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Opening 25 January 2025, 2-4 pm, Introductions at 2:30 pm

Everyone is welcome, there is an elevator on site, admission is always free

Susanne Hansen

Guest Curator

The Andrew & Laura McCain Art Gallery has a mandate to support and present artists through exhibitions that celebrate the visual arts and artists locally, provincially and nationally. The 70th anniversary of  the Woodstock Art Club is a milestone that the Gallery is thrilled to celebrate through this exhibition.

The show was made possible by the dedication of Susanne Hansen, current president of the Woodstock Art Club, who partnered with gallery director Jennifer Stead to curate the exhibition; locating, selecting, borrowing and gathering the 126 artworks that are hanging in the gallery.

This collection of art is evidence of the sustained interest in visual art demonstrated by the residents of Woodstock and the Upper Saint John River Valley and they speak to the interests, aspirations and ideas that motivated their makers. This exhibition expresses the dedication each artist showed to developing their talent and demonstrates the contribution the Club has made to the cultural life of the area.

An exhibition such as this is not possible without the generosity of the lenders and their willingness to share their precious artworks with the larger community and accept a blank spot on their walls for a few weeks.

A sincere thanks to everyone who made the show possible and in particular to curator, Susanne Hansen.

Karen Birnie

Chair of the Gallery Board of Directors

The Woodstock Art Club

The original twenty one members met for the first time in September 1955 united by their interest in visual art and in finding quality art instruction to further their skills and knowledge. In October they held their first fundraiser tea and invited a former Woodstock resident, artist Margery Rogers Donaldson to teach the first class. A graduate of visual art at Mount Allison University, student of Molly Lamb Bobak and instructor through the University of New Brunswick extension program, Donaldson taught members of the Club into the 1980s. 

Over the years, the club brought together artistically curious individuals to inspire and support fellow members, develop their art practices, while supporting their creative growth and expression through regular meetings, classes, presentations and exhibitions. Margery Donaldson introduced the club to plein-air landscape and floral tradition in oils and she guided the students to always paint from life and to “never copy”. Donaldson, as a professional artist, was also able to fulfill the club members repeatedly expressed wish to be informed about contemporary developments in the art world.

Meticulous records were kept of attendance, dues, costs and events; membership was one dollar annually and a nickel per meeting. Mrs. Dorothy Clark was the first Secretary, Bonnie Smith, President, May Hanson was the Treasurer and Grace Holyoke was in charge of press coverage. Very quickly the Club became active in the community, contributing to the cultural life of Woodstock, creating opportunities for the members while looking outside the community for further enrichment. The Club took out memberships at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery,  arranged for their first exhibition at the Carlyle Hotel and hosted the Nova Scotia Artists Association Annual exhibition there in 1957. When the Woodstock high school produced the musical Oklahoma, in 1959/60, members Lucile Kougle, Grace Holyoke, Marion Morgan, Marguerite MacLauchlin, Edna Leach, Gladys Smith and Evelyn Rogers painted the 16 by 24 foot backdrop. In the mid sixties, Gladys Smith wanted to do some redecorating in her bedroom and invited the art club members to paint murals on her walls of the historical areas of Woodstock that were going to be affected by the flooding from the construction of the new dam in Mactaquac. In the late eighties the members took on the management of the Art Competition and Display at the Woodstock Old Home Week Hobby Show.

In the 1950s through the 1990s, the Club organised workshops from a variety of professional artists and teachers, most from Saint John and Fredericton but occasionally from Ontario and Maine. They included Robert Benn, Molly Boback, Ted Campbell, Denis Cliff, William Forrestall, Bridget Grant, Art Cunanan, Don Cyr, Don Fletcher, Florence Hughes, Herzl Kashetsky, Ann Kittredge, Ron Legere, R.J. Love, Kay Macartney, Alex McGibbon, Erin O’Shea, Claude Picard, Alfred Pinsky, Fred Ross, Dylys Taylor-Sabine, Janice Wright-Cheney and Audrey York. The visiting artists were billeted and fed by a different member each evening and Denis Cliff, an artist  instructor from Toronto, said he “enjoyed the best hospitality of his career in Woodstock and wished he didn’t have to leave”. 

After starting with oils, the club was introduced to drawing basics, pastels, acrylics, collage, screen printing and different subjects through charcoal portraits, life drawing, modernism, abstraction and chinese brush techniques. In the mid 1990s, the club members decided to have an intensive week-long workshop in watercolour with Saint John artist Ray Butler that greatly influenced the direction of the group. 

