Made at the NaAC. Shared with the world.

Made at the NaAC.

Shared with the world.

Made at the NaAC.

Shared with the world.

Message from the President and CEO

Dear reader, If you’re one of the lucky few who has their hands on this commemorative book, then it most likely means that you’ve played some role in the launch of our new extraordinary partnership between the National accessArts Centre – Canada’s oldest and largest disability arts organization – and Global Affairs Canada.

When it comes to these types of partnerships, so many wonderful people are required to be involved. Whether you’ve been a part of this remarkable process from the very beginning, or have joined us in celebrating this momentous occasion, I just want to say – thank you.

This partnership would also not have happened without the open minds and hearts of the cultural diplomacy team working at Global Affairs Canada. What started as a casual conversation around ways Canada can use arts and culture to celebrate our shared values around inclusion and diversity has now resulted in the acquisition of thirteen of our artists’ works by Global Affairs Canada – works that will soon make their way around the world, gracing the hallways of Canada’s embassies and ambassadorial residences.

It is my sincere hope that our artists’ works will shine a spotlight on the remarkable talents and creativity of individuals with disabilities – and spark a conversation around how we can all play a role in better supporting their limitless potential.

Yours sincerely, Kathy M. Austin Jung-Suk (JS) Ryu President and CEO National accessArts Centre

Flower Garden (2016) 21.5 x 28.25 in. liquid acrylic and ink on paper, framed

My initial idea came from imagining how my garden might look if every flower had bloomed at the same time. The garden is a community of different flowers, and in some way, I hope that people will recognize the diversity and beauty in all living things.

Brian Ehnis

Amber Harriman

Alberta Prairie Farmhouse (2018) 26.25 x 34.25 in. oil pastel on paper, framed

On Point (2019) 25.625 x 20.25 in. freestyle embroidery, framed

I am a dancer and I picked this image because it represents grace and elegance. I decided to do it as a stitching because I thought it would be a challenge, and it was a relatively new medium for me to work with.

Shaun Johnson

Rhonda Kottush

Waterfalls and Mountains (2018) 24 x 30 in. acrylic on canvas

Colours (2016) 20 x 23 in. liquid acrylic and marker on paper, framed

Susie Meredith King Queen Princess Royalty (2018) 30.75 x 24.75 in. felt marker on paper, framed

I like making castles because I imagine that there is magic there, and they are strong and beautiful. I like thinking of all the things that happen there, and in the forest around them, and fairy tales. I like the pink sunset, the power in the sun, and the light.

Robert Panich Forest Fire (2019) 22.25 x 26.25 in. fluid acrylic and pencil crayon on paper, framed

It’s a neat one. When I look at it, I see any kind of picture.

I see the colours. I see the pencil crayons I used. I see the markers and the lines.

Jennifer Parker Beautiful (2019) 9.75 x 12.75 in. acrylic on canvas, framed

I like the colours I use. The pictures are made up. They aren’t anything real. But they make me so happy.

Jennifer Parker Water (2019) 9.75 x 12.75 in. acrylic on canvas, framed

Jennifer Parker Wild Wind (2019) 9.75 x 12.75 in. acrylic on canvas, framed

Mark Brickman and Mack Wigham C-Jam Blues (2019) 30 x 36 in. acrylic on canvas, framed

This artwork is a collaboration by two artists at the National accessArts Centre in a program exploring music visualization in partnership with the National Music Centre.

The artists were given a choice of Canadian songs and selected C-Jam Blues as performed by Oscar Peterson to respond to. Working in forms and colours, this artwork is a representation of their experience of that musical work.

Gwyn Howell Caribou (2019) 30 x 36 in. acrylic on canvas

I thought about going through a terrible blizzard, the caribou are digging through the snow, trying the dig out food. They are following each other, they always follow the heard. The motion of the paint in the background is made by the same motion that the caribou would make pawing through the snow. Dirty colours, like when you go out in the middle of nowhere. That is how the song make me felt.

David Oppong Resiliency and Coronavirus (2020) 54 X 42 in. digital print

This piece is divided into two realms. The face is both happy and sad about our current global situation. Although it is divided in two, these two realities are connected. Some of the leaves are dying, but there are roots that join and connect the darkness of the virus and the light of the sun. It may seem like a new normal, but these emotions have always been connected. Everything has been hard to deal with, but light will be through everything. We will get through this, and future days will bring happiness.

About the National accessArts Centre

The National accessArts Centre (NaAC), formerly known as the Indefinite Arts Centre, is Canada’s oldest and largest disability arts organization.

In 2020, with its rebranding and its acquisition of two sister disability arts organizations, the NaAC became the country’s first multidisciplinary disability arts organization with programs in the following artistic disciplines: visual arts, music, dance, literary arts, and digital media.

Located in Calgary, Alberta, the NaAC is a national leader in the showcasing of our artists’ works locally and around the world. Beginning in 2018, the NaAC has exhibited our visual artists’ works in Hong Kong, Seoul, Dubai, Guadalajara, New York – and

Partners Global Affairs Canada

Supporters

Operational Supporters of the NaAC

soon, in late Winter 2021, in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan. In 2019, along with hosting our first international artist residency in Dubai, the NaAC became the first Canadian arts organization to be installed at the Dubai International Airport, sharing our artists’ creativity with more than 6.8 million visitors.

All visual artists at the NaAC are compensated in alignment with CARFAC (Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens) rates, including exhibition fees. With this acquisition agreement with Global Affairs Canada, the NaAC has sold works from our permanent collection, with artists receiving a subsequent royalty from this agreement following the initial purchase of their works.