't need to be spent inside! The Snow Volleyball Tournament brings out up to 40 teams to compete for bragging rights in friendly competition. The action takes place on Saturday, February 18 at 3:00 pm beside the Whiskey Bar at 112 York Street. Proceeds raised at the event will be donated to Operation Go Home.
9. Please tell us about the galleries and the arts and culture opportunities that are accessible in and around your area.
To start with, the National Gallery of Canada anchors the Market at it's north-west edge. And just across the street is the Notre Dame Basilica - a beautiful cathedral worth a visit to see the marbled painted archways and pillars. Throughout the Market you'll find many small galleries, commercial and publicly owned. The Ottawa School of Art offers short courses, workshops and lectures, and has a shop, a student gallery and a large public gallery. Lafreniere & Pai Gallery is home to works by some of Canada's best glass and ceramic artists, and Gallery of the Kanadas showcases aboriginal and inuit art. Many restaurants host exhibitions, and the Sussex Courtyards are home to several whimsical sculptures.
10. What are the ByWard Market Ambassadors?
The ByWard Market Ambassador program is operated through a community partnership and includes tourism, safety and information functions. Each summer ByWard Market Ambassadors circulate throughout the Market area contributing to a positive Market experience by…
- Providing tourists & the public with an on-street resource for questions about the Market & the City
- Providing a safety &security function by monitoring the street activity & responding to situations that require intervention
- Providing front-line response & first aid treatment in the case of accident or injury
- Maintaining positive community relations with all Market stakeholders
Look for the bright yellow t-shirts with INFO on the back...
11. What are some of the special events coming up in 2006?
The Market is its own festival! Special times of the year are:
May - Celebrate the spring return of fresh local produce and bedding plants to the outdoor market, the opening of patio season, and new spring fashions.
June - Sunday, June 4th - the ByWard Market Auto Classic gives you one more reason to visit the Market, as over 100 classic and collector vehicles are on display throughout the Market
July - Canada Day on July 1st, the ByWard Market is the place to see and be seen! Close enough to Parliament Hill to catch the fireworks, make the Market your base of operations for meeting up with friends, people watching and celebrating.
September - Bring home the harvest! And while you're picking up apples and squashes, leeks and garlic, take a detour to find some back to school fashions.
October - Get all you need for your Thanksgiving feast at our local butchers, bakeries and outdoor market. And then come back to pick up your pumpkin for Hallowe'en!
December - The Market turns into a winter wonderland! Fresh pine boughs decorate the heritage streetlamps, carollers serenade you with traditional Christmas carols, and free horse-drawn carriage rides are offered in the weekends leading up to Christmas. The heritage buildings and cobbled courtyards make an excellent backdrop for a taste of the holidays as they were one hundred years ago.
Thank you, Meg, for giving me a good overview of the ByWard Market. I look forward to checking out some of these places in person in a few weeks from now.
Presenting: Ottawa - Canada's Capital and An Exciting Travel Destination
January 30, 2006
Presenting: Ottawa - Canada's Capital and An Exciting Travel Destination
In anticipation of my upcoming trip to Ottawa next weekend I have started to do some research and contacted Ottawa Tourism. Ottawa, as Canada's capital, is one of Canada's most popular travel destinations and it has a great variety destinations, activities and events to offer.
I had an opportunity to talk with Jantine Van Kregten from Ottawa Tourism who was kind enough to give me a great general overview of things to see and do in Ottawa.
1. Please provide us with some general information about Ottawa. How large is the city, where is it located, what is the weather like?
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and its fourth largest city. With the neighbouring city of Gatineau in the province of Quebec, the region has about 1.2 million people. Ottawa is located in eastern Ontario, about four hours' drive northeast of Toronto; two hours west of Montreal; and one hour north of the border with the state of New York.
Ottawa enjoys four distinct seasons, with warmest temperatures and sometimes high humidity in July and August; a temperate fall with gorgeous fall colours; a cold and snowy winter; and a wet spring.
2. How can one get to Ottawa and what is the best way of getting around in Ottawa?
Ottawa is accessible with direct flights from major centres in Canada and several U.S. cities including New York, Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta and more. Ottawa is a major stop along the Windsor-Quebec City corridor of VIA Rail and bus service also links the city with other Canadian cities.
