A C H R O N I C L E H E R A L D C U S T O M P U B L I C AT I O N
Taking the plunge The intelligence and intuition of Educated Beards
Finding passion in fashion New Brunswick College of Craft and Design teaches fashion fundamentals
Funding futures Three-time University of New Brunswick alumnus says supporting students means supporting innovation for entire province
ISSUE 19
DON’T MISS ANOTHER SUMMER
DESIGN YOUR CUSTOM BOAT TODAY
FREDERICTON MONCTON WOODSTOCK
CONTENTS 004 PAUL’S NOTEBOOK 006 UPCOMING EVENTS Check out our exciting lineup of in-store events 008
018 FUNDING FUTURES Three-time University of New Brunswick alumnus says supporting students means supporting innovation for entire province
FALL 2019 & WINTER 2020 FEATURE BRANDS Apparel, shoe and accessory collections for men and women available at Robert Simmonds
022 STYLE IS ETERNAL Fredericton fashion designer creates custom pieces for custom clients with dreams of one day constructing an original haute couture line
010 SERVICES We offer one-stop shopping for the well-dressed man and woman
026 ON THE RIGHT TRACK Calum Dunbar shows drive, style in more ways than one
012 TAKING THE PLUNGE The intelligence and intuition of Educated Beards 016 FINDING PASSION IN FASHION New Brunswick College of Craft and Design teaches fashion fundamentals
PHOTO: 123RF ARTURKURJAN
030 A WORTHY CAUSE Former Investment professional finds meaning in raising funds, awareness for Portage Atlantic youth rehab centre 033 SPINNING GOLD FROM APPLES Fredericton native brewing Annapolis Cider Company business in apple-rich Annapolis Valley
036 KINGSBRAE GARDEN Altruism in St. Andrews 040 GO FOR IT Quispamsis youth and Canada’s Smartest Person Junior grad says taking a risk is always worth it 044 BAKING BLISS Mrs. Dunster’s owners on finding early success, balancing business and marriage and why giving back matters most 048 A LOCAL SPARK IN GLOBAL INDUSTRY How New Brunswick’s leading mixed reality company found that spark 052 MEET BILLIE Marion McCain’s legacy and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery
ROBERT SIMMONDS / 3
PAUL’S NOTEBOOK DOWNTOWN DELUXE Someone recently said to me, “Robert Simmonds is the deluxe destination of downtown Fredericton.” It reminded me that we didn’t take our 20th anniversary last year for granted. We were thankful that not only have our adventures in style and fashion proven popular with locals, but also with visitors, some of whom have told us what we like to hear: the selection at 400 King St. is as good as or better than what they find in the major cities. The big thing, however, is that still being here 21 years after launching in 1998 confirms that we made the right decision. It was bold, it was scary, but ultimately it was right. Thank you for confirming that. There was also a real sense of gratitude amongst all of us at the store. Being in the heart of New Brunswick’s capital city means we have seen businesses come and go with daunting frequency. But thanks to loyal supporters like you, we are able to ensure a sense of style prevails. We get a real feel of that when someone from Vancouver walks into the store and says, “My friend told me I must stop in to get a Canali suit and shoes to match,” or a woman from England says her daughter discovered us during a visit and she “wants to see what all the fuss is about.” In those instances, there is a sense that we must be doing something right. Calum Dunbar, the youngest of our friends to appear on the pages of this magazine, is yet another vote of confidence. Possibly you have noticed that, in addition to the many popular mainstay brands we carry, we are constantly introducing new names. While you might not recognize these, they are ones we discover during our buying trips to New York, Toronto and Montreal. As you would expect from us, these are reputable, high-quality brands, some of which are ascending in fashion circles, while others are already well-known in the larger centres. If you happen to notice these and have any questions, do let us know so we can fill you in with the backstory. Some of our most exciting and popular items are just such “unknown” brands. In closing, thank you again for your support. Please remember that while there is just one name above our door, Robert Simmonds is a team of great people who love to see others happy. To quote the strapline from the 1960s record label Immediate, we are “happy to be a part of the industry of human happiness.”
PHOTO: 123RF KIUIKSON
Cheers,
4 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
Paul Simmonds
We’ve been busy. For over a decade, Bang-On Photography has been focused on creating authentic image content for our clients, helping companies visually communicate their story to the world. While on the road with some of Canada’s top industries, our new commercial/portrait studio is now open at 117 York St, Downtown Fredericton. Visit bangonphoto.com
EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS Check out our exciting lineup of in-store events
COPPLEY GAME CHANGER
COPPLEY MADE TO ORDER EVENT
September 8 to 22, 2019 A selection of fabrics for custom-made clothing will be available for $998 with no additional charge for selected extras (linings, buttons, etc.). Truly an opportunity to customize your own garment!
October 26 to November 3, 2019 Special incentives on customer-made clothing.
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION EVENT November 22, 2019 Friday, all day
CINZIA ROCCA COAT EVENT October 16 to 19, 2019 This is your chance to try on styles not available in store and fi nd a truly unique Italian made coat.
Robert Simmonds Magazine Chairman and Publisher: Sarah Dennis President and CEO: Mark Lever Director, Product Management: Lindsey Bunin Senior Graphic Designer: Julia Webb Account Executive: Wanda H. Priddle wpriddle@herald.ca Customer Relations Specialists: Aimee Surette, Meghan O'Neil Photographers: Bang-On Photography, Denis Duquette, Andre Gallant, Rod Stears Photography, 123RF.com Contributors: Sara Ericsson, Wayne Blanchard, Josh Healey On the Cover: Clothing provided by Robert Simmonds
PHOTO: 123RF SERGEY PETERMAN
Ellen Woolaver - Marc Cain blazer, Marc Cain pant, Autumn Cashmere sweater
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Kevin Leboeuf - Coppley jersey wool suit, Eton shirt Bob Skillen - Canali sportjacket and pant, Eton sportshirt
Š The Chronicle Herald 2019 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission from the publisher. The Chronicle Herald 2717 Joseph Howe Drive PO Box 610, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 2T2 902-426-2811 TheChronicleHerald.ca Printed by: Bounty Print, Newfoundland & Labrador bountyprint.com Cover Image by: Bang-On Photography BangOnPhoto.com
CONSIDERATE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | CONDO CORPS | LEASING | VACANT MONITORING At Considerate Property Management, we understand the value & importance of your property investments. Our mandate is to ensure that, as the owner, you are comfortable & conямБdent in our service. INFO@CONSIDERATEMGMT.CA | WWW.CONSIDERATEMGMT.CA | 506.449.2644
BRANDS PROFILE P ROFILE
FALL 2019 & WINTER 2020
FEATURE BRANDS Apparel, Shoe and Accessory Collections for Men and Women Available at Robert Simmonds Clothing Men’s Collections
Adriano Goldschmied Adrienne Goodine A/X Armani Exchange Autumn Cashmere Brave Belts Brax Canada Goose Cinzia Rocca Claudia Nichole Cole Haan Eileen Fisher Free People Hue Tights Hunter Ilsa Jacobson Jenny Bird Judith & Charles Kate Spade New York Lack of Colour L’Occitane en Provence Mackage Marc Cain Mavi Moose Knuckles Mother Denim Paige Paper Label Polo-Ralph Lauren Rails Rebecca Minkoff Ron White Sarah Pacini Saint James Smythe Spanx Suzi Roher Thomas Sabo Twigg & Feather UGG Australia Velvet White & Warren Zadig & Voltaire
Adriano Goldschmied Alberto Allen Edmonds Anderson Belts A/X Armani Exchange Boot Rescue Brax Canada Goose Canali Citizens of Humanity Coppley Dion Educated Beards Eton Gran Sasso Hugo Boss Johnson & Murphy John Varvatos Joop L’Occitane Marcoliani Mavi Moose Knuckles Nobis Norwegian Wool Paige Peter Millar Riviera Robert Graham Ron White SAXX Secrid Wallets UGG
PHOTO: 123RF AWRANGLER
Women’s Collections
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SERVICES
SERVICES We offer one-stop shopping for the well-dressed man and woman
R
obert Simmonds Clothing is noted as the place to shop in downtown Fredericton for the latest styles in high-end fashion. As a local independent retailer, our mission is to provide an “Excellent Experience, Every Time with Engaged Employees.” We pride ourselves on being clothing solution experts while providing our clients with access to some of the world’s favourite brands, complementary services and style suggestions.
