(Fredericton, NB) — The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is delighted to announce that the 2025 Theodore Prize has been awarded to Graeme Patterson, a Sackville, New Brunswick–based artist whose practice has garnered widespread recognition for its imaginative, immersive, and continually evolving approach to sculpture and installation. The Theodore Prize, valued at $20,000, celebrates exceptional achievement in the visual arts and recognizes artists who have made significant contributions to the Atlantic Canadian and national art landscapes.
Selected from a highly competitive field of candidates, Patterson impressed the jury with the excellence, ambition, and steady evolution of his artistic practice over nearly two decades. “It’s exciting to see the evolution of his visual language,” the jury noted, citing his “sustained, impactful practice.”
Known for his large-scale sculptural installations, Patterson’s work was praised for being “imaginative, thoughtful, and truly enjoyable, both as a presenter of his work, and as a visitor.” His recent exhibition, Strange Birds—co-organized by the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and the Dalhousie Art Gallery—was presented in Fredericton, Halifax, and Moncton to great popular acclaim, underscoring the resonance and accessibility of his creative vision.
“Graeme Patterson’s work stands as a remarkable example of how imagination, craft, and narrative can transform our understanding of place and experience. His ability to create immersive worlds—at once intimate and expansive—has made a lasting impact on audiences across Atlantic Canada and beyond. We are proud to recognize his sustained commitment to artistic excellence and thrilled to celebrate him as this year’s Theodore Prize recipient.” says Bernard Doucet, Executive Director, Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
“I feel blessed to have been part of the Atlantic Canadian community of creative professionals for the past 20 years and counting. During this time, I have been surrounded by countless supportive friends and colleagues. This is the place I found myself as an artist, and I know I will continue to grow, create, and collaborate here. Being awarded the Theodore prize and being recognized within this region by a community I admire and care for is truly an honour. I would like to thank the members of the jury, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, and the Throop Family Foundation for offering this award to Atlantic Canadian visual artists. This type of recognition and support will certainly make a difference in our community. As a working artist, it will be a significant emotional and financial boost to maintaining and evolving my independent practice.” says Graeme Patterson, 2025 Theodore Prize winner.
The 2025 Theodore Prize jury consisted of Nisk Imbeault, Director/Curator of the Galerie d’art Louise-et-Reuben-Cohen at the Université de Moncton; Emma Hassencahl-Perley, Curator of Indigenous Art at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery; and David Diviney, Chief Curator at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
The Theodore Prize is a family-funded initiative led by the Throop Family Foundation to celebrate the professional accomplishments of an Atlantic Canadian visual artist. Administered by the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Theodore Prize is awarded annually to an Atlantic Canadian artist whose work demonstrates exceptional artistic and creative excellence, mastery of their medium, and recognized impact within the regional curatorial and gallery community.
Artists interested in applying for the 2026 Theodore Prize are encouraged to stay up to date on announcements via our website at beaverbrookartgallery.org.
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The Beaverbrook Art Gallery enriches life through art
Media Contact
Curtis Richardson
Director of Communications and Visitor Services
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Email: crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org
(Fredericton, NB) – The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is excited to announce the upcoming travelling exhibition River of Dreams: Impressionism on the St. Lawrence, which will open on March 29. Organized geographically, this breathtaking exhibition will take visitors on a journey beginning in Montreal and travelling east along the St. Lawrence River. It will explore communities immortalized by the Quebec Impressionists, including Arthabaska, Quebec City, Beaupré, and Charlevoix. River of Dreams offers a rare opportunity to experience over 150 works from renowned public and private collections, including the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, the National Gallery of Canada, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and more. The exhibition is organized and circulated by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
Drawing heavily on the collections of the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec and other significant cultural institutions, this exhibition brings together a wide array of rarely seen paintings, archival photographs, and material culture items from the region. Visitors will be able to view exquisite examples of textiles, Indigenous trade goods, and pottery, all of which deepen the understanding of the landscapes captured by the Impressionists.
