Art in the Courtyards brightens historic Capital spaces

The National Capital Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the National Gallery of Canada and The Kingston Prize, today officially launched Art in the Courtyards in the heart of Canada’s Capital.

From now until the end of October 2012, visitors are invited to discover public art while exploring three heritage courtyards in Ottawa’s ByWard Market. Copies of various Canadian artworks are hung in a series of downtown courtyards, forming unique outdoor exhibits. Nature and portraits are this year’s themes.

Beaux-Arts and Tin House Courtyards

These courtyards near the National Gallery of Canada feature works by Canadian artist and landscape photographer Lorraine Gilbert. Her art, depicting trees, landscapes and plant life, is a great introduction to the National Gallery of Canada’s summer exhibition Flora and Fauna: 400 Years of Artists Inspired by Nature, which looks at the ways in which nature has been an enduring subject for artists over the centuries (until September 9, 2012).

Clarendon Lanes Courtyard

The Clarendon Lanes Courtyard, near George Street, features contemporary Canadian portraits by the four grand-prize winners of The Kingston Prize from 2005 to 2011. The Kingston Prize, Canada’s Portrait Competition, celebrates contemporary portraits of Canadians by Canadian artists and takes place every two years. The featured artists are:

Michael Bayne, 2011 winner, Kingston, Ontario

Andrew Valko, 2009 winner, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Joshua Choi, 2007 winner, Toronto, Ontario

Marcia Perkins, 2005 winner, Victoria, British Columbia

About the National Capital Commission

The NCC is a Crown corporation whose mandate is to create pride by making the Capital a meeting place for all Canadians and by using the Capital to communicate Canada to Canadians. The NCC takes great pride in developing and planning a Capital for future generations and in organizing and delivering large-scale events such as the Canada Day celebrations in the Capital Region.

For more information about public art in Canada’s Capital Region, the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or

1-866-661-3530 (toll free TTY) or visit the NCC's website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.

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