The Ottawa Mission has been serving the homeless, hungry, and lost by providing food, clothing, shelter, and skills since 1906. They also offer health services, mental health and addiction treatment programs, hospice care, dental services, housing services, educational support, job training, spiritual care, and clothing to thousands in our community who need it the most. It wasn’t until a few years ago, in 2019, that The Mission became committed to putting a roof over everyone’s head as a human right with the launch of a new housing department.
“Andrew and Jesse in the Laundry” by Karen Bailey. Photo: Clive Cretney, Norm Paul.
From Sept. 30 to Oct. 16, The Ottawa Mission joins forces with renowned artist Karen Bailey and the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) to present Portraits of The Ottawa Mission, an exhibition that highlights the stories of the clients, employees, volunteers, service partners and donors of Ottawa’s oldest and largest homeless shelter in a new exhibition in the Sky Lounge of the OAG.
Bailey is a nationally recognized artist with over four decades of artistic excellence under her belt. She focuses on underrepresented individuals and communities to show everyone the importance behind their stories. In this exhibition, she captured those who have turned to The Mission for help, those who have provided it, and the ties between them. In 14 months, she completed 31 paintings for the display.
“Chef Ric” by Karen Bailey. Photo: Clive Cretney, Norm Paul.
“My goal as a painter is to shine a light on underrepresented people and behind-the-scenes workers,” says Bailey. “I’ve always wanted to do something with an organization that works with homeless people. The Ottawa Mission is an absolutely remarkable place. I had no idea that there was such a broad range of services available until I came there. And that’s what impresses me most of all.”
These portraits spread The Ottawa Mission’s goal: that “each person has inherent dignity by virtue of being human, and each person is worthy of unconditional acceptance, respect, attention and compassion.” Through warm tones and soft edges, these works of art share meaningful stories with anyone willing to stop and look.
“New Beginnings with Chef Ric’s” by Karen Bailey. Photo: Clive Cretney, Norm Paul.
“The Ottawa Mission wanted to get involved in this project because we wanted to highlight the people who are making a difference each and every day in our community,” says Peter Tilley, CEO of The Mission.
The Ottawa Art Gallery, which is neighbours with The Ottawa Mission just across Waller Street on Daly, shows time and time again the vital role art plays in Ottawa, from a sense of meaning to an impact in everyday life; it’s more than just a few brushstrokes or lines from a 2H pencil. The Mission is pleased to grow its alliance with the OAG by sharing these stories within a vast community and personal relationships.
“Day/Hope Program” by Karen Bailey. Photo: Clive Cretney, Norm Paul.
“Karen has honed her skill and reputation as a portrait artist with a notable commission by the 27th Governor General of Canada Michaëlle Jean, to a series on Canadian military medical personnel in Afghanistan through the Canadian Forces Artist Program, to exploring the working animal community through projects like Raising Stanley/Life With Tulia,” says Ottawa Art Gallery Director and CEO Alexandra Badzak. “Her portraits resonate because of her deep commitment to and respect for the individuals and communities she paints. The resulting artworks provide an intimate and privileged perspective on the people and relationships that create a sense of belonging, while memorializing communities often overlooked. The Ottawa Art Gallery is honoured to collaborate with The Ottawa Mission and Karen Bailey in sharing these stories of resilience, dignity and care.”
The Portraits of The Ottawa Mission exhibition runs from Sept. 3 –Oct. 16 in the Sky Lounge of the OAG at 10 Daly Avenue. Admission is free.
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