2020 in review: Five ways Black Lives Matter affected the arts in Ottawa – Ottawa Citizen

Ottawa-area artists Celestina, left, and Hasina are part of the Full Femme arts collective, which, in conjunction with Gallery 101, are offering a series of workshops aimed at developing young Black artistic talent. Photo by Julie Oliver /Postmedia

Planting seeds

After an infographic shared on Instagram sparked a conversation on the lack of Black artists represented by Ottawas commercial art galleries, one non-profit gallery came up with the funding to help change that picture. Gallery 101 struck a deal with the Ottawa-Gatineau arts collective, Full Femme, to launch Expansions, a series of online, interactive workshops aimed at giving practical information to young, Black LGBTQ+ artists, including those who are neurodiverse or have a disability. Its an important step in making space for young, Black artists in Ottawas cloistered art world.

Positions of power

Two of Ottawas most established arts entities welcomed Black directors this year. Caribbean-born Carleton University grad Osmel Maynes returned to the city to take over the top job at the Capital Pride festival. He arrived in time for the inaugural Winter Pride fest, then led the organization in devising a virtual iteration of the main event in August, declaring that Pride is never cancelled. Meanwhile, Kwende Kefentse stepped into a demanding position as the first executive director of the 45-year-old community radio station CKCU-FM. His vision of transforming the station into a multimedia community broadcaster got off to a good start with this years funding drive, which exceeded its goal of $150,000.

Businesses blossom

Actor-storyteller Jacqui Du Toit and poet-musician Jamaal Jackson Rogers, two of the co-owners of the Origin Arts and Community Centre, plan to launch a theatre company that will focus on Black stories. Another venture of Rogers has been years in the making: the Black Rhino Artist Retreat will be a peaceful rural setting for artists of any colour to create and relax, with features such as a pool, sauna, gym, stage and bar. Also in the works is an Afro-Black cultural centre in the downtown core, the brainchild of musician Wise Atangana, who believes that creativity is the key to dismantling anti-Black racism.

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2020 in review: Five ways Black Lives Matter affected the arts in Ottawa - Ottawa Citizen