The exhibition is co-curated by Sarah Milroy, Chief Curator and Executive Director of McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and Dr. Anne-Marie Bouchard, who has also written the lead essay for the accompanying publication. The exhibition’s compelling blend of art, history, and culture will make it a must-see for visitors of all ages.
“This exhibition is a love song to the St Lawrence, offering a true feast of Quebec art. From the bustling streets of Montreal to ramparts of Quebec City to the quiet villages of Charlevoix, viewers are taken on a journey in time, encountering a culture in transition as its makes the turn toward modernity a century ago. Tender and nostalgic, these paintings speak to the soul,” says Sarah Milroy
"The River of Dreams exhibition offers a stunning opportunity to see some of Canada's most treasured works of art in a new light, and we're excited to bring this transformative exhibition to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery this March," said Bernard Doucet, Executive Director of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. "The accompanying programming, with a focus on expanded programs for francophone audiences, will offer deep insight into the region’s artistic history, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to this extraordinary exhibition."
In addition to the exhibition, a series of exciting programs will accompany River of Dreams, including artist talks, guided tours, and special events that provide further context and engagement with the themes and works on display. An opening that will be free to members will take place on March 29 at 4 p.m., with regular admission required for non-member. Click here to learn more.
River of Dreams will be on view at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery beginning March 29 and will run until October 5, 2025. Don’t miss this exceptional chance to explore the beauty of the St. Lawrence!
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The exhibition is organized and circulated by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and is co-curated by Sarah Milroy and Anne-Marie Bouchard. Supported at the Beaverbrook with generous support from Power Corporation of Canada.
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery, located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, is one of Canada’s finest art institutions. Opened in 1959, the Gallery offers a diverse range of exhibitions, educational programs, and events that foster cultural engagement. It showcases both historical and contemporary works, celebrating Canadian, Indigenous, and international artists. The Gallery serves as a cultural hub for the community, offering dynamic experiences for visitors. Its permanent collection includes over 5,000 artworks, featuring significant pieces by British, Canadian, Indigenous, and Atlantic artists, including works by renowned masters such as Salvador Dalí. We respectfully acknowledge that the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and its activities are located within the traditional unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik and Mi'kmaq Peoples of New Brunswick.
Media Contacts
Curtis Richardson
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Phone: (506) 458-2028
Email: crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org
Web: www.beaverbrookartgallery.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeaverbrookArtGallery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/beaverbrook_ag
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/beaverbrook-art-gallery
Bernard Doucet to Lead Gallery with a Focus on Community Connections and Artists
Fredericton, NB – [September 24, 2024] – The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is pleased to announce the appointment of Bernard Doucet as its new Executive Director, effective December 16, 2024. Mr. Doucet brings a wealth of experience in arts administration and leadership, marking an exciting new chapter for the Gallery and the Fredericton community. As Executive Director, Mr. Doucet will oversee the Gallery’s operations, exhibitions, and programs, ensuring they continue to reflect the values and interests of the community and the mission of the Gallery.
With a distinguished career in arts administration and philanthropy, including more than a decade as Executive Director at the Sobey Art Foundation, Mr. Doucet has played a critical role in the development of the visual arts in Canada. In his new position, he will focus on further deepening the Beaverbrook’s engagement with residents of New Brunswick, creating a platform for Canadian artists, and enhancing the Gallery’s role as a social and cultural hub. Mr. Doucet’s vision includes leveraging the Gallery’s existing strengths and remarkable collections, while expanding its reach to national and international audiences. He is fully bilingual and will be the first Acadian leader in the Beaverbrook’s history.
“I am honored to join the Beaverbrook Art Gallery at this exciting time,” said Mr. Doucet. “I believe that art has the power to provoke thought and inspire dialogue, and I look forward to working with artists and communities across New Brunswick. Together, we will nurture and promote creative talent, and bring even more visibility to one of the richest collections of artwork in North America.”
