"Glebe: Seasons of a Century" by Hardi Vora

In March 2026, the Glebe BIA led a call for local artists to submit their vision for a 3-piece banner series to capture the spirit of the Glebe while celebrating Bytown’s 200th Anniversary.

The BIA selected a stunning submission by local artist Hardi Vora to represent the Glebe through its seasons  while honouring some of the historic local landmarks that are deeply linked to the history of the City and the fabric of the Glebe.

Artist’s Statement

The “stained-glass” aesthetic proposed for this series, entitled “Glebe: Seasons of a Century”  is deeply rooted in the artist’s childhood memory where she used to create DIY Stained Glass, which was a style of glass painting and decoration in her house. Growing up in an artistic family, painting the walls with crayons was proudly considered a staple of home decor. The stained glass taught her to simplify complex landscapes into bold, purposeful shapes and vibrant light. This foundational memory is tied to years of observing the historic churches of Ottawa, where light and glass tell stories of the past. By bringing this vision to the Glebe’s streets, Hardi captures the neighborhood’s heritage architecture, creating a “Heritage Modern” look that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Much like the stories of the families who settled here decades ago, these designs are meant to evoke a sense of belonging and ownership. Her design philosophy for this project centers on bold legibility and seasonal storytelling. Each banner anchors a specific season while highlighting a pillar of the Glebe’s identity.

Spring: Heritage and Growth

Featuring the iconic Aberdeen Pavilion framed by tulips, this piece incorporates one of the Glebe’s most iconic and meaningful Heritage buildings that welcomes locals and visitors year-round while heralding the classic flowers that frame the Glebe perfectly throughout the spring.

Summer: Outdoors Along the Canal

Highlighting the vibrant perspective of the Canal with its weeping willows and residents kayaking, Vora captures the energy of the water flowing through the Glebe.

This piece incorporates the “Ottawa 200” logo, which was also designed with a call to Ottawa’s integral waterways and grounds the neighborhood within the city’s bicentennial story.

Fall: Local Business in the Glebe

Showcasing the historic Bank street architecture, this design celebrates the unique local businesses and the signature autumn canopy found within the Glebe. This autumn design reflects the warmth and charm of the iconic storefronts found here along Bank and the Avenues.

About the Artist

Hardi Vora is an Ottawa-based, self-taught visual artist with multidisciplinary practice spanning painting murals, live water colour paintings, oil on canvas, digital illustration, and short-form animated visuals. Hardi is driven by a fascination with the architectural rhythm of urban environments. She is a firm believer in “finding beauty in the ordinary,” often roaming the city to live-sketch the buildings that define our shared spaces. Her work seeks to create a conversation between the historical textures of a neighborhood and its modern-day energy. For this project, she was inspired to celebrate Ottawa’s 200th Anniversary through a lens that honors the Glebe’s unique identity as a village in the city.

The Glebe holds a special place in Hardi’s heart as this is where she had started her first full-time job after moving to Canada in the 2010s. She often found herself admiring the streets of the Glebe and stopping for quick sketches of the architecture and locals. Her artwork doesn’t just decorate the street, but celebrates the 200-year journey of the land we share.

The Glebe BIA is delighted to welcome “Glebe: Seasons of a Century”, by local artist Hardi Vora, across 118 banners found along Isabella Street and Bank Street.

The Glebe BIA thanks the City of Ottawa for their funding support and collaboration in this project.