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 |
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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.”
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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.”
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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 |
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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.” |
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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 |
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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.”
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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 |
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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.” |
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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 |
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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.”
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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.” |
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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 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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.”
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Prosser, Lori | 1994-1995 |
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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.” |
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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 |
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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.” |
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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 |