OTTAWA, ON.- The National Gallery of Canada announced that it will add to the magic of the Winterlude celebrations by featuring additional special programming. This will take place during the second weekend of the festival on February 12 and 13 and will include a talk with internationally renowned sculptor Roxy Paine, a special pancake breakfast and a day of in and outdoor family activities.

“Winterlude is a very popular festival with residents and visitors to the National Capital Region alike, said NGC director Marc Mayer. We are pleased to be associated more closely with this festival and to integrate our programs with those of the National Capital Commission. We are also proud to contribute to their new approach to Winterlude.”

Saturday, February 12, 2011 One-on-one Conversation with Roxy Paine
Internationally renowned and critically-acclaimed sculptor, Roxy Paine (creator of the recently installed 100 Foot Line on Nepean Point), will sit down with National Gallery of Canada Director Marc Mayer for a “one-on-one” conversation about the role of public sculpture, his sources of inspiration and the secrets to his success. There will be a short question and answer period at the end of the discussion. NGC Auditorium. No charge for admission.

Visitors to the Gallery will also be able to see the Gallery’s latest contemporary exhibitions including the Canadian Biennial: It Is What It Is and critically-acclaimed contemporary sculptor Roxy Paine’s latest mesmerizing installation – PMU (Painting Manufacture Unit)! Also, enjoy Roxy Paine’s stunning stainless steel outdoor sculpture – 100 Foot Line – either from the Gallery’s cafeteria or from Nepean Point.

Sunday, February 13, 2011 Day-long Family Fun at the Gallery

Pancake Breakfast
Winterlude participants are invited to get into the Winterlude spirit and set themselves up with some real creative energy with a special pancake breakfast which will be served in the Caféteria des beaux-arts between 10 and 11.30 am.

The following drop-in activities take place any time between 10 am and 5 pm:

Art from Above
Children can play in the snow on Nepean Point behind the National Gallery of Canada. Here they will celebrate the Roxy Paine’s fascination with trees as they join a group to remake a giant “Jack Pine” out of coloured fabrics. Once all the pieces are assembled in a big grid on the side of the hill, the view from the Cafétéria des beaux-arts will be spectacular. For children aged three years and up accompanied by an adult. Free admission.

Artissimo
Hours of fun await those with an “inner artist” just waiting to escape at the Artissimo kiosk in the Great Hall. Artissimo is all about looking at art and creating your very own piece. Experience the works that fill the Gallery and let your creativity run riot. One of the activities will be to make your very own sculpture inspired by Roxy Paine and then display it in the Artissimo Gallery! For budding artists aged three years and up accompanied by an adult. Free admission.

An enriching exploration of the Gallery’s collection with a Bell Audioguide
Visitors can learn more about some of the key works from the collection and the artists who created them, with the easy to use Bell Audioguide. A total of 700 stops with commentary in English, French, Spanish, German, and Mandarin. Rental: $6.

Canadian Biennial It Is What It Is: Recent Acquisitions of New Canadian Art Bell Audioguide
Thirty-seven stops with commentary from NGC curators Josée Drouin-Brisebois, Greg Hill, Andrea Kunard, and Christine Lalonde. Rental: $6.