By car, major thoroughfares include Highway 416 that links Ottawa with Highway 401. Highway 417 runs through the city, while Autoroutes 5, 50 and 148 are the major highways on the Quebec side of the river.
3. Ottawa is Canada's capital and has played a significant role in the history of this country. Please tell us more about that and the Canadian Heritage Experiences offered in Ottawa.
The story of Ottawa begins with the building of the Rideau Canal between 1826 and 1832 by Lt. Col. John By of the Royal Engineers and thousands of mostly Irish labourers. The Canal stretches 202 km (126 miles) through eastern Ontario to the St. Lawrence River and was built to ensure a supply line in case of American attack (which never came). The Canal was never used for a military purpose and its 49 locks are still operated in the same way as when they were built. In fact, the Rideau Canal is Canada's nominee to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is expected in 2007, the 175th anniversary of its construction.
Queen Victoria decreed in 1857 that Ottawa would be the capital of the country that became Canada. The majestic Parliament Buildings were constructed shortly thereafter and remain a "must-see" attraction in the capital. As the capital, Ottawa is also home to 24 Sussex Drive (the prime minister's residence and not open to the public); Rideau Hall (home of the Governor General, with guided tours of residence and gardens available); and dozens of high commissions and embassies from governments around the world.
Don't miss Laurier House, home to both Sir Wilfrid Laurier and WIlliam Lyon Mackenzie King, two former prime ministers, or the Mackenzie King Estate, King's summer home in Gatineau Park.
4. Please tell us about some of the major attractions, museums and galleries in the Ottawa area.
The latest addition to the national museum scene is the impressive Canadian War Musuem, which opened in May 2005 in a stunning location next to the Ottawa River. Canada's most-visited museum is Gatineau's Canadian Museum of Civilization. The National Gallery of Canada offers the largest collection of Canadian art, along with European and American masters. Other cultural facilities include the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography; the Canada Aviation Museum; the Canada Science and Technology Museum; the Canada Agriculture Museum; the Royal Canadian Mint; the Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada; and the Canadian Museum of Nature, currently in the midst of a massive renovation project, to be completed in 2009.
Other museums include the Bytown Museum, which tells the history of Ottawa's early days, including the building of the Rideau Canal; the Billings Estate Museum that traces the history of a prominent local family; and the funky Diefenbunker, Canada's Cold War Museum, a four-storey underground bunker that was constructed between 1959 and 1961 as the location to which the Canadian political and military elite would ride out the effects of a nuclear attack.
5. Our readers would like to find out about the festivals and special events in Ottawa.
The festival scene in Ottawa is a robust, year-round affair. The year kicks off with Winterlude, a huge winter festival held over the first three weekends in February. In March, the Irish community celebrates Irish week, and in March and April, the maple syrup season spawns a number of delicious festivals and events celebrating this tasty treat.
May belongs to the Canadian Tulip Festival--three weeks of celebration of Ottawa's favourite flower. During World War II, the Dutch royal family took refuge in Ottawa and Princess Margriet was born here, in a hospital room designated Dutch soil for the event. Canadians played a huge role in liberating the Netherlands and when the royal family returned home after the war, as a gesture of friendship, respect and appreciation, they sent thousands of tulip bulbs. The bulbs have followed every year since and now 3,000,000 tulips bloom in Canada's Capital Region.
Late May brings Canada's largest marathon as part of the Ottawa Race Weekend. Over the summer months, festivals abound: Doors Open Ottawa showcase heritage buildings; Italian Week; the Ottawa Fringe Festival; the TD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival; the Nortel Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival; Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest (Canada's largest); the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival (the world's largest); the Sound of Light fireworks festival; Ottawa Busker Festival; Ottawa GreekFest; CKCU Ottawa Folk Festival; the Central Canada Exhibition; and Pride Week.
On Parliament Hill, two free activities occur daily in the summer: the 10:00 a.m. Changing the Guard ceremony and the evening Sound and Light Show.
In the fall, the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival colours the skies; while the La Vendemmia Harvest Festival tempts visitors' palates. The Ottawa International Animation Festival showcases artists from around the world while the Ottawa International Writers Festival provides a forum for authors' lively debates. Fall Rhapsody celebrates the splendid autumn colours.
The capital lights up for the holidays with the Christmas Lights Across Canada program.
6. What about restaurants and entertainment / nightlife areas in Ottawa?
Several neighbourhoods offer entertainment options in Ottawa. The ByWard Market is one of Ottawa's oldest neighbourhoods and also functions as its entertainment district, with over 100 food and drink options in just a four-block-square area. Whether it's fine dining, a good diner, a cosy bistro, or a romantic cafe, you can find it in "the Market."
Elgin Street is another popular nightlife area, with an eclectic selection of bars, restaurants and cafes in just a few blocks. Bank Street offers three or four distinct areas along its length, including a popular area known as the Glebe. In the near west end, Westboro is also an attractive option for dinner and drinks.
Of course, one could also choose to explore the various options at the Casino du Lac-Leamy--whether it's gaming excitement or a show at its popular theatre or a dinner at its five-diamond restaurant Le Baccara. The region's other five-diamond establishment (two of only 11 across Canada) is Signatures at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa.
7. Please give us an overview of the performing arts on offer in Ottawa.
The National Arts Centre is Canada's premier performing arts centre, offering English and French theatre performances, dance, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Numerous smaller theatres also abound, in both English and French, including the Great Canadian Theatre Company, La Nouvelle Scene, Ottawa Little Theatre, Third Wall Theatre Company, Odyssey Theatre (offering outdoor performances next to the Rideau River), A Company of Fools, and many productions at Arts Court, a municipal facility.
From May 18 to June 11, the Cirque du Soleil will bring its production of Quidam to Ottawa. The Canada Dance Festival takes place every two years (June 2-10, 2006) in Ottawa and the Ottawa Fringe Festival (also in June) is one of the best ways to see new productions and new innovations. In
The Centrepointe Theatre in the west end offers a variety of performances, as do the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.
Larger events are usually held at Scotiabank Place and the Ottawa Civic Centre.
8. What are some of the shopping opportunities in Ottawa?
Some great shopping centres exist in Ottawa, including Bayshore Shopping Centre in the west end, Rideau Centre downtown, the St. Laurent Centre in the close east end, and Place d'Orleans Shopping Centre in the east end. These centres offer the best of the well-known brands.
For more eclectic offerings, the ByWard Market neighbourhood offers great fashion and housewares; as does the Glebe, Westboro, and some small towns on both the Ontario and Quebec side of the Ottawa River--inclouding Merrickville, Manotick, Perth, Chelsea and Wakefield.
9. What are the outdoor, recreational and sports opportunities in and around Ottawa?
From a professional perspective, the Ottawa Senators are particularly beloved by Ottawans, as they march to a Stanley Cup victory! The Ottawa '67s offer a window to the Ontario Hockey League. The Ottawa Renegades provide Canadian Football League excitement while the Ottawa Lynx are part of baseball's International League (they're the Triple A farm team for the Baltimore Orioles).
But sports in Ottawa are much more participatory than that. Home to hundreds of kilometres of recreational pathways, Ottawans love to cycle, inline skate and hike. The Ottawa River offers unbelievable whitewater rafting, as well as canoe and kayak adventures for the adventurous.
The highest bungee freefall in Canada is located just north of Ottawa, just outside Gatineau Park. Year-round, Gatineau Park offers something for the outdoor lover. Whether it's camping, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking or swimming in summer; or snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in winter, the Park is beloved by all in the region.
As proof of how diverse a destination Ottawa is, it's the only location where you can skate on the world's largest skating rink and play in the world's largest beach volleyball tournament?
10. What type of accommodations options are there in Ottawa?
There are over 11,000 hotel rooms in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. The major chains (Hilton, Fairmont, Westin, Marriott, Delta, Sheraton, Novotel, Holiday Inn, Best Western, Comfort Inn) are represented, as well as more unique offerings such as the boutique ARC the.hotel or Brookstreet Resort.
