Out & About

January though July, 2024

Out & About is a series of Coffee Chats, Artist Talks, and Workshops at the Open Space Studio and temporary location (750 Fairfield Rd). This program will be a way for Open Space to continue to be an active community organization and partner while the physical location is under renovations. Open Space has heard its members and the greater arts community and wishes to fill a gap in resources and programming available to our respective communities. 

Out & About Coffee Chats invites community members into the Open Space Studio to discuss relevant and pertinent topics within the arts and how Open Space is contributing to lasting impacts within our communities. 

Out & About Artist Talks opens the door to artists in our communities to highlight their practices, share their research on topics of interest, and have an opportunity to engage with community members. 

Out & About Workshops offer artists and arts professionals an opportunity to learn from one another through insightful activities, sharing of useful tips, and developing practical knowledge.

Upcoming Events

Open Studio Tour with Estraven Lupino-Smith


Open Space will be participating in the 780 Blanshard Arts Hub Open Studio Tour event. We will be opening our studio/office and invite you to come by and say hello.


When: Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 2-8pm
Where: 780 Blanshard St., Rockslide Entrance. Wheelchair accessible door at East entrance, right of Fairfield entrance door.
Admission is by donation.

Estraven Lupino-Smith - Feature Artist

Open Space is pleased to present Estraven Lupino-Smith as our featured artist for the Open Studio Tour event. Estraven will install a recent work in the Open Space studio and will be in attendance at the event. Please drop by to say hello and to check out their work.

Call for Artists! Studio Series

✶ Call Opens: Friday, Apr 6, 2024

✶ Call Closes: Friday, Apr 26, 2024

As part of Open Space’s Out & About program, we are seeking local artists to show-and-tell their work to audiences at our off-site Studio, located at 750 Fairfield Rd. We’re looking for artists interested in giving talks, demonstrations, and/or interactions with the public throughout the summer months, June and July.

Is there something you want to try with the support of an audience?

Do you want to demonstrate or deconstruct a part of your artistic process?

Have you discovered something in your research that you want people to know about?

Artists will have access to the following equipment/amenities:

Xerox machine, sound equipment, monitors, sink, mini fridge. We can offer technical support with the available equipment we have onsite. Audiences will be small as space is limited. Selected artists will be offered a CARFAC half-day rate $362 (2 hours of prep work, 2 hours of being in the Studio). Open Space’s Programming Committee will select artists based on feasibility and capacity within the Studio.

Your application should include the following:

  • Your Name

  • Contact Information

  • 250-500 words of your proposed idea and how you will engage with the audience

  • Social media links, website, or photos of your work

  • Identify equipment needs

Submit your application as a pdf to: dani@openspace.ca

For more information, please contact: dani@openspace.ca

Past Events

Coffee Chat with Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé

Join us for coffee or tea and meet our new Curator of Indigenous and Contemporary Art. Share stories of Open Space, memories of your favourite exhibitions, and thoughts on what direction you would like to see Open Space take in the future. 

When: March 15, 2024 from noon to 2PM
Where: 750 Fairfield Rd. Wheelchair accessible door at East entrance, right of Fairfield entrance door.
Admission is free!

Tax Workshop for Artists with Jen Braem, CPA

‘Tis the season! Join us for an informative workshop offering tax tips for artists with Accountant Jen Braem.

Taxes for the creative community are unique and complex. This session walks artists through CRA's filing requirements and how to make the process as smooth as possible. We will cover tax deductions specific to artists, how to ensure that you pay the right amount of tax, GST, and how to respond if CRA comes knocking. The aim is to have you leave this workshop feeling empowered - or at least significantly less stressed!

There will be a Q&A period at the end of the presentation, so come prepared with questions!

When: March 23, 2024 from 3 - 4:30pm
Where: 750 Fairfield Rd. Wheelchair accessible door at East entrance, right of Fairfield entrance door.
Admission is free!