By Patricia Balcom
I walked down Dalhousie Street to Murray, turned left and stopped at the Alpha & Omega Gallery at 101 Murray. Owner Edith Betkowski greeted me and led me to the patio, which was an oasis of quiet after the hubbub en route.
The spacious patio is completely walled in and features two urban murals. The north-facing wall will eventually be covered in Boston ivy, with hydrangeas, a magnolia tree and roses to complement the hostas on the ground. The furniture is “eclectic”, consisting of mismatched chairs and tables which were donated by friends and clients. The overall effect is utterly charming.
Edith recognizes that the patio is a long-term project, and asks people to be “graciously patient with my vines and … the hostas” until they are fully grown. She has a 15-year lease, so there is lots of time for her plants to grow.
Here is a sampling of upcoming events for the summer:
- meet-and-mingle events once a month
- live jazz every Friday
- salsa nights with a DJ or live music every second Wednesday.
Edith suggests that people go to https://www.alphaandomegagallery.com and subscribe to receive invitations to all public events on the patio and in the gallery. There is also a calendar on the site listing upcoming events. Future events include a New Year’s party with a sit-down dinner, and possibly a “mini Christmas market” and a Winterlude event.
From Thursday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. there is a tapas bar featuring drinks and charcuterie, cheese and salads, as well as non-alcoholic beverages. The patio gets the sun from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and there is a tree for protection. There is free high-speed Wi-Fi with good service on the patio.
The venue can also be reserved for private events. Edith has bookings for weddings and Christmas parties, and the venue would also be a great place for graduation parties or birthday parties.
Edith is community-oriented, and has donated her venue for three Chamberfest events. And she only works with local businesses. As she told me: “I’m huge on local … local eggs, local meat, local chicken, supporting Ottawa. And our people. Our community. “
If you are looking for an elegant venue for a private event, stimulating cultural events or a quiet green oasis in the Market, the patio at the Alpha & Omega Gallery is the place for you!