James C. Irving, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, expressed his enthusiasm for Mr. Doucet’s appointment: “We are delighted to welcome Bernard as our new Executive Director. His vision for furthering the Gallery’s engagement with our community and supporting Canadian artists aligns perfectly with our mission. Bernard’s leadership and passion for the arts will undoubtedly strengthen the Gallery’s role both locally and nationally.”
For more information about the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and upcoming events, visit www.beaverbrookartgallery.org
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The Beaverbrook Art Gallery, located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, is one of Canada’s finest art institutions. Opened in 1959, the Gallery offers a diverse range of exhibitions, educational programs, and events that foster cultural engagement. It showcases both historical and contemporary works, celebrating Canadian, Indigenous, and international artists. The Gallery serves as a cultural hub for the community, offering dynamic experiences for visitors. Its permanent collection includes over 5,000 artworks, featuring significant pieces by British, Canadian, Indigenous, and Atlantic artists, including works by renowned masters such as Salvador Dalí.
Media Contacts
Curtis Richardson
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Phone: (506) 458-2028
Email: crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org
Web: www.beaverbrookartgallery.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeaverbrookArtGallery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/beaverbrook_ag
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/beaverbrook-art-gallery
Daniel St. Germaine
Account Director
A&C
(Fredericton, NB) — The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is thrilled to announce that the esteemed Theodore Prize has been awarded to Megan Samms, an L’nu and Nlaka’pamux multidisciplinary artist. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional achievement in the visual arts and celebrates artists who have made significant contributions to the Canadian art landscape.
Samms, who works in diverse mediums including textile, natural dyes and inks, paint, words, motif and mark making, mapping, photography, and performance, explores themes of generative anticoloniality and multiplicity, contrastingly at fragmentation while carefully weaving together place and meaning. Their work results in layered materials, functional objects from the hand, words from the heart, and personal narrative based on living and responding with place-in-the-world and kin.
“Megan Samms' collaborative and supportive approach, rooted in the notion of place, embodies an important ethos of the Atlantic Region. Whether hosting a residency program on their ancestral lands in rural Ktaqmkuk (the island of Newfoundland) or in their own practice, Samms views art as the focal point for relationships -- with the land, with other artists, and with those who engage with their art. She shows us that art is a living focal point, thriving when culture is fostered and supported. In this way, they also reflect larger trends in the Atlantic and national landscape, where Indigenous ways of knowing and sharing are reframing how we make, how we collect, and how we share.” says Ray Cronin on behalf of the selection committee for the Theodore Prize.
“As an artist, I often have my head down and my heart out while I’m working, making artworks, tending to process, or teaching. It’s a big honour to be recognized, seen, and nominated for prizes like the Theodore, but I don’t expect to be. To be nominated is a compliment enough but to receive the news that I was selected for the Theodore prize this year is a huge privilege; I’m very proud to receive this prize and it’s an honest and gratifying responsibility to keep doing and making, one that I take very seriously.” Says Megan Samms, this year’s Theodore Prize winner. “I hold my hands up and say wela’lin aqq kʷukʷscemxʷ to my nominators, the jury for the Theodore prize, to the Throop Family Foundation, to my collaborators, friends, and family who hold me close and up.”
The Theodore Prize is a family-funded initiative led by the Throop Family Foundation to celebrate the professional accomplishments of an Atlantic Canadian visual artist. Stemming from a desire to give something back to the Atlantic Canadian Visual Arts Community, the prize is named for a special family member who exemplified generosity and good will. Administered by the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, The Theodore Prize is an annual award of $20,000 given to an Atlantic Canadian artist whose work displays a high level of artistic and creative excellence, a command of the artist’s medium, and an acknowledged level of regard from the Atlantic Canadian curatorial/gallery community.
Those interested in applying for the 2025 Theodore Prize are encouraged to stay up to date on announcements via our website at beaverbrookartgallery.org.
