Another eventful calendar year is coming to a conclusion. Yikes, as usual, that this is only my second post on this site. It is what it is.

My dear friend, An Nguyen, has an exhibition of her story-telling paintings at the Atrium Gallery over at Ben Franklin Place, in Nepean. An pays homage to her parents and other Vietnamese folks who made their way to Canada – and Ottawa, specifically – while enduring multiple trials. Her colourful paintings will be up until January 19, 2026.

I actually helped hang An’s paintings. It was the first time I had been out to the Centrepointe location since before COVID. I also worked with my buddy and former colleague, Jo. She has somehow stayed on with the City on a part-time basis, as a gallery assistant (or whatever they’re calling it these days). So, I got to work with her, too. Bonus.

Then, from the theatre side of things, those loveable rascals, Sean Freill and Allan Sansom, were kind enough to pop into the gallery to say hi.

As usual, An made her vernissage an event that Ottawa doesn’t see often from their artists.

That was a great couple of days. Go see An’s show.