2024
Art weekend with the OTL
The library is hosting two art events the weekend of November 9th to 10th and collaborating on an exhibit and drawing session with Gallery 101 on November 10th at 280 Catherine Street. Details below!
If you’ve visited the library lately, you’ll have enjoyed the fab art currently on our walls. The exhibit Harvest of Creativity showcases the work of five artists (@kaciekulture @ubuntuarthouse @maeajayi @kin_of_chlorophyll @creativebeana) and runs until November 28th, but the vernissage is Saturday, November 9th from 6:30-8pm. Be there or be square, as the old saying goes.
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A Crochet Workshop with Ubuntu Art House takes place next day, November 10th, from 1 to 4 pm. Unfortunately, the limited number of places for this workshop filled up already! The call to crochet adorable fall mushrooms was too powerful to resist. As the workshop takes place during regular library hours, feel free to come by the library that day regardless.
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OTL and Gallery 101 collaboration
Do Weeds Still Grow in Heaven? The Ottawa Trans Library & Gallery 101 present a trans life drawing session & exhibition tour led by artist Lan “Florence” Yee, Sunday, Nov 10, 2024 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM at Gallery 101, 280 Catherine St Ottawa.
This event seeks to offer space for trans & queer intimacy amid Lan “Florence” Yee’s exhibition, Do Weeds Still Grow in Heaven? The drawing event will be held exclusively for the trans community, including non-binary and 2-Spirit people aged 18+.
The tour will start at 11, and the drawing will begin at 11:30. Free. Complete information on theย Eventbrite page.
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Fundraiser at Nokia November 5th
Do you live or work in the West End? Join us for a fun evening of trivia in support of the Ottawa Trans Library.
Hosted by the charismatic Sophia Sapphire, this event promises to be a fun and engaging way to test your knowledge, bid on fantastic auction items, and support a great cause!
The auction will feature exciting items like event tickets and local experiences, along with door prizes and rewards for our trivia champs. Plus, enjoy a delicious pizza dinner to keep you energized and ready to compete.
We look forward to an evening of fun, friendly competition, and community support. Free, with free venue parking!
When: Tuesday, November 5th from 5 to 7 pm.
Where: Nokia Ottawa Main Lobby, 600 March Road Ottawa, ON K2K 2T6
Kama La Mackerel at the OTL October 17th
Ottawa Trans Library and Carleton University Art Gallery invite you to a free public conversation with Kama La Mackerel โ multilingual writer, visual artist, performer, educator and literary translator.
This conversation will be moderated by artist, activist and educator Cara Tierney, who will pose questions to Kama around such themes as: building an artistic practice โfrom scratch,โ leveraging artistic practices to build better futures, and queerness / transness and community-building through the arts. Their conversation will be followed by a short Q & A.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome. No advance registration is required.
Kama La Mackerel / photo by Ashvin Ramdin
Joanne Law’s 80th birthday at the OTL!
Special celebration for a trans pioneer October 5th 5 to 7 pm
Joanne’s daughter invites you to join her and Joanne’s friends and colleagues to celebrate the 80th
birthday of a pillar of our community.
From the early 90s on, Joanne’s advocacy, activism, outreach, volunteerism and educational efforts changed the way trans people were perceived in Ottawa and paved the way for our growing acceptance. This library is possible only because of the sacrifice and tireless efforts of trans pioneers like Joanne Law, and we are proud to be hosting this event. Finger food and light refreshments provided.
Drop by to say hi or stay for the duration, but come celebrate with us! Saturday, October 5th 2024 5 to 7 pm.
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New art at the OTL!
The Ottawa Trans Library is thrilled to present TransArt from the collection of Caitlyn Pascal and Ariel Troster. This is a must-see exhibit featuring works by Sybil Lamb, Cat Graffam, Vivek Shraya, Ehren English, Cara Tierney, and JJ Levine. On from September 11th to October 13th. Meet your community at the vernissage Saturday, September 14th from 6 to 8 pm.
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OTL fundraiser at the HPH September 29th!
Short Film Serenade is a fun event for the community and a pay-what-you-can fundraiser for the Ottawa Trans Library! Sunday September 29, 2024 from 4 to 10 pm at the Hintonburg Public House, 1020 Wellington St. West. Silent auction and raffle with prizes from our Hintonburg and Wellington West friends, including Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, Maker House Co., Victoire, Two Chicks & A Garden, Little Jo Berry’s, Asinabka Festival, and more.
Here’s the rough schedule so you can time your visit:
4pm-5pm Meet, greet and eat. Browsing and carousing.
5pm-6pm Screening of short films
6pm-7pm Break: Silent auction and raffle prizes announced. Browsing and carousing.
7pm-10pm Karaoke hosted by drag king BJ Stroker.
This is an all ages event with parental advisory. Should be lots of fun. See you there!
