The Beaverbrook Art Gallery to open the new Harrison McCain Pavilion on September 10.
(Fredericton, New Brunswick) 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 10. 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, honouring 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 10 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 10, 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.”
