SACKVILLE, NB — Mount Allison University celebrated one of its most famous alumni — renowned Canadian artist Alex Colville — with the official opening of the Colville Studio. The Colville family donated the late artist’s studio to his alma mater in 2016. Members of the Colville family were on hand for the studio’s official opening on Oct. 27.

The studio is located in Colville House on the Mount Allison campus, where Colville and his family lived from 1949-1973. It is now a centre devoted to the late artist’s career. A grant of $98,700 from the Government of Canada made the studio installation and related renovations possible.

“We are delighted to officially open the Colville Studio at Mount Allison,” says University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Campbell. “Alex Colville played a significant role in both Mount Allison’s history and Canada’s art history and continues to influence artists of all ages. On behalf of the entire University community I wish to thank the Colville family, as well as the Government of Canada, for this extraordinary and thoughtful contribution.”

The gift of the artist’s studio, including his paints, brushes, easels, work tables, and other studio materials, rounds out an extraordinary and unique set of resources at Mount Allison University on the life, work, and legacy of one of Canada’s best known artists. These include the newly-installed Colville Gallery within the Owens Art Gallery which houses Alex Colville’s mural Athletes, commissioned by Mount Allison University for its new Athletic Centre in 1961.

Owens Art Gallery Director Gemey Kelly says, “The installation of the studio at Colville House and the opening of a new permanent Colville exhibit at the Owens defines Mount Allison University as a major site in the world for exploring the ideas and contributions of Alex Colville. These resources will also provide important support for the teaching and learning mission of the University and for community engagement.”

The Colville Studio and Colville House will also be used as important learning spaces for classes at Mount Allison University, such as fine arts and museum studies.

The Colville Studio and Colville House are open to the public in July and August. The Owens Art Gallery, which includes the permanent Colville Gallery, is open year-round (mta.ca/owens)

Photos courtesy of the Owens Art Gallery

Captions:
Colville House on the Mount Allison University campus
Inside the Colville Studio and Colville House at Mount Allison