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Trans Life Drawing
Ottawa Trans Library and Aids Committee Ottawa are partnering to bring you Trans Life Drawing!
Dates: Second Thursday of every month, September to December 2024, 6-8 pm
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Next peer support drop-in at the OTL August 21st
We were pleased to host a six month pilot project by the Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC). This initiative, which began March 20th, was designed to provide info on resources available and help you navigate issues such as transitioning. Although CCHC cannot provide counselling, the friendly co-ordinators, in collaboration with the library, can provide a safe and affirming space to help you discuss possibilities. The drop-in was held at the Ottawa Trans Library on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, with the final drop-in scheduled for August 21. However, as this was a popular initiative, stay tuned. We hope to continue. Dates not yet confirmed.
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OTL at West Side Pride July 27th
If you live in western Ottawa or the surrounding region, then West Side Pride is for you! This year the Ottawa Trans Library will be at Alexander Grove Park in Stittsville from 12 to 5 pm. on Saturday, July 27th. Lots of free parking available.
Or if youโre stuck in town, you can still visit us at our usual location in Hintonburg. Your choice!
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Phantomtits opening event July 26th
The Ottawa Trans Library is pleased to host an artist talk and vernissage with Cara Tierney July 26th. Cara and Pascale Arpin are the authors and artists responsible for the clever, amusing and creative three volume graphic work Phantomtits. Currently on at the Ottawa Trans Library until September 2, Phantomtits is an exhibit of original sketches along with images that describe the artistic process behind the books. Join us July 26th from 6 to 8 pm for this community and art lovers event!
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Double book launch June 18th
Join us Friday, June 18th from 6 to 8 pm for the launch of two books: Three Way Fight: Revolutionary Politics and Antifascism and Genealogies of Antifascism: Militancy, Fatigue and the Three Way Fight, with Xtn Alexander, D. Z. Shaw and Rob Luzecky.
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CALL FOR ENTRIES: Supporting Trans Art in Ottawa-Outaouais
Franรงais ci-dessous
The Ottawa Trans Library (OTL) is excited to announce our art grant competition, dedicated to uplifting emerging trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit artists in our community. This initiative aims to increase visibility and support for trans art while showcasing significant talent within our community.
Deadline: Friday June 14th
Grant Details:
- One artist from the Ottawa-Outaouais region will be selected to create an installation in our library’s front window on Somerset St. West in Hintonburg.
- The selected artist will receive an artist fee of $1,000 and a materials stipend of up to $500.
- The runner-up will receive a $300 voucher towards an Ottawa School of Art class.
- The installation will run for 6 weeks in August/September 2024. Seven hours are allocated for installation between August 10th and 15th. Take-down will occur between September 29th and October 5th.
- OTL staff will provide guidance and support for the installation and take-down.
Art Installation Criteria:
Vibrant: Celebrate the beauty of our community.
Theme: Reflect “We Have Always Existed.”
Light Transmission: Ensure at least 50% natural light through the window.
Durability: Must be able to withstand afternoon heat and direct sunlight.
Submission Requirements:
- Bio (max. 150 words)
- CV detailing past artistic experience
- Project description: Your creative vision for the window installation (250โ500 words)
- Up to 5 examples of previous art work
- Applicants must identify as trans/non-binary/Two-Spirit and reside in the Ottawa-Outaouais region.
How to Apply:
Submit your application via this Google Form [https://forms.gle/ALHEDtUi7ekeW2PQ8].
Contact Information:
For additional accommodations or inquiries, please email OTLArtGrant@gmail.com.
Ownership of the work:
Ownership of submitted artwork remains with the artist. By participating, artists grant OTL the right to display their work for the duration of the exhibition.
Deadline:
Friday June 14th, 2024
The attached documents are the original flyer as a Word document and the dimensions of the space behind the window.
OTL Art Grant 2024_Flyer_EN(1) ย OTL Window Space Dimensions
APPEL ร CANDIDATURES: Soutien ร l’art trans dans la rรฉgion dโOttawa-Outaouais
La Bibliothรจque Trans dโOttawa (BTO) est ravie d’annoncer le lancement de notre Concours de bourse d’art, dรฉdiรฉ au soutien des artistes รฉmergents trans, non-binaires et deux-esprits de notre communautรฉ. Cette initiative vise ร accroรฎtre la visibilitรฉ et le soutien de l’art trans tout en mettant en valeur un talent significatif au sein de notre communautรฉ.
Date limite :ย vendredi 14 juin 2024
Dรฉtails de la bourse:
- Un artiste de la rรฉgion d’Ottawa-Outaouais sera sรฉlectionnรฉ pour crรฉer une installation dans la vitrine de notre bibliothรจque sur Somerset St. West ร Hintonburg.