Downtown locations are within walking distance to many major attractions. Several bed-and-breakfast providers also offer a cosy alternative to hotels.
A comprehensive list of options is found at www.ottawatourism.ca
11. What are some of the major events and big news stories coming up in 2006 and beyond in Ottawa?
The Canadian Museum of Civilization celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2006. It began its life in May 1856, as part of the Geological Survey of Canada. The young museum grew into the National Museum of Canada and then, into the National Museum of Man. In 1986, it became the Canadian Museum of Civilization, moving into its magnificent Gatineau buildings three years later and continuing to present informative and entertaining exhibitions for a wide range of interests.
The Casino du Lac-Leamy celebrates 10 years of non-stop excitement in March 2006. Originally opened as the Casino de Hull, it has grown to be one of the top attractions in Canada's Capital Region, offering gaming each day from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.; five-diamond dining at Le Baccara; an adjoining Theatre offering matinees, musical programming, and variety shows of all kinds; docking facilities; an adjacent Hilton hotel with spa; and conference facilities. The Casino is celebrating with a series of themed activities, including the popular 7 Lucky Days promotion which offers a different promotion each day of the week.
Emily Carr is the featured exhibition from June 2 through September 3, 2006 at the National Gallery of Canada. Her paintings of First Nations villages and landscapes of the northwest Pacific coast, including many images of totem poles, help define Canadian art, especially that of the early 1900s.
In the third Indiana Jones movie, the climactic scene took place in a spectacular desert location carved into the side of a cliff. That venue is part of Petra, located in Jordan, and from April 7, 2006 through January 2, 2007, you can learn more at the Canadian Museum of Civilization's exhibition PETRA: City of Stone.
The Seven Years War is the focus of a new exhibit at the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa's newest cultural attraction which opened with much fanfare in May 2005. The exhibit Clash of Empires: The War That Made Canada runs from May 18 to November 12.
Outdoor activities are a crucial part of Ottawans' lives. This summer, residents will be able to relish in others' accomplishments, too, as Ottawa plays host to more than 3,500 athletes and coaches during the 2006 Ontario Summer Games from August 9 to 13, 2006.
Québec Scene: April/May 2007: The National Arts Centre has played host to two previous "scenes"—Atlantic Scene in 2003 and Alberta Scene in 2005—and in 2007, it's Québec's turn to shine, as the very best of its theatre, music, dance, comedy, culinary arts, literature and film forms the basis of this cultural festival.
Treasures from Beijing: May 11-September 30, 2007: At the Canadian Museum of Civilization, learn more about the development of Chinese civilization while viewing selected treasures from the National Museum of China. There will also be an attempt to provide a glimpse of China's recent history, including economic reforms and the Olympic Games bid.
Renoir's Landscapes: June 8-September 9, 2007: One of the best-loved of all the Impressionists, Renoir will be front and centre next summer at the National Gallery of Canada.
FIFA World Youth Championship 2007: July 1-22, 2007: Ottawa has been selected as one of six Canadian host cities for this three-week, 24-nation, 52-match tournament featuring the best youth (under-20) soccer players in the world. It is the second largest event staged by FIFA, following the FIFA World Cup.
Rideau Canal as UNESCO World Heritage Site: The heritage Rideau Canal, stretching 202 km from Ottawa to Kingston, is Canada's entry to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The designation should be received in time for the 175th anniversary of the completion of the Canal in 2007.
Portrait Gallery of Canada: Following last spring's opening of the new Canadian War Museum, the next major cultural institution planned for Ottawa is the Portrait Gallery of Canada, due to open across the street from Parliament Hill in late 2007.
Thank you, Jantine, for providing such a great overview of all the things Ottawa has to offer. You have given me some great ideas for my trip next week and possible future excursions over the coming year.
Presenting: The National Gallery of Canada - One of Ottawa's Treasures
February 8, 2006
Presenting: The National Gallery of Canada - One of Ottawa's Treasures
Canada's capital has many sights to see and the National Gallery of Canada is one of its treasures. I will have the opportunity to visit Ottawa myself this coming weekend and in anticipation of this excursion I have been doing a lot of research about Ottawa and its attractions.
