FREDERICTON, NB.- Join the Beaverbrook Art Gallery on Thursday, July 18th, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM for an exciting evening as they unveil four new captivating exhibitions. This special event will feature the opening of the following exhibitions:

• Michael Smith: Sea of Change. Montreal-based painter Michael Smith is known for his fluid and impasto surfaces as well as his ability to strike a poetic balance between representation and abstraction. His Sea of Change series includes massive canvases exploding with colour and energy, as well as smaller studies on paper. These were inspired by a serendipitous encounter with a 19th-century painting of the Arctic expedition ship H.M.S. Terror during his time as artist- in-residence at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in 2018. Layering texture and colour, the familiar with the unfamiliar, Smith’s paintings convey (as the artist writes) “a mix of excitement and anxiety of a land [that] although at times bucolic, is riddled with shadows.”

• Breath: Ann Manuel. Breath by Ann Manuel is the end work of a series that spans two decades and utilizes multiple media. The inspiration for the series began with the last breath of her father and ended with the last wish of her mother, almost sixteen years apart. This work is a call for reflection away from the distractions and noise of our everyday lives. Using a simple organic form reminiscent of a garden flower, the work embodies a deep inhale of one's memories followed by a slow meandering exhale.

• Epekwitk Quill Sisters: Etleoogoeiog (Talking Together). The Epekwitk Quill Sisters, a collective of Mi'kmaw women artists Kay Bernard, Melissa Peter-Paul, and Cheryl Simon, are deeply committed to strengthening and sustaining the ancestral knowledge and practice of Mi'kmaq porcupine quillwork. The exhibition Epekwitk Quill Sisters: Etleoogoeiog (Talking Together) is more than a celebration of the evolution of Mi'kmaq porcupine quillwork. It underscores the significance of family and sisterhood among the artists, the artistic lineages they benefit from and are creating, and the rich quill art histories that influence their work. This exhibition is a testament to the awe-inspiring journey of Mi'kmaq porcupine quillwork and the artists who carry these legacies.

• Gustave Sherman – Jewels of Elegance. Between 1947 and 1981, Canada’s most renowned costume jeweller, Gustave Sherman, pioneered the manufacturing of high-quality, Canadian- made costume jewellery that rivalled the best international brands. Using the finest Swarovski crystals, he became known for his sophisticated designs, colour combinations, and quality settings. This exhibition can be viewed free of charge until September 8, 2024, in our Harrison McCain Pavilion.

"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.