- L’artiste sรฉlectionnรฉ recevra une rรฉmunรฉration de 1 000 $ et une allocation de matรฉriaux pouvant aller jusqu’ร 500 $.
- Le deuxiรจme prix recevra un bon de 300 $ valable pour un cours ร l’รcole d’Art d’Ottawa.
- L’installation durera 6 semaines en aoรปt/septembre 2024. Sept heures sont allouรฉes pour l’installation entre le 10 et le 15 aoรปt. Le dรฉmontage aura lieu entre le 29 septembre et le 5 octobre.
- La BTO fournira un soutien et des conseils pour l’installation et le dรฉmontage.
Critรจres pour l’installation artistique:
Vibrant: Cรฉlรฉbrer la beautรฉ de notre communautรฉ.
Thรจme: Reflรฉter ยซ Nous avons toujours existรฉ ยป.
Transmission de lumiรจre: Assurer au moins 50% de lumiรจre naturelle ร travers la fenรชtre.
Durabilitรฉ: Doit pouvoir rรฉsister ร la chaleur et au soleil direct de l’aprรจs-midi.
Exigences de soumission:
- Biographie (max 150 mots)
- CV dรฉtaillant l’expรฉrience artistique passรฉe
- Description du projet : Votre vision crรฉative pour l’installation de la vitrine (250โ500 mots)
- Jusqu’ร 5 exemples d’ลuvres d’art prรฉcรฉdentes
- Les candidats doivent s’identifier comme trans/non-binaires/deux-esprits et rรฉsider dans la rรฉgion d’Ottawa-Outaouais.
Comment postuler:
Soumettez votre candidature via Google Form (https://forms.gle/ALHEDtUi7ekeW2PQ8)
Coordonnรฉes:
Pour des accommodations supplรฉmentaires ou des questions, veuillez envoyer un courriel ร OTLArtGrant@gmail.com.
Propriรฉtรฉ de l’ลuvre:
La propriรฉtรฉ des ลuvres soumises reste ร l’artiste. En participant, les artistes accordent ร la BTO le droit d’exposer leur ลuvre pour la durรฉe de l’exposition.
Date limite:
vendredi 14 juin 2024
OTL Art Grant 2024_Dรฉpliant_FR(1) ย OTL Window Space Dimensions
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Trans Tea Time: 30+ Social, June 1st
Step into a warm atmosphere of connection and camaraderie at the Ottawa Trans Library! Join us for a delightful evening of relaxation and mingling, exclusively for our 30+ trans community. Indulge in soothing teas, savor sweet treats, and forge new bonds in our inviting space. Mark your calendars for Friday, June 1st from 5:30-8:30 PM. We can’t wait to see you there!
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Ten Oaks/UrBasics Bra and binder drive at the OTL to May 31st
Ten Oaks has partnered with urBasics to collect donated chest binders and bras for youth who participate in their programs. The Ottawa Trans Library will be a drop-off location for donated gender gear. Donations accepted until the end of May at 1104 Somerset St. West during library hours. Organized by moms of trans youth!
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Over 40 2SLGBTQ+ event at the Library May 17th
The joys of a good house party! Friends and strangers blending in a convivial atmosphere, and the party’s always in the kitchen. We have no kitchen, but we will have snacks, refreshments and music! Make new friends and mingle with others over 40 at the Ottawa Trans Library’s ‘house party’, Friday, May 17th from 7 to 10 pm. See you there!
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Collaborative zine making night at the OTL Wednesday, May 1st 6-9pm
Come work on zines with us as we work on the next issue of The Dragon Flyer, the Ottawa Trans Libraryโs community zine. Write, draw, scan, cut, and paste with us on our community zine or your own project, or just come hang out with us. We are collecting stories, jokes, poems, art, and more from the trans and non-binary community in Ottawa and our friends and families.
The zine workshop is a collaborative event to discuss, share, and work on zines together.
Come tell your story.We will provide paper, templates, and whatever art supplies we have. No experience necessary. All ages welcome, children under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
Masking and testing the day of the event is encouraged. Accessibility note: There are two stairs at the door entrance. We have a ramp we can bring out for the door on request. There’s a washroom but it’s not large enough for many mobility devices.
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Trans History Night April 20th
We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Carleton University class of History 4506A for an evening of snacks, drinks, engaging conversation and presentations on trans history. Join us Saturday, April 20th from 5 to 8 PM., 1104 Somerset St. West.
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Introduction To collaborative โzine making March 25th
An introductory workshop by experienced โzine creator Theo Houghtaling on making zines in a collaborative way will be held at the Library Monday, March 25, 2024 from 3 to 6 PM. This is a free event, but donations in support of Theo Houghtaling are welcome. Please register at Eventbrite:
Find Theo on Instagram@theojparker
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ReCollections: paintings by Julie Cheff February 4th
A retrospective of paintings by Julie Cheff is on at the library February 4th to March 31st.