STORE INFORMATION
FASHION EMERGENCY
Robert Simmonds Clothing 400 King Street Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 1E3 Corner of King and York
Have a last-minute interview, airport lost your luggage, spilled coffee on your tie before your big meeting or found a run in your hosiery? We have all been there. Call us and we will help. We can deliver to your office or book an appointment. No need to stress.
STORE HOURS Monday – Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday – Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 506-455-2500 Fax: 506-455-4550 Email: info@robertsimmonds.com www.robertsimmonds.com
facebook.com/Robertsimmondsclothing
WARDROBE CONSULTATION This service, for both men and women, is tailored to your particular needs and budget and is offered at no additional cost. Our clothing solutions experts will assist you with your wardrobe planning, closet editing and offer suggestions for any occasion. We help you make style decisions that you won’t regret and that you’ll enjoy for years to come. For an appointment for a private session, please call 506-455-2500 or email us at info@robertsimmonds.com.
OUR RETURN POLICY @robert_simmonds
Robert Simmonds
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STAY IN TOUCH We want to let you know about special events, sales and promotions. Whether it is by mail, email, Facebook or telephone, make sure your contact information is updated in our computer system. See a sales associate next time you are in or email info@robertsimmonds.com and we will get you connected.
PHOTO: 123RF KIUIKSON
TAILORING
10 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
Your purchase will be custom tailored to suit you in a timely manner by our Master Tailor, Tony Dableh. Tony can adjust your older items so that they can be worn and enjoyed anew. His work is done to perfection every time.
We offer a complete refund or exchange within 10 days of purchase on all regular-priced merchandise in original condition, with proof of purchase. Please review your sales slip for details. All exchanges are final sale. Merchandise on sale is final sale. No exchanges or refunds are accepted on sale merchandise. The following lists of items are also final sale for hygienic reasons: beauty products, jewelry, hats, hosiery, sunglasses, watches or undergarments. All Canada Goose products are also final sale.
GIFT CARDS The perfect gift is the one that always fits. Robert Simmonds Clothing gift cards can be purchased in any denomination and they never expire.
GIFT WRAPPING If you are buying for any special occasion, Robert Simmonds Clothing offers gift wrapping. Just mention it is a gift and we will be happy to wrap it for you.
STYLE
LEGAL ATTIRE
MEN’S MADE-TO-MEASURE
Prefer by appointment. We are an agent for a legal-wear company. You will be measured by qualified Robert Simmonds staff. Your legal garments will be custom made for you. There is a six-week turnaround time. Please call our store at 506-455-2500 or email info@robertsimmonds.com to schedule an appointment.
For men who find off-the-rack garments a difficult fit or who enjoy expressing their individual style by selecting exclusive patterns and fabrics, made-to-measure suits, blazers, trousers and dress shirts may well be the answer. Appointments preferred. Please call or email us at mens@robertsimmonds.com.
FUR STORAGE
TUX RENTALS
Keep your fur looking new by storing it in Robert Simmonds Clothing fur vault. The vault is a specially designed environment with carefully controlled temperature and humidity. Please contact us at orders@robertsimmonds.com or call our store at 506-455-2500.
We are an agent for tuxedo rentals from Freeman Formalwear who provide a large selection of tuxedos. Our tuxedo prices are the same as every agent across Canada, but we provide the services you’ve come to expect. Our in-house tailor can make any last-minute
alterations to your rental. Please call our menswear department to book appointments or email us at info@robertsimmonds.com.
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES This is Robert Simmonds Clothing’s 19th issue. We would like to thank all of our advertisers for contributing to the growth of Robert Simmonds Magazine. If you would like to advertise in our magazine, please contact us at orders@robertsimmonds.com or call our store at 506-455-2500. Named “Best boutique for head-to-toe style for any season, budget, or person� by magazine.
TITLE Subtitle
By Author Name
Office Suite Rentals In Prime Downtown Location www.taymax.ca 2PUN :[YLL[ -YLKLYPJ[VU 5 ) , ) , P c F
ROBERT SIMMONDS / 11
KEVIN LEBOEUF & ALICIA PHILLIPS
Clothing: Hugo Boss hybrid jacket, vest and woven shirt
TAKING THE PLUNGE The intelligence and intuition of Educated Beards By Wayne Blanchard | Photography: Contributed
ith entrepreneurship, you are either in or you are out. Moses Znaimer, Canadian entrepreneur and the media guru behind Much Music and Zoomer Magazine, got it right: “The whole point of being an entrepreneur is that you plunge.” Kevin Leboeuf and Alicia Phillips, partners in business and life, exemplify the new breed of Canadian entrepreneur. They took the plunge together. Today, as founders of Educated Beards, the rapidly ascending firm of gent’s grooming goods they launched in 2017, both are delighted that their bold new brand is not only available across Canada, including at Fredericton’s own Robert Simmonds, but that its reach continues to extend in terms of what it offers and where it is available. “A shave line and a hair line are next,” noted Alicia, “with pomade to debut in 12 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
the autumn (2019). We want to be the go-to for grooming in high-end stores, like Robert Simmonds, across the country.” IRRITATION WAS THE CATALYST When asked how Educated Beards got its start, Kevin looked to Alicia. There is a contemplative pause before he responds. “In 2006, I joined the Military. Then, in 2008, I was deployed to Afghanistan where I was an engineer looking for bombs every day. In 2015, I met Alicia, who suggested I see someone about the state of my emotions. I was diagnosed as having PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).” Though the need to overcome that condition was a major challenge, there was a fortuitous upside. “For the first time in my life, I could grow my beard. But it was terrible. It was itchy; it was dry. I hated
it and wanted to shave it off.” But he didn’t. Instead, Kevin sought a solution. “I bought several beard grooming products. But I wish I’d read the content labels.” He turned to Alicia. “She read them and threw everything out.” “Well,” Alicia responded, “I trained as a holistic nutritionist, so I read labels from a different point of view. It’s not just about what you put in your body, but what you put on it too, because your skin absorbs a lot of that. We had just had our baby, and I was extra cautious at that point. So, Kevin and I started thinking about making our own products. Once we did, people started noticing his beard. They liked it and wanted what he was using. Then friends of friends wanted some. So, we decided to launch the company.
