Nestled in the heart of the Nation’s capital, SPAO is one of Canada’s leading photographic arts centres. SPAO is home to the only two-year photographic arts diploma in Canada, a unique international artist residency and an independent and critical gallery space dedicated to photographic and video art.
This year, we’re presenting our Open House event online. We have so many exciting announcements about the various facets of our programming - scroll down to see more!
Begin with a virtual tour of our facilities!
video by Susannah Heath-Eves with music by Shane Mendonsa
SPAO ANNUAL PRINT SALE + GARAGE SALE
SPAO’s annual Print Sale and Garage Sale has moved online!
From Friday December 4 - Friday December 18, easily purchase fine art prints from Diploma Students, Artists in Residence and SPAO Alumni! Starting at $55 and with shipping options available in Canada, all sales support students directly, as well as the SPAO community!
Looking for gifts for the photographer in your life? Or maybe a little gift for yourself? Take a peek at some incredible vintage gear including cameras, scanners, lights, softboxes, and much more available on our virtual Garage Sale! SPAO Gift Cards are also available as the perfect little stocking stuffer and can be applied to any SPAO program or class.
This year stay in your slippers and support local artists and small businesses from the comfort of your own home!
DIPLOMA PROGRAM
image by full-time SPAO student Alexander Does
The Photographic Arts and Production Diploma is an incredibly unique opportunity to acquire comprehensive analogue and digital photography skills, develop a broad understanding of photographic theory and history, and cultivate individual vision and craft.
what’s new:
Visit the SPAO Photo-Synthesis Garden from November 6 to view the new SPAO student exhibition, CLAUSTROPHOBIA.
Scroll down to find out who won this years’ Luna Bursary!
We are so excited to announce that we are now able to accept International students in our Diploma Program at no extra cost - click here to find out more!
We are super excited to announce that we will be releasing a publication at our print sale in December - stay tuned to find out more!
PART-TIME STUDIES
image by full-time SPAO student Julie Melaschenko
SPAO offers a wide variety of in-person and virtual courses, workshops and master classes for students at every level. SPAO class subjects include studio lighting, post-production, history and theory, as well as traditional analogue & historic processes.
what’s new:
The Part-time Winter 2021 Calendar is here!
Introducing the SPAO PATH! Have you ever wanted to become a part of the SPAO community, advance your photographic skills, or evolve your artistic career, but you don’t know where to start? Have you taken SPAO classes before but don’t know what to take next? Have you ever wondered how far you could advance or where your efforts could take you? We are hoping to help answer those questions by introducing the SPAO PATH. Click here to find out more.
ARTIST RESIDENCY
book produced by 2019 Resident Eugenie Rasche
The SPAO Residency provides mentorship, support and structure for photo-based artists to focus on an aspect of their career or an upcoming project. It is designed for visual artists who have previously completed training in the visual arts or lens-based media.
what’s new:
We’re excited to announce that starting in 2021, artists-in-residence who exhibit in the SPAO Gallery will receive a professional fee in accordance with Canadian artist standards (i.e. CARFAC).
Now accepting applications for the SPAO Winter Residency - your deadline is December 15, 2020!
In addition to the Jason Michaels Memorial Bursary, we are now offering more financial support for artists: the Spectrum Bursary!
Scroll down to find out who won this years’ Sphinx Bursary!
SPAO CENTRE GALLERY
image by REM/A/INDER exhibition artist Jennifer Stewart
SPAO is home to the SPAO Centre Gallery, the region's only independent and critical gallery dedicated to photographic and video art. SPAO exhibitions celebrate the work of regional, national and international artists working in lens-based media.
what’s new:
For our 2020 Lineage exhibition, SPAO is proud to present REM/A/INDER, an exhibition featuring the photo-based work of SPAO alumnae Jennifer Stewart and Hannah Evans.
Tune in to the REM/A/INDER artist talk with Jennifer Stewart and Hannah Evans on December 3.
SPAO is excited to now welcome proposals for solo and group exhibitions, performances, and curatorial projects. Click here to find out more!
Check out our brand-new web page highlighting our Photo-Synthesis Garden.
SPAO students have been working hard creating new images and videos as a part of Open House celebrations. Scroll down to see our students’ work in a virtual exhibition, and stop by the SPAO exterior patio and Photo-Synthesis Garden at 77 Pamilla street to view the installation of CLAUSTROPHOBIA in person.
“One could say that we are living in unprecedented times. Still, life goes on. This collection of images was created by the emerging artists currently in their second year at SPAO. These artists have used their varied photographic processes and strategies as a means to persist through adversity, whether public or private. Each of these artists have taken the plunge and gotten into and stayed in the flow, despite the thunderous waters surrounding them.” - Christopher Schmitt
Click each image to enlarge and read artist statements.
CLAUSTROPHOBIA
FIRST YEARS IN FOCUS
TIPS & TRICKS FROM THE SPAO FAMILY
As part of Open House production, our students created short how-to videos sharing photographic tips and tricks. Check it out!
André de Jesus (Luna Bursary)
The Luna and Sphinx bursaries were created by Jim Des Rivieres, Kathryn Finter and IBM, in order to provide financial support for exceptional emerging talent. The Luna bursary provides financial support to a 1st year student entering 2nd year of the diploma program and the Sphinx bursary provides support for a SPAO alumnus entering the artist residency. This year we have a tie for the Sphinx bursary and the award will be split between two very deserving artists.
image on display screen mockup by SPAO alumna Marcela Ochman
We’re expanding your SPAO experience to the outdoors!
After months of dreaming, planning and receiving your positive feedback, we have a project in the works to better support and serve you, a valued member of our photographic arts community.
We plan on expanding our programming outdoors with an addition of the Exterior Exhibition Wall for outdoor engagement. It will also offer the opportunity for you to participate in exterior screenings, exhibitions and other types of outdoor events.
We are working hard to supply the SPAO community as well as the general public with an alternative place to share, collaborate, and socialize. SPAO’s patio and photo-synthesis garden programming will be further enhanced with a new exterior exhibition wall, offering a safe alternative to a virtual connection.
BUT, we need your financial help to realize this dream. We are campaigning between Giving Tuesday December 1st and New Year’s Eve 2020 to raise the $5,000 needed to build and have it installed.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Remember to donate to SPAO’s Exterior Exhibition Wall between Giving Tuesday, December 1st, and New Year’s Eve 2020.
Share, retweet and like our Giving Tuesday postings on social media after you have made your donation.
Find us on social media @spaocentre
Follow us on social media for details on how to win prize packs throughout the month of November!