To find out more about the National Gallery of Canada I contacted Katja Canini from the Gallery who was able to give me a lot of useful background information about this Canadian institution.
1. Please tell us about the history of the National Gallery of Canada.
In 2005 the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) celebrated the 125th Anniversary of its founding in 1880 by the then Governor General, the Marquess of Lorne, and the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. With the enactment of the 1913 National Gallery of Canada Act, the Federal Government assumed responsibility for the fledgling institution. The Government continued its stewardship through successive acts of parliament, culminating in the Museums Act of July 1, 1990, which established the Gallery as a crown Corporation and confirmed the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography (CMCP) as an affiliate of the National Gallery of Canada.
2. Where is it located?
The National Gallery of Canada is located in Ottawa, Ontario at 380 Sussex Drive. To get to the NGC from highway 417, take the Metcalfe exit. Follow Metcalfe Street around the Museum of Nature and continue northbound until you reach the end of the street at Wellington. You will see Parliament Hill. Turn right onto Wellington Street and continue in the left-hand lane until you reach Sussex Drive. As you approach Sussex Drive, you will see the Chateau Laurier hotel on your left-hand side. Make a left turn onto Sussex Drive and continue until you see the Gallery, to your left, at the corner of St. Patrick and Sussex. The Gallery is a large glass building with two octagonal towers. Just beyond the St Patrick/Sussex intersection you will see the left-turn lane to enter the Gallery's underground parking. The National Gallery's underground parking garage; $1.50 per half-hour, up to a maximum daily charge of $8.50. Evening rate (after Gallery closing) $4.25. Discount for Members is $6.50
Please call (613) 990-1985 for more information, if you are outside the National Capital region please call 1-800-319-2787 for TDD please call (613) 990-0777.
3. What are the opening hours?
The Gallery's winter hours from October 1 - April 30 are as follows open Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday to 8 pm. From May 1 - September 30 the Gallery is open 7 days a week, Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 am - 5pm, Thursday to 8pm. The Gallery is also open during the Quebec and Ontario schools' Spring Break, Easter Monday and Thanksgiving Day; it is closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day and January 1.
4. What are the admission fees?
PERMANENT COLLECTION;
Adults $6
Seniors $5
Full-time students $5
Youths (12–19) $3
Family (2 adults, 3 youths) $12
Free for children under 12 and for Friends of the NGC
Free Thursdays after 5 pm (permanent collection only)
SPECIAL EXHIBITION
Norval Morrisseau 3 February - 30 April 2006
Adults $12
Seniors $10
Full-time students $10
Youths (12-19) $5
Family (2 adults, 3 youths) $24
Free for children under 12 and for Friends of the NGC
* Includes admission to the permanent collection.
SAVE!
Keep your Norval Morrisseau admission ticket and get $2 off you ticket to the Sunil Gupta and Imprints exhibitions at the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, until 23 April 2006. Some restrictions may apply.
AUDIOGUIDES
Bell audioguides highlight many works of art from the permanent collection in English, French, Spanish, German, and Mandarin ($3). Available in the Great Hall.
ADVANCE TICKET SALES
Except where noted, you may obtain tickets or register for programs either in person or by calling (613) 998-8888 or 1-888-541-8888 (service charges apply on purchases by phone). All prices include taxes.
5. Please tell us more about the building that the National Gallery is located in.
Created as a permanent home for the institution in 1988, the building was conceived by internationally renowned architect Moshe Safdie, the Gallery's design echoes the near Library of Parliament, and mirrors the soaring spaces of Notre-Dame Basilica opposite. At it's heart lies a unique treasure: the reconstructed nineteenth-century Rideau Street Convent Chapel. The Great Hall the Gallery's principal ceremonial space, was designed as a tribute to the Parliamentary Library, itself a Victorian reinterpretation of a polygonal Gothic chapter house.
The Taiga Garden located next to the Amphitheatre makes a symbolic reference to Canada's northern climate and typically rugged terrain. Conceived by the landscape architect Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, the garden design was inspired by the slabs of rock into which the Gallery was built.
Inside the Gallery, water and garden courtyards provide peaceful spaces, inviting visitors to pause and reflect.
