City Hall Gallery

Hold True features the works of 41 regional and international artists. Artworks vary in style, media, theme and subject, inviting the viewer to consider many points of view. Reflecting on the convictions that guide us, the work of artists can hold a mirror up to society by exploring the human experience and revealing universal truths. Notions of connecting with place across time – to ancestral roots, culture and heritage – are present in many of the works on display.

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This year marks the 40th anniversary of the City of Ottawa Public Art Program. Four decades ago, the City of Ottawa committed to supporting regional artists by collecting, commissioning and exhibiting artworks in public spaces. The Public Art Program’s current structure is a direct outcome of sustained advocacy by the visual arts community. Upholding this commitment, the City remains dedicated to the foundational values established at the Program’s inception: investing in artists, acquiring and showcasing works by regional artists, and ensuring public access to art.

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This year, 47 artworks by 41 artists were added to the City of Ottawa Art Collection. Recent additions include artworks across a range of media – painting, photography, works on paper, sculpture, time-based media and three site-specific public art commissions. 

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2025 Direct Purchase Peer Assessment Committee: Greta Grip, Rachel Kalpana James, Yomi Orimoloye, Cheryl Pagurek, Taqralik Partridge

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Peer Assessment Committee members for Public Art Commissions added to the City of Ottawa Art Collection in 2025: Chantal Gervais, Loraine Gilbert, Danny Hussey, Ruben Komangapik, Donna Legault, Laura Margita, Hooman Mehdizadehjafari, Lydia Pion, David Poole