The Beaverbrook Art Gallery unveils new Harrison McCain Pavilion

The wait is finally over. New Brunswick’s Provincial Art Gallery, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, has unveiled the long-awaited Harrison McCain Pavilion.

 

After having construction setbacks when COVID hit, the new state-of-the-art expansion is now open for Frederictonians and tourists to enjoy.

 

Located in the heart of Fredericton, the pavilion wants to be known as “Fredericton’s living room.”

“We want people to feel comfortable at the gallery. We want people to be able to come in and enjoy the space,” said Communications and Marketing Specialist Curtis Richardson. “People can come in, hang out, there’s some great seating.”

 

Visitors can enter the pavilion free of charge. This grants them access to the new and improved Beaverbrook Café, run by Chess Piece. Guests can enjoy a coffee and a sweet treat while catching up with friends or on their lunch break.

 

The architecture of the building is striking on both the inside and outside. The floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of sunlight and paired with the comfy chairs, the pavilion is an ideal place for studying or enjoying a good book.

 

Also available free of charge is a new and improved gift shop. Guests can come in at any time during opening hours to shop the new selection of items.

 

You can find everything from children’s books and toys, publications that accompany the exhibitions, wine glasses, candles, jewellery, and so much more.

 

Visitor Services Coordinator Rachel Forrestall curated items for the gift shop with the goal of attracting all kinds of shoppers.

 

“It’s a mix of things that are directly related with the art, but then also just nice gift items for your home or as a present for someone else,” said Forrestall. “I wanted all kinds of shoppers to come in here and find something they’d like to take with them to remember the Beaverbrook, but then also stop in here when not shopping for art.”

 

The pavilion hall is lined with artwork and large sculptures to give the guests a taste of what they can expect once entering the rest of the gallery.

 

While the pavilion is accessible free of charge, an admission fee is required before entering the gallery spaces to see the art. Richardson is hopeful that the striking pavilion will push people to enter the gallery itself.

 

“We’re hoping people will be excited, go in, check out the exhibitions, and see all of the great New Brunswick art that we have on display,” said Richardson.

 

 

 

During the construction of the pavilion, the Atlantic gallery, the Canadian gallery, the Orientation gallery, and half of the international wing were being used as storage areas.

 

 

These spaces have reopened with the opening of the pavilion and are full of pieces from the gallery’s permanent collection as well as travelling exhibitions.

 

Other notable exhibitions on display are an amazing mural by Deanna Musgrave and of course, the famous Santiago El Grande by Salvador Dali.

 

 

 

The grand opening of the new pavilion and the reopening of old gallery spaces means that the entire gallery is now open for the public to enjoy, adding another “must see” in downtown Fredericton.

 

“We’ve heard a lot of great positive feedback. People are really excited to be back at the gallery,” said Richardson.

 

The Harrison McCain Pavilion was well worth the wait. It isn’t only the home of beautiful artwork; it is a work of art itself