Fredericton's Creative and Curious Art Scene
Fredericton is a city full of art and culture where creativity flows as naturally as the majestic Saint John River. Inspiration from our creative community can be found around every corner and that includes many public art pieces and monuments you may not have noticed before!
With the weather getting warmer, now is a perfect time to plan a trek around the city. You can find a handy digital map that will help guide you as well as inform you along the way.
This blog will outline a few of the pieces along the Northside and Southside riverfront trail system, making it easy to plan a walk or bike ride to view several on your journey.
Perhaps a great meeting point to start your tour is on the Southside riverfront trail and Rendez-Vous! This stone and granite sculpture called Rendez-Vous was gifted to the city in 2016 by the New Brunswick Medical Society in celebration of its 150th anniversary.
Next up is one of the city’s most popular artworks, especially in the springtime! Watermark, by sculptor Gerald Beaulieu is a series of 11 wooden posts, all at different heights which depict the height of the Saint John River during flooding over the years. The tallest post, the "memory pole", is encased in copper sheets that mark the year and peak water level of the Saint John River during the annual freshet (p.s. the tallest is 8.31 metres, the height of the river flooding in 2018).
Nearby is the pedway also known as the 104th Regiment Foot Bridge, and one of the newest and most colorful public art pieces along the Wolastoq. Tobique First Nation artist Emma Hassencahl-Perley was commissioned to create a mural on the lookout section of the pedway. The mural features warm, bright colours inspired by the sunrise and Wabanaki double curves, a traditional design.
Just steps away you’ll see the HMSC Fredericton Anchor presented to the City of Fredericton by her namesake ship HMCS Fredericton. It was presented on the occasion of the ships commissioning in September 1994.
Making your way along the Southside riverfront trail, up next is The TD Sculpture Garden, surrounding three sides of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, where you’ll find quite a few lovely pieces of public art! We love the 12-foot-high spiral of transparent panels reflecting ever-changing light conditions of sky blue and the sun’s glow in this outstanding piece called Arriving Home. This was created by internationally renowned artist, and American sculptor Dennis Oppenheim.
Take the time to wander around here and see The Birth of Venus by New Brunswick Acadian artist André Lapointe, the 7-foot tall sculpture entitled King and Queen (Cornuti) along with many other pieces that share this beautiful space.
Continue past the gallery and on to the green. Where you’ll have an opportunity to delve into a history lesson on Fredericton. The 9-foot bronze statue of Lord Beaverbrook was recently moved from its home in Officers’ Square to be installed in the sculpture garden along the green, next to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery’s new pavilion. The heritage value of this statue is associated with its likeness of the prominent Lord Beaverbrook, a great benefactor to both the city and the province, as well as the celebrated artistry of its designer, the world-renowned Italian sculptor, Vincent Apap.
Cast by renowned sculptor, W. Grant Stevenson, in 1906, the Robert (Robbie) Burns Memorial Statue is next in line; a bronze statue that stands 3.2 meters high on a granite pedestal. Originally unveiled on Thanksgiving Day, October 18, 1906 this statue was not only the first public statue erected in Fredericton, but also the first in New Brunswick!
The James Dunn Memorial Fountain (The Three Graces) has also been repaired and reinstated within the sculpture garden. A gift to the City of Fredericton from Lord Beaverbrook in memory of his friend, and fellow New Brunswicker, Sir James Dunn, this two-tier marble fountain, supported by the Three Graces, is surrounded by a memorial inscription carved into its granite base.
In this same area, kitty corner to Gallery 78 is The Fredericton Cenotaph, a memorial dedicated on November 11, 1923 to the memory of the 109 Fredericton soldiers who died in WWI.
Just before you cross the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge, you’ll see the Fredericton – Morell Park Pavilion. The individuals listed on this pavilion played a crucial role in creating The Great Trail of Canada, which connects the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans.
From the train bridge, arriving on the Northside riverfront trail you’re greeted by a large polished granite plaque, placed to honour Alexander "Boss" Gibson, lumber and cotton magnate and railway baron. (Insider’s tip: there is also a larger than life bronze statue of Gibson in the lobby of Marysville Place – the old Marysville Cotton Mill).
Continuing on to Carelton Park, here you will find a large granite piece called Transformations. Roughly carved into a circular shape and inside, a wheel, which for the artist, represents transformative change.
We hope you enjoyed this short overview of some of the amazing public art pieces, there are so many more to discover including Rhodo in the Fredericton Botanic Gardens and Memoria Address situated beside the Fredericton Convention Centre. The digital map features well over 30 public art pieces throughout the city and is continually being updated.
Looking for more? We recommend taking a look at the International Sculpture Trail that showcases sculptures found in New Brunswick, including 2 in Fredericton and some in our neighbouring communities of Gagetown, New Maryland & Oromocto, or reading our blog, I Spy a Mural Tour for a glimpse into the world of Fredericton’s outdoor murals!
We can’t wait to hear which was your favourite!