KEVIN LEBOEUF & ALICIA PHILLIPS Beard Oil Beard Balm Beard Wash Moustache Wax Grooming Scissors Boar Hair Brush Cellulose Acetate Comb and a full grooming kit – The Book Of Beards
14 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
“Educated Beards is about what value we bring. This is what we do and this is how it benefits others. We want people to be aware of what they are putting on their body and how it affects the environment. We care.” – Alicia Phillips
HIGH-QUALITY EVERYTHING “With so many beard-grooming companies already out there, we knew we would need to do something different, something better. So, we went all-organic, with every ingredient having a specific purpose. There would be no fillers, no toxins. Plus, our packaging, bottling and labels would be premium. We applied that high-quality principle to everything.” But before launching, the duo studied up on the business of entrepreneurship. “We did a lot of research and were lucky to be part of the Summer Institute Program through UNB, an accelerator program. Now we are in over seventy stores across the country, with all of those having a 100 per cent reorder rate, which is fantastic.” Kevin is also happy that his former military colleagues are amongst the Educated Beards fans. “Yes, beards are now legal in the army, though they need to be well groomed. The military guys are impressed with us being a veteran-owned company producing organic products with great packaging, some which opens like a book, which is part of educating the users.” Existential branding begins with the notion that a brand is about people, not products. This idea isn’t lost on Alicia and Kevin. “We want people to be able to help themselves, so we started visiting barber schools, helping students recognise the value of what we do and that our goods are all-organic. Barbers handle creams and lotions every day, so if there are any toxins in the ingredients, they are potentially being absorbed into their skin multiple times daily. That raises potential health concerns, which is why Educated Beards is toxin-free and safe.”
THE CALAMITY OF A CRISIS Despite so much attention to detail, a serious incident arose as soon as the company launched. “We hired a graphic designer,” said Alicia, “to develop a logo incorporating a face that would resemble Kevin and his father. What he created was incredible, so we used it on everything. Then a few months later there was an Instagram message to someone we didn’t know saying, ‘Hey, this’ — our logo — ‘looks a lot like you.’ And the response was, ‘That is me!’ We were like,
“With so many beard grooming companies already out there, we knew we would need to do something different, something better.” – Kevin Leboeuf “What the heck?!’’ The face on our new logo turned out to be that of a French model. And he was coming after us. His agency was also coming after us. So, we pulled all the product, the promotion, the stock of labels, business cards … everything. And we started over.” Incidentally, the Chinese ideogram for crisis also means opportunity. Which is what Kevin
and Alicia saw as they regained their composure after that debacle. “Our new designer,” continues Alicia, “is great, and we love the new logo. The moral is, be careful with whom you surround yourself. You can try to do everything yourself but it’s more important to put the right people in the right places. And do research on those people.” She smiles, Kevin, lips pursed, nods in agreement. THE VALUE REALITY With complementary skill sets it is possible to divide and conquer. But when entrepreneurs live their business pretty much 24/7/365 and in this case also live together, that business intertwines with their personal lives. “So,” said Kevin, “there are times when it’s necessary to let go, to chill and step back, take a day off. If that doesn’t happen, it becomes impossible to maintain an objective perspective, and it gets difficult to see things as they really are.” By taking the plunge, Alicia and Kevin immersed themselves in a pool of challenges, where learning is an ongoing process and intuition can be a saviour. Business guru Peter Drucker once said, “You are nothing; your knowledge is everything.” So, what is most important? “Problem solving,” responded Kevin. “If you can’t make decisions and stand behind them, then you’re going to fail.” Alicia nods. “Brand values,” she adds. “That’s why Educated Beards is about what value we bring. This is what we do and this is how it benefits others. We want people to be aware of what they are putting on their body and how it affects the environment. We care.” ROBERT SIMMONDS / 15
ELLEN WOOLAVER
Clothing: Saint James sweater, AG denim
FINDING PASSION IN FASHION New Brunswick College of Craft and Design teaches fashion fundamentals By Wayne Blanchard | Photography: Bang-On Photography
et back from Queen Street and adjacent to the Fredericton courthouse in the downtown Historic Garrison District is a substantial building of weathered red brick. This is the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD). Established in 1938, it’s the only college in Canada focusing entirely on fine crafts and applied design and is a mecca for creatives to pursue their passion and develop their skills. Visual arts, photography, fashion design, digital media, graphic design, ceramics and textile design are just some of the programs offered. It’s also increasingly a powerhouse in terms of turning out highly employable graduates destined to boost the New Brunswick economy. PASSIONATE COMMITMENT PREVAILS At the core of this college’s success are skilled instructors who understand the opportunities and challenges associated with life in a creative 16 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
headspace and art in the real world. So, when NBCCD academic dean Ellen Woolaver speaks, you hear intent in her voice. Passionate about her profession, keen to credit her colleagues and committed to the success of their students, she is quick to confirm that the ongoing success of the college is very much attributable to the collective effort of all involved. In 2014, after 17 years focused as fashion design studio head, Woolaver passed the responsibility to Joanne Venart and moved into administration and management. “I really felt I could make a difference and wanted to work with the faculty, students and programs throughout the college to make that happen.” “Our college is quite amazing,” Woolaver continues. “Small class sizes — the max in fashion design is 12 — plus a talented and dedicated faculty with about 45 teaching, most being artists, many with their own artistic practices and some respected internationally. They teach the
fundamentals of design, construction and business. If a young person is looking to make it as an artist, those professionals are available to help.” POTENTIAL IS KEY While prerequisite entry requirements might preclude access for the truly talented in other colleges, this is not the case at the NBCCD. “If there is a desire to learn and some dexterity and there is potential, we provide the opportunity to learn. Our foundation visual arts program (FVA) is a one-year preparatory students do before applying to enter into the diploma program. In that, they study design principles, art history, how to draw. Then, students enter the fashion design program, which is two years. Even at that point, they’ve likely never sewn anything, never done photography. Yet, in the second year, those students design and produce a line of clothing and put together our annual fashion show. They research
what’s current, choose fabrics, select trims, determine who their models will be, then create the whole look with hair, makeup and accessories. They even do the event marketing. That show happens at the Fredericton Convention Centre in April. In 2018, attendance was pushing 800, which is up from about 80 attendees 20 years ago. It’s a huge event.” Woolaver also notes that during their FVA year, students identify what area of fashion they want to pursue, citing four notable alumni — Adrienne Goodine, acclaimed in fashion and jewelry, Jaclyn Wilson, a success with customfitted garments and competition suits for athletes, Sherry Kinnear, head of wardrobe for Theatre New Brunswick, and Tracy Austin, creator of mini fashion sculptures and part-time fashion studio faculty member at the college — as graduates who have successful careers. “And they make their living right here in Fredericton,” adds Woolaver. KEEPING TALENT IN NEW BRUNSWICK “Retaining talent within New Brunswick is a priority,” says Woolaver. “Our current director is working on ways to assist alumni once they graduate because there really is a vibrant scene with some truly talented people, but they need support structures and direction. Paul Simmonds is key as a mentor to the alumni, while direction offered by our fashion instructor and film specialist, Nicole Gallant, is also important. It takes a village; I’m not doing it all by myself.” Woolaver feels her upbringing defined her future. “Determine what you love to do, then find a way to earn a living doing it. My father is a violinist and my mother was a pianist. Together they were the resident musicians at UNB for
