John Murchie
Artist, curator, critic and administrator, John Murchie has been chosen to receive the SHMF 2023 Strathbutler Award in recognition of his multi-faceted career in visual art. Since 1991, Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation celebrates the vital contributions of visual artists to New Brunswick’s cultural life through this award. Murchie was nominated by Emily Falvey, Director of Owens Art Gallery, fellow artist Andrea Mortson and Paul Henderson, Director Struts Gallery.
Murchie’s impact on New Brunswick visual arts was characterized by the jury as “a significant part of the cultural ecology of this province, both through his artistic practice and his advocacy for the arts. His is a remarkable career–a way of being–that represents the very best qualities of the Atlantic region: the value of the local as a space of collaboration and community building, fostering respect for diverse ways of thinking and creating, promoting risk and experimentation, and a belief in art in enriching everyday life. “
The Board of Directors is grateful to the highly qualified members of the independent jury, Mireille Eagan, France Goneau and Pan Wendt, for their work in reviewing all nominations and for their considered selection of the 2023 recipient. A gala celebration of Mr. Murchie will take place at the Owens Art Gallery of Mount Allison University on October 19th, where he will be presented with the $25,000 award.