Cody McCallum, a local artisan who recently acquired a rare 75-year-old printing press, has been awarded the competitive Ottawa 200 Artist/Creator Grant as part of the city's bicentennial celebrations. The $10,000 grant will fund her project, Ottawa Imprints, a limited run of letterpress prints featuring cultural landmarks across the capital. The prints will be sold this summer through a mini vending machine that accepts only toonies, located at Past Lives Thrift's new corner spot on Bank and Nepean streets.
A Personal Grant Application
Despite McCallum's extensive experience writing grants for the Toronto Fringe Festival, this application was uniquely personal. "It was very intimidating and very fulfilling. It was full circle for me to start writing grants as an artist. I knew it was a good idea, but I thought it wasn't going to get picked because I'm not as established as other visual artists," she said. Her new letterpress company, Lucky Press, proved luckier than anticipated after months of waiting.
Celebrating Local Creativity
McCallum, who began her creative journey with calligraphy, is one of 15 recipients chosen to promote local creativity for Bytown's 200th birthday. Ottawa Imprints features a collection of limited letterpress prints made on her antique Craftsman letterpress machine, depicting various cultural landmarks. The toonie price nods to the bicentennial festivities.
Beyond Tourist Spots
McCallum aimed to select locations reflecting more than famous tourist sites. "I wanted to pick a few that people wouldn't expect to see, to blend historical and contemporary significance. The Ottawa 200 program talks about celebrating not only where we've been, but also where Ottawa is today. I think people have a lot of emotional connection to these places," she explained. The prints include iconic landmarks like Parliament Hill, the Bytown Museum, the National Art Gallery, Kìwekì Point, and the Museum of Nature, as well as lesser-known spots such as the Bytown Cinema, The Lookout Bar, Ritual on Main, the Chinatown Royal Gate, Dominion City Brewing Company, and Arlington Five.
Support from Local Business
Placing the vending machine at Past Lives Thrift aligns with McCallum's goal to highlight local institutions. "A thrift store to me is a place where there are found objects. I really liked this idea of like happening upon something and like finding your own unique piece of art in a place like that," she said. Alex Ure, owner of Past Lives Thrift, quickly agreed, noting, "I really like that she's using this business opportunity to support Indigenous efforts."
