Did someone say PAAAARRRTTYYYY??? We’re changing things up for our upcoming event to bring you something fresh and exciting! Join us for Hands-On Vibes, an end-of-summer party celebrating handcrafted art and design.
Our evening starts with an engaging panel featuring Andrew Doxtater, Pooja Pawaskar, Hailey Wyatt, and Steph Babij. They'll will share their stories about working with their hands and creating tangible works of art.
Engage with artworks during the interactive party while DJs Jared Lebel and Matfroninja keep the energy high throughout the night.
Whether you're a seasoned or amateur creative, or simply someone who appreciates handcrafted work, this event is for you. It's your chance to connect with the community, learn from talented artists, and celebrate tactile art.
Grab your tickets and let's meet up at Hands-On Vibes!
Reserve your tickets early on Eventbrite.
Here’s what you can expect from an ODC event:
Make new creative friends! The first hour of the event is dedicated to networking. Don’t be scared, we promise the ambiance will be super laid back. Grab a drink, have some food and have a chat with a stranger!
Listen to inspiring panelist!
Andrew Doxtater
Furniture Designer
Stephanie Babij
Visual artist and Illustrator
Pooja Pawaskar
Sculptor and Designer
Hailey Wyatt
Fashion Designer
Get yourself a zine!
Zines 0004 to 0006 will be available for sale at the event.
Have some food and drinks!
Light food will be provided at the event, drinks are for sale at the bar.
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Agenda:
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Chats, snacks, and drinks
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Panel discussion
8:00 - 11:00 p.m. - Party, interactive art, and live Djs
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IMPORTANT: Please stay home if you’re not feeling well. Should any speakers fall sick, the event will still proceed. Tickets are non-refundable and any updates will be communicated to you as early as possible.
Questions? Reach out to hello@ottdesign.club
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Andrew Doxtater is an Ottawa-based designer specializing in furniture and home goods, blending minimalist, natural, and brutalist aesthetics. His design journey began with the Oval Rocker and now includes diverse materials like plywood, metals, and concrete. Recently featured in NY Design Week's lamp show hosted by Head Hi, Andrew showcases an innovative approach to design. His passion for creating, researching, and learning new fabrication methods allows him to bring ideas to life from concept to final product. Emphasizing functionality and exploring the connections between objects and users, Andrew is committed to challenging design norms and encouraging self-expression through thoughtfully crafted, handmade pieces.
andrewdoxtater.com
Stephanie Babij is a visual artist of Ojibwe and Ukrainian/other mixed-settler heritage. Originally from Sudbury, and a member of Wikwemikong Unceded First Nation, she now makes her home in Unceded Algonquin Territory/Ottawa. Stephanie’s visual arts practice includes both solo and community-engaged murals, acrylic paintings, wood-burned art, and beading. In her work you’ll find themes of our relationships to the land, waterways, and heavy elements of plants, animals, and the spirit realm.
stephbabij-art.com
Pooja Pawaskar, a sculptor and designer based in Ottawa, Canada, blends fine art with functional design. Originally from Mumbai, India, she holds a Bachelor's in Architecture from Mumbai University and a Master’s in Furniture Design from SCAD, USA. Inspired by wabi-sabi philosophy, body positivity, sexuality, and the beauty of aging, Pooja’s work celebrates the diversity and unique appearances of different wood species, reflecting India's rich cultural tapestry. Her creative process brings each sculpture to life by highlighting the character of each type of wood. Her latest collection, "Sexy AF," embraces the natural beauty and imperfections of the human form. Showcased in exhibitions like ‘Upon Further Reflection’ at NYCxDESIGN 2023 and ‘Connection with Trees’ at DesignTO 2024, Pooja’s art invites a deep connection with one’s journey, celebrating life’s natural imperfections.
poojapawaskar.com
Hailey Wyatt, of Wyatt House, is an Ottawa-based zero waste fashion designer creating wearable art from textile waste. With a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from Dalhousie University and a Fashion Design degree from Richard Robinson Academy, Hailey's scientific background informs her technical approach and thematic focus on the intelligence of cells and microorganisms. Her designs, committed to a circular future, transform discarded materials into intricate patchwork garments that evolve and beautify over time. Retailers like Victoire Boutique, Honey Hi Boutique in Ottawa, and Selfish Swimwear Boutique in Montreal feature her work. She has collaborated with the Slow Fashion Movement, Chelsea Clarke from Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia, and dressed singers Ruby Waters and Luella. Featured in Ottawa’s Luxe magazine, CTV, and Uncommon Ottawa, Hailey also hosts sewing and up-cycling workshops in her home studio, promoting sustainability and hands-on creativity.
wyatthousedesignco.com
Ramzi Estephan is an entrepreneur, video director, drone operator, and racing driver. Passionate about digital multimedia, he combines creative output with technical inputs. Ramzi loves working with his hands, customizing tools, building and racing cars, and operating cinema cameras and drones professionally. His company, Pano Media, collaborates with brands like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Amazon, and more. He also hosts "The Creatives Podcast," exploring creativity through conversations with individuals who lead with innovation and artistic expression.
panomedia.co
Jared Lebel is a brand designer, musician, artist, and human being. With a knack for the peculiar, he strives to connect art and design in meaningful and unique ways, often going against the grain, and challenging the status quo. His struggle with mental health has guided his work and processes, and he’s always looking for a way to achieve ambitious ideas while balancing mental wellness. Co-founder of the Ottawa studio Salt, Jared has designed for companies like Algonquin College, Simple Story, Dan Rascal, Seyer Group, LVD Fitness, and more. Most recently, he spent 3 years leading the brand team at Perpetua and now runs his own studio called Lebel Studio.
jaredlebel.ca
Matfroninja (Matthew Monteith) is an electronic musician from Ottawa, Canada and with strong heritage from Jamaica you'd also expect his music to incorporate those roots but Matfroninja's music goes the opposite direction and blurs the lines between Future Bass, Pop and Bass music. The success of his songs 'Do You Like Me Now', and 'Burn Down' which both have over 100,000 streams, has propelled him to multiple collaborations with emerging singer-songwriters and producers. Matfroninja is different from other artists because of how new he is to the music scene, having only started in 2018. This keeps him hungry for opportunities and grounded because he knows there is so much more to learn. Currently he is working on a healthy string of releases scheduled for 2024.
matfroninja.comBursting onto the city’s event scene in 2022, Ottawa Design Club has quickly become an Ottawa staple with its sold-out events.
A network of communities created by designers, with other chapters in Marseille and New York, Ottawa Design Club was co-founded by designers Izzy Poirier and Ariane Bédard in 2020. The club started out online, bringing together creatives for safe-space networking, speaker events, and the publication of a yearly zine celebrating local arts.
Hands-On Vibes: Highlight
Hands On Vibes LIVE Panel Discussion - Steph Babij, Andrew Doxtater, Hailey Wyatt, Pooja Pawaskar
Pooja Pawaskar - Hands On Vibes Part II
Andrew Doxtater - Hands On Vibes Part II
Steph Babij - Hands On Vibes Part II
Hailey Wyatt - Hands On Vibes Part II
Ramzi & Izzy - Hands On Vibes Part II