6. What is the National Gallery's mission?
The strength of the National Gallery of Canada lies in its collection of art, especially Canadian art, and its accessibility to the public across the country. The collection opens the way for appreciation of the finest in artistic expression, with works of art that reveal the past, celebrate the present, and probe the future. The collection must be expanded, preserved, interpreted and used to the utmost by the public for pleasure and understanding, for research and the advancement of knowledge.
The mandate of the National gallery, as set out in the 1990 Museums Act is: to develop, maintain and make known, throughout Canada and internationally, a national collection of works of art, historic and contemporary, with special but not exclusive reference to Canada; and to further knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of art in general among all Canadians.
The National Gallery of Canada strives to provide Canadians with a sense of identity and pride in Canada's rich visual arts heritage and to make art accessible, meaningful and vital to diverse audiences of all ages.
7. Please tell us about the collections featured at the National Gallery.
The National Gallery of Canada's collection of Canadian art including Inuit Art, assembled since 1880, is the most comprehensive and important in existence. The Gallery also has a fine collection of Western European art dating from the late Middle Ages to the present, including prestigious collections of important prints, drawings and photographs. The international works help place Canadian art in its broader context by demonstrating the influences on and evolution of the visual arts in Canada.
The Gallery's collection consists of over 37,000 works of art, acquired either by purchase or as gifts. About 1,200 to 1,500 of the most significant of these works – over 20% of its paintings and sculptures – are on view over the course of the year in the Permanent Collection galleries. Works in the Gallery's Prints, Drawings and Photographs collections are featured in a program of rotating exhibitions, and about 3,000 square feet of Gallery space is dedicated to the display of contemporary Canadian art.
The CMCP collection holds over 161,000 images by contemporary Canadian photographers, of which 144,000 are negatives or transparencies and 17,000 are prints. Works in the CMCP collection are also featured in a program of rotating exhibitions.
8. What types of programs and activities do you offer?
Education is a critical aspect of the Gallery's mandate, and a key priority for the Gallery and the CMCP. The Gallery offers a wide range of educational and public programs to schools, families, youth, adults and seniors, and to people with disabilities.
CyberMuse, the Gallery's on-line educational tool, features the works and artists represented in the permanent collection and is targeted to children, youth and teachers. It offers information on and insight into the world of artists and their work, through images, audio and video presentations, and a growing number of artist interviews and biographies.
Current event information can be found at www.gallery.ca by following the link to Programs and Activities.
9. Please tell us about the exhibitions that are currently on view at the Gallery.
The current special exhibition Norval Morrisseau - Shaman Artist is on display from 3 February to 30 April 2006.
Norval Morrisseau' s sublimely colourful and deeply spiritual works have inspired three generations of First Nations artists and made him an icon of Canadian art.
Norval Morrisseau, also called Copper Thunderbird, rose to fame in the 1960s as the originator of the Woodland School. This unique style is now simply called Anishnaabe painting, a term that refers to the artist's heritage and the archetypal status of his work.
This exhibition features 60 vibrant works, from evocations of ancient symbolic etchings on sacred birchbark scrolls and pictographic renderings of spiritual creatures, to more recent works that are celebrations of pure colour. Morrisseau reveals something of the soul of humanity through colour and his unique "X-ray" style of imaging: Sinewy black "spirit" lines emanate, surround, and link animal and human figures, and skeletal elements and internal organs are visible within their brightly coloured segments.
10. What exhibitions are coming up? What type of exhibitions have you held in the past?
Upcoming exhibitions include Emily Carr: New Perspectives (2 June – 4 September 2006), Edwin Holgate (6 October 2006 – January 2007), Clarence Gagnon, 1881-1942: Dreaming the Landscape (6 October 2006 – January 2007), and Renoir Landscapes (8 June – 9 September 2007).
Past exhibitions have included Christopher Pratt; Leonardo Davinci, Michelangelo and the Renaissance in Florence; The Group of Seven in Western Canada; the Age of Watteau, Chardin, and Fragonard.
11. Please comment on traveling exhibitions that make the National Gallery accessible to people outside of Ottawa as well.
