The Ottawa Art Expo was founded in the fall of 2008 to provide a significant indoor event for fine arts,  based on the belief that Ottawa, as the Nation’s capital, deserved such an event and that the  time had come for Ottawa  to come out of the shadow of Toronto, Montreal and New York. The Expo helps to promote and sell the works of Ottawa and area artists; hopes to educate the public through awards and student competitions, and proudly celebrate s the continually developing artistic heritage of Canada and its peoples.

Ottawa Art Expo is a not for profit corporation founded and run by artists. The event welcomes the participation of established and developing artists. By broadening the commercial possibilities and by promoting the appreciation and purchase of art to a wider audience, the OAE hopes to encourage another generation to become artists and to help them to make a living doing so.

OAE was an immediate success in its first two years, gaining major sponsors, welcoming well known public figures as presenters, attracting thousands of visitors, and recording substantial sales. We want to grow our awards program into a national institution and create a student scholarship.

Our vision is to become an integral part of an artist’s journey

 from high school to art school, from gallery to museum, from home to around the world.