about the club

Otter Art Club is a youth art collective that was founded in 2018 by Acclaimed Ojibwe Artist and Director Travis Shilling and his partner, Professional Photographer Naomi Woodman.  In their small hometown of Chippewas of Rama First Nation and Orillia they started the club as a way to give local youth the opportunity to explore their creative side while giving them access to professional grade artist materials.  Instead of telling their students what to do with their time and materials, they give them the freedom to pick their own subject matter which allows them to develop their own style of working.  Otter Art Club believes that art is not a subject, but a way to understanding who we are.

​

Over the past few years Travis and Naomi have built the club from small groups at the studio to a waiting list for classes, workshops for Elementary and High Schools, collaborations with their local Youth Centre, a feature on CBC, and an award for Education in the Arts, Culture and Heritage.

​

In the spring of 2020 the whole world changed and the club changed with it.  Instead of focusing on the things they couldn't do anymore, they found new ways to create and developed their first online program, Bear Builds a Beaver Dam.  Otter Art Club continues to bring new and exciting LIVE online workshops to youth across Canada during this exceptional time.  If you are looking for some inspiration, we welcome you to join us, because WE ARE ALL ARTISTS NOW!