From August 1 to September 4, Sivarulrasa Gallery and Puppets Up! are delighted to jointly present Noreen Young: Drawings & Illustrations, an exhibition of early works on paper by artist Noreen Young (1939–2025). The exhibition will complement the 2026 Puppets Up! festival, which will take place August 8 and 9 in Almonte.
The exhibition presents a curated selection of works created by the late artist during her formative explorations in art, when she was known as Noreen Brathwaite, including several works dating from 1959–60 while she attended the Ontario College of Art. The show provides a unique window into the early imagination of an artist who would go on to become a visionary puppeteer, a television producer and creator, a member of the Order of Canada, and a much-loved resident of Almonte.
The estate of Noreen Young has donated the works for sale and Sivarulrasa Gallery is donating its time and services, so that all proceeds (other than sales tax) from the sale of these works will go to the Noreen Young Award for the Arts. The Gallery will issue a Certificate of Authenticity to the purchaser of each work sold in the exhibition.
The Noreen Young Award for the Arts is awarded annually to a high school student resident in Mississippi Mills to support post-secondary studies in the arts. The award is administered by Puppets Up! in partnership with the Ottawa Community Foundation.
The show will be open for previews in mid-July! All are welcome to the Opening Reception on Sunday August 2 from 3–5pm at Sivarulrasa Gallery. Representatives of Noreen’s family and Puppets Up! as well as artists from across our community and beyond will be on hand to celebrate Noreen Young’s enduring legacy. Sivarulrasa Gallery is located at 34 Mill Street. For more information, please visit sivarulrasa.com.