Established: Founded in 1941 by prominent Canadian artists Pegi Nicol MacLeod and Lucy Jarvis, the UNB Art Centre was conceived as a link between the university and the wider community.
History: The Art Centre held exhibitions, receptions, poetry readings, annual festivals, art classes, workshops and lectures, as well as allowing students to listen to records on their premises. After the Second World War, the influx of returning veterans meant a large demand for space and high usage of the Centre.
(Joe Stone fonds, Series 11, Box 11, File 8777)
The UNB Art Centre changed locations many times during its early history; it began in the Old Observatory and, in 1946, moved to an army hut at Alexander College; then in 1950 to an army hut up the hill; and in 1957 it moved into a "pre-fab" hut by the woods behind campus. In 1961, it moved to its current home in Memorial Hall. The Centre received a grant in 1958 to establish a Resident Fellowship in Art.
Notes: Prominent figures in the history of the UNB Art Centre are Lucy Jarvis (co-founder; director 1940-1959), Pegi Nicol MacLeod (co-founder; teacher of summer art classes), Marjorie Donaldson (acting director 1954-55, 1960, director 1986-), Molly Bobak, and Bruno Bobak (artist in residence 1961- and director 1962-1986).
(Joe Stone fonds, Series 2, Box 2, File 4873)
The Centre oversees the UNB Permanent Collection of works of art housed throughout the university and available for loan. The Centre holds exhibitions, events, artist talks, workshops, non-credit courses, and serves as a home base for the student group ArtZone.
Physical Location: Memorial Hall
Sources:
- UA Case 167.
- UNB Art Centre website.
- UA RG 179, University of New Brunswick Art Centre fonds.