About OOTB
We hope new and returning visitors to the web site will find inspiration in what they see and read. For those visitors living in the Ottawa area, we invite you to attend some of our meetings and to consider joining a fascinating group of very creative people!
The monthly programs will provide inspiration on a number of fronts. There will be guest artists, demonstrations of new and exciting techniques, educational programs to spur artistic growth, and professional programs to help one prepare for exhibiting and selling. Not all details are finalized so don’t forget to check the the website for updates.
We hope you take some time to browse around our website. On our home page, look at the interesting examples of the art our members have produced. Here you can see the variety of art that is being created by our members and learn more about some of the artists who belong to our organization. Our web site also provides up-to-date information about our meetings and activities.
The Out of the Box group of artists is passionate about creating innovative and thought-provoking works of art with fibre, our preferred medium. Our membership includes machine and/or hand embroiderers, art quilters, weavers, felters, doll makers, embellishers, silk painters, appraisers, dyers as well as other needle workers and mixed media and fine artists. We are a co-op organization and so we place strong emphasis on activities that share expertise for the continuing artistic development of all. Our focus in meetings is on sharing art techniques, design ideas, artistic processes and inspiration, as well as our thoughts on the business and critiquing of our art. We come from all walks of life, but are drawn together by our love for texture, colour, and creation in an atmosphere of mutual support and camaraderie. We meet once a month to share ideas, techniques and inspiration, and from time to time host fibre art workshops, artistic challenges for our members and mount exhibitions in the community.
Our yearly membership fee is $30.00 and covers our membership year from September 1 to August 31. An optional showcase page with two photos of your art and a bio costs $20 for the year. Membership is limited to 75 members, and is currently open. If you are interested in joining, please take a look at,“Is OOTB Right for You?”and consider attending a meeting as a visitor (visitor fee of $5.00 – or $10.00 if we have an outside speaker).
Because our tradition is to rely on each other to provide some program content and artistic support we actively encourage participation from each and every member. Volunteer jobs include participation in the Planning Committee, organizing and working at workshops and exhibitions, writing articles for the newsletter and helping on publicity and website development, demonstrating techniques, sharing inspiration, knowledge and contacts. Your ideas for programming and organization are always welcome! Raise them at the meeting or send an email to the OOTB Planning Committee (committeeATout-of-the-box.org).
Further Information:
Please contact MaryAnne Toonders, Membership Coordinator
Elena Keen as Co- Membership Cordinator
For a copy of our Membership Form /(Renewal) - Word document
Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month, from 7:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at the Ottawa Citizen Main Floor Board Room, Baxter Road, Ottawa.
July 18
Expanded Show and Tell
Aug 15th
OOTB Annual Open House, 7:15 pm to 9:00 pm at the Alexander Community Centre
September 19th
Renewal of membership, special "show and tell" from Sylvia Naylor's workshop held in April.
October 17th
Judith Tinkl will talk about her work
November 21st
Speed-dating fun - an opportunity to get to know better all the members of
OOTB.
- Do you produce original fibre works not from a pattern?
- Are you looking to grow as an artist?
- Are you willing to share your work with the group and participate in the critiquing process?
- Are you interested in encouraging and building up others, and do you have a sense of humour?
- Are you willing and content to work cooperatively with other members in group projects?
If you answered Yes to all of the above, we hope you’ll consider joining OOTB to meet fellow fibre artists.
Visitor admission is $5, except for special guest presentations, when it is $10. Please check our News page to see which meetings have speakers.