From June to September 2026, thirteen new pieces of art are being installed across downtown Ottawa. In the heart of the city, the ACE District is the place for residents and tourists to see and engage with art. The new public artworks speak to Ottawa’s role as Canada’s capital and link three of its core arts institutions: the National Arts Centre, the National Gallery of Canada and the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG).
“We wanted the artists in the Arts Corridor to represent not only the talent of artists working in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, but also the diversity of artists working across Canada,” says OAG Assistant Curator Amy Wallace. “In some cases, we selected historically significant sites, so that the artists could engage with those histories in a meaningful way. For people walking through the ByWard Market, these site-responsive installations will unfold as people explore each piece of art.”
Curated by the OAG, the Arts Corridor gives both artists and the visitors new opportunities to explore public art.
“Some of [the artists] have worked in public art before and others have not,” explains OAG Chief Curator Rebecca Basciano. “To work with them to realize their work on a larger scale and to support their artistic development is very exciting. Seeing people’s reactions to the art so far has been really fulfilling.”
Representing Diverse Histories and Identities in the Heart of the Capital
Meryl McMaster’s photographic portrait Edge of a Moment Variation I was one of the first pieces to be installed. Set within the windows of the Former Geological Survey of Canada Building at 25 George Street — current home of the restaurant Dark Fork— McMaster’s photograph reminds viewers that Canadian cities have been built on Indigenous lands. Her work offers a glimpse into history and invites the public to engage in dialogue about Canada’s colonial story.
“My works are large scale photographic, performative self-portraits,” says McMaster. “I blend handmade sculptural elements with garments that I create, blending my Indigenous and Dutch ancestry. The photograph on display was taken at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Alberta. I really wanted to talk about the bison, who were sustainably hunted on the land for thousands of years and then almost wiped out over decades by settlers.”
Jordan Bennett’s colourful mural — visible across the Clarence Street parking garage — invites tourists and locals alike into a conversation about the history of museum collections. A L’nu (Mi’kmaq) artist from Stephenville Crossing, Newfoundland, Bennett incorporates porcupine quill designs and colours from his community which he studied while visiting a museum collection in the National Capital Region.
“A lot of the time, these historical artworks and designs live in drawers within galleries and museums. They don’t get a chance to see the light of day or visited as much as they were intended to. And, folks in Indigenous and BIPOC communities don’t always feel welcome or comfortable in a lot of institutions.” Bennett explains. “By bringing these artworks to the street, I can give folks a chance to become part of the artwork, part of the story, and to spend time with it in a different way.”
Artist Sam Loewen’s artwork “Country Queers” has been printed on a canvas that hangs on the west wall of The Lookout Bar. Originally designed as a handkerchief, the artwork represents a confrontation with and reclamation of Loewen’s queer identity and rural upbringing in Alberta.
“The Lookout was one of the first queer spaces that I came across when I moved to Ottawa,” Loewen recalls. “It was a major, pivotal place for me in building community and finding friendship and love, and a chosen family of sorts. It’s been a hub for years for me, so it’s very meaningful to me to have my work on The Lookout specifically.”
Connecting Communities through Art
Over the course of the summer, residents and tourists of Ottawa will see several new pieces of art installed in the ByWard Market. These include installations by Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona, Caroline Monnet, Norman Takeuchi, Jimmy Baptiste, Pony and more.
“One project that I’m looking forward to is led by the artist Simon Brascoupé”, says Wallace. “He is working with the Elders at Kitigan-Zibi to develop a land-based signage project that will pop up throughout the Arts Corridor and engage viewers in learning about the Anishinaabemowin language in a fun and exploratory way.”
The Arts Corridor is an extension of the OAG’s goal of connecting with community. It signals to both artists, residents and viewers that the arts matter and grounds Ottawa culture.
“Art should be woven into the fabric of everyday life,” Wallace reflects. “Now visitors and residents of Ottawa can experience a curated selection of art as part of their daily commute to work, on their time off over the weekends, and simply engage with it when they come across it. We want to create a space where anyone can engage with art in an accessible way.”
“It is about celebrating the amazing arts and culture that we have here in the city,” Basciano explains. “The Arts Corridor is a fundamental pillar of the ACE District, which is the Arts, Culture and Entertainment District here in Ottawa.
“My works are large scale photographic, performative self-portraits,” says McMaster. “I blend handmade sculptural elements with garments that I create, blending my Indigenous and Dutch ancestry. The photograph on display was taken at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Alberta. I really wanted to talk about the bison, who were sustainably hunted on the land for thousands of years and then almost wiped out over decades by settlers.”
The City of Ottawa has installed a new mural project on Sparks Street for 2026? Check out Canadiana Block!
