About the Marion McCain Atlantic Art Exhibition

It is hard to believe that twenty years have passed since my mother, Marion (Billie) McCain, organized her first art exhibition at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Her focus, in the first three shows, 1987, 1989 and 1991, was to bring greater recognition to New Brunswick artists. With the first Marion McCain Atlantic Art Exhibition, in 1994, this focus broadened to include artists from all the Atlantic Provinces. Although my mother worked closely with her first curator, Herménégilde Chiasson, sadly she passed away before that exhibition’s opening reception. Honoring her wishes, my late father, Harrison, continued to sponsor curated exhibitions in 1997, 2000 and 2004.

This year will mark the fifth Marion McCain Atlantic Art Exhibition at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Curator Tom Lovatt joins an impressive group of former curators, including His Honor Herménégilde Chiasson, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, Susan Gibson Garvey, Tom Smart, Lianne Mctavish, Ray Cronin, Patricia Grattan and John Murchie. Tom brings his own unique sensibility and curatorial experience to this current exhibition.

On behalf of my siblings, Mark Laura and Gillian, I would like to thank Bernard Riordon and his staff at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. They have played a pivotal role in the success of this and past exhibitions and we are grateful. Since 1987, Bob Benn has organized each and every exhibition with dedication and enthusiasm, never losing sight of my mother’s vision. We are grateful to him for all his hard work.

The gratitude of our family extends to the most important group, of course, the artists of Atlantic Canada. Your art, past and present, was an inspiration to our mother and is a gift to all of us. Through you, her commitment to the visual arts lives on.

Ann McCain Evans
Marion McCain Foundation