29 years. Prior to that, they performed internationally. We spend so much time at work, it should be something you love to do.” Yet after completing her bachelor of arts at UNB in 1981, she was unsure what to do. “Then a friend invited me to sew snaps onto costumes at Theatre New Brunswick. This introduced me to the world of theatre.” One year of studying costume design at Dalhousie University was followed by several years working in theatres across Canada before she resettled in Fredericton. “I started my custom couture clothing business, Elenka, creating mascots, costumes,
bridal gowns, clothes of all types, upholstery ... anything that interested and challenged me. I also gave private classes at home and taught night classes through UNB. This led to me teaching at the NBCCD.” A FUTURE FOR GRADUATES While developing the fashion program curriculum, Woolaver committed to establishing a support network for the college’s graduates, which is why she started the Fredericton Fashion Council. “At one point, we had an incubator, a networking organization to find resources. I started this with Adrienne Goodine and Jaclyn Wilson, so they could have a professional space to meet with clients and also be able to do their own fashion show together. There was no shortage of students ... but it needed the support of our business community and that wasn’t there at the time.” That incubator is now back on Woolaver’s agenda. “I’m encouraging those in the studio to get the ball rolling and hope the incubator idea and the fashion council will get off the ground again very soon.” Fashion is a crazy world. Everybody needs clothes, yet figuring out ways to make them appealing is the big challenge. “To me, that is design … understanding colour and shape … making something work for a particular body, a particular age... In fashion design, if you want to stand out and be successful, you need to study history and other designers. You need a sense of inspiration. And you’ve got to be bright and be a problem solver,” says Woolaver. Those qualities, plus talent and perseverance, sum up the NBCCD alumni. ROBERT SIMMONDS / 17
BOB SKILLEN
Clothing: Coppley navy blazer, Riviera tan high performance pant. Eton sportshirt
FUNDING FUTURES Three-time University of New Brunswick alumnus says supporting students means supporting innovation for entire province By Sara Ericsson | Photography: Bang-On Photography
ob Skillen says it can take a lot to campaign to secure private donations for a university, but that in the case of the University of New Brunswick (UNB), it doesn’t take much for him. He says it’s made that much easier for him because he believes in UNB’s current transformational mission and has passion for his alma mater in spades. Skillen is currently the university’s inaugural vice-president of advancement and oversees the school’s relationships with its alumni, donors and strategic partners. He and his team have their eyes focused on securing support for the university in various forms, including financial and advocacy support. But Skillen says looking from a big-picture perspective shows donations don’t just help students and the university, but rather spur 18 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
innovation province-wide that stimulates growth. “The idea is to have greater intentionality in working toward solving industry problems and playing a role in helping to solve social challenges, for instance, the rising cost of health care and high poverty levels in certain parts of the province,” says Skillen. “And [we’re] creating wealth along the way for New Brunswick and the people within it.” MAKING KEY CONNECTIONS Skillen first arrived at the university’s Fredericton campus in 1975 during his undergraduate studies. He is a three-time UNB graduate — he received a Bachelor of Physical Education in 1979, a Bachelor of Education in 1981 and a Master of Education in 1989. He began working at the university in 1990 as
the executive director of the UNB Associated Alumni and worked with the association on engaging hundreds of its members in university life. He made Fredericton his permanent home with his wife, Gisele. As they made it their home, Skillen became more and more involved with the inner workings of managing alumni relations at UNB. Following four years as president of Greenarm Management —he refers to this period as his PhD in business — Skillen became the university’s first ever vice-president, advancement (then called the chief advancement officer). He works out of the university’s Fredericton campus in a role that encompasses both that campus and the university’s other in Saint John. His work includes managing alumni relations, development and donor relations, overseeing the communications and marketing offices and the
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BOB SKILLEN office of strategic partnerships — all to support the academic mission of the university and ensure the best success possible for its students and for its faculty and staff. “We focus our efforts on building relationships that translate into some kind of support — financial, advocacy or good will — to the university,” says Skillen. WHAT THE SCHOOL STANDS FOR Being a major gift fundraiser for the university is another responsibility that falls under Skillen’s umbrella, which finds him using his extensive network of relationships with alumni to help secure major donations that fund scholarships and development at the university. He says his three UNB degrees and connections formed during his time as a student and later work with the alumni association gave him a distinct advantage and meant a smooth transition into his new role. “I’m very involved with a number of individuals — alumni and others — who believe in our mission who want to help advance our cause or something important to them,” says Skillen. In his overseeing of UNB’s marketing office, Skillen and his team led a comprehensive brand research initiative that resulted in a brand essence for the university — that every future matters. Skillen says this research revealed this message to be a core tenet of how the university functions and where its priorities lie — with its students, the surrounding communities of Saint John and Fredericton and the province as a whole. “We did a lot of work and what we uncovered about ourselves is that we are a very creative, entrepreneurial university, right across all disciplines,” says Skillen. “We also uncovered that people found us to really care about our students.”
20 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
A RESEARCH HUB IN NEW BRUNSWICK Skillen says he often emphasizes in various venues, that the university is arguably New Brunswick’s research university and that it currently houses a large portion of the province’s research projects. He says this research engine has also contributed steadily to the local economy in the concentration of skilled workers in fields like engineering, computer science, information technology and cybersecurity in New Brunswick who’ve graduated from UNB and gone on to create companies, hire staff and thereby stimulate the economy through job creation and industry development. He also points to the fact that UNB trains individuals to work in the education, health care and non-profit economies and many of our leaders in the province have UNB degrees. Skillen says he’s identified the school’s entrepreneurial ventures as an area to focus on and expand the work the school has done over the last decade to bring greater intentionality to programs like its entrepreneurship-focused J. Herbert Smith Centre for Technology Management and Entrepreneurship — which immerses students in creative thinking, enterprise and agility. Skillen says the goal is to make such opportunities available to any student interested and to show alumni just what the school can do. “We have now had over 100 companies out of UNB … and therefore want to grow the school and take entrepreneurship right across the engineering curriculum and beyond so grads can either create their own jobs or bring greater value to organizations,” says Skillen. “And that in turn will show the value of investing in UNB.”
WHY FUNDING MATTERS Skillen says he cannot emphasize enough how important donations and strategic investments are to ensuring the university continues to see the same level of success and to it providing innovative programs for students to take advantage of. The recently completed private fundraising campaign saw $125 million in raised or committed funds and has enabled UNB to raise the scholarships it awards from $6 million to $11 million annually, with more than 50 per cent of these funds now coming from philanthropic donations instead of the UNB operating budget. Skillen says his conversations with donors also emphasize the role donations play in sponsoring new buildings like the Hans W. Klohn Commons at the Saint John campus and the Richard J. Currie Center and Kinesiology building both on campus in Fredericton. “Our academic mission is what we all exist for and the academic core is really our [purpose]. So anything we do in advancement is with the intention of bringing that value to the university,” says Skillen. At the end of the day, Skillen’s favourite part of securing major funding for the university is not the financial part, but the personal side, when he sees a smile on a donor’s face and the reaction of the beneficiary — whether student, faculty or staff — at the receiving end of the donation. And it makes him want to make that happen for more students and faculty. “We are so committed to transforming lives and community, and I find that inspiring,” says Skillen. “I am thrilled to work at UNB and believe in its value.”