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The Beaverbrook Art Gallery enriches life through art
Media Contact
Curtis Richardson
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Email: crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org
(Fredericton, NB) – Join us at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery on Thursday, July 18th, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM for an exciting evening as we unveil four new captivating exhibitions. This special event will feature the opening of the following exhibitions:
"We are thrilled to present these remarkable exhibitions that highlight diverse artistic voices and perspectives. This is an extraordinary opportunity for our community to experience the transformative power of art," says Beaverbrook Art Gallery Director of Curatorial Programming, Ray Cronin.
Engage with some of the artists and immerse yourself in these four diverse and exciting new exhibitions. Speeches will commence at 6:30 PM, providing insights into the artists' inspirations and the themes of their work. Admission is by donation. Your contributions help support our gallery and the vibrant community of artists we showcase.
Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase two books during this celebration and have their copies signed by the authors and artists: Beaverbrook Art Gallery / Goose Lane joint publication of "Michael Smith: Sea of Change", and Ann Manuel’s publication for her exhibition “Breath”, a publication by the New Brunswick Museum.
Be sure to enjoy a refreshment from the Daily Espresso Café and browse our revamped Beaverbrook Boutique. No RSVP is necessary.
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Michael Smith: Sea of Change is curated by John Leroux, and organized and circulated by the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
Ann Manuel: Breath is organized and curated in partnership with the New Brunswick Museum.
Epekwitk Quill Sisters: Etleoogoeiog (Talking Together) is curated by Emma Hassencahl-Perley and organized by the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
Exhibition organized by the Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery, Florenceville, NB
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery enriches life through art
Media Contact
Curtis Richardson
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Email: crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org
(Saint John, NB, May 2, 2024) – The NB Arts Centre Association / Association des centres des arts du NB announces that the Jeunesse créative NB Artful Youth exhibition will open this month at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, New Brunswick in the Harriet Irving Gallery, with a free public opening on May 5, 2024, at 12 PM.
Made possible with generous funding from the Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation, this provincial high school visual arts program is a collaborative partnership between nine provincial art centres: the Aberdeen Cultural Centre, Moncton; Centre des Arts et de la Culture de Dieppe; Charlotte Street Arts Centre, Fredericton; Sunbury Shores Arts & Nature Centre, St Andrews; Ax Art Centre, Sussex; Société Culturelle Kent-Sud, Bouctouche; Saint John Arts Centre; Centre des arts d’Edmundston; Andrew & Laura McCain Gallery, Florenceville-Bristol) and the Neqotkuk Art Studio (Tobique First Nation).
Five students per location, in grades 10 and 11, received 16 hours of intense training by hired, qualified artists and art educators, each exploring a number of art mediums offered at each art centre. The purpose of this project was to encourage creative young students to consider a career in the fine art or fine craft sectors. Each student involved in the project created a meaningful body of work and was encouraged to participate in dialogue with their peers in other communities through social media.
Artwork created by the Jeunesse créative NB Artful Youth participants will be featured in an exhibition at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery from May 5 to June 9, 2024. Those interested in viewing these excellent works by New Brunswick students are encouraged to join the free public celebration on May 5, 2024, at 12 PM in the Harriet Irving Gallery in the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
Light refreshments and tours will be available during the opening celebration. No RSVP is necessary.
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This project was made possible with generous funding from the Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation and coordinated through the NB Arts Centre Association / Association des centres des arts du N.B.
Media Contacts:
Andrew Kierstead | Saint John Arts Centre | director@sjartscentre.ca | (506) 633-4870
Kathryn McCarroll | The Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation | shmf@sheilahughmackay.ca | (506) 693-5647
Curtis Richardson | Beaverbrook Art Gallery | crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org | (506) 458 2028
(Fredericton, April 16, 2024) – The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is excited to announce that in collaboration with the Throop Family Foundation, it is now accepting applications from Atlantic Canadian visual artists for the second annual Theodore Prize.
