With the day’s heat and wildfire smoke hanging heavy in the air, stepping into the cool, airy spaces of the National Gallery of Canada felt like entering a different world. Even before crossing the threshold, we were greeted by the towering, steel-and-bronze spider sculpture outside—a dramatic and slightly unsettling reminder that art can surprise and challenge us before we’ve even stepped inside.

Once indoors, we wandered through galleries that told the story of Canada’s artistic heritage in sweeping, interconnected chapters. Indigenous art shared space with works from the country’s early colonial period, allowing the threads of tradition, resilience, and cultural exchange to weave a vivid narrative. There were expansive landscapes capturing the spirit of the land, bold modernist experiments that pushed the boundaries of color and form, and contemporary pieces tackling social change, identity, and the intersection of cultures.

The building itself felt like part of the exhibition—filled with natural light, framed views of Parliament Hill, and quiet corners where art could be experienced in stillness. For three and a half hours we moved between the familiar and the unexpected, from centuries-old craftsmanship to installations that seemed to hum with urgency and relevance.

By the time we stepped back outside, the sun was sinking, and the air was still thick, but we carried a kind of inner cool from what we’d seen. From Ottawa, we set out on the long drive to Toronto, arriving around 9 p.m., a little tired but inspired by a day that began with heat and ended with art.

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turning from another realm—refreshed, reflective, and enriched.