While many cities around the world are commissioning monumental public artworks (sculptures and murals) by internationally renowned artists, Ottawa (Canada’s capital city) seems to have found a sweet spot in commissioning small scale artworks by local artists. It pays to be different.

Bank Street In The Glebe

I first noticed the small scale sculptures while flaneuring Bank Street in The Glebe, Ottawa’s trendy neighbourhood south of downtown (on the other side of the freeway). From a distance, I could see strange red structures silhouetted against the sky about 20 feet above the sidewalk and wondered what they were.

When I finally got to the corner, I could see it was a small quirky metal sculptures on the top of a skinny pole (aka the world’s tallest pedestal) with a couple of regular metal chairs on the sidewalk below. I soon found more of these strange “artworks on a stick” at several corners along the street.

While I found the sculptures playful and interesting, but also frustrating as I couldn’t really see them. Why would they have been placed so high where nobody can really see them; I doubt any child would ever see them. From a pedestrian perspective (i.e., eye level) the poles are just another obstacle to dance around. Unfortunately, I expect most people don’t even notice the sculptures above.

I didn’t find any information about the sculptures on the street, but a quick Google search turned up the history. The sculptures were part of a 2007 streetscape improvement program, and like most public art these days, they are loved by some, disliked by others, and not seen by many. The title of the project is “A Place to Nest, A place to Reflect. Have a Seat,” and all the sculptures were created by Canterbury High School (not too far away) art teacher Tim des Clouds.

This piece was the only one that was installed at eye level.

Elgin Street

The next day, while walking along Elgin Street (named after Lord Elgin, Governor General of Canada between 1847 and 1854) toward downtown, I immediately spotted an intriguing four-headed sculpture (think miniature Mount Rushmore) across the street at the entrance to a lovely neighbourhood park. I quickly jay-walked across the street to have a closer look.

Turns out the two sculptures were at the entrance to Minto Park and are part of a series of small sculptures along Elgin Street. All by Francis Montillaud, they are based on the theme “layers of belonging: the expression of a neighbourhood.” The four faces piece is simply titled “Faces,” while the second totem-like piece with seven faces stacked vertically is titled, “Column.” Each of the ghost-like faces have only subtle differences, perhaps implying everyone in the neighbourhood is spiritually the same?

Further up the road, I found “Gathering,” a series of small bronze faces with different expressions organized on a stainless-steel pedestal and then “Gestures” a similar piece depicting various hand gestures.

Walking a few more blocks, I spotted three more small sculptures literally “hiding” under some large trees in front of large building that were a fun flaneur find. Turns out they are called “Nature Girls” by Laura Ford and were installed in 1998. They each have a name – Stump Girl, Conifer Girl and Bush Girl and are listed as an Ottawa “hidden treasure” in the 2020 “Discover the Heart of the Capital” walking guide.

Tucked away at the corner of Elgin and Albert Street at the National Arts Centre is a life size sculpture of Oscar Peterson sitting at a piano. What make this sculpture fun are the speakers above the piano playing his music. Unfortunately the noise of the street traffic drown out the music. As you can see from the worn bronze next to him, people love to sit next to Oscar and get their picture taken.

Preston Street

A few days later we explored Preston Street, Ottawa’s historic Little Italy neighbourhood. No sooner had we arrived and lo and behold, a tiny sculpture at eye level was sitting on a column pedestal. Walking along the street, I encountered several more. What made these artworks stand out was that each had a direct link to the neighbourhood’s ancestry, which I think is critical to creating a unique sense of place.

In all, there are 15 artworks along Preston, from Albert Street to Carling Avenue, collectively titled “Postcards from the Piazzas,” by artist c j Fleury, each with a different story.

Perhaps the most literal was the one with fedora hat and envelopes, a reminder of the many men who braved the voyage to the new world to create a new life for their families. The tools of their trades are etched into the column plinth, with text on the base reading - Maria “I found work… I will send for you soon. Love, Your Bernardino.” Very touching.

Pet Peev

Too often the public art (sculptures and murals) I encounter has no real link to the place where it is going to be installed. In fact, often see international artists create a slightly different version of the same artwork in different cities around the world, with no real regard to place. This does little to create a unique sense of place, which is what both locals and tourists are looking to experience.

“Postcards from the Piazzas” is one of the best public art projects I have seen in a long time, as it nicely connects and enhances Little Italy’s unique sense of place.

Here are a few other hidden gem small scale sculptures I discovered flanering the streets of Ottawa.