The Gallery's Traveling Exhibitions Program is the largest of any art museum in North America, and reaches a broad range of institutions, including those in small and remote communities, as well as audiences abroad. More information on what is near you can be found at http://www.gallery.ca/ in the exhibitions, traveling exhibitions page.
12. Please tell us about the types of activities and tours available at the National Gallery for adults and children. You also host concerts.
A range of activities are available for children aged 3 and up, teens, adults, and seniors. Our popular After Hours program for adults, thematically linked to our special exhibition, is an opportunity for adults to enjoy an evening of fine art, music and a special menu served to compliment the theme of the evening.
Children's programming is extensive and includes Esso Family Fundays, Saturday Morning Art Club, Tiny Tots for children aged 3 – 5, March Break and Summer Camps, Birthday Workshops, and Artissimo activities are free with admission and are available on weekends and during holidays for children 3 and up.
Unique programs for children, teens and adults occur in conjunction with special exhibitions please visit www.gallery.ca for up to date program and registration information.
Guided Tours of the National Gallery's Permanent Collection are offered at 2 pm from Wednesday to Sunday from 1 October to 30 April, and daily at 2 pm from May through September and are free with gallery admission.
You can now enjoy a personal tour of the Gallery's famed Canadian collection with our easy-to-use audioguide. This lively recording allows visitors to access over 200 commentaries about the Canadian galleries and individual works in the collection. The audio tour is narrated by radio personalities Karen Flanagan-McCarthy and Steve Madely, and accompanied by music from Canadian recordings. Audioguides for the Canadian collection are available in English, French, Spanish, German and Mandarin. At the Information Desk in the Great Hall. Cost: $3.
Guided Tours for Groups of the Permanent Collection are $6 per person plus admission to the permanent collection with a minimum of 10 and maximum of 25 persons per guide.
Rates for guided group tours of the special exhibitions vary according to each exhibition on view. Minimum of 15 persons per group. Admission dates, times, and prices are subject to change. Please call (613) 990-4888, TDD (613) 990-8340, to confirm details prior to arrival.
13. Please tell us about the Research Resources that are available at the National Gallery.
Research Resources include the NGC Library and Archives, the Research Fellowship Program, and the provenance research project. The Library is open to the public at select times and it's catalogue can be searched online at http://bibcat.gallery.ca/screens/opacmenu.html.
14. Please tell us about your visitor facilities, shopping opportunities and food services.
Strollers and wheelchairs provided free of charge at the Foyer Information Desk. Audioguides for the permanent collection are available (cost $3) at the information desk in the Great Hall.
Visitors may take pictures for personal use, with a hand-held camera and electronic flash, of works in the permanent collection. It is not permitted to reproduce or sell the photographs, to photograph works on loan, in temporary exhibitions or in the Canadian and Aboriginal Art galleries, or to use a tripod
The Gallery Bookstore sells a variety of fine jewelry, gifts, exhibition merchandise and of course books. A range of foodservice areas are available to Gallery visitors, each offering an interesting and unique variety. Managed by KW Catering and Events, they offer moderately priced food and are licensed to serve beer and wine.
15. What special events are coming up for 2006 at the National Gallery?
The NGC will feature the work of Emily Carr in the summer of 2006. Best known for her paintings of First Nations villages and landscapes of the northwest Pacific coast, Emily Carr (1871-1945) is the subject of numerous biographies, scholarly articles, documentary films, plays, a musical, an opera, and poetry. Regarded as a writer, environmentalist, feminist icon of Canadian art, defiant Victorian, solitary eccentric, and documenter of Northwest Coast monumental art, she has endured, nevertheless, as a larger-than-life enigma.
The show Emily Carr: New Perspectives (2 June – 4 September 2006) looks at Carr through the historical lens of 20th century exhibitions that presented her work, and in the social and political contexts that defined her world. What emerges is a compelling new portrait of this much-loved artist.
Featured are some 200 objects – paintings, drawings, watercolours, caricatures, ceramics, sculpture, hooked rugs, books, maps, photographs, and ephemera – including about 150 works of art by Carr – on loan from the National Gallery, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and major institutions across the country.
Thank you, Katja, for this great overview of the National Gallery.
