Darin Squire | Fredericton’s 2020 FROSTival Downtown Gallery Hop

“The story they tell is a legacy of creation, of community builders who have propelled us through years of creativity”
-Kerry Lawlor, from the opening remarks at the CreatedHere/NBCCD Studio

Wide-eyed crowds beheld the plethora of artistic disciplines showcased in unique and captivating spaces. Galleries offered up plates of scrumptious nibbles to patrons traversing from gallery to gallery. In-house artists created art in the moment. Truly, a spectacle that held something for everyone.

It was a magical night, with the pulse of the city rising as the evening unfolded. Being ‘from away’, overcrowded spaces have been the norm for me. Fredericton’s Gallery Hop was a pleasant change, offering up an enjoyable mix of bustling streets and venues, carrying with them the infamous maritime warmth. Pleasantries abounded; hospitality was everywhere. 

Gallery 78’s interactive pottery wheel display with artist Matt Cripps was a beautiful addition to the breathtaking interior. Work from renowned artists such as Raymond Martin and Steve Rhude decorated the walls while pillars filled rooms with Lee Horus Clark’s ceramics, sparkling with immense talent. An interactive children’s space gave opportunity to the wee budding talents of tomorrow. For those in the know, artwork featured in The Fiddlehead was peppered throughout the space as a secret wink to the marriage of Gallery 78 and Canada’s oldest literary journal.

Gallery on Queen won the etiquette crown with their assortment of teacups for patrons to sip from as they treasured the art. An eclectic armament of artwork donned the walls in collage-like fashion, resulting in a patiently-crafted vision board. Tucked into a corner, the beautiful jewelry of Yeon Jong was on display and ready for a home with a new admirer. Visual artist Marcus Kingston happily shared his talents and spoke with admirers as he created an architectural marvel in the moment.

The George Fry Gallery rewarded guests with an interactive space where Digital Media students were ready to share the technological process behind their displayed works in the Undone exhibition. Not to be missed was the amusing flanking of Canada’s iconic moose with Dylan Thomas’ poem, Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night. A humorous and whimsical yet inspirational stop indeed.

For those willing to venture off of Queen Street, youth artist Colter Wood and others welcomed their arrival in an inclusive space. The Charlotte Glencross Gallery and the Penny Gallery, both housed in the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, gifted patrons with unique talents worthy of the short walk.

Perhaps the grandmother of all Fredericton galleries is the Beaverbrook, which opened its doors to an abundance of stellar works from vast eras and genres. The Gallery Hop schedule had to be held close at hand as one could easily be enfolded into this marvelous space and time would be lost for more gallery hopping.

In partnership with The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD), CreatedHere unveiled a new and exciting exhibition, NBCCD Collections. Incredible artists such as Joe Fafard, Peter Powning, Stephanie Tait, Jennifer McInnis-Wharton, Allison Green, Matt Cripps and Vita Plume were applauded for their work in textiles, ceramics and fashion. The pieces on display represented over 80 years of creative genius from NBCCD. Stop by 408 Queen St before March 5th if you missed it during the Gallery Hop!

With just 3 hours of hopping allocated to the event, participants surely only gleaned a portion of the creativity that is present in Fredericton’s artistic community. More is sure to come at FLOURISH FEST 2020, taking place April 23-26.

— Darin Squire, UNB writing intern

Photos of the CreatedHere/NBCCD Studio and the George Fry Gallery by Hailley Fayle