OTTAWA – April 19, 2007 – Today, Minto Developments Inc. and the Ottawa School of Art launched an exciting community partnership by unveiling a new attraction in Minto’s downtown office complex, Minto Place.  Members of the School of Art joined Minto officials for the launch of an Artists Showcase to exhibit the artwork of local artists training at the Ottawa School of Art.

Following $15 million of remodeling at Minto Suite Hotel, renovations to upgrade the common areas connecting the hotel lobby to the rest of Minto’s office and retail complex were planned.  Because Minto’s management team wanted to remake the space with something dynamic and vibrant, the company offered wall space to the arts community for an Artist’s Showcase. 

Minto has a long history of support for the visual arts.

 “A healthy, vibrant community includes art and Minto is delighted to be able to provide a venue that showcases the talents of up and coming artists while creating new and different spaces that enhance public spaces and make Minto Place more attractive to everyone who comes here,” said Minto’s CEO Roger Greenberg who confirmed Minto’s commitment to the success of this new partnership.

The Ottawa School of Art was approached to participate in the partnership and Executive Director Jeff Stellick was enthusiastic from the start. 

“Ottawa is home to an incredible diversity of local artists and arts organizations.  To have this type of support and collaboration from a well-known business like Minto will have positive and far-reaching effects,” he said.

The Artists Showcase features a glass enclosure custom-built into the wall of a thoroughfare at the west end of Minto Place.  Artwork will be rotated in unison with the school’s course calendar to provide a constant and varied source of artwork. Other arts organizations, such as H’Art of Ottawa, have also been invited to share the space and showcase their members’ works.

The Artists Showcase will provide a point of interest for guests of Minto Suite Hotel, tenants who lease office space in the two adjoining towers and Minto Place visitors.

The Artists Showcase complements Minto’s ongoing commitment to support visual arts in the City of Ottawa.  Major works by known artists like Ron Bolt, Ken Lochhead and Helen Lucas have been permanent fixtures on the walls of other common areas at Minto Place since the complex opened in 1988. 

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