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Nepean Visual Arts Centre

Visit the City News section or the COVID-19: Status of Recreation and Culture services webpage for up to date information on service resumption

The Nepean Visual Arts Centre offers specialty arts classes taught by accomplished artists - painters, potters, illustrators, sculptors, photographers - in custom studio spaces for participants of all levels of ability. From preschool to adult, students experience a diversity of arts instruction in a creative and dynamic environment. Artists also have the opportunity to display their artwork at Nepean Visual Arts Centre’s studio gallery.

The Nepean Creative Arts Centre offers programming in performing arts as well as visual arts. The NCAC arts-specific studios include music, dance and visual arts studios, a black box theatre and set construction workshop.

1701 Woodroffe Avenue, Entrance 3
Ottawa, ON K2G 1W2
Map

613-580-2828

nvac.cava@ottawa.ca

Please contact the facility by phone or email for information on opening hours and washroom availability.

  • Free public Wi-Fi
  • On site parking

The move to Shutdown status across the province will temporarily close City-managed recreation and cultural facilities for most indoor activities, limit the capacity at outdoor recreation amenities and suspend in-person City counter services. Shutdown comes into effect on Saturday, April 3 at 12:01 am.

The following recreation and cultural programs will temporarily suspend operations:

  • All reserved recreation activities – including indoor skating, swimming (public and lane swims), cardio-weight rooms, sports activities – team play and practices, select cultural programs that operated by reservation only, and indoor fitness classes

Details:

  • Select the button below to reserve your spot. Available sessions for the next two days will be displayed in green.
  • Reserve your space as of 6 pm for up to two days in advance.
  • Please show up no more than 15 minutes prior to your reservation.
  • Your spot is reserved up to 10 minutes after the start of the session.
  • You can reserve one session per day.
  • If you are unable to reserve a spot online, you can make a walk-in reservation on the day of, if there are spaces remaining. To avoid disappointment, we strongly encourage you to reserve your space online.
  • Payment can be made on-site. Please note our pin pads do not currently accept "tap".
  • You can book a maximum of: 
    • 2 spaces at a time for arts programs.

Helpful info:

Some changes are coming to our drop-in reservation process!

  • You will soon be able to view session times in the front desk booking system for a week in advance. This will provide you with the most accurate view of available sessions.
  • Sessions will continue to be available for booking 2 days in advance.
  • The full schedules in chart format will no longer be posted on ottawa.ca. If you are looking for a full schedule, please feel free to contact the facility of your choice and request a copy be sent to you via email.

We are continuing to make improvements to our booking system to ensure a positive experience for our clients, and can’t wait to share more exciting enhancements with you in the coming months. 

Reserve a spot at Nepean Visual Arts Centre

Specialized Workshops

Ideal for visual arts and pottery activities, five studios are equipped for arts workshops, retreats and events. Natural lighting, easels, a pottery hand-building studio and a wheel room with 12 wheels including an accessible wheel, are available to book for a specialized workshop with our skilled instructors.

Interested in hosting an arts workshop or party for your friends, organization or team? The arts centres are able to help coordinate space and schedule an arts instructor. Contact us for more information.

eNewsletter

Be the first to hear about new classes and workshops, special events and artistic features by subscribing to our eNewsletter. Please be advised that we do not currently distribute the eNewsletter in French.

Instructors

Arts Centre courses are taught by talented artists. These teachers are specialists in their particular discipline or medium, with fine arts degrees, and/or exhibitions, and/or performance experience to their credit. They are professional actors or theatre technicians, painters, potters, singers and teachers.

Our instructors guide students to see the world in a different way, learn about art; and help participants to express their feelings and ideas in a unique and powerful medium – the arts. They provide opportunities to explore, experiment, and have fun!

  • Alana Latincic, Summer Camps
  • Blair T. Paul, Introduction to Acrylic Landscape Painting, Collage Based Acrylic Painting
  • Carla Burns, Botanical Watercolour
  • Colette Beardall, Functional Handbuilding, Sculpture, Raku Workshops
  • Doug Moir, Wheel Level 1, Wheel Level 1 and 2, Pottery Special Project
  • Heather Gallup, Watercolour – Level 1 and Level 2
  • Jan Salmon, Botanical Coloured Pencils
  • Jadzia Romaniec, Canvas and Cocktails, Oil and Acrylic Painting Level 1
  • Katherine McNenly, Traditional Oil Techniques - Level 1 and Level 2
  • Kerri Weller, Botanical Drawing Basics, Botanical Watercolour Basics, Leaves - Colour, Pattern, and Composition, Botanical Composition, Botanical Art Garden Journal
  • Kerry Stothers, Drawing: Introduction, Painting: Oil/Acrylics, Level 1 and Level 2
  • Lauren Foster McLeod, Botanical Drawing
  • Liz Hoffmann, Wheel and Handbuilding Combo, Wheel Level 1 and 2
  • Maya Hum, Sketching and Painting, Soft Pastels, Art Journaling for Youth
  • Meagan Pethick, Wheel Basic and Intermediate (Youth), Pottery Wheel - Parent and Teen, Wheel and Handbuilding Combo, Summer Camps
  • Mirana Zuger, Big Scale Abstract Art - Adult
  • Roger Davidson, Coloured Pencil Basics
  • Susan Gold, Experience Clay, Wheel Level 1
  • Susan Kunstadt, Children’s Handbuilding
  • Susan Ukkola, Abstract Mixed Media Twist, Abstract Mixed Media Guided Studio
  • Suzanne Warren Powell, Wabi-Sabi Mixed Media Painting, Pastel Class, Expressive Non-Objective Drawing for Mixed Media, Large Scaled Mixed Media Painting, Contemporary Drawing, Watercolour- Expressive Experimentation
  • Taylor Plakholm, Children’s Multimedia Mixing It , Big Scale Abstract Art, Summer Camps
  • Ted Duncan, Watercolour Level 1 and Level 2
  • Terry Hoganson, Cartooning and Adult Coloured Pencil
  • Tim Thibeault, Parent and Child Pottery, Handbuilding - Youth, Summer Camps, Adult Handbuilding and Sculpture

Accessibility

The accessibility features of this facility are detailed below. While the City of Ottawa is constantly working to improve access, please note that not all parts of every facility are necessarily 'accessible for all' as facilities were built to meet accessibility standards of their time.

Parking

  • 13 designated accessible parking spaces
  • Accessible path of travel from the parking lot to entrance with access aisle
  • 50 metres from parking space to the door
  • Cut curb
  • Hazard indicator
  • 1 accessible entrance
  • Direct access to the main floor, lobby, elevator

Interior

  • Ramps
  • Elevator (staff operation required)
  • Wheelchair available for patrons
  • Reception desks
  • Accessible counters
  • Floor area for manoeuvring a wheelchair

Floor Surfaces

  • Slip resistant surfaces
  • Low pile carpet

Signage

  • Directional signs
  • Tactile signage
  • High contrast signage

Washrooms

  • Washroom with power door opener
  • Lowered sink counters
  • Lowered towel dispensers
  • Lowered drinking fountains
  • Large stalls to allow transfers

Stairs

  • Stairs with no-slip surface
  • Continuous hand rails

Learn more about special needs and accessible services.