Stemming from a desire to give back to the Atlantic Canadian visual arts community, the Theodore Prize is named for a special family member who exemplified generosity and good will in the Throop family. Administered by the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Theodore Prize is an annual award of $20,000, given to an Atlantic Canadian artist whose work displays a high level of artistic and creative excellence, a command of the artist’s medium, and an acknowledged level of regard from the Atlantic Canadian curatorial/gallery community.
Last year, the Theodore Prize was awarded to Will Gill, an artist from Newfoundland. Will earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Mount Allison University in 1991, with a focus on sculpture. He has maintained a studio practice since graduation, evolving from a solely sculptural exploration, to one that encompasses photography, painting, sculpture, and video work.
The deadline to apply for this year’s Theodore Prize is June 15, 2024. Atlantic Canadian artists who wish to apply for the Theodore Prize, or those who wish to nominate an artist, can find the full list of eligibility requirements and information on how to apply on our website at: https://beaverbrookartgallery.org/visit/theodore-prize/
The Theodore Prize will be juried by three arts professionals, including representatives of two Atlantic Canadian public art galleries or post-secondary art institutions, and jury chair, Ray Cronin, Curator of Canadian Art, Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Members of the jury will be announced with the announcement of the winner of the prize.
The winner of the second annual Theodore Prize will be announced at our summer opening of new exhibitions on July 18, 2024, at 6 PM.
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You can learn more about Will’s art by visiting his website at williamgill.ca.
Media Contact
Curtis Richardson
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Email: crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org
(Fredericton, NB) – After seven years of transformative leadership, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery is announcing the retirement of its Director, Tom Smart, who will leave the position on April 26, 2024.
Tom first began his time at the Beaverbrook in 1989 as a Curator. Over those eight years, and with the help of an excellent team, he developed a program comprising exhibitions and tours of the art of Mary Pratt, Alex Colville, Suzanne Hill, Sarah Petite, John Hooper, Yvon Gallant, Fred Ross, Nancy Morin, Guy Duguay, to name just a few. After an impressive career at other galleries throughout Canada and the United States, such as the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and the Frick in Pittsburgh, Tom returned to the Beaverbrook in 2017 as Director.
During Tom’s seven years at the Beaverbrook as Director, his mandate was focused on creating a sustainable future for the Beaverbrook. Many major transformations have taken place at the gallery under Tom’s direction, including, but not limited to: designing outreach programming to increase diverse audiences; the creation of the Marion McCain Institute of Atlantic Canadian Art; a focus on new curatorial practices and expanded exhibition scopes; a renewed Art Education Centre; a strategic brand update and new website; and a new corrected name - Musée des Beaux Arts Beaverbrook/Beaverbrook Art Gallery; and last but not least, a new architectural direction with the construction of the accessible, welcoming, and community-facing Harrison McCain Pavilion.
“I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished at the Beaverbrook over the last seven years.” says Director of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Tom Smart. “I am confident that our excellent team will continue moving the Beaverbrook forward as it embarks on a new strategic plan under new leadership. I send my sincerest thank you to each member of our Beaverbrook team and to the Board of Governors who have worked alongside me during my time here.”
“The Beaverbrook Art Gallery has been honoured to have Tom Smart as its leader for the last seven years,” says Jamie Irving, Chair of the Beaverbrook’s Board of Governors. “The Beaverbrook has thrived as an institution under Tom’s strategic and creative leadership, which led to the creation of a community and cultural hub for the province. Tom is leaving the Beaverbrook in a prime position for a new Director to build on his successes.”
The Beaverbrook Board of Governors is currently in the process of an international search for its new Director. During the search process, the Beaverbrook will be managed by a three-member interim leadership team, with focuses on curatorial, operations, and profit centers, which will report to the Board until a new Director is hired. The Beaverbrook Board looks forward to continuing to build on the success of Tom Smart’s tenure as Director when a new Director is brought on board.