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This season Sarah Pacini features a collection with thoughtful textures and evocative motifs. Perfectly balancing woven pieces and knitwear, it underscores the simplicity and elegance behind the complex act of creation. With the bee as its source of inspiration, our 2019-20 Fall-Winter collection takes off. The focus is not so much on the individual insect but rather, its relationship with the colony. By observing the social habits of this amazing creature, we learn about ourselves. Every insect in the hive has a role to play. These roles are guided by an instinctive drive to keep the colony running smoothly. Every minute, thousands upon thousands of these creatures soar past one another while maintaining perfect harmony. It’s a fascinating way of living that encourages us to think about our own place within the world.
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For more information call 506.450.4653 200 Summerhill Rd, Fredericton westhillsgolf.com ROBERT SIMMONDS / 21
ADRIENNE GOODINE
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Clothing: Adrienne Goodine dress
STYLE IS ETERNAL Fredericton fashion designer creates custom pieces for custom clients with dreams of one day constructing an original haute couture line By Wayne Blanchard | Photography: Denis Duquette
22 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
THE ELEGANT DESIGN OF ADRIENNE GOODINE As we sit across from each other at one of those round tables that give the Chess Piece Café in Fredericton’s Beaverbrook Art Gallery a sense of bistro-like flair, I’m taken in by just how natural and relaxed Adrienne Goodine appears to be. Soft spoken and of a comfortably casual demeanor, she smiles constantly and is quick to laugh. On the outside of the floor-toceiling windows behind her is a sunny Monday morning. Attired in a subtly stylish manner, Goodine is dressed to survive this blast of seasonal heat. She is warm-cool personified. When she speaks it is with a disarming diffidence and earnestness, there are no air of pseudo elitism one sometimes encounters with so-called “creatives.” What does emanate is a sense of honest positivity coupled with a passion stoked by childhood dreams of designing happiness into the lives of others. When asked what it is that she does, her response is succinct: “I am an entrepreneur. I design and make clothing and silver jewelry.” True. But such understatement falls well short of the reality, which is that thanks to her elegant design aesthetic and meticulous crafting expertise, Goodine is a rising star on the horizon of Canada’s fashion industry. DESIGNING FASHION. PRODUCING STYLE There are those who are surprised to learn that she, who is well known for her handmade jewelry designs, is first and foremost a fashion designer. A graduate of the New Brunswick
College of Art & Design, Goodine studied under Ellen Woolaver and Joanne Venart, gaining a Fashion Design degree as well as the confidence to pursue her passion as a career. Today her clothing and jewelry designs are displayed amongst the big-name brands at Robert Simmonds, where she is also a full-time style consultant. “The Robert Simmonds brand is very complementary to mine. It’s a great pairing.” For her, being there provides something of a beta test. “I see who my clients are and how people respond to the designs. It’s good to know what is or isn’t working. Some people are very honest and what they say about other brands, how they are made, what the fit is like … I compare that to my brand. It’s a real education,” she says. “I want to produce style. I want to introduce a unique style to Fredericton and New Brunswick, then across Canada and beyond. My haute couture is custom-made, but I am also now making ready-to-wear. Eventually I would like to have my own, I guess you could say, atelier, with a team working with me to create original designs in clothes and jewelry.” So, Adrienne’s Atelier? “That’s my goal.” She smiles, takes a sip from her drink, looks around, then comes back into focus. “In five years, I would like to have my own studio space. A small boutique would also be nice, so I can deal direction with those interested in what I [design], to ensure they get a suitable style, size and fit. I have already started to expand my ready-to-wear line and would also like to make my custom garments readily available. I want people to feel confident and good about what they’re wearing.”
AN APPRECIATION OF ELEGANCE Just one look at two of Goodine’s most popular current pieces, the Make Limoncello Dress with its lemon-print design and the navy blue Ciao Bella Dress reveal subtle simplicity coupled with astute design qualities. The avoidance of excess suggests confidence in the designer and those who wear these dresses. They are also proof that one needn’t be a style savant to appreciate the elegance of an Adrienne Goodine design. Indeed, the simple, shapely lines that define the clothing and jewelry bearing her brand marque are reminders that this Fredericton-based creative’s inspiration continues to come from two of the greatest style icons of modern times — Coco Chanel and Christian Dior. “I’m inspired by the originals,” she says intently. Indeed, those two dresses alone, like personal odes to Italy, exemplify the love and affection Goodine commits to every aspect of her work. They would surely pass the Audrey Hepburn taste test. “Yves St. Laurent said it: ‘Fashions fade, style is eternal’. Fashion is whatever the current trend is. People who follow trends get a different look every season, while people with style stick to their look. They might add elements of trends, but they have their own look. “Both are valid in terms of keeping design relevant. The audiences for my dresses at Robert Simmonds range from their 20’s to the other side of 60. Style is personal. There is no age limit.” ROBERT SIMMONDS / 23
ADRIENNE GOODINE
VINTAGE WITH A MODERN TWIST So, with ongoing taste fluctuations in contemporary fashion and the steadfastness of style devotees, does Goodine see herself pursuing a more abstract and creative vision or will she develop a traditional style with a fresh contemporary twist? A slight smile emerges as she contemplates the question. “I’m somewhere in between … but traditional. I want a vintage feel, like styles from the 50s and 60s, combined with a modern twist for today’s kind of look … if that makes sense.” It does! And it is, as the aforementioned Make Limoncello and Ciao Bella dresses confirm via their simple, subtly rich design qualities, a perfect summation. “I want to make things people will wear for years. Though the future is always a challenge, Goodine has a couple predictors: “I Iook at what’s happening right now, because usually it will be inherent in whatever comes next. And I occasionally look through European fashion magazines. But mainly I go with my instinct. Sourcing inventory for the shop at trade shows, where everything is eight months ahead, helps too. I can get a feel if something’s on its way out or starting to get more popular. 24 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
“I want people to feel confident and good about what they’re wearing.” – ADRIENNE GOODINE
I’M THE CHALLENGE “Do trends affect what I make? No. I usually do things to order. If I was mass producing and had stock, yes, I’d be concerned.” However, there are other challenges. “Money. I have a family, so I have to be real smart about it. And then, honestly, I’m the challenge. There are some days where you have to dig out of your own mind and believe in yourself.” She laughs. “Time is another. Because I’m full time at Robert Simmonds, finding the hours to be a business person, to be a mom, to design and make clothes and jewelry, plus everything in between … sometimes, it’s a struggle to know which hat I’m wearing. But I love it.” She laughs again. Is there something more on the Adrienne Goodine checklist of dreams? “I love haute couture and would like that to be my main thing. I do a lot of custom-made pieces, so personalized design is what I focus on. At some point I would love to have a haute couture collection.”