In 1994 Margery Donaldson gave her last workshop for the WAC, leaving a little portrait in the guestbook. William Forrestall and Robert Ben donated their demonstration artworks at the end of their workshops and to this year, the members each draw a name annually and have the artwork hanging in their homes for one year.

The enthusiasm and dedication of the club members is recognised by this entry in the guest book: “To members of the club, thank you for being the inspiration that started me painting again last fall. It was seeing your work that became so overpowering that I had to take my brush up again, and in doing that, added so much more joy to my life” Audrey York, Houlton Maine.

The club continues today welcoming new members – five in 2024, bringing the overall total to one hundred and sixty one members. They meet monthly and if you are interested in joining the WAC, please leave your contact information at the front desk and we will be sure to pass them on to the President, Susanne Hansen.

WAC Original Members

Clark, Dorothy 1955-1997
Connell, Mrs A B 1955-1956
Cougle, Lucy 1955-1965
Creighton, Mrs F O 1955-1956
Hanson, Maye 1955-1957
Holyoke, Grace 1955-1957
Homer, Deez 1955-1956
Ketchum, Dorothy 1955-1956
Kinins, Joan 1955-1956
Leech, Edna 1955-1987
Leech, Helen 1955-1957
Lovely, Mrs Herman 1955-1956
McLauchlin, Laura 1955-1956
Olmstead, Patty 1955-1956
Rogers, Evelyn 1955-1976
Rowan, Mrs 1955-1956
Simms, Laura 1955-1959
Smith, Bonny 1955-1959
Smith, Gladys 1955-1973
Winslow, Charlotte 1955-1985
Wishart, Dr Frank 1955-1956

WAC Current Members

Art Club 2024

Standing, left to right: Juanita Power, Catherine Kuijpers, Suzan Carsley, Jennifer Oakes, Janelle Newcomb, Anna Maria Dickinson, Susanne Hansen, and Ann White Sitting, left to right: Karen Bragdon, Elizabeth Radford, and Brenda Bradley

WAC Member Biographies and membership dates

Adams, Barbara 1987-1988
Aiton, Linda 1973-1974
Anderson, Randi Circa 1996
Antworth, Ada 1983-1985
Baird,Jean 1978-1987
Barrett, Melissa 1990-1991
Beaulieu-Snowden, Bernice 1996-1998
Bell, Christine 1987-1991
Bernard, Guy 1988-1989
Beukeveld, Margaret Circa 1997
Berry, Ann 1962-1968
Blue, Miss Louise 1971-1972
Bohan, Delores Circa 1996-1998
Bouma, Judy 1986-1988
Bowlin, Mary 1962-1992
Bradbury, Winnie 1987-1988

Bradley, Brenda 1999-Present
“Originally from Montreal, I moved to the Woodstock Area in the 1980’s and subsequently enrolled in a watercolour class with Susanne Hansen and then joined the Art Club in around 2002. This group of artists, who came together once a month, were welcoming and supportive. The club organized workshops and general discussions which I found stimulating, helpful and encouraging.  Members worked in a variety of media and have a variety of levels of art experience and background from absolute novice to art teachers and a  University Art professor.”


Bragdon, Karen c.2000-Present
       “Karen is a native of Woodstock who has been interested in art for most of her life. She began attending art class in the early 90’s and started to take her work more seriously. She joined the Woodstock Art Club and was the secretary for over 10 years.”


Bragdon(Oldenburg) Kaye Circa 1995
Broad, Cynthia Circa 1997
Brown, Marion 1990-1991
Bschaden, Christopher Circa 1996-1997
Buckingham, Marilyn 1993-1994
Bull, Milton Circa 1992
Campbell, Twinnie 1993-1997
Carr, Pauline 1956-1957

Carsley, Suzan Circa 2011-Current
“After moving from Montreal to the Woodstock area in 2011, I happened upon the Art Club exhibiting a craft market in downtown Woodstock.

This was my first contact with any art group in New Brunswick.

I inquired about membership and joined soon after. Over the last 13 years it has been wonderful to be a part of a group of like-minded artists getting together, whether to paint, do a workshop or participate in a potluck.”


Chase, Cathy Circa 1997
Clarke, Mary (Mrs G F) 1956-1967
Clements, Maureen 1990-1991
Clitheroe, Louise (Daishe) 1975-1997
Colwell, Winnie 1977-1983
Deutch, Angie 2020-2021

Dickinson, Anna Maria 2024-Present
“It was an honour to be invited to join the Woodstock Art Group in February of this year 2024. I had doubts, was I good enough to be a member of this extraordinary group of amazingly talented artists. They welcomed me and I thank them for the opportunity to be a part of the group. I have enjoyed our paint get-togethers and our potlucks; I have even enjoyed trying different mediums – water colour & the linocut technique.”


Dickinson, Robert 1987-1988
Doherty, Sarah Circa 2012
Doiron, Phil 1987-1991
Dow, Caroline Circa 1992
Dukeshire, Eileen 1987-Present; Life Member
Dunbar, Adeline 1987-1994
Dunfield, Christopher 1994-1997
Ellis, Alice 1989-Circa 1991
Field, Donald 1987-1997
Flewelling, Lillian 1987-1990
Forrest, Pauline 1974-1977
Foster, Louise 1988-1991
Fox, Edna 1975-1984
Gibson, Terry 1989-1990
Gilliland, Marjorie 1975-1976
Green, Charlotte Circa 1997
Griffith, Velma 1987-1990
Hacklesperger, Armin 2015-2020

Hansen, Susanne 1986-Present
“I have always had an interest in art. My mom said I was born with a pencil in my hand! Throughout my preteen and teen years I painted in oils using “How to” books my parents provided.

In my twenties I started art classes in Houlton with Esther Faulkner. She introduced me to charcoal, pastel, ink, and watercolour.

In 1986 I was invited to join the Woodstock Art Club. The WAC offered many and varied workshops through the late 80’s and 90’s and I attended every class offered. Along with the WAC workshops, I travelled to week long workshops throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Maine. 

In watercolour, acrylic, oil, linocut, intaglio, pastel, and egg tempra – doing life, portrait, landscape, seascape, abstract, still life – in recent years I have tried wood carving and pottery. My love is landscape (water, rocks, and trees) in watercolour.

Making art is as necessary to me as eating and sleeping.”


Hanson, Harold 1956-1957
Hanson, Patti Circa 1956-1957
Harold, Marie 1992-1997
Havens, Carol Ann 1995-1996
Havens, Shelley 1995-1996
Haywood, Jean 1994-1997
Hemphill, Donna Circa 1996-1998
How, Heather 1994-2023
Johnson, Cathie 2021-2022
Johnston, Wendy 1994-1997
Jung, Moon Hee 2002-2004
Kearney, Lucille 1990-1991
King, Janet Circa 1996

Kittredge, C. Ann 1988-Present
“C. Ann Kittredge is a mixed media artist who hailed from Ontario and lived in Woodstock for 34 years, during which time she was a member of the Woodstock Art Club. She retired from teaching drawing, design, and printmaking courses for the University of Maine Presque Isle, and has since returned to her childhood home. She says that she came late to the formal study of art, and had a “first life” in science, studying and teaching science for many years. Her art often reflects this background. She continues to be fascinated by the connections between art and science; much of her imagery arises from a lengthy consideration of issues and phenomena which reside in that area where science, art, and spirituality overlap.”


Kuijpers, Catherine 2024-Present
“I believe art, in its myriad forms, is innate to humanity. We are much stronger with it. Bringing us together through that which makes us drop our jaws in awe, it gives us pause to contemplate and provides a tactile way of expressing ourselves in a medium other than voice. Sometimes beautiful, full of curiosities; or art can be difficult to view and challenging. It always has been and always will be something that connects us all and can bring on an intrinsic emotional response. I am passionate that art should be kept in education and is a tool for therapy that has helped me to heal. It has an uncanny power to heal children and adults alike.

 Catherine’s passion and skill in poetry and drama is parallel to an equal passion for the art forms upon which the Woodstock Art Club was formed 70 years ago.”


Larkin-Roy, Ann 1987-1990
Lavoie, Vera 1987 -2005
Lawson, Ada Circa 1992
Lutes, Deborah 1995-1996
MacFarlane, Wanda (Glass) 1995-1998
MacMillan, Margaret 1956-1964
Martinson, Bobby
Martinson, Noreen Circa 1998
McAllister, Debra 1998-2023
McCarthy, Linda Circa 1990
McEwen, Murray Circa 1996-1997
McGuire, Ginette 1987-2010
McGuire, Irene 1987-2005
McKeen, Meredith 1995-1996
McLauchin, Marguerite 1956-1976
McLaughlin, Heidi 1988-1989
McLellan, Loretta 1997-1998
Mea, Maryann 1991-2023
Milbury, Aileen 1987-1997
Miller, Beverley 1990-1991
Monteith, Heidi 1987-1988
Moore, Mary 1970-1971
Moore, Vean 1971-1985
Morgan, Marion 1958-1974
Morrison, Jim 1993-1997
Neilson, Donna 1987-1988
Neilson, Gladys 1992-1996

Newcomb, Janelle 2024-Present
        I moved to New Brunswick in 2019. I painted regularly but missed having the

opportunity to get feedback and share experiences with other artists. Except on the

internet, I didn’t even know where to shop for art supplies and was disappointed when I could not enjoy the tactile pleasure of choosing my materials.

