FREDERICTON.- The Beaverbrook Art Gallery’s transformation continues, with changes to the membership of its Board of Governors. The Gallery announced today a number of changes to the composition of the board, and thanked the outgoing members for their years of service and dedication in steering the organization through the many changes of recent years.

James C. Irving takes over as Chair of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery’s Board of Governors effective December 8, 2017. Long-time Chair Allison D. McCain, a member of the Gallery’s Board since 2004 and its Chair since 2008, has stepped down.

“Serving on the board of Governors of the Gallery has been a very enjoyable and rewarding experience for me,” said McCain. “The Beaverbrook Art Gallery has always been known for the quality of its permanent collection. Together with the recent expansion and the recruitment of Tom Smart as Director, the Gallery now has even greater potential to be known internationally as a destination for art patrons.”

Irving, who has served on the Gallery’s Board since 2007, and who has been its Vice-Chair since 2016, looks forward to the opportunity: “I am honoured to take over the leadership of the board from Allison, and to have the opportunity to build on the Gallery’s numerous successes,” said Irving. “I look forward to furthering the strategic goals of the Gallery, bringing the world’s best to the Beaverbrook, and sharing the Beaverbrook’s best with the world.”

Fellow governor Larry Sheppard, a member of the board and its Secretary-Treasurer since 2007, is also stepping down. Andrew Forestell has taken over Sheppard’s seat as board member and as Secretary-Treasurer.

Also stepping down as Governor is Margaret Routledge, a board member since 2002. Fredericton entrepreneur Jeff Alpaugh will join the board as a new member. One additional seat remains to be filled at a later date, as will the Vice-Chair position on the board’s executive committee.

“The success of the Gallery over these years, through so many events culminating most recently in the opening of the new pavilion, has been due in large part to these individuals,” says Director and CEO Tom Smart. “Their energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to this organization as engaged citizens have benefited our visitors, supporters, artists, residents, and many others within our province and, indeed, across the nation. On behalf of the staff, past and present, I thank them for their very effective service, and wish them continuing success in the coming years.”