FINEST FABRICS FALL 2019
CALUM DUNBAR
ON THE RIGHT TRACK Calum Dunbar shows drive, style in more ways than one By Wayne Blanchard | Photography: Bang-On Photography
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“I like John Varvatos. I like Armani, some of which is crazy, but some is casual and not many people know what it is.” – Calum Dunbar
Clothing: Hugo Boss black suit, Eton trim fit shirt, Eton tie
ccasionally, we meet someone who looks to be one thing, yet turns out to be quite another. Calum Dunbar is one of those people. Standing six feet tall, Dunbar looks like he’s in his early 20s, but — serious surprise — he is only 14. Though his quiet demeanour suggested shyness, once he relaxed, the groove of our conversation gained traction. The lad, who was minutes earlier whipper-snippering the lawn at Picaroons Roundhouse, his father Sean’s taproom and eatery at the north end of the Fredericton city centre footbridge, proved to be wise and worldly beyond his years. Dunbar’s passion is karting. He loves travel, music and casually cool clothes, but getting out on the track is what life is really about. Well, that and getting good school grades. Dunbar Motor Sports is his industry handle. “It’s my identity,” he says. But he doesn’t build, customize or sell racing cars. “I just drive them as part of the team at Gerald Caseley Karting of Moncton.” A LEADER AND WINNER And drive he does, as headlines like “Team Dunbar runs clean to TCM Icebreaker Endurance Race win” confirm. “My friends and I were racing at other tracks
and winning, so Gerald set up a club to take us to races in Montreal and as far as Mosport Kartways in Bowmanville, near Oshawa, Ontario. He is one of the best mechanics and most knowledgeable short-racing team owners in Canada. He gives us the knowledge we need to get on the track and do what we do.” With headlines including “Gerald Caseley Racing brings the East Coast to Nationals” and “Gerald Caseley Racing rolls into Quebec with a squad of 13 racers,” it appears Dunbar and his racing pals have made a newsworthy connection. Though his young age would suggest red flags go up on the prospect of Dunbar whipping around a track at ridiculously high speeds — one team driver is only eight years of age — have no fear; kart racing at this level happens with low-horsepower vehicles resembling hot-rodded go karts zipping about at perky, though non-lethal, speeds. “There is virtually no danger of being injured,” Dunbar says. “At times, we are literally on someone’s bumper, pushing them down the track. But you want to be a clean competitor and not create enemies, so you don’t push them off it. Friends help you get places, so you want to be a smart, ethical driver. Besides, the people involved are amazing, as are the audiences.” Home for Dunbar is Northampton, N.B.,
which he describes as “a few houses along the road” across the river from Woodstock, an hourplus drive upriver from Fredericton. When he can, he helps out at the Picaroons Roundhouse. “I just make the outside of the place look as nice as I can.” A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY In September, he will be back to school. “I’m entering high school. I’d like to become a lawyer or an aeronautical engineer,” he says. But for now, there is the Picaroons Roundhouse. And, at some point, his responsibilities there will involve much more than cutting grass. “I’ve grown up here in the brewery. I know what’s going on. I can explain how to make beer.” He also has a love for music. “I love Led Zeppelin. I really like the ’60s-’70s vibe … Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream … Last year, I tried drumming for the first time, so I’m going to try to get into the junior jazz band at the high school.” Travel is another passion of his. “My family and I get to Nova Scotia as often as we can. Every now and then, we go to Scotland … Edinburgh and Glasgow. Also, the Isle of Arran, a nice little island. I try to learn all I can about places I visit — the history, current affairs … anything.” ROBERT SIMMONDS / 27
CALUM DUNBAR
“Friends help you get places, so you want to be a smart, ethical driver. Besides, the people involved are amazing, as are the audiences.” – Calum Dunbar
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PLACES, PEOPLE, SOLUTIONS If he had $10,000 and a week to spend anywhere, where would he go? “The south of France … Marseille. I’d be wearing white boat shoes, bright shorts and a light-coloured polo shirt because if it was dark, it would be too warm. And I’d have matte black sunglasses with black lenses because if you’re wearing bright shorts and white boat shoes, you’ve got to tone it down a bit.” Dunbar’s introduction to style was thanks to his father. “We’ve been going to Robert Simmonds for a long time. My father is the principal buyer, but that’s slowly changing over to me. I don’t buy fancy suits; I buy casual stuff. I love rock ’n’ roll fashion, but don’t have the body or the personality to pull it off. My ultimate ambition is to someday dress like The Clash. They were pretty smart. I like John Varvatos. I like Armani, some of which is crazy, but some is casual and not many people know what it is, so I can wear one of their shirts to school. And because nobody knows it’s expensive, they’re not going to ruin it. If I was in a shirt that is obviously expensive, they’d be mad or jealous or purposely try to tease me or get it dirty.” 28 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
“I remind them that they have a lot of nicer things than I do. I spend a lot on racing. Do the math and common sense would tell you that we’re in about the same place, right? And a lot of them play hockey, which can be just as expensive as karting. I could do a lot more if I wasn’t karting, but at this point there’s no going back. I couldn’t give it up.” With the Picaroons Roundhouse now readying to open its doors for the day, who would Dunbar invite to lunch? “Three-time Formula 1 champion Jackie Stewart,” he responds instantly. “He raced when the sport was at its most dangerous and helped make it safer. He drove hard, had no fear … and he’s Scottish. Paul McCartney. He grew up in the difficult post-war period, then got famous with The Beatles. What was that like? And what keeps him going? Also, George Lucas. I love Star Wars.” He may be young and quiet, but Dunbar’s leadership qualities and inherent sensibilities point toward a great future. Indeed, he’s handling the present extremely well. How does he manage to negotiate life? “Whatever the concern, there’s always a solution. It might take a while to find it, but everything has its solution.”
