Art Lending of Ottawa: giving the gift of art

This Land, Our Life, by Jane Barlow
Flowers, by Jacqueline Ratto-Allard

By Christine Osborne

Looking to give more meaningful gifts this holiday season? Consider giving the gift of art.

Art Lending of Ottawa (ALO) is holding its final show of 2023 on Saturday, December 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the RA Centre at 2451 Riverside Drive. You will find art of all styles, for sale or rent, by over 30 local artists. Not sure what art to choose? Gift certificates will be available and can be redeemed online at www.ArtLendingofOttawa.ca or at a future show.

Along with being unique and one of a kind, art can be a very personal and thoughtful gift. Art can evoke memories of a special event or serve as a reminder of the person who gifted the art piece. Of course, art can also have decorative value and can enhance a person’s living space. It can also serve as a great conversation starter. There can be long lasting value in art. It can appreciate over time, and people may even become art collectors.

Giving art as a gift has the added benefit of supporting local artists and the art community. Gifting art is great way to introduce the recipient to different artists and art styles.

One of the artists in the December show is Jacqueline Ratto-Allard, a professional artist who paints predominantly in oils and acrylics. Her paintings are described as featuring bold lines with vibrant colours, portraying strong yet sensitive reality, slightly altered in graceful forms and patterns. Her paintings focus primarily on still life, floral designs, old buildings and intricate designs.

Another featured artist is Jane Barlow, a fellow of the Ottawa Watercolour Society and a practicing psychiatrist. She uses artistic expression to explore themes which are archetypal and combine both the figurative and symbolic. She believes that art is an offering which can allow the viewer to gain access to further knowledge about oneself by witnessing one’s own reactions – physical, emotional as well as intellectual – to the work.

Ratto-Allard, Barlow and other artist members of Art Lending look forward to seeing you at our December holiday show! Admission and parking are free. If you miss us in December, mark your calendar for our next show on March 16.

Christine Osborne is a member of Art Lending of Ottawa.