26 July – 10 October 2021
Vernissage: Friday 17 September, 7:00pm
The Owens Art Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of a major exhibition exploring the art and history of weaving at Mount Allison University. Warp, Heddles, Shuttles and Sheds focuses on the innovation and remarkable diversity of handwoven work created during the careers of former Mount Allison University Applied Arts students, including Patricia Pollett McClelland, Harriet Campbell Meacher, Carolyn Manzer McMullen, Joyce Chown, Dawn MacNutt, Ann Pickard Langley, and others.
For 70 years, the Art Department at Mount Allison University was housed within the Owens Art Gallery. Classes were offered in Fine and Applied Arts, including woodcarving, leatherwork, jewellery, metalwork, basketry, porcelain painting, ceramics and weaving. In the 1930s, the University gained recognition as a centre for weaving when the Mount Allison Handicraft Guild was formed and affiliated with the Canadian Handicraft Guild. With the cancellation of the Applied Arts program in 1960, weaving was no longer included in the curriculum of the Art Department. However, former students continued to share their knowledge and expand their own weaving practices. This exhibition celebrates their careers and the history of weaving at Mount Allison.
Curated by Jane Tisdale
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Owens Art Gallery is currently open by appointment only. Plan your visit at mta.ca/owens.
Venue Access
The stairs to the Owens from the entrance nearest the University Chapel have a handrail. There is also ramp access at this entrance, however, the ramp is steep. The stairs to the Owens entrance off York Street also have a handrail, but there is no ramp. The main floor of the Owens is wheelchair accessible. Our second-floor gallery is not accessible. Two flights of stairs lead to the second floor. The Owens welcomes guide dogs and other service animals.
Washrooms
Gendered washrooms are located in the basement and are not wheelchair accessible. Two flights of stairs lead to the basement.
Parking
There are two, reserved, accessible parking spaces on the York Street side of the Gallery and one in the circular driveway adjacent to the Gallery. All parking on campus is free. See the Campus Map for all visitor parking.
If you have any questions about your visit, please email owens@mta.ca or call (506) 364-2574