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The Beaverbrook Art Gallery enriches life through art
Media Contact
Curtis Richardson
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Email: crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org
(Fredericton, NB) – The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is opening three major exhibitions featuring contemporary Canadian and Indigenous art, and four excellent exhibitions showcasing Atlantic Canadian art during a free public celebration on January 20th from 4 to 6 PM.
Beginning with Graeme Patterson: Strange Birds, curated by the gallery’s recently appointed Ray Cronin, Curator of Canadian Art, this thematic exhibition is an exciting new contemporary production for the Beaverbrook. In Strange Birds, Graeme’s sculptures are the settings for both a projected animation and a virtual reality environment. The starlings in Strange Birds are an invasive species, propagating uncontrollably until they overwhelm the fragile eco-system of the marshland. Eventually the sea overwhelms the world constructed by these strange birds, erasing all evidence of their presence, leaving just the water and a great blue heron who has acted as a kind of observer of the antics of the birds who settled in its ecosystem. These avatars reflect two aspects of the artist, and through his vision, we viewers can slip into his world, one which eerily mirrors our own.
“I’m thrilled to be working again with Graeme Patterson on his new exhibition Strange Birds.” says Cronin. “Graeme is one of this region’s most accomplished artists and I know that audiences at the Beaverbrook are going to love the ambition and the humour in his work.”
Opening alongside Strange Birds are two other major exhibitions: Working On It: New Canadian Sculpture Curated by Ray Cronin, and Kenojuak Ashevak: Life and Legacy, Organized by Dorset Fine Arts.
With a career spanning more than five decades, Cape Dorset artist Kenojuak Ashevak (1927-2013) was part of a pioneering generation of Inuit creators. She enjoyed an illustrious international career and continues to be recognized as one of Canada's preeminent artists and cultural icons. This national touring exhibition presents never-before-seen drawings from the archives of the West Baffin Eskimo Cooperative, that inspired some of Kenojuak's most emblematic prints in stonecut, lithography and etching.
Working On It: New Canadian Sculpture addresses the relative lack in the Beaverbrook’s permanent collection of contemporary Canadian sculpture, with a selection of offered gifts, proposed purchases, and temporary loans from some of the most exciting Canadian sculptors working today. An art collection, like an art career, is a work in progress. Working on It: New Canadian Sculpture will provide a glimpse into how both can be fostered by New Brunswick’s provincial art gallery.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to view the following exhibitions during this celebration: Greg Charlton: Attic; Ian MacEachern: Black and White is Like Radio; Drawings by Sculptors; and Joseph Kashetsky: T-Shirts and Sweatshirts, 50 Years on.
“We are very pleased to open this diverse array of exhibitions to the public on January 20th. Ray’s addition to the Beaverbrook’s exhibition program will offer new perspectives on contemporary Canadian art that we are sure visitors will enjoy.” says Tom Smart, Director of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
The public is invited to view all of these exhibitions, along with our permanent collection, during a free opening on Saturday, January 20th from 4 to 6 PM. Visitors can view the new exhibitions, enjoy refreshments from the Daily Espresso café, and browse our gift shop. No RSVP is necessary.
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Kenojuak Ashevak: Life and Legacy is sponsored by Cobalt Art Gallery.
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery enriches life through art
Media Contact
Curtis Richardson
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Email: crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org
(Fredericton, NB – November 28, 2023) The Beaverbrook Art Gallery announces the expansion of its curatorial team and curatorial scope with new positions.
The expansion of the Beaverbrook’s curatorial team begins with the appointment of Ray Cronin as Curator of Canadian Art.
Ray, originally from Fredericton, is an award-winning author of fourteen books and numerous catalogues and articles on Canadian art, which he has written for art galleries and publishers across Canada.
