About Us

Welcome!

We are a small not-for-profit volunteer-run collective of artists who share the same vision:

We have a passion for our art form,

we love what we do,

and we want to share it with you!

We host two juried shows a year and maintain our Virtual Gallery all year round.

How It Began

It all started with seven artists who wanted to showcase their work to the community. Our first date was June 26, 2016 in a garden venue in Elmvale Acres...a neighbourhood in Ottawa, ON. It didn't take long to expand our artist membership with those who shared the same philosophy. We wanted to create a regular show that was small and intimate, easy to get to with free parking, and no entrance fee. Since the Fall of 2016 we have been holding our shows at Emmanuel United Church on Smyth Road, Ottawa.

Our 2019 Fall Show was our 8th in-person show at Emmanuel United Church on Smyth Road. It had an exciting line-up of 20 artists! This was about as large as we could fit in this location. Though we have grown slightly larger, our plan for Art in the Neighbourhood is to maintain the intimate nature of a small show, that we envisioned at the outset. We want to be known as "The little show with BIG talent!".

For each show, we had some new additions, and some artists who have been with us since the beginning. To be sure, whether returning or newly added, all artists bring many beautiful and unique creations.

Pandemic Pivot

Since the onset of the pandemic and its restrictions in 2020 impacted large gatherings, we have taken to the Internet and are bringing you our virtual art gallery with shopping capability available all year long. As with our in-person show, we like to keep it small and simple. At anytime, you may contact any of our artists prior to purchasing as sometimes purchasing art needs that personal connection. We also realize that you just need to see a piece first before making a commitment to purchase. We aren't a big corporation and we also still like to have that human contact...so reach out! We'd love to hear from you.

The Spring Art Festival

Continuing our partnership with Canterbury Community Association and the City of Ottawa we are able to bring the Spring Art Festival to the Jim Tubman Sens Arena at the Canterbury Complex in the neighbourhood of Elmvale in Ottawa annually. The first festival took place on May 28th, 2022. We combined food, music, and kids activities with our usual art gallery show. We always have some new artists showcasing their talents alongside the tried and true members. It is a fun day all around with something for everyone. Our recent show on May 11, 2024 was our 3rd Annual rendition and included musical performances by The Guitar Guy. Our collaboraton with Canterbury Community Assocation as come to an end as they move their focus to nigth markets, movies night and other community events. Art in the Neighbourhood will keep the Spring Art Festival alive with the same family fun focus on May 10, 2025.

The Fall Art Show

As we've grown and continually improved our gallery show, we've had several venue changes over the past couple of years. We enjoyed our collaboration with Canterbury Community Association to bring you our Fall Art Show in 2022 at the Community Centre and then teaming up with the staff at Arch Street Public School in 2023 was a great way to support Arch Street PS student programming. Our venue for our Fall Show 2024 found us returning to Emmanuel United Church, where we enjoyed showcasing our art in their main sanctuary hall. We are delighted to return to the welcoming space of United Emmanuel Church at 691 Smyth Road Ottawa and will remain in this location for our future Fall Art Shows as well. The next one will be held on November 22, 2025.

Supporting Charities and the Community

We are grateful to be able to support a number of charities through our art.

Whether through the group collectively or by individual artists we have supported the following:

Serenity Renewal for Families The Ottawa Food Bank

The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada

Ovarian Cancer Canada

Quick Start for Autism

Our largest charitable undertaking has been hosting a number of silent auctions as part of our show, featuring donated pieces from our artists and also from others in the community. We have partnered with Serenity Renewal For Families in memory of Sister Louise Dunn. Proceeds from the auction went to this worthy cause to help ensure Sister Louise's legacy lives on to support families. Check out their website, Serenity Renewal For Families. With the generous help of volunteers and staff from Serenity Renewal, we have raised $1400.00 to date. We plan to continue supporting this most valued service and make charitable donations in the future. Look for Serentiy Renewal at their new location at 404 McArthur Ave in Ottawa.

Social Media

Follow Art in the Neighbourhood on Facebook and Instagram for regular posts and updates, or check back at our website for future event information. Even though we are back to hosting in-person shows at regular six-month intervals, we are maintaining our virtual presence with our website and e-commerce shops because who doesn't like on-line shopping!?