Artists from Belong Ottawa’s Creative Expressions program exhibited their art works at the Ottawa Public Library’s Main Branch in August.
Launching the 6th annual exhibit with a celebratory vernissage on Aug. 14, Belong Ottawa’s community development manager Liz deMelo said, “It’s such a pleasure to be able to highlight the talent that exists in our community.”
She thanked the library and its staff for their support of the artists and Belong Ottawa.
“It’s just been such a wonderful relationship with the Ottawa Public Library. I know a lot of our folks spend a lot of time coming to the library,” she said, noting that it is a safe place where they can read and research. “They’ve made a lot of friends with a lot of the staff here because they’re compassionate and welcoming, so we’re grateful for that relationship that you have with a lot of our community members as well.”
Librarian Emily Porter said that the library was “thrilled to be collaborating again with our community partner and neighbour, Belong Ottawa.
It’s a privilege to host this annual exhibit and to celebrate the artists… I want to thank all the artists for sharing your art and your talent and your story with us. Without you, this wouldn’t be happening.”
DeMelo introduced the artists in attendance. “Donna has such enthusiasm, and the minute last year’s exhibit was over she started producing work already for this year. And so I’m always excited to see the pieces that she produces and how her work has developed….It’s beautiful and so intricate.
Donna described the three brightly coloured paintings that were in front of the gathered guests and then thanked the other participating artists with special thanks reserved for deMelo. “If it wasn’t for Liz we wouldn’t have this. …You are wonderful.”
George spoke about the very personal meaning of his art. “My partner passed away 13 years ago and this is one of the memories of him. I’m really glad I can do art for him,” he said.
Introducing Aimee, deMelo thanked her for “enriching the programming at our Belong at the Well site. She facilitates art classes for the participants that come there in the evening, who would otherwise probably not really have a lot to do besides having a safe place to be. It’s also nice to be engaged in meaningful activities. She has a steady following of about 10 to 12 people each evening, so thank you for that.”
Aimee showed the guests two ink drawings of wolves that had been her pets, noting that wolves are much maligned and she would have wolves as pets again “in a heartbeat.” She explained that she does art in many other styles and does not want to be limited by categories. “I have no boundaries,” she said. ”I just do what I want to do and see what comes out, so some days there’s abstract and that’s fine, and other days it’s realism. This is more portraiture, but I encourage the people at The Well to just express themselves. Everybody says, ‘Oh I can’t draw, I can’t join your group, I’m not an artist.’ Uh, uh uh…. Every one of you is an artist,” she reassured those in attendance.
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