About

Our Mission

To enrich the visual art ecosystem in Ottawa by providing working spaces for practising artists.

Studio Space Ottawa acknowledges that we are a guest, located on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Territory of the traditional Anishinaabeg people. The Algonquin peoples have lived on this land since time immemorial. We are grateful to be in this territory.

Who We Are

Working Spaces for Working Artists

Studio Space Ottawa provides stable, affordable, open, healthy and safe working spaces for practising visual artists. We serve artists at all stages of their career — established, mid-career, and emerging — fostering independent practice while maintaining a high level of artistic professionalism, personal development, and peer relationships.


Vision: To provide stable, affordable, open, safe and healthy work spaces for visual artists in Ottawa.


Values:

  • To offer studio spaces unreservedly to all visual artists
  • To be open to responding to the changing needs of the Ottawa visual arts community
  • To operate the organization with integrity

SSO is committed to equal studio access for practising artists. We support equal access regardless of gender, orientation, race, religion, belief system, or ethnicity. We welcome applications from artists from equity-seeking communities.

SSO studio spaces
SSO Grand Opening, October 2019
Our History

From Sears Warehouse to Artist Studios

Studio Space Ottawa was founded in 2019 by six members: Kathy Bergquist, Anna Frlan, Susan Roston, Christos Pantieras, Ada Brzeski, and Carl Stewart. The organization received provincial not-for-profit status on July 11, 2019.


The project began when Bergquist and Brzeski met by chance while both were searching for studio space and discovered the same vacant warehouse at 2477 Kaladar Avenue. Stonewater Properties were keen to redevelop the warehouse to create artist studios and offered an affordable price per square foot.


The Grand Opening was held on October 25, 2019, with 20 studios occupied by 22 artists. In January 2020, two additional first-floor studios were added for ceramics and hot metal processes. The organization has since grown to 40 studios across two floors.


The building originally served as a Sears warehouse in the 1950s, later housed Runge Press, and most recently was Midway — an indoor children's amusement park. When the founders first visited, go-karts and clown posters remained. They saw past the amusement park remnants and recognized its potential. We think the building is happy with the arrival of artists and creativity.

Leadership

Board & Administration

SSO is governed by a volunteer board of directors and supported by staff and volunteers.

Photo

Timothy Kavanagh

Board Chair

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Niki Economo

Treasurer

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C.R. Gill

Secretary

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Paul Mora

Member-at-Large

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Gabriela Avila Yiptong

Member-at-Large

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Robert Egert

Member-at-Large

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Ada Brzeski

Member-at-Large

Staff

Anna Frlan, Administrator

Nancy Brandsma, Custodial


Support

David Drapeau, Technology

Ada Brzeski, Bookkeeping

Get in Touch

Contact Us

Interested in renting studio space, or have questions, comments, or suggestions? We'd like to hear from you.

Visit

2477-A Kaladar Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1V 8B9

Email

info@studiospaceottawa.ca

Social

Instagram

Getting Here

Located on Kaladar Avenue near Bank Street and Heron Road, roughly 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa, in a small legacy industrial park.

SSO building at 2477-A Kaladar Avenue

Stay in the Loop

Get updates on events, open calls, and studio availability.