Gaëtane Verna to Present Major Talks at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery

(Fredericton, NB) — The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is proud to welcome Gaëtane Verna, one of Canada’s most respected and internationally recognized curators and arts leaders, for a special two-part bilingual talk celebrating contemporary art, Francophone cultural leadership, and global curatorial practice. This high-profile visit marks a significant moment for the Gallery and offers audiences a rare opportunity to engage with a leading voice shaping contemporary art in Canada and beyond. 

Presented in both French and English, the talks underscore Verna’s deep commitment to Francophone culture and bilingual exchange. The French-language talk will take place on March 4, followed by the English-language talk on March 5, both from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. 

Over the course of her distinguished career, Gaëtane Verna has played a pivotal role in advancing Francophone perspectives within national and international art institutions. Drawing on her experience as Executive Director of the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University and her transformative decade as Director and Artistic Director of The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery in Toronto, Verna will reflect on leading major multidisciplinary institutions while championing artistic innovation, cultural dialogue, and equity in the arts. 

The talk will also trace her earlier leadership as Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Musée d’art de Joliette, as well as her curatorial and academic work at Bishop’s University and the Université du Québec à Montréal. As an educator, writer, and curator deeply rooted in Francophone intellectual traditions, Verna has consistently bridged scholarly research, public engagement, and contemporary artistic practice. 

Internationally, Verna’s influence continues to grow. In 2024, she curated the Canada Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale, further cementing her role as a key ambassador for Canadian and Francophone contemporary art on the world stage. Across her career, she has curated and organized numerous exhibitions by Canadian and international artists, contributed widely to art publications, and stewarded institutional collections spanning medieval, modern, and contemporary art. 

Gaëtane Verna’s visit represents an exciting and meaningful moment for the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and the broader cultural community. Her presence highlights the Gallery’s commitment to bilingualism, international exchange, and the celebration of diverse voices shaping contemporary art today. 

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About Gaëtane Verna 
Gaëtane Verna is a Canadian curator, art historian, and arts leader. From 2022 to 2025, she served as Executive Director of the Wexner Center for the Arts, a multidisciplinary arts center at The Ohio State University. She previously led The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery in Toronto as Director and Artistic Director from 2012 to 2022. Earlier in her career, she held senior curatorial and leadership roles at the Musée d’art de Joliette and Bishop’s University, while teaching art history at both Bishop’s University and the Université du Québec à Montréal. Verna has curated numerous exhibitions by Canadian and international artists, published extensively, and contributed to a wide range of scholarly and curatorial publications. She is also active in governance and advisory roles within the arts sector. 

The Beaverbrook Art Gallery enriches life through art.