LETTER FROM CARRIE COLTON, GALLERY DIRECTOR:
Hey Ottawa, it has been 18 months since we opened the doors, and
walls, of Studio Sixty Six - and what an exciting and fulfilling 18
months it has been!
A little history: As a founding partner at
Exposure Gallery in 2009 along with Sheila Whyte of Thyme and Again, a
space dedicated to contemporary art photography that I designed, and
curated for the first 2 years of operation - we worked hard to
contribute to Wellington West as a shining light in the Ottawa art
landscape. Working with the other great galleries and studios in the
area, and the local BIA, we initiated the Wellington West Art Walk - a
monthly event also known as “1st Thursdays" that is still alive and
well today.
In short, I had tasted the excitement and
satisfaction of contributing to the burgeoning Ottawa art and gallery
scene, and wanted more. After a couple of years I truly missed the fun
and satisfaction of engaging with artists and helping Ottawans see,
experience and buy some of the amazing work that is being created here.
When a larger space came available adjacent to my design studio at 66
Muriel St. in the Glebe I knew right away that I wanted to develop it
into a new and unique Ottawa exhibition space, and Studio Sixty Six was
born!
The decision to focus exclusively on emerging artists has
delivered all that we had hoped, and more. It is truly rewarding to
provide a showcase for Ottawa’s newest and brightest creators, and to
experiment with work that is not shown anywhere else in our city. Most
recently, we have been fortunate to secure talented emerging curator and
writer Lital Khaikin to assist in curating shows, managing the space,
and develop the gallery programs.
In 2014, we featured a series of group shows, tied together by specific mediums - New Painters, New Photographers, and New Printmakers
to name a few. This year, we have decided to shift focus to solo
exhibitions in order to provide a more complete "first show” experience
for the artist and gallery customers alike - shining a light on the
artist and their materials, processes, concepts and inspirations. The
one exception is the upcoming show Graphis - a group exhibition
focused on the amazing graphic design of some of Ottawa’s newly minted
design pros. As a designer myself this is a show near and dear to my
heart.
I would like to thank you all for your interest in, and
support of Studio Sixty Six and our growing roster of talented artists.
You are directly contributing to help the Ottawa cultural landscape grow
and evolve - and to making our great city an even better place to call
home.
Carrie Colton | Gallery Director