(Fredericton, NB) – The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is excited to open six new exhibitions on Saturday, October 28 with a public celebration from 4 to 6 PM with admission by donation.
Visitors to the gallery will have the opportunity to view and celebrate the opening of the following exhibitions: Studio Watch: Rotchild Choisy – “Strike a pause / pose or wear your emotions!; Omar Gandhi Architects; Creativity from Adversity: The 1902 Keough Wall Paintings; Escape: Art from New Brunswick's Internment Camp; Vision & Dialogue: Jennifer Pazienza and Paul Édouard Bourque; and wesuwe-tpelomosu.
With a variety of exhibitions opening, visitors to the Beaverbrook will enjoy a range of artistic styles, from paintings on canvas and plaster walls, to architectural sketches, construction photos, drawings and physical models, sculptures, and more. “This opening is an excellent opportunity to come to the Beaverbrook and view styles of art that are infrequently shown at the gallery.” Says Tom Smart, Director and CEO of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
We’re excited to announce that Studio Watch is back this year! The 2023 Studio Watch Emerging Artist exhibition features Rotchild Choisy whose exhibition “Strike a pause / pose or wear your emotions!” will be on display in the Emerging Artists Gallery. The drawings comprising this exhibition by Rotchild Choisy, an emerging, multidisciplinary artist living in Riverview, New Brunswick, explore the way multiple identities can be formed and performed by wearing masks in social situations and in private.
A keen observer of human interaction, Choisy is an attentive student of how moods, feelings, cultural mores, sexuality, memories, and experiences all inform the body’s gestures and postures, and are portents of how one might navigate the future. They express his responses to the unseen forces he faces, laid down as poems and dances that affect the figures’ attitudes.
The Studio Watch Emerging Artists Exhibition is generously supported by Sandy and Earle Brewer.
Travelling to the gallery is Omar Ghandi Architects, an exhibition showcasing the work of Ghandi’s Halifax-based firm, which is known for blending contemporary architectural styles with rural vernacular influences, and for sensitivity to the natural landscape of Canada’s Atlantic coast, where the majority of his work is found. The exhibition will include 32 large-scale photographs, 23 beautiful hand-crafted architectural models, and one custom-designed architectural enclosure by Omar Gandhi Architects.
“I'm honored to showcase our studio's work for the first time, curated by John Leroux. Our exhibition captures a moment in our studio's evolution, offering introspection into our architectural journey. We aim to make architecture relatable and enjoyable, emphasizing its functional and emotional aspects, inviting the public to connect with our creations.” Says Omar Gandhi, owner of Omar Gandhi Architects.
John Leroux, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery's Manager of Collections and Exhibitions, himself a retired architect, acknowledges that "the recent work by Omar Gandhi Architects is some of the most innovative and exciting architectural designs to have ever come out of Atlantic Canada. It is no surprise to me that Omar and his office are held in such high international regard. They care deeply about people, place, and the craft of building.”
Creativity from Adversity: The 1902 Keough Wall Paintings, organized in collaboration with Kings Landing, features large paintings were found on the walls of the third-floor attic of the Keough Family home in Blackville, New Brunswick. The eldest son, John, suffering from tuberculosis in 1902, was isolated there for many months, and possibly several years. John’s response was to paint the plaster walls, doors, blinds, and anything handy. The results are fascinating: paintings of explorers, historic figures, and women he was rumored to have lovingly admired.
Escape: Art from New Brunswick's Internment Camp curated in partnership with Dr. Todd Caissie, Director of the NB Internment Camp Museum who will be at the gallery to give a presentation on the exhibition at 3 PM before the opening. Originally, B70 Internment Camp about 25 miles outside Fredericton was home to German and Austrian Jews who fled the Nazis during the Second World War. Later, it became a prisoner-of-war camp. Escape presents a collection of artworks that explore the metaphorical escape from the painful reminders of internment behind barbed wire.
New Brunswick artists Jennifer Pazienza and Paul Édouard Bourque will also be at the Beaverbrook to open their two-person exhibition Vision & Dialogue. The artists celebrate the power of conversation in Vision & Dialogue that features their distinct and complementary views on painting and drawing, landscape, and portraiture. At once critical and poetic, themes of identity and of explicit and implied human presence infuse their unique compositional styles. Place, friendship, and the fluidity of time punctuate the narrative threads of this dynamic duet exhibition.
wesuwe-tpelomosu, curated by Emma Hassencahl-Perley, examines modern matriarchy from examples of Indigenous women's leadership, self-determination, and activism within their families and communities. In Wolastoqey latuwewakon, wesuwe-tpelomosu translates to "returning to a former condition in being responsible for oneself.”
Featuring the art of Lisa-Maude Aubin, Shirley Bear, Chief Lady Bird, Catherine Blackburn, Samaqani Cocahq (Natalie Sappier), Vienna Francis (Sanipass), Larissa Kitchemonia, Caroline Monnet, David Neel, and Roger Simon, this group exhibition considers the gendered experiences of Indigenous mothers and grandmothers and how they utilize their voices to rally against settler colonialism.
