Young Voices, Big Visions: Exhibition Opening and Conversation

Young Voices, Big Visions opens in Ottawa with an evening of exhibition viewing and conversation at Carleton University's MacOdrum Library on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The exhibition brings together artwork, stories and reflections curated by young members of the Children's Movement in Cape Town, South Africa.

Start with a self-guided look at the exhibition at 5:30 pm in the library's main entrance display case, then join the opening remarks and roundtable in Room 252 at 6:00 pm. The evening ends at 8:00 pm. Admission is free, with attendance registration available through Eventbrite.

Young people as curators

The exhibition grew out of a week-long curatorial camp outside Cape Town led by Dr. Monica Eileen Patterson and Dr. Rebecca Friend, with assistance from doctoral students. First presented at the Cape Town Museum of Childhood, the project gives young participants space to represent their own lived experiences through artwork, stories and reflections.

The Ottawa opening invites visitors to explore what changes when young people take the lead in representing their lives and communities.

The conversation

Members of the Thinking Through the Museum research network's Children's Museology Cluster will discuss the collaborative process behind the exhibition and their work with young curators. The roundtable includes Monica Eileen Patterson, Rebecca Friend, Hiba Burqan, Tanha Gomes, Emily Jenkins-Moses and Chung Hui Wang, moderated by Dr. Shireen Hassim.

Light refreshments will be served. Handmade textile bags made by and in support of the Children's Movement will also be available to purchase.

Plan your visit

• Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
• 5:30 pm: Self-guided exhibition viewing, main entrance display case
• 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm: Opening remarks and roundtable conversation, Room 252
• Venue: MacOdrum Library, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6
• Admission: Free
• Registration: Register your attendance on Eventbrite

The library has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and welcomes service animals in its public areas. Visitor parking is available in campus lots with visitor access, including P1 behind MacOdrum Library. Check Carleton's visitor parking information for parking instructions.

Exhibition opening poster supplied by the organizer.