Sketching the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

On Saturday May 11, 2019 close to thirty Ottawa Urban Sketchers 

met at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum.

We want to thank the Museum staff for their warm and generous welcome. 

This is one of our favourite places to sketch in Ottawa 

especially in spring when there are lots of baby animals to sketch.

Here are some of the sketches from our day that the artists shared online (on our Facebook page) 

and some photos that were taken throughout the day/.

Our April and May Events

Sunday, April 14, 2019

10 am - 1 pm

What a GREAT Day at the Farm!

On Sunday April 17th, the Ottawa urban sketchers group went Sketching at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. We chose Sunday because on Saturday there were lots of activities scheduled and we wanted to miss the crowds. Not a chance! The weather was beautiful and the farm was packed! That added to the fun!

Note the urban sketcher at the bottom left sketching the entrance gate

There was a great turn out, many sketchers showing up to sketch inside the farm while many others seized the beautiful day to bicycle and sketch the perimeter around the outside of the farm.

Below I have posted a very small sampling of  sketches posted to our facebook event page but please visit that page to see them all. https://www.facebook.com/events/1708303006086325/.

We would like to thank the Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum for being so welcoming and accommodating towards the artists on this busy and beautiful Sunday. We hope to visit again!

Sketching in the small animal barn

Sketches by artist Trish W.

Artist Sophie L. sketch of the building

More sketches of the buildings by artist Colin White

Artist Colin W. sketches on the facebook page

Artist Suvitha R. sketch of the hay bale decoration at the farm.

Quite a few of us were super excited to sketch the two new Clydsedales(Paul and Padrig, who arrived on St. Patrick's Day) and below, artist Jaymie Dylan makes the first sketch.

Artist Jaymie D. sketching the new Clydesdale

Sketches by artist Jaymie D.

Sketching in the small animal barn

Sketches of the newborns by artist Diane D.

Artist Leisl G. sketching in the small animal barn

We NEVER mind if artists can't stay the full day like artist Leisl Gallagher. We understand. And even though she did not stay long - she still managed to do a LOT of great sketches in a short amount of time.

Sketching the cattle paddock

Artist Cindi F. sketch inside the dairy barn

Artist Diane D.sketching the horse paddock

Sketch by artist Gillian RT

Artists Gillian and Matt sketching the Clydesdales from the comfy bench at the farm

More Ottawa Sketching Events.  

Now that the weather is warming, stay tuned for plenty more sketching events. 

If you would like to join us, be sure to join our facebook group and/or look for the #urbansketchers hashtag on twitter (also #USkYOW) and/or sign up to follow this blog by email (add your email in the space provided on the right)

April 17 - Sketching at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum (CAFM)

To be on a farm in spring time! The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum (CAFM) is the location for our next Ottawa Urban Sketching event on April 17 from 11 am to 5 pm

Confirm your attendance and/or share our facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1708303006086325/

Sketch the Spring Animal Arrivals!

Meet and sketch the Toggenburg goats that were born March 20 or meet the new lambs (heritage breed: Rideau Arcott) born March 19 or the new Ewe (a Hampshire sheep) that recently arrived on the farm!

Or sketch the new Clydesdales, Paul and Padrig, who arrived on St. Patrick's Day. (Padrig is the Welsh spelling of Patrick!)

Reminder to please be respectful of the animals. When sketching do not get too close or do anything sudden (such as quick movements) or make any loud noises that could cause stress for the animals.

Spring arrivals at the museum found on the CAFM instagram

Sketch the Historic Buildings

Sketch the historic structures like the Cereal Barn, the Dairy Barn, the Meadowview barn or the small animal barn. And there are lots of tractors to sketch on the second floor of the dairy barn.

Cereal Barn: Photo Source: Wikipedia: List of historic places in Ottawa

Main Dairy Barn: Photo Source: Wikipedia: List of historic places in Ottawa

Small Dairy Barn: Photo Source: Wikipedia: List of historic places in Ottawa

In the event that we have more than 16 attendees confirmed on the facebook event, we may be able to negotiate a different rate for admission with the museum.

In the event of a rainy day, the sketching will be restricted to the indoor venues on the farm.

Map Source: Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

The Details

• When: Sunday April 17, 2016.from 11 am to 5 pm. Arrive when you can and stay for one hour or until 5 pm
• Admission Cost: Urban sketching events are free. The only times that the Agricultural museum is free is daily between 4 pm and 5 pm. NB: We tried to reserve a date with the museum and get a discounted admission, however,  we were informed that a minimum fee does apply for groups under 16 participants. (If you cannot afford the admission fee, please direct message (DM) @cindiforeman on twitter. If you can afford to contribute to support another urbansketcher's attendance, should the need arise, please DM me.)We are scheduling this on the weekend and therefore there are costs as follows:
  
  
• Show and Tell: Meet inside the Learning Center at 4:30 to share your sketches or to see other sketchers' work and take a group photo (voluntary)
  
• How to get there: The museum is located at (901) Prince of Wales Drive (parking lot location). The Museum is accessible by public transit, and there is plenty of parking for both bikes and cars.
• Driving: enter GPS location 45.386933, -75.706867 for directions. Note: Parking fees are now charged.($6 maximum for the day) http://cafmuseum.techno-science.ca/en/visit/parking.php
• Public Transportation: For OC Transpo routes and times, use the Trip Planner link: http://www.octranspo1.com/ottawa-destinations/central_experimental_farm
• Biking: enter GPS location 45.386933, -75.706867 for directions
• Misc: Bathrooms are conveniently located throughout the farm, in each building, including the exhibition space on the second floor of the Dairy Barn. There are also vending machines for hot and cold beverages and light snacks in the learning center.
• Museum Rules: Cameras are permitted at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. However, please remember that this is a working farm, exposed to the elements and sometimes harsh conditions. Also, please be respectful of the animals. Getting too close or being too aggressive in your attempt to get a picture could cause them stress. Small collapsible stools are permitted as long as they do not interfere with the other visitors.
• Protect yourself and the animals by practising biosecurity. Biosecurity is the word we use for simple, inexpensive steps that prevent the introduction and spread of diseases. Learn about biosecurity and the precautions you can take to protect yourself and the Museum’s animals. Download this PDF from the Canada Food Inspection Agency prior to your visit.
• Official website: http://cafmuseum.techno-science.ca/en/index.php and Friends of the Farm http://www.friendsofthefarm.ca/

Follow the museum on twitter @AgMuseum

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