Art
Confederation Centre Art Gallery’s receptionist shares her favourite works
Debbie Muttart has a perfect vantage point.
From her desk at the top of the stairs, she has watched 460 different exhibitions come to life at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery over the past 24 years.
The gallery receptionist also has met hundreds of artists and led hundreds of tours.
“It’s been a huge learning and growing experience. I study the (works) that go up because I get asked questions about them,” said the resident of Cavendish.
Muttart said she knows the whereabouts of each and every piece of art in a given show.
“A work could be on the third floor, over to the side, and I have to know it. So, I write everything down.”
However, working with art is only part of her job.
Muttart also acts as a one-person tourist information centre, calling cabs and giving directions to visitors who are heading toward various Charlottetown attractions.
Once, she helped a lost cruise ship passenger who was distraught after being separated from her group.
“They were up the street enjoying ice cream at Cows. I just made a phone call and found out where they were.”
A few years ago, Muttart even greeted Canadian superstar Brian Adams and gave him a guided tour of the gallery when he was in Charlottetown.
“There was no one in the gallery that day. Things were peaceful and calm for Brian.”
Now, after welcoming thousands of visitors from all corners of the world, gallery staff members are recognizing her with an exhibition of her own.
“It feels wonderful,” said Muttart.
The Debbie Show: Views from the Desk, will be on view until April 12 in the Lower East Gallery space, next to her desk.
The exhibition is extensive. It ranges from animal portraits by Lindee Climo (Bathsheba) and Alex Colville (Prize Cow) and Canadian photographer Shari Hatt (47 Dogs) to George Thresher’s Yankee Gale of 1851, a storm that caused major destruction along P.E.I.’s North Shore.
Among her favourites are several Group of Seven paintings.
“They remind me of my father’s cottage down in Milltown Cross.”
Another one of her picks is Backyard by Marion Wagschal. The realistic painting shows a man sitting outside on a lawn chair while his wife seeks shelter from the sun, under a tree.
“When I was doing the research, I discovered the man in the image had a vacant stare like Alzheimer’s patients sometimes have. My father had that stare. He had Alzheimer’s,” said Muttart, who chose the painting to bring the disease into the forefront.
In fact, she’s dedicated the entire show to her late father, Ronald B. MacLean Sr., who taught her to love nature.
Mounting the show was a collaborative process, said Jill MacRae, who co-curated the show with Andrew Cairns.
“We started by having Debbie talk about some of her favourite pieces, over the years…Then we had Debbie peruse collections publications and old exhibition photographs to jog her memory and expand her selection,” said MacRae.
Finally, the curators spent time in the vault pulling additional pieces based on what types of work Muttart was drawn to.
“We spent time looking at and discussing these works with Debbie and ended up with a final list that was a healthy mix of old and modern, sculpture and two-dimensional work, landscapes, portraits and abstracts.”
They even gave Muttart homework to do.
“I had to write essays about each of the artworks I picked and why I picked them.”
On Wednesday, looking at the colourful walls around her, she said she is pleased with the outcome.
“There’s a feeling of self-satisfaction. I feel like I accomplished something that was in the back of my mind for years. I feel like here I am.”
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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