Curated Art Exhibition Takes Place in Great Hall

Beginning May 25, the City of St. John’s will hold a series of three curated art exhibitions to display some of the many fine artworks in its collection. The first, entitled Natural History: Real and Invented takes its theme from the man-made and more natural areas of St. John’s and surrounding environs.

“Our art collection includes over 500 pieces, primarily on display in our municipal buildings or on loan to other public galleries,” said Councillor Sandy Hickman, Chair of the City’s Arts Advisory Committee. “We are pleased to increase the public’s access to these artworks through shows curated by one of the province’s most influential curators.”

Patricia Grattan, guest curator for this series of exhibitions, was Director and Chief Curator of Memorial University Art Gallery (later known as Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador) for over 20 years. She continues to undertake visual art projects including curating of a major group show, Changing Tides: Contemporary Art of Newfoundland and Labrador for the prestigious McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg, ON in 2014 and publication of City Seen: Artists’ Views of St. John’s 1785-2010, winner of the 2013 Newfoundland and Labrador History and Heritage Book Award.

“The City’s art collection is an enduring and tangible reminder of the creative force of the City’s visual arts community,” said Ms. Grattan. “The works of art and other visual material - including maps, landscape designs, ship and building models - range in materials and media used and are from artists at all stages of careers. Their diverse perspectives and skills will, I hope, provide viewers with stimulation, possibly provocation, and certainly pleasure.”

Natural History: Real and Invented reflects both the City’s actual landscapes, vegetation, parks, farms and trails as well as imagined landscapes, plants and organic forms springing out of artists’ imaginations. It is available for viewing from May 25 to July 3 in the Great Hall during regular business hours. Special planned show events include:

• Two informal curator talks, May 28 and June 11 from 12:15 to 1 p.m. in the Great Hall
• A public open house and printmaking demonstration with Natural History artist Mike Connolly at St. Michael’s Printshop, 72 Harbour Drive at Baird’s Cove, 2nd floor, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6
• A children’s printmaking workshop with Natural History artist Anita Singh at City Hall during St. John’s Days celebrations, June 20, 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Upcoming exhibitions are About Play, July 13 – August 28, and Maps of Your City, September 8 – October 23, also in the Great Hall at St. John’s City Hall.

Media Contact:

Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca