It was my great pleasure to spend the first two weeks of August 2025 as an artist-in-residence at the Fredericton Regional Museum, located in the historic old barracks downtown. My studio for the residency was the upper deck overlooking the river, where I set up with all my painting gear. Some of my finished works were also displayed in the entry hall on the ground floor. Visitors wandering through the museum would often make their way outside, curious to see what I was working on and to chat about the process, which was a highlight of the experience for me.
Over the course of the residency, I was able to lay down solid layers on about eight paintings. Two in particular were directly inspired by my time exploring the museum’s collections. Before beginning, I had set myself two challenges: first, to reimagine historic black-and-white photographs in vibrant colour, and second, to incorporate more figurative work into my practice, since I’ve traditionally focused on wildlife and landscapes.
The first painting drew inspiration from the whimsical story of the Coleman Frog, one of the museum’s most famous exhibits. A black-and-white photo of Fred Coleman with his legendary pet frog offered a starting point for the painting. As the story goes, the frog began life as an ordinary specimen but, after being fed scraps of people food (and occasional Whisky), grew to an astonishing 42 pounds. Known to respond to a dinner bell and even entertain Fred’s guests, the frog became something of a local celebrity. After its untimely demise in a dynamite “accident,” the taxidermied frog eventually made its way to the Fredericton Regional Museum, where it continues to charm visitors.
The second painting was inspired by a large faded painting on display depicting Pokiok Gorge, a natural feature near Pokiok, New Brunswick. Once a popular tourist attraction, the gorge was submerged after the construction of the Mactaquac Dam in 1967. In spring, when the reservoir levels drop, traces of the gorge can sometimes still be seen. The fact that such a dramatic and beloved landmark has been lost to time—surviving now only in black and white photos—made it a compelling subject to reinterpret.
I want to extend my sincere thanks to the kind and dedicated staff and interns at the Museum, whose support made this residency both productive and enjoyable. The opportunity to immerse myself in the museum’s history while creating new work was a true pleasure, and I’ll look back fondly on the experience.
For any fellow artists considering applying next year: I can’t recommend it highly enough. This residency offers a unique chance to engage with history, connect with the community, and push your practice in new directions.
Leave a Reply