        In 2023, I dropped in at the River Art Centre to inquire about locating art supplies. There I met Susanne Hansen and my search was rewarded not only with finding materials but also with being introduced to a large community of local artists.

        Susanne’s enthusiasm for and connection to the galleries and art focused events in the area was the inspiration that led me to get involved in: “En Plein Aire”, a 2023 event benefitting The Big Brothers, Big Sisters organization; the Small Works show at ALMAG also in 2023; becoming a member of the Creek Village Art Gallery in 2024. I am grateful to Susanne for inviting me to join the Woodstock Art Club and thrilled to be able to participate in the club’s 70th anniversary exhibition.


Nicholson, Eugene 1990-1997
O’Hagan, Mrs L 1962-1963
O’Halloran, E. Ann 1987-2017
Palin, Marion 1970-1978
Palmer, Barbara 1987-1988
Payne, Blanche 1983-1985
Perry, Geraldine 1994-1998
Peterson, Bernice 1987-1992
Phillips, Bernard 1989-1991
Phillips, Brenda 1997-2017
Pickard, Joanne Circa 1999-Circa 2001
Polches, Jennifer 2024-Present
Polchies, Wendy Circa 1994-1997
Poulin, Beverley Circa 1990

Power, Juanita 2024-Present
“I have been working with paper crafts for over twenty years as a hobby to create gifts for family and friends, starting with cards and scrapbook mini albums for special events. My hobby has now evolved into creating flowers, houses, decorations for doors and centrepieces. I am a recent member of the Woodstock Art Club, being invited to join in 2024. I am looking forward to the continued success of the art club and learning new skills from the many talented artists in the club.”


Prosser, Lori 1994-1995

Radford, Elizabeth 2015-Present
       “Artwork came into my life as an adult student in The Interior Design program at College in Vancouver.  I learned to draw, draft, understand colour theory and render my project designs. (Residential and commercial) Paint materials included watercolour, acrylic, gouache, ink and felt pens.

        Subsequent workshops in Vancouver and Victoria included linocuts, intaglio, textile design and egg tempera. Following a move to New Brunswick,  the Woodstock Art Club provided collaboration with other artists, workshops, and a social aspect which was welcome. The New Brunswick College of Art and Design classes in Fredericton created an opportunity to further develop drawing techniques.”


Ross, Mary 1956-1971
Salmon, Cynthia 1997-2000
Schurman, Helen 1956-1959
Shaw, Rayma 1990-1991
Shaw, Sonya Circa 1998
Smith, Lorraine 1972-1974
Squires, Mrs F C 1956-1957
Stanley, Henni Circa 1996
Stockford, Marie 1970-1992
Sullivan (Berry), Ann 1962-1968
Tapley, Bud 1987-1991
Tompkins, Irene 1993-1995
Wallace, Mildred 1988-1997
Wallace, Vivian Circa  1996
Webb, Alice 1987-1989
Wells, Robert 1987-1997

White, E Ann Circa 2012 -Present
“I have been a member of the Woodstock Art Club for about 10 years. I had just completed watercolour painting lessons from Susanne Hansen and was happy to join this group of talented artists. I was exposed to other mediums and techniques of various art forms.

About 5 years ago when looking for an abstract painting for my home, I became interested in fluid acrylic pours. I really enjoyed the freedom of this method and the interesting finished product. I also enjoyed sharing this art form by facilitating classes. As well as pouring on canvases, I created coasters by pouring on wood and applying a resin finish.

I continue working in watercolour as well.”


Wiggins, Charlene 1993- Circa 1995
Wilkinson, Connie 1991-1992
Wilson, Emily 1993-1994
Wilson, Paula 1993-1994
Wilson, Shirley 1989-1990
Winslow, Marion 1960-1985
Wood, Brenda 1990-1997
Yerxa, James 1990-1991

Details

Start:
January 25, 2025
End:
March 8, 2025
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