Carleton University Art Gallery Debuts New Exhibit at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre
By Emily Putnam
Carleton’s own University Art Gallery (CUAG) has officially opened CUAG Centretown, a new exhibition space nestled in the heart of the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (CDCC).
The space presents artworks that engage and inspire visitors, enhancing CDCC’s role as a downtown hub that strengthens the arts, performance, learning and community in Ottawa.
Each year, CUAG Centretown will feature a site-responsive artwork commissioned from a local Ottawa-Gatineau artist on display for a full year for the community members who use and share the space.
The inaugural commission is The Third Door, a bold and imaginative site-responsive mural by Ottawa-based artist Yomi Orimoloye.
As an artist, Orimoloye is deeply interested in animation, storytelling, and world-building. He says many of these elements are present throughout the commissioned piece.
“This commission gave me the chance to experiment further and work from a place of play. With no set theme or restrictions, the process felt like working with a blank canvas, which I always find exciting. It also gave me the opportunity to present a digital work as the final piece, something I really enjoy.”
Following Carleton’s purchase of the building in 2018, CDCC’s role in the performing arts has grown to encompass music, dance, theatre, opera, circus arts, and more, reflecting a rich and evolving artistic landscape.
Now, the centre hosts many kinds of events – from church services to music concerts and even workshops.
Orimoloye wanted to keep these audiences in mind when crafting his piece.
“What these all have in common is an act of gathering and a sense of community and fellowship, all of which often require participation. I hope the work is a reminder to viewers to be actively present for whatever has brought them there knowing that their presence is welcome and valued.”
As a space without climate control or regular supervision, the installation of conventional artworks is unfeasible, thus commissioning a mural – an artist-designed, full-wall vinyl composition – is both a practical and imaginative way to bring the space to life.
This represented a unique and exciting opportunity for Orimoloye – and working with the support of CUAG’s graphic designer and Optima Imaging for the production, the results had a high visual impact.
“It has been a pleasure working with the team. Being able to discuss ideas and try many different things makes collaboration very easy and fun.”
He says it’s an honour to have been selected as the inaugural artist.
“Working with an institution like CUAG affirms the direction of my practice. Being recognised for my work and having the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Ottawa’s art ecosystem are both deeply important to me.”
“I’d like to thank CUAG for making this possible. It was an honour and pleasure to work on this commission,” says Orimoloye.
This exhibit will coincide with the Gatherings 2025 series, CUAG’s summer series of public events that provide space for exchange and joy, spark conversation and learning, and celebrate being and participating in a creative community together.
Gatherings 2025 explores self-hood and the everyday. Attendees will address questions about shaping identities through meaningful, everyday actions and how community helps in the process.
All events are free and in-person and take place at CDCC in downtown Ottawa throughout May and June.
Heather Anderson, Interim Director of CUAG, says the new space offers a natural extension of the gallery’s commitment to community and connection through its Gatherings series.
“The joy of being able to gather, be together, and celebrate community through the catalyst of art is so meaningful. This year will be our third Gatherings series, and we came to the idea of establishing this gallery space and the commissioned works as an anchor point for them.”
“We are very keen on the idea of an artwork that would be site responsive, thinking in some ways about the meaning of the CDCC as a community hub and place where people gather while keeping in mind the nature of that space architecturally.”
She says the exhibit is for everyone.
“It’s for Carleton students. It’s for broader arts and music folks that are flowing through, it’s for community groups who frequent CDCC. It’s everyone in the community.”
Anderson notes that she’s inspired by what Orimoloye was able to accomplish as the inaugural artist.
“I think his work does such a beautiful job as the first commission. It’s so responsive to this idea of CUAG Centretown as being a place of community gathering and the importance of the arts as a way of sparking conversation, community building, exchange, self reflection, and the way that one’s sense of self can be shaped by art.”
“I’m really happy that he’s laid this foundation of responding to the site, and what this kind of space can be and mean for people. It’s been fabulous working with him.”
She says the creation of CUAG Centretown couldn’t have been possible without help from the team at CDCC.
“It’s been great to work with Mara and her team at CDCC. They’ve been so supportive and helpful through this process.”
“It’s so important, from our perspective, that they [CDCC] enjoy what’s there, because it’s the building that they live with all the time, and everyone that passes through there are the people they interact with on a regular basis. It will be great for audience members, because literally thousands of people will see it over the course of the year.”
Mara Brown, Inaugural Director of the CDCC, says this moment of collaboration is exciting for her team, too.
“The CUAG Centretown initiative marks an exciting milestone, providing a platform for new commissions and expanding the presence of the visual arts at CDCC in a meaningful and lasting way.”
“We at the CDCC view CUAG as a “sister” department at Carleton. Both are vital cultural and artistic departments within the university community, committed to fostering inclusive and diverse programming.”
She says the project reflects their commitment to making a positive community impact.
“This collaboration represents a shared vision rooted in community-building, the thoughtful sharing of resources, and a deepened connection to the broader public.”
Those interested in learning more about Gatherings and The Third Door find information on Gatherings 2025 // An event series downtown in May and June – Carleton University Art Gallery and CUAG Centretown / Yomi Orimoloye: The Third Door – Carleton University Art Gallery.