The public is invited to view all these exhibitions, along with the many other excellent exhibitions that are opening this month listed above, during a free opening on Saturday, October 28th 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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The Beaverbrook Art Gallery enriches life through art
Media Contacts
Rachel Forrestall
Marketing Coordinator
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Email: Rachel.forrestall@beaverbrookartgallery.org
(Fredericton, NB – September 7, 2023) The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is excited to announce a major donation of Canadian and International art from the late Mark Schwartz that will now be part of the gallery’s permanent collection.
Mr. Schwartz, of Montreal, Quebec, was a patron and generous donor to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery over many years. Several months before he passed, he generously offered the Beaverbrook one of the most significant and broad collections of art that the gallery has received.
“We are very thankful to the late Mr. Schwartz for his generous gift to the gallery.” says Beaverbrook Art Gallery Director, Tom Smart. “We are honoured to be the recipient of such a significant selection of art and we know the public will be pleased to see these new additions to our collection.”
Featuring postwar Canadian and International works of art, the donation includes works from Canadian artists Claude Tousignant, Guido Molinari, Anne Kahane, Bill Vazan, Charles Daudelin, Jean Dallaire, Armand Vaillancourt, and Mark Prent. Two important American Pop artists in the collection of donated works are Roy Lichtenstein and Tom Wesselmann. Rounding out the gift are international artists Jean Cocteau, R.B. Kitaj, and Karel Appel.
“It's exceptionally rare to receive this donation of works of this calibre. Mr. Schwartz’s legacy will live on in our collection. Works in this donation are an excellent showcase of postwar works. Of particular interest is “Transformateur Rythmique” by Claude Tousignant, a Canadian artist whose work is critical to the modern art history of Canada.” says John Leroux, the gallery’s Manager of Collection and Exhibitions. “The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa has a large "Gong" painting by Tousignant that is always displayed, and now we have one in our collection. The painting is now displayed in our Canadian gallery.”
Many of the other pieces from the donation will be installed over the next few weeks in the Beaverbrook’s permanent galleries for the public to view and enjoy.
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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 excited to open on November 9th a travelling installation from Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Centre based on the beloved children’s book, “Goodnight Moon: A Rhythm, a Tempo.”
Montreal-based contemporary artist Matthew-Robin Nye has created this solo art installation to reflect many of the elements in the children’s book written by Margaret Wise Brown. It is a full-scale replica of the story’s famous room, exact to the last detail including “a tiny toy house and a young mouse, a comb, and a brush and a bowl full of mush and a quiet old lady who was whispering ‘hush’.”
John Leroux, the Beaverbrook’s Manager of Collections and Exhibitions says that he was “enchanted and filled with wonder and child-like excitement the first time I saw the immersive ‘Goodnight Moon’ installation in St. Andrews. I immediately knew that we had to bring it to Fredericton to share with our public of all ages – even if it was only possible for a few weeks.”
“Sunbury Shores is delighted that the art installation, originally created by artist Matthew-Robin Nye for St Andrews, will be available for more New Brunswickers to experience,” said Caroline Walker, Sunbury Shores’ Artistic Director.
The installation is intended to foster curiosity, dialogue, and – hopefully – understanding of the book and its underlying message of finding deeper meaning in what is before our eyes. Visitors are encouraged to walk through and interact with the installation which will be on display in the Harriet Irving Gallery space from November 9 until November 28, 2022.
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The Beaverbrook Art Gallery enriches life through art
Media Contacts
Curtis Richardson
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Email: crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org
Caroline Walker
Artistic Director
Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Centre
139 Water St., St Andrews, NB E5B 1A7
Email: artistic-director@sunburyshores.org
www.sunburyshores.org
(Fredericton, New Brunswick, August 16, 2022) – The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is excited to announce that its major construction project dedicated to the late Harrison McCain will be unveiled to the public on September 10th. The unveiling of the Harrison McCain Pavilion will be followed by an afternoon of celebrations and will be accompanied by a weekend-long, stunning light show.
“Construction on the Harrison McCain Pavilion began in 2019 with the goal of creating a fully accessible, 10,000 square foot expansion to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery that would dramatically change the streetscape of Queen Street, honoring the legacy and generosity of Harrison McCain”, says Beaverbrook Art Gallery Board Chair, Jamie Irving.
The striking large pillars and floor to ceiling glass windows invite the public into the community space, conceived as “Fredericton’s living room,” where visitors can find the Beaverbrook café operated by Chess Piece, the gift shop, an inviting fireplace, and plenty of seating to enjoy congregating in a communal space.
“We are very excited to welcome the public to view the newest expansion to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery,” says Director and CEO, Tom Smart. “The Harrison McCain Pavilion is breathtaking. This comfortable, spacious addition to our gallery is a contemporary take on the existing architecture in the city.”
