The gallery’s new fund will continue Staubi’s work of uplifting and supporting emerging queer artists…
At the age of 24, Bill Staubi got a loan from the bank to purchase five art pieces from a grad school showcase in Saint John, New Brunswick. The moment sparked a passion for collecting art, leading him to accumulate between 1,200 and 1,300 pieces over the decades.
Now, the Ottawa Art Gallery is honouring the longtime resident with an acquisition fund in his name along with an exhibit.
What is the Bill Staubi Acquisition Fund?
A beloved figure in the Ottawa arts community, Staubi has championed emerging and queer artists for over four decades by purchasing their works. For many artists, he was their first customer. His actions supported them financially and encouraged them to continue creating. “An artist is never going to create the Mona Lisa, if they can’t pay rent,” he told the Ottawa Art Gallery in an interview for his exhibit.
The Bill Staubi Acquisition Fund will continue his legacy, buying art from emerging artists with a focus on those from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Its mission is to nurture the next generation of artists and increase the Ottawa Art Gallery’s collection of pieces from local talent.
The announcement comes as an exhibition of donated works by the art enthusiast is now on display at the gallery. Grotto: The Bill Staubi Collection features works donated by the collector to the gallery last year. The exhibit pays “homage to Staubi’s unwavering support for queer artists and his deep-rooted commitment to Ottawa’s vibrant contemporary art scene.” It closes on February 8, 2026.
Who is Bill Staubi and what does he collect?
Born in New Brunswick, Staubi moved to Ottawa in 1989. Since arriving he has been a pillar in the local arts scene. His art collection features pieces by queer and Indigenous artists and other items he finds interesting. He has collected stained glass, sculptures, paintings, wood carvings, photographs and other art forms.
Staubi is a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, coming out later in life. He told the Ottawa Citizen “I had left my marriage in June 2000 and moved out in July…I was 45. I wasn’t out publicly — maybe to a couple of friends, but not many.”
He’s been an artist, collector, art administrator, journalist and volunteer for queer causes. He retired from Correctional Service Canada in 2010 and recently had a 2SLGBTQIA+ Leadership Award named after him.
In 2023, he was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer and given a few years to live. The diagnosis led to an evaluation of his collection and where it would go upon his passing. According to the Ottawa Citizen, Staubi gifted pieces to his friends and offered works back to the original artists. He also donated pieces to the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Art Gallery, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Ottawa Arts Council and Mississippi Textile Museum. Others were donated to support fundraising efforts for organizations.
Today, Staubi is still heavily involved in the Ottawa art scene and continuing to the change lives of upcoming art talent.
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