From Chaos to Creativity: How Art Changed Logan’s Story

When I first started teaching with the Ottawa School of Art’s Outreach Program at Tukimut Afterschool Program, there was a young Inuk student named Logan, about seven years old, with enough energy to launch a fleet of rockets to the moon and back.

Logan was a whirlwind of jubilant chaos, keeping us all on our toes and spreading joy wherever they went. They adored their classmates, and the feeling was mutual. But there was one big challenge: focus.

It was clear that Logan deeply wanted to dive into every art project, but at first, they could only manage about five minutes before needing to run around and shake off some of that extra energy. Sometimes they’d come back and say,

We’d grin, laugh, and get them back on track.

After a month or two, that five minutes grew to ten. And six months later, Logan was diving deep into drawing sessions for half an hour at a time. Watching their focus grow alongside their creativity was incredibly rewarding.

It was as if making art unlocked a reservoir of inner strengths — patience, engagement, attention to detail — all quietly waiting beneath the surface, ready to pour out.

We’ve been lucky to witness this kind of transformation many times with our OSA Outreach students, but Logan’s journey has always stood out to me.

Fast forward eight years, and Logan began leading some programs at Tukimut. Full circle! One day, a Tukimut colleague kindly told me that Logan had said to them,

What delighted me most about that moment was knowing: if anyone truly understands the journey of focus, and the creative places it can take you, it’s Logan.

The Bigger Picture: Creativity Changes Lives

The Tukimut Afterschool Program, operated by Inuuqatigiit, provides Inuit youth ages 6–12 with a safe and nurturing space to explore language and culture. Through hands-on projects and creative mentorship, the Ottawa School of Art collaborates with community organizations like Tukimut to ensure that art education reaches children who might not otherwise have access to it.

For Logan, art wasn’t just something to make. It became a way to focus, express joy, and later, to give back.

Why Outreach Matters

Through partnerships with the Ottawa School of Art's Outreach Program, hundreds of children and adults across Ottawa gain access to free and low-cost art programming every year — in community centers, schools, and cultural organizations.

These programs nurture confidence, emotional wellbeing, and creative resilience, helping participants build skills that last a lifetime. They show that art education is not a luxury, but a pathway to empowerment and belonging.

Help People Like Logan

Every donation to the Ottawa School of Art’s Outreach Program directly supports art materials, teaching hours, and partnerships that make these transformations possible.

When you give, you’re not just supporting art — you’re investing in focus, confidence, and future community leaders.

Help more students like Logan discover the joy and focus that comes from creating. artottawa.ca/donate