Ray is also an accomplished Arts Administrator. From 2001 to 2015 he worked at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia as Curator, and then as its Director and CEO, a position he held for seven of those years.
Among his many successes Ray is the Founding Curator of the esteemed, internationally recognized Sobey Art Award, now administered by the National Gallery of Canada. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Billie, an online art journal highlighting visual arts and culture across Atlantic Canada.
Ray holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Windsor.
Ray’s appointment reflects the Beaverbrook’s focus on expanding its curatorial activities in Canadian, Indigenous, and international art by producing solo and group exhibitions, traveling exhibitions, and by presenting more of its permanent collection in new formats and arrangements. Ray will also be working with the Beaverbrook’s outstanding Canadian art collection of more than 3500 Canadian works of historical and contemporary art, acquiring new pieces that will deepen it, and interpreting it in light of contemporary critical approaches.
“Ray’s experience and expertise in Canadian art will benefit the Beaverbrook enormously. He will cast new light on the collections, illuminating different ways to appreciate the treasures we have at the gallery,” says Beaverbrook’s Director and CEO, Tom Smart. “Ray connects deeply with art and the creative process having also been a practising professional artist. His passion and expertise will do much to enable the gallery to continue supporting contemporary artists in New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. Ray will add a great deal of strength to our exhibitions and programs dedicated to presenting and interpreting the art of Atlantic, Indigenous, Canadian, and international artists and artworks.”
Joining Ray on the curatorial team is Emma Hassencahl-Perley who is the Beaverbrook’s Curator of Indigenous Art.
A Wolastoqiyik from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), New Brunswick, Emma’s curatorial interests treat Indigenous art history, Indigenous feminisms, craft and textile history, Wabanaki iconography, and oral histories.
Emma has curated many exhibitions at the Beaverbrook since 2018, including the award-winning Wabanaki Modern: The Artistic Legacy of the 1960’s “Micmac Indian Craftsmen”, a project comprising a major exhibition catalogue, a documentary film, exhibition, and international tour. The film documentary has received multiple awards.
The curatorial team also includes Dr. John Leroux, who continues in his dual role as Director of the Marion McCain Institute for Atlantic Canadian Art, and as Manager of Collections and Exhibitions.
John’s passion for art and his extensive experience as an award-winning art historian, curator and architect bring a unique perspective to the Beaverbrook’s curatorial program that allows the gallery to offer a wide range of impressive, thought-provoking exhibitions that are seen both at home, across the province, across the country and internationally. John will continue his work building the collections through acquisitions of art, and by curating historical and contemporary exhibitions.
Rounding out the Curatorial team is Dawn Steeves, the Beaverbrook’s newly appointed Registrar. A visual artist and long-time Beaverbrook contributor in many different areas, Dawn responsibilities centre on managing and cataloguing the Beaverbrook’s art collection.
Dawn’s involvement with the Beaverbrook includes a stint as an Artist-in-Residence, exhibitor whose recent paintings were featured in the 2022/23 exhibition Capturing Salty Towers, and as a contract staff member who assisted the Beaverbrook on many major exhibition projects. Dawn was also instrumental in aiding the Beaverbrook in building its on-line searchable database of the art collection.
To complete the transformation of the Beaverbrook’s Curatorial team will be a soon-to-be hired Curatorial Associate who will be responsible for the innumerable logistical and organizational tasks relating to the collections, exhibitions, traveling programs, and public accessibility to the artworks.
“These curatorial appointments position the Beaverbrook for exciting, transformational growth in the coming years,” says Smart. “They will help us advance access to and understanding of the gallery’s extraordinary collections, exhibitions, and educational programs. I am very excited by the prospects for the future.”
Members of the public are encouraged to visit the Beaverbrook Art Gallery at beaverbrookartgallery.org to learn more about the collections, upcoming exhibitions and programs, and new acquisitions.
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The Beaverbrook Art Gallery enriches life through art
Media Contact
Curtis Richardson
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
