Normee Ekoomiak, Grand Owl, c. 1990. Collection of the Ottawa Art Gallery: gift of Mark London, 2024. Photo: Rémi Thériault

Ottawa Art Gallery Launches the Spring Season with Exhibitions Connecting People and Stories Through Art

The Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) is excited to launch its Spring Season with three new exhibitions that celebrate diverse voices. Through reflections on identity, heritage, and storytelling, these exhibitions highlight the creativity of the queer community and the cultural narratives of Inuit artists from Nunavik. As we consider the important role art plays in understanding complex global challenges, these exhibitions, created in partnership with communities, spark timely conversations that foster connections, inspire creativity, and deepen our commitment to Canadian art and artists.

Among the season’s highlights is the work of Normee Ekoomiak, reflecting the cultural significance of textile work in Inuit communities. Furthering this is Revival: Printmaking in Nunavik (2014-2019), touring from the Avataq Cultural Institute, which underscores a dedication to preserving and celebrating culture through artistic expression. Grotto: The Bill Staubi Collection honours Staubi’s unwavering support for queer artists and his deep-rooted commitment to Ottawa’s vibrant contemporary art scene.

“The OAG is proud to present exhibitions that celebrate the voices of Inuit artists from Nunavik and the queer community, inviting us to engage with stories of resilience, creativity, and identity. Through these powerful narratives, we wish to foster meaningful conversations that reflect the complexities of our time, and that in addressing these challenges, they also fill us with hope.” – Alexandra Badzak, Director and CEO, Ottawa Art Gallery

ᓄᐊᒥ ᐃᕐᕈᒥᐊᖅ | Normee Ekoomiak

April 12 – August 24, 2025

Normee Ekoomiak’s (1948–2009) art bears witness to his knowledge and memories of the Inuit way of life that he cherished in Fort George, even after moving to Ottawa. His wall-hangings in particular embody the cultural significance of textile work in Inuit communities, where sewing is central to creative work and culture of Inuit today. Later in his life, Ekoomiak lived at The Ottawa Mission, which has generously partnered in this exhibition. Despite hardships, Ekoomiak always returned to art, sharing Inuit culture with both Inuit and non-Inuit audiences. His work stands as a powerful testament to resilience, beauty and storytelling. This exhibition, co-curated by OAG’s Chief Curator Rebecca Basciano and Guest Curator Taqralik Partridge, represents groundbreaking research and is the first comprehensive showcase of Ekoomiak’s work, offering fresh insights and perspectives while reshaping a more inclusive portrait of Canadian art to include underrepresented voices. This exhibition is generously supported by Chartwell and Canada Goose Inc.

“The Ottawa Mission is very proud to partner with the Ottawa Art Gallery to showcase Normee Ekoomiak’s beautiful artwork. Due to the trauma of colonization, Normee spent his last years at our Hospice. When he was admitted, we expected him to live less than five weeks. But his will to live, combined with excellent care, allowed him to recover much of his health and resume his artwork. This exhibition is another link in our longstanding partnership with the OAG to build community in Ottawa and our shared commitment to Reconciliation.” – Peter Tilley, Chief Executive Officer, The Ottawa Mission

Maggie Cain, ᐁᕕᕐᓗ ᐊᕐᓇᓗ [Woman and walrus] (detail), 2017, print. © Avataq Cultural Institute, AV.2019.138, Marie-Christine Couture, 2020.

ᓴᕐᖀᒋᐊᓪᓚᓂᖅ: ᐸᑎᒃᑎᒐᓕᐅᕐᓂᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒻᒥ (2014-2019) | Revival: Printmaking in Nunavik (2014–2019)

April 12 – August 24, 2025

Revival echoes the beginnings of stonecut printing in Puvirnituq in 1961 and highlights its resurgence. Lyne Bastien and Maggie Napartuk have made this possible through traveling workshops offered in communities across Nunavik since 2014. Puvirnituq prints were simple, unadorned depictions of animals and scenes belonging to traditional Inuit imagery. Now, sixty years later, Inuit artists continue to demonstrate a profound desire to keep their culture alive through this art form. Revival gives us a glimpse into the many wonders and challenges of their world. This touring exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Avataq Cultural Institute, supported by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec as well as the Makivik Corporation.

“Revival is a true celebration of Inuit printmaking, bridging past and present. Through bold imagery, this exhibition honors our culture and our artists.” – Isabelle Avingaq Choquette, Curator, Avataq Cultural Institute

Marie-Claude Marquis | @marimarki, It’s Not a Phase Mom, 2019. Collection of the Ottawa Art Gallery: gift of Bill Staubi, 2024. Photo: Rémi Thériault

Grotto: The Bill Staubi Collection

March 8, 2025 – February 8, 2026

Grotto showcases a selection of artworks generously donated by Bill Staubi to the OAG in 2024. This exhibition pays homage to Staubi’s unwavering support for queer artists and his deep-rooted commitment to Ottawa’s vibrant contemporary art scene. The title references Staubi’s iconic, cluttered half-bath installation, a personal grotto assembled from gifts, relics, and symbols of relationships. Much like Staubi’s grotto, this collection explores queer identity, community-building, and activism, highlighting human connection.

“I started getting involved in the local arts scene here in Ottawa and was just blown away by how much creativity there is in the city, how much work is being created but going unnoticed, and wanted to do what I could to be a part of improving that. Buying art is not just about recognizing the value of what the artist has created; it also plays a key role in supporting their development and in enhancing Ottawa as a creative community.” – Bill Staubi, Ottawa art collector and donor

About the Ottawa Art Gallery
OAG is Ottawa’s municipal art gallery and cultural hub. Located in Ottawa’s downtown core, the expanded Gallery is a contemporary luminous cube designed by KPMB Architects and Régis Côté et associés.

Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG)
50 Mackenzie King Bridge, Ottawa, ON, K1N 0C5, Canada
613.233.8699 | info@oaggao.ca

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