I went to the Saint John Arts Centre yesterday for the first time, having been introduced to it from a friend last year. Considering school and work, I never had the chance to go inside. So, once the opportunity arose, I decided to see what all the hype was about and drag the same friend who educated me on its existence with me to check it out. Immediately, of course, one would be impressed by the old stature of the building, contrasted to the new courthouse across the way and the finished stone and concrete entryway that opens to the city to look over most of the West and North sides. A marvelous view at night and equally stunning during the day, it’s definitely a building that intrigues.
I met with Andrew Kierstead, the current executive director for the Arts Centre for a tour and small interview. I was welcomed right away with friendly, cheerful faces and I knew that it was going to be a great experience. I wasn’t wrong. The pieces from the previous gallery were still set up, due to be taken down, featuring photography, paintings, sewing and stitching, and some very comical political satire. The entrance, though somewhat old and faded outside (as it is a heritage building), the lobby featured beautiful architecture and a wonderful atmosphere.
Once we started the tour, I opened myself up to as much information about the centre as I could get–and was not disappointed. We began upstairs, featuring a board room, a workshop space, and three galleries. But those were definitely not the main course. Andrew took me into the attic, and showed the beautiful top-view of the stained glass that’s visible from the lobby day and night. What a treat.
The etching space.
We then worked our way to the basement, featuring a clay studio and workshop area, the comforting smell of drying clay and paint echoing through the walls. In the basement they not only had pottery, but also a 4-computer room for graphic arts and–possibly my favourite–a printmaking studio, their newest. Andrew explained that they used non-toxic methods of copper plate etching, creating the image from the copper onto paper. They also had linocuts, which the artist would use linoleum instead for a black and white look rather than copper hues (and my apologies for any confusion, I’m not too familiar with etching). It was here that Andrew mentioned that the goal was that after taking a class or workshop, one could rent the studio to use to create art, generating income for the centre and affordable to the artist.
However, I did have one question in particular for Andrew. I wondered if it was hard to generate publicity, as I had been living in Saint John for 6 years and only heard about it recently. He answered, “No, I just think it’s a generational thing. [Kids] come to our children’s and summer programs, and their own children later do the same,” continuing, “there’s been construction intimidation, but with that done now, people would rather see this than the courthouse or police station.”
The Saint John Arts Centre welcomes artists of all ages and levels, willingness to rent spaces for meetings and events, and welcome all types of art in their studios, having hosted music, theatre, the Fundy Fringe Festival, and even weddings and wedding receptions (with the ability to seat 100). As a brilliant ending to the tour of the arts centre, Andrew added, “We just want to have fun with it.”
*All photos are from the Saint John Arts Centre website.
