BIO

Allan André is a Canadian multi-disciplinary artist of Haitian descent based in Ottawa, known for his murals and live painting. He won Ottawa's regional Art Battle Canada speed painting competitions in 2014, 2016, and 2019, followed by national titles in 2016, 2019, and 2022. His work has twice featured in Ottawa’s Nuit Blanche, and in 2015, he collaborated with artist Kalkidan Assefa on a tribute to Sandra Bland, a response to the defacement of a Black Lives Matter message on Ottawa’s Tech Wall.

André’s television appearances include CBC’s art competition show "Crash Gallery," where he was named the winner. He is also a founding member of the Ottawa Black Artist Collective (OBAK), which supports Black voices in Ottawa’s arts community. His curatorial work includes the art shows *See Me Now 2020* and *See Me Now 2021,* focused on creating spaces for underrepresented narratives.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, André owns "opncnvs," a project dedicated to establishing accessible public art studios. Since 2017, he has hosted local art socials at Grounded Kitchen Coffee and Bar, featuring live art and music with DJ Unique 1. He mentors young artists through Youth Ottawa’s Artistic Mentorship Program (AMP), sharing practical insights from his career.

André’s philosophy is that life itself is art. He states, “We live in a collective masterpiece” and believes “We all are artists who leave our signature on the canvas we call the human experience by challenging our own spheres of influence in a way that will ripple through future generations.”