Future of Orange Art Gallery uncertain after learning its lease won’t be renewed

The future of a popular Ottawa art gallery and event space is in jeopardy after it was told that its lease won’t be renewed when it expires at the end of this year.

“The land is becoming more and more valuable, with LeBreton Flats possibly being developed,” she said. “So my gut feeling is they ultimately just want to take this building down. And to them it’s almost more valuable just as a parking space for now.”

Hollander adds that she and her partners did extensive renovations to the building when they moved in in 2014 after spending four years in the Parkdale Market area. Aside from representing about 25 artists, the gallery also hosts art classes and between 70 and 100 events a year, including weddings, anniversaries, corporate events, fundraisers and other functions.

ThreeBestRated website, which rates the top Ottawa businesses in numerous categories, selected Orange in its art gallery rankings along with the National Gallery of Canada and the Ottawa Art Gallery.

Coun. Ariel Troster, in whose Somerset Ward the gallery is situated, says cultural spaces such as galleries and artists’ studios needn’t be victims of intensification.

“On one hand, I support intensification and building more housing in a high-density fashion within the core. It’s good for the environment, it’s good for building housing.

“I have no idea what the owner’s intention is with this property, but there’s no reason why a gallery couldn’t remain.”

Hollander, meanwhile, has her fingers crossed that the building’s owner will have a change of heart.

“A one-year extension, even, would just be kind of beautiful,” she says, “just to get things sorted out a little bit. I always kind of thought that something would change, or they would change their mind as time got closer, but now doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen.”