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Clothing: Smythe blouse, Judith & Charles light weight wool pant
PROFILE CAROL TRACEY
A WORTHY CAUSE Former investment professional finds meaning in raising funds, awareness for Portage Atlantic youth rehab centre By Sara Ericsson | Photography: Bang-On Photography
arol Tracey became involved with the Portage Atlantic residential rehabilitation treatment centre by pure coincidence. But it’s no coincidence that she’s chosen to stay as she says that the organization has changed her forever. Tracey began working with Portage in 2005 on a capital campaign called “Making Miracles Happen.” She had a background in investments and it seemed like working for a non-profit would be a different experience. But what quickly became evident was that she would be persuaded to stay 30 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
working with Portage after seeing its impact on the teens who successfully graduated from its substance abuse treatment programs and the hard work it took to get them there. She is now Portage Atlantic’s director of corporate development and works every day to bring this message to Atlantic Canadians in creating awareness and fundraising opportunities for the centre. “You hear of success stories and meet the youth — it’s a very fulfilling experience and very different from the typical investment world. After
a few years … I knew this was where I wanted to be for a long time,” she says. A TOUCHING CAUSE Tracey had lived in Fredericton in the mid1980s and returned with her husband in 2005 after his military career took them across Canada. While she was away, Tracey, a licensed Investment Advisor Assistant worked with companies across Canada including Dominion Securities, Merill Lynch and Wood Gundy. And
when she was told of the opportunity to sign on for a one-year contract with Portage, she saw it as an opportunity to work on raising capital for a worthy organization — something that soon grew even more meaningful as she began hearing of the centre’s success stories. “For me, [working for Portage] opened my eyes to the fact that addiction can reach anyone,” says Tracey. “I’m grateful personally because it helped me and my husband navigate discussions we’ve had with our kids.” She works closely with the organization’s Atlantic board of directors at its corporate centre in Fredericton and continues to visit the centre’s 165-acre property on the shores of Cassidy Lake, where the youth going through the rehabilitative addictions programs live during their residential phase. Her role involves creating awareness and organizing annual and capital fundraisers — donations which financed the centre’s transformation to a new campus facility in 2010, the 3.7-kilometre Recovery Trail in 2014 and its Lewis Fitness Centre which opened in 2016. “We’ve been able to accomplish some great things at the centre, and it’s thanks to the generous support of our donors. We’re so thankful for that,” says Tracey. PEER-TO-PEER APPROACH Tracey’s work on raising awareness and funds continues to be crucial for the organization’s success as demand for its services continues to be of great importance for youth who are facing addiction. Around 150 youths are admitted at Portage Atlantic each year and the programs have helped some 3,000 individuals since its doors opened in 1996. Among those was Gage Deschambeault, 20, whose substance abuse started in grade eight and culminated with him using pills, cocaine and other hard drugs every day in high school. After he was hospitalized at the age of 18, he enrolled in Portage’s program, but says he didn’t commit to the process during his first six month term at the centre. He relapsed within six days of leaving and returned to Portage to this time become fully immersed in the recovery process. He says the program’s approach to therapy — what Tracey says is a therapeutic community or peer-to-peer approach — is what enabled him to find success. Tracey says this approach better fosters healing and recovery as the residents themselves welcome new youths to the centre and lead their community, all under the supervision of staff — many of whom are also Portage program graduates. And Deschambeault says the community he led as part of this approach taught him leadership and gave him confidence — two things he thought he’d lost to substance abuse.
“The reward system I thought I’d messed up by doing drugs — you realized there’s more to life than doing drugs and that these types of things can make you happy,” he says. PORTAGE ACADEMY The Portage Academy is a bilingual education program, which is recognized by New Brunswick’s Department of Education as an alternative school. Since residents are in treatment for an average of six months, Tracey says this component is indeed a crucial one and sees many residents earn high school credits, get their GED (General Education Diploma) and some graduate and pursue post-secondary programs. Tracey says financial support from donors she connects with during fundraising campaigns has financed the Portage Bursaries Program which awards up to $4,000 per youth. “These awards show we believe in the residents, that we’re proud of them, that we know they can go on and be successful,” says Tracey, whose fundraising efforts also helps, in part, the aftercare component of the program. Part of the services Portage offers is supporting families through their child’s recovery and supporting youths who’ve returned home through the aftercare program, which lasts up to two years. Deschambeault’s mother, Jennifer, says such programs helped her family navigate their son’s substance abuse recovery journey, which she says left them feeling naïve and helpless. She and Deschambeault have started speaking at events to raise awareness on Portage, what it does and how it helps residents and their families find a way forward. “Portage is so important in our community, and this centre I had never heard about is now so important in our lives. It’s saved our son, and it’s saved our family,” she says. Spreading the Word It’s these personal testimonials Tracey carries with her on fundraising campaigns when showing potential supporters why Portage is a cause worthy of their support. She also tells them there is more than one way to support the
organization and that helping can take shape in many ways beyond financial support. Tracey says business owners have a unique opportunity in hiring a Portage graduate — an opportunity Tracey says could mean the world to them. “These youth have worked very hard during their residential phase, so it’s important to have a seamless continuum of care as they transition back to their community,” says Tracey. “They are the future of our communities and are looking for all the support they can get to encourage them in their respective futures and employment. It’s a positive reinforcement that they belong.” Tracey says Portage Atlantic’s annual recognition ceremony is an emotional event, as graduates share their stories and sobriety milestones are acknowledged. She says the messages shared during this celebration clearly illustrate how helping one person changes not only their life, but the lives of their family, friends and surrounding community. And that is something she is happy working toward securing more support for. “We’re not only helping the person with substance abuse, we’re helping their family and the trickle-down effect — it helps the community too,” she says. ROBERT SIMMONDS / 31
SEAN MYLES
SPINNING GOLD FROM APPLES Fredericton native brewing Annapolis Cider Company business in apple-rich Annapolis Valley By Sara Ericsson | Photography: Contributed
ou can taste authenticity in the Annapolis Valley, where Sean Myles has struck gold with one of the region’s most famous crops. The Dalhousie University associate professor has combined his apple breeding research with his partner Gina Haverstock’s winemaking in co-founding the Annapolis Cider Company, where they’ve captured the Annapolis Valley feel and flavour in a bottle of cider. The region is the envy of many — a place where real life consists of residents plowing fields and crafting food that others yearn so desperately for. Authenticity is right at the fingertips here and has been for generations. Myles sources apples from local farmers to craft ultra-premium ciders that allow customers to taste that authenticity themselves. “When people come in to our cidery, we want them to create a memory and have something special happen. And people come to the
Annapolis Valley well-primed for a memory to happen, because this is a place like nowhere else in the world,” says Myles. PUTTING TWO AND TWO TOGETHER The cidery is a perfect blend of Myles’ and Haverstock’s respective skills and backgrounds — Myles researches apple breeding at the Kentville Research and Development Centre and Haverstock is the winemaker at Gaspereau Vineyards. Myles is a Fredericton native and moved with Haverstock to the Annapolis Valley when she began her winemaking career there 12 years ago. As Haverstock has become a fixture in the region’s wine scene, Myles’ own research has grown to include managing an orchard of more than 1,000 apple varieties. When they began seeking a way to become a part of the local food movement in the Maritimes, Myles says they considered their unique blend of apple knowledge and fermentation
skills and it became obvious what to do — they should start fermenting. “When you combine my knowledge of apples with Gina’s fermentation skills, it made perfect sense what we should be doing,” laughs Myles. “Combined with the growth of Nova Scotia wine and the explosion of the craft beer movement, we became increasingly confident that our idea for opening a cidery could really work.” BECOMING A GO-TO SPOT But despite what may seem like the perfect recipe on paper, Myles says it was still scary to open the business. What proved even more essential than his apple knowledge were his data analysis skills — learned from years of research data and lab management — which provided him with the administrative skills necessary to operate a business. This combined with Haverstock’s experience in a similar industry meant early common ROBERT SIMMONDS / 33
SEAN MYLES
mistakes were entirely avoided. But Myles says they didn’t feel absolutely sure until their first taste from the tap itself in April 2016 that it would all really work. “When we first tasted it … there was no doubt in our minds people would really like our cider,” says Myles. And he was proven right as the business opened its doors and people came in droves to sample the cider for themselves and return for seconds. Myles says seeing people bring visiting friends and family to the cidery was a marker that showed the business fit well in Wolfville. “When someone visits Wolfville, one of the main things locals do now is say, ‘let’s go to our cidery.’ Not ‘the’ cidery, but ‘our’,” he says. “We’re noticing how much our community has taken ownership of our business and we love it.”
34 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
“This is run by two of the brightest and most innovative people I know … who’ve reinvigorated an old industry, brought it new life and brought a new way of experiencing craft beverages.” – Jeff Cantwell, Mayor of Wolfville, N.S.
