New Exhibition | Summer Classes | Summer-Start Residency | Photo Walk

Poster image by Michelle Sound

Catalyst

The SPAO Photographic Arts Centre proudly presents Catalyst, an exhibition in the SPAO Centre Gallery from May 23 – September 14, 2025. A reception will be held on Friday, September 12, from 5pm to 7pm.

Catalyst showcases eight photo-based artists from across Canada who are revitalising historic and analogue photographic processes in their work. Using processes such as wet plate collodion, tintype, anthotype, and gum bichromate, the artists in this exhibition acknowledge the complex legacies of photography in Canada, while at the same time reclaiming these processes as tools of resistance, reflection, and celebration.

Evergon
Christine Fitzgerald
Natalie Goulet
Anahita Norouzi
Francis O’Shaughnessy
Morgan Sears-Williams
Michelle Sound
Kali Spitzer

As SPAO celebrates 20 years, the photographic arts centre reflects on its enduring commitment to analogue photographic arts education by highlighting artists who signal a powerful return to hands-on image-making.

Learn more about Catalyst.

Work by SPAO alum Tyler Nykilchyk

Summer Classes + Workshops

Experiment, explore, and engage in diverse photo-based media. SPAO offers a wide range of recreational and educational programming during evenings and weekends. From beginner digital photography and darkroom introductions to lighting techniques and Photoshop, there’s something for every level.

This summer, why not try something new? Dive into a 3-day cyanotype workshop or check out SPAO’s new pinhole camera workshop—great opportunities to get hands-on with alternative processes.

Through the Youth Foundation Initiative, youth aged 16 to 20 who register with SPAO will now be offered our unclaimed spots in any of our Foundation classes at no cost.

View the full range of SPAO’s offerings.

Installation shot of Exhibition 18 by Eric Reid

Summer-Start Artist Residency

The SPAO Artist Residency offers photo-based artists the opportunity to advance their career at one of Canada’s foremost photographic art centres.

During this 6-month artist residency, individuals are afforded the time and environment needed to research, experiment, and produce a body of work as a professional artist. Upon completion, artists are offered the paid opportunity to exhibit in the SPAO Centre Gallery. The residency has been designed for artists who have completed formal training in visual arts and/or lens-based media and are ready to intensely focus on an aspect of their practice while utilizing our facility and directed mentorship. Learn more.

The summer-start residency runs from July to December 2025. Only paid spots are still available.

Application Deadline: June 15, 2025 | 11:59pm EDT

Image by Rob Little

SPAO Photo Walk

With the weather warming up, it’s the perfect time to explore the SPAO Photo Walk – a self-guided adventure through Ottawa’s Little Italy featuring large-scale photographic artworks. Linking Commissioner’s Park to LeBreton Flats, the route invites locals and visitors alike to discover the neighbourhood’s charm.

Each piece includes a QR code participants can scan to gain insight into the artist and the artwork. Scanning the QR code also gives you access a digital map to help guide your journey. Whether you stroll solo or with a friend, grab a cold drink and make a day of it!

Learn more about the SPAO Photo Walk.

Also On

SPAO is accepting applications for the Photographic Arts and Production College Diploma Program. Learn more.

For more information, please contact us:
SPAO.ca
613 562 3824
info@spao.ca

SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre
77 Pamilla Street
Ottawa, ON K1S 3K7

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