2021 A+ EXHIBITION
SPAO’s A+ Exhibition is an annual celebration of Ottawa’s photographic excellence in SPAO's part-time community! Featuring local professionals and hobbyist photographers alike, from all different fields, embracing their creative selves in learning and exploring the full photographic range of analogue and digital practices. The A+ exhibition is a fantastic survey of an active photographic community, full of unique viewpoints, diverse content, and technical expertise.
Out of over 100 submissions received this year, we award 9 prize packages. Our independent jury selects a winner and honourable mention from our 3 submission categories: Digital Print, Alternative Processes, and Photo Book, . The coveted Best In Show prize can be from any of the 3 categories. There’s a raffle prize for anyone who has submitted, and a People’s Choice award chosen by the audience! This year we are pleased to announce two new prize sponsors, artist-run-centre DAÏMÔN and SHOTS Magazine!
The A+ 2021 Jury consists of photographer and curator Joi Arcand, Artistic Director at DAÏMÔN Simon Labelle and Director at G101 Laura Margita.
You can experience the exhibition either online or in person. Be sure to visit the SPAO Gallery page for gallery hours and relevant health and safety protocols.
2021 AWARD RECIPIENTS
INSTALLATION VIEW
DIGITAL PRINT FINALISTS
ANALOGUE/ALTERNATIVE PROCESSES FINALISTS
PHOTO BOOK FINALISTS
A+ VIDEO
2021 PRIZES
Prizes include an EPSON Scanner, an Instax Mini 11, Amazon Firesticks, External Harddrives, SPAO Merch, Photobooks and gift cards from local Patrick Gordon Framing and Wallack's Art Supplies! This year we are pleased to announce two new prize sponsors, artist-run-centre DAÏMÔN and SHOTS Magazine! Every single submission to A+ will also be entered into a draw just for submitting!
2021 JURY
JOI T. ARCAND
Joi T. Arcand is a nehiyaw photo-based artist and curator from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan, Treaty 6 Territory, currently residing in Ottawa. Arcand is also the co-founder of the Red Shift Gallery in Saskatoon and founding editor of the Indigenous art magazine kimiwan. Arcand has been shortlisted for the Sobey Art Award and her work has been exhibited in numerous prestigious institutions including the Winnipeg Art Gallery, McMaster Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Canada.
SIMON LABELLE
Simon Labelle is a self-taught musician, sound artist and Artistic Director of artist-run centre DAÏMÔN. Simon has been working with digital audio for two decades, having played festivals such a Mutek in Montréal and crafting sonic environments for theatre productions in Ottawa. Simon has been involved with DAÏMÔN for over six years, having been a board member and project advisor prior to taking on his current role.
LAURA MARGITA
Laura Margita is an interdisciplinary artist and the current Director/Curator at the artist-run centre, Gallery 101. Margita has 20+ years of experience, serving numerous Canadian art organizations in leadership and advisory roles. Margita has held positions at the University of Ottawa’s Visual Art Department, SAW Gallery and the Ottawa School of Art. She is also the founder of Ottawa’s Enriched Bread Artist co-op and was the Executive Director at PAVED Arts in Saskatoon.