Oct 30, 2019The 52-Hertz WhaleHave you ever met someone who is just amazing at remembering names? That person who you met once 3 years ago, who remembers your name as...
Mar 29, 2019Resilient HeroesResiliency is the ability to recovery readily after being bent or stretched from adversity. I have about 50 heroes in my life; all of...
Mar 20, 201910 Years of Innercity ArtsAs we near the 10th anniversary of Innercity Arts, I wanted to look back on how the program came about. I recently spoke with Jason Pino,...
Sep 17, 2018Community BBQOur Administrative Assistant, Gaby, is normally busy working at the office. But recently, she had the opportunity to visit our drop-in...
Jun 14, 2018Even The ‘Unlovable’I’m not talking about the stories of trauma, tragedy or loss which I have – sadly – come to expect. No, I’m talking about something a...
Apr 7, 2018Taking Time To NoticeAnd yet, they are all there with the same message: “I want your attention.” The reward in the discovery of a “blur” is like a box waiting...
Mar 1, 2018An Unexpected EncounterI want to share a short, but quite wonderful, blessing I received from my street-engaged friend named ‘Bob.’ When you are on the streets,...
Oct 13, 2017The Bob Series: Marginalized survivorsNote: To protect the identity of the people I write about, I have chosen to use the name ‘Bob’ in the following piece… All of the people...
Sep 14, 2017THE ‘BOB’ SERIES: Somebody see meI wanted to share today about a gentle soul that I have been blessed to serve on several occasions. Bob has never responded to me except...
Aug 1, 2017Canadian Stone Carving FestivalOn July 21-23, thirty-five stone carvers gathered on Ottawa’s historic Sparks Street for the Canadian Stone Carving Festival. Each was...
Jun 14, 2017Stone Carving WorkshopInnercity Arts was lucky enough to have Patrick Imai, a local carver, volunteer his time to come in to teach us about soap stone carving....
Mar 15, 2017The Portrait of the Artist“Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter. The sitter is merely the accident, the...
Sep 16, 2016Fabric ArtLast week, local artist and OIM volunteer Ruth Allison did a workshop with the youth at Innercity Arts. She talked to the youth about her...
Aug 10, 2016What Is Small Is BigI was reminded of this the other day when a former client called us from Toronto to catch up. She and her husband moved from Ottawa to...
Apr 9, 2015Easter ReflectionsHe grew up on a native reserve, where the cruel history of the church was ever-present. For Allan, the church building was not a safe...
Sep 11, 2014Something About a NameEvery Tuesday, each week, we have our drop-in. I am sure by now many of you know what that is but let me explain for those who don’t....
Aug 28, 2014“I’m so glad you’re open today”We had to close our drop-in for a few weeks this summer due to a scheduling conflict with the church we use. I missed seeing our regular...
Jul 2, 2014The Light – P4Y PoetryThere is a new youth who has been coming to art group recently. I met him on outreach a few years ago and I discovered that from a young...
Mar 14, 2014Mentorship“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” ― Benjamin Franklin Mentorship is one of the most important...
Jan 30, 2014Staff Perspective: A Night to RememberA few weeks ago I was walking home from work when something very memorable happened. It was a crisp evening with the streets bustling...