The Board of Directors of the Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation is committed to promoting the development of New Brunswick young artists. Following the 2024 sponsorship of a highly successful exhibition of youth art at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, SHMF issued an invitation for 2025 initiatives to encourage and support young talent. Based on the recommendations of an independent jury, the foundation is sponsoring three innovative youth engagement projects this year- a creation project in Shediac, a workshop series in Edmundston and a youth fair in Charlotte County. Each project was proposed by community service organizations to meet current needs for youth in their communities.
The Flying Boat Society of Shediac will unveil a new public mural “The Arrival of Passengers”, created to commemorate Shediac’s important role as a transport hub in early air travel. Under the direction of multidisciplinary artist Monette Léger, students from the Louis J Robichaud High School participated in the design and execution of a mural to be installed on the Hamilton Building on Main Street Shediac. The official unveiling of the mural and an accompanying film will take place on June 8th.
The Centre des Arts d’Edmundston is launching a youth intensive series of workshops to prepare local youth for careers and education in art. Using the expertise of local professional artists, classes will be offered in various media and creative approaches. Beginning in the spring and continuing through the fall, students will be involved in enrichment programs in visual art.
Building on a 2024 pilot project at Fundy High School, Sunbury Shores Arts and Nature Centre is partnering with Charlotte County High Schools to launch an interactive Art Fair, “Art, Identity and Transformation”. This one-day event uses gallery tours and artmaking workshops to focus on the value of art in addressing contemporary challenges faced by youth.
SHMF looks forward to learning the impact of these projects on the youth of our province. Results of all projects inform future funding decisions of the foundation.
We appreciate the work of our jurors in recommending these projects. Congratulations and deep appreciation for all those striving to enlarge the creative horizons of New Brunswick youth.