An afternoon of celebrations will kick off on Saturday September 10th at 12 PM, free of charge, with an Elder blessing, drumming, and a dancing program with Possesom Paul and his students, followed by the Fredericton High School Band, finishing with speeches and a ribbon cutting. Art activities will take place throughout the gallery beginning at 2 PM, led by artists from communities throughout the province. Artists Deanna Musgrave, James Wilson, and Donald Stuart will be in their gallery spaces. Guided tours of the gallery will also be available. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Bruno Bobak Artist-in-Residence Studio and visit Natasha Sacobie and check out her quillwork project. Passersby downtown will also be able to view a spectacular light show by Mi’kmaq artist Alan Syliboy that will be shown on Friday and Saturday nights.
“Families will love the activities that our team has put together in coordination with many New Brunswick artists,” says Adda Mihailescu. “There will be something for everybody, we’re very excited to celebrate the Harrison McCain Pavilion opening with the community.”
Many exhibitions will be on view at the time of the opening, ranging from selections from the permanent collection, in addition to several temporary exhibitions, including Deanna Musgrave: Transcendence; Donald Stuart: Homage; Andrew Steeves: Wood Type; Wabanaki Modern: The artistic legacy of the 1960s “Micmac Indian Craftsmen”; Cathy Ross: Minister’s Island in Small Pieces; and James Wilson: Social Studies. You’ll also see some works of art that have never been shown before, including extraordinary collections of recently acquired artworks by Miller Brittain and Mary Pratt.
John Leroux, the Gallery’s Manager of Collections and Exhibitions, says that “when we throw open our doors on September 10th, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery will share as strong a display of artworks as we’ve had in a generation. We are so excited to present many new works we’ve been recently given – some of international importance – as well as many of our beloved masterworks that the public has longed to see for many years.”
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery thanks all of its members, supporters, and those who provided financial support from the public and private sectors that made the Harrison McCain Pavilion addition possible. Tom Smart says, “This project reflects the collective efforts of so many dedicated individuals and organizations that came together to create an extraordinary, fully accessible public space for the enjoyment of art and creativity. A special thank you to the McCain family, who have been dedicated patrons of the Beaverbrook for many years.”
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Wabanaki Modern: The Artistic Legacy of the 1960s “Micmac Indian Craftsmen” was made possible thanks to support from TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment and Canada Council for the Arts.
Donald Stuart: Homage is sponsored by CI Investments.
James Wilson: Social Studies is supported by Commercial Properties Ltd.
The Opening of the Harrison McCain Pavilion has been made possible with support from The Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Bird Construction Group, RBC, the Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation, the City of Fredericton, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Province of New Brunswick - Tourism, Heritage, and Culture.
Media Contact
Curtis Richardson
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Email: crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org
(Fredericton, New Brunswick, July 12, 2022) – The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is excited to announce that a permanent gallery space dedicated to the rich legacy and continuing energy of visual arts at Mount Allison University is now open to the public.
The faculty and graduates of the Fine Arts department in Sackville, NB, helped foster one of the most important art institutions in Canada. From its founding in the mid-19th century to the present day, many of Canada’s most beloved and respected artists have taught at the Mount Allison School of Fine Arts or have graduated from its program. We are honored to present many of these significant individuals and their works in a new 1,000-square-foot gallery space, rotating the works and artists periodically to keep the narrative vibrant for visitors.
The list of artists presently shown includes such luminaries as: Alex Colville, Mary Pratt, Christopher Pratt, Tom Forrestall, Stanley Royle, John Hammond, Thaddeus Holownia, Christian McKiel, Lawren P. Harris, and Dawn MacNutt. Special attention will be paid to the works of Christopher and Mary Pratt, as the gallery has been recently enriched with substantial donations of the artists’ works, and to honour their longstanding connection with the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
Of particular significance is a recent purchase by the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Mary Pratt’s iconic 1969 painting Supper Table, a stunning work that will be on permanent display in the new gallery space. The painting depicts the moment right after their family meal was over, the table filled with dishes, glasses, condiment bottles, and leftover food items. The painting was the first instance where the artist used slides to capture a fleeting moment which would have been lost moments later. It is considered Mary Pratt’s first masterpiece. This major acquisition by the Beaverbrook Art Gallery is accompanied by various sketches, drawings, and prints from the artists’ estate that will also be on display in the new space.
John Leroux, Manager of Collections and Exhibitions at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, says that “Supper Table is a crucial work in Mary Pratt’s lifelong quest for depicting the magical and ephemeral effects of light and colour. Here, she gives a spread of seemingly mundane dining table objects an air of majesty and gravitas. She turns a simple bottle of ketchup into a jewel-like prism of ruby red light.” Leroux considers the painting “one of the most important artworks in recent Canadian history.”
Media Contact
Curtis Richardson
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
