ARTIST BIO

DSCF1540 Curtis Perry 1 - Rachel Gray - Interdisciplinary Artist

Photo by Curtis Perry

Rachel Gray is a Canadian interdisciplinary director, producer, and writer based in Ottawa. Working across film, opera, visual art, and performance, she leads large-scale collaborative projects that centre disability aesthetics and access as a generative creative force.

Her films blend puppetry, dance, and storytelling, and have toured nationally, including Dreamscapes which raises awareness around mental health and accessible filmmaking. She is currently co-directing Island of Listeners, a collaboration with the Isenberg Lab that visualizes end-of-life stories from palliative care patients, caregivers, and staff.

Rachel works in a long standing creative duo with composer Rebecca Gray to create contemporary operas including Raccoon Opera and Transbliss™, commissioned by Music 3 Femmes and the Atlanta Opera. Her graphic novel Jess was adapted into a musical work through Pacific Opera Victoria and received Opera America’s Award for Digital Excellence in 2023. 

Rachel is a founding member of Ghost Rooster, a disability arts collective working at the intersection of dance and film. She also served as Artistic and Executive Director of BEING Studio (2021–2023), a space for artists with developmental disabilities, where she advocated for accessibility in the arts sector. Her work continues to engage with community groups and academic collaborators to reimagine how art can communicate complex ideas and foster connection.

Rachel’s projects have been presented nationally and internationally, with work in the collections of the City of Ottawa, the U.S. National Park Service, and private collectors across North America. At the heart of her practice is a desire to create shared spaces of expression and connection.

ARTIST BIO

DSCF1540 Curtis Perry 1 - Rachel Gray - Interdisciplinary Artist

Photo by Curtis Perry

Rachel Gray is a Canadian interdisciplinary director, producer, and writer based in Ottawa. Working across film, opera, visual art, and performance, she leads large-scale collaborative projects that centre disability aesthetics and access as a generative creative force.

Her films blend puppetry, dance, and storytelling, and have toured nationally, including Dreamscapes which raises awareness around mental health and accessible filmmaking. She is currently co-directing Island of Listeners, a collaboration with the Isenberg Lab that visualizes end-of-life stories from palliative care patients, caregivers, and staff.

Rachel works in a long standing creative duo with composer Rebecca Gray to create contemporary operas including Raccoon Opera and Transbliss™, commissioned by Music 3 Femmes and the Atlanta Opera. Her graphic novel Jess was adapted into a musical work through Pacific Opera Victoria and received Opera America’s Award for Digital Excellence in 2023. 

Rachel is a founding member of Ghost Rooster, a disability arts collective working at the intersection of dance and film. She also served as Artistic and Executive Director of BEING Studio (2021–2023), a space for artists with developmental disabilities, where she advocated for accessibility in the arts sector. Her work continues to engage with community groups and academic collaborators to reimagine how art can communicate complex ideas and foster connection.

Rachel’s projects have been presented nationally and internationally, with work in the collections of the City of Ottawa, the U.S. National Park Service, and private collectors across North America. At the heart of her practice is a desire to create shared spaces of expression and connection.

WORK WITH RACHEL

Rachel Gray collaborates with artists, institutions, and community partners to develop interdisciplinary projects across film, performance, and visual art.

Ways to work together include:

Artistic Direction & Creative Production
Leading collaborative performance, film, and installation projects.

Research & Institutional Partnerships
Creative collaborations with universities, research labs, and healthcare programs.

Creative Collaboration with Artists
Set and visual design, animation, script and libretto writing and visual storytelling for interdisciplinary works.

Commissions
Original paintings and drawings

Talks & Workshops
Artist talks and workshops on interdisciplinary creation and disability aesthetics.

For collaborations, commissions, or speaking inquiries, please get in touch.

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