See everything the Gallery has on view this summer, with exhibitions exploring hip hop music, Irish heritage, Indigenous communities, one North America’s first prominent Black artists, and so much more.

7 pm: Join us in Memorial Hall for light refreshments and remarks before viewing the exhibitions

8:30 pm: An after party will kick off in Studio 1 with with hip hop performances and DJ sets by LXVNDR with DJ Alley Cat, Eric Broadbent, and Norm Strangely.

EXHIBITIONS ON VIEW:

East of East: Dive into the rich history of hip-hop culture in Atlantic Canada through this interactive exhibition that celebrates diverse communities, identities, and ideas. This archive of recordings, video, posters, and more showcases the often-overlooked hip-hop legacy of the East Coast while honouring the individuals who have contributed to its vibrancy. Curated by Michael McGuire. Originated at MSVU Art Gallery.

Benevolent, Irish, and Social: 200 Years of Service to Islanders: From buying coffins to hosting ceilidhs to supporting immigrants, this exhibition celebrates the preservation and promotion of Irish history, culture, and heritage on the Island. This exhibition presents a collection of artifacts and documents tracing the activities of the Benevolent Irish Society of Prince Edward Island.

Jerry Evans: Weljesi: One of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most significant visual artists, Jerry Evans has been dedicated to the preservation, reclamation, and continued growth of Indigenous communities for more than 30 years. This exhibition is rooted in Indigenous concepts of cyclical time, storytelling, and beauty, and features his iconic prints, paintings, projections, and video portraiture. Curated by Jenelle Duval. Organized and circulated by The Rooms.

Kathleen Daly and George Pepper: The Land and its People: For over three decades following their marriage in 1929, Kathleen Daly and George Pepper crisscrossed Canada, capturing its people and its landscapes in paintings and drawings. Influenced by the Group of Seven, they were interested in the unique character of the country – emphasizing its people and their ways of life rather than an idealized wilderness. Curated by Pan Wendt.

Hidden Blackness: Edward Mitchell Bannister (1828 – 1901): The story of Bannister’s life and art—from his humble beginnings in New Brunswick to international success—is a testament to the strength and conviction of his artistic vision. In 1876, Bannister won first place at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, making him the first Black artist and the first Canadian to win a major art prize in North America. This is the first major exhibition of his work presented in Canada. Featuring loans from the permanent collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Beaverbrook Art Gallery, and more, the exhibition is organized and circulated by Owens Art Gallery in partnership with the Black Artists Network of Nova Scotia.

The Summer Gallery Opening is admission by donation, and no registration is required.