EXPORTING A PREMIUM PRODUCT Myles says what makes their ciders stand out from the competition is their wine-like style — they are fermented for far longer and at cooler temperatures than industrial ciders and are packaged in wine-like bottles that hint at consuming them like wine, not beer. This process is not a cheap one, but one Myles says will always remain a cornerstone of the business, along with their commitment to value-added agriculture as the produce they source directly from farmers gets turned into ultra-premium cider. “We put far more effort in per litre than most do, which is reflected in our price and packaging,” says Myles. The ultra-premium approach is not confined to the product itself. Myles says they apply this approach across their entire business to ensure customers, employees and suppliers feel part of something special — something Myles feels is at the heart of how he always wanted to run his small business. “It makes our overhead higher than other businesses because we spend money on ensuring when anyone comes into our space, they have a remarkable experience,” he says. “We have a vision of being Canada’s leading ultra-premium cider brand and that means every person who deals with us must walk away with the feeling that we are doing something amazing.” And while apples have been exported from the region for more than a century, Myles says his next goal is to export cider so everyone can have a bottle of the Annapolis Valley on their table. And he says with less than three per cent of alcohol sales in Canada occurring in Nova Scotia and a resulting 97 per cent of the market
outside the province, it’s something that could be worth capitalizing on. But exporting cider remains an aspiration and not a main priority at the company, which will instead continue ensuring things run smoothly at home in Wolfville. “Growth for us … needs to be a by-product of our vision to maintain our status as an ultra-premium brand and keep our team and customers happy,” says Myles. THE MARITIME ADVANTAGE Wolfville mayor Jeff Cantwell is a self-admitted super fan of Myles’ Annapolis Cider Company, where he says a lighter and brighter version of what he used to know as apple cider has been crafted. Cantwell also says Myles and Haverstock have built a must-visit destination that’s brought many to the Wolfville downtown. “This is run by two of the brightest and most innovative people I know … who’ve reinvigorated an old industry, brought it new life and brought a new way of experiencing craft beverages,” says Cantwell. And Myles says a main contributor to his and Haverstock’s success is what he calls a Maritime openness and desire to help that they witnessed in other beverage businesses that jumped at the chance to help them succeed. Myles calls this the single greatest advantage to doing business in the Maritime region. “When we approached people for advice, they went out of their way to help us succeed. And when you come into a community of people
like that, it motivates you a lot and gives you a tremendous sense of responsibility to do the same for others,” says Myles, who says 50 cents from each purchase of their rotating “Something Different” batch goes directly to local charities. The Annapolis Cider Company has donated more than $25,000 to date to charities in their efforts to literally pay it forward and help local groups like they themselves received help. “Local people involved in helping setting up small business — this is how you build an economy,” says Myles. “If somebody opens a small business in downtown Wolfville focusing on value-added agriculture, we want to be the first in line to help.”
“We have a vision of being Canada’s leading ultra-premium cider brand and that means every person who deals with us must walk away with the feeling that we are doing something amazing.” – Sean Myles, Annapolis Cider
ROBERT SIMMONDS / 35
BRAD HENDERSON
KINGSBRAE GARDEN Altruism in St. Andrews
By Wayne Blanchard | Photography: Andre Gallant
nspired by one woman’s desire to improve her hometown, Kingsbrae Garden has become a tourist destination in its own right. Tucked along the rugged coastline of south western New Brunswick, St. Andrews, an hour’s drive from Saint John or 90 minutes from Fredericton, is the sort of picturesque town that gives calendars and provincial guide books a good name. Jutting out into Passamaquoddy Bay, where the Bay of Fundy meets the Atlantic Ocean, this tiny town of about 1,800 residents mightn’t be as big or high profile as some so-called “exotic” destinations, but what it lacks in size and hyperbolic marketing it packs in allure, with its harbour front lined with independent shops, dining delights and launch points for whale watching. Indeed, for a soul-saving, sanityresurrecting day, week or month away from the 36 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
madness of the 21st century, in St. Andrews you can step back into a space and time more reminiscent of a century or two ago, albeit complete with Wi-Fi. THE GREAT GO-TO But St. Andrews-by-the-Sea isn’t just about its shop-lined Water Street or iconic Algonquin Hotel; there is another great go-to about which you might not know. It is Kingsbrae Garden. Make your way from Water Street up to the top of King Street and — wow — there it is. Nestled atop the hillside overlooking the town — brae is Scottish for hill — this 27 acre nirvana in New Brunswick has quietly become a magnetic attraction for locals and visitors alike. “I’ve been at Kingsbrae since February 2015,” notes Brad Henderson, who despite his director of operations title, is quick to confirm that he
BRAD HENDERSON
essentially functions as sales and marketing manager with a remit that expands into just about anything else that needs managing. Like helping deal with an agitated moose whose break-and-enter intrusion into Kingsbrae necessitated a tranquilized removal by those better equipped to handle the situation. “It was a long day,” he sighs. “The moose was removed at 3:30 … then we had a wedding at 4.” Prior to Kingsbrae, Henderson, who is originally from St. Andrews and holds a business degree from the University of New Brunswick, was a sales operations manager with Labatt Brewery and Halifax was where he lived. “But with Labatt’s I knew I’d be moving my family every two or three years, so I left my job and we moved to this wonderful town. I loved growing up here and wanted my two young boys to enjoy the same experience.” While happy to extoll the virtues of St. Andrews — “visitors are shocked and surprised that there is so much to do here” — Henderson is keen to speak about the real driving force behind Kingsbrae Garden. ABOVE AND BEYOND “Mrs. Lucinda Flemer really has gone above and beyond in terms of making Kingsbrae what it is today. She started the garden with her late husband, John Flemer, for three reasons. First, to preserve it so it would never be up for development. Second, to create an attraction that would further enhance St. Andrews as a go-to destination. And third — the real reason — to help others by starting a training facility where they could develop skills in horticulture, so they could get employment, particularly in rural New Brunswick. There wasn’t much in terms of government resources to assist her, so she turned the grounds into this beautiful garden destination. In doing so she also created employment. We have over 16staff. People who started here in 1998 are still here. In fact, the kids of some are now working alongside their parents; the next generation is getting involved. So, this business was started to help people, it wasn’t to focus on revenue and profit.” 38 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
Others also benefit from Mrs. Flemer’s altruism. “She is keen to do more in supporting the troops of our Canadian Armed Forces,” notes Henderson. “So any visitor who serves or has served with the forces gets free admission to Kingsbrae Garden. And through Wounded Warrior Canada we are involved with a program called Couples Overcoming PTSD Every Day, where specially trained therapists come in to assist. We’re looking to offer that on a regular basis through the Order of Canada, because with a seven year wait-list and no service here in New Brunswick, Mrs. Flemer made it her personal obligation to try to help.” Artists of various disciplines also benefit via the new Kingsbrae International Residency for the Arts (KIRA) initiative, which sees them accommodated in a large, majestic period home and provided with a peaceful space within which to explore their muse. “Over June, July and August 18 artists have a one-month stay. As part of their residence they are encouraged to engage with our local community, to share their experience as well as take some of the spirit of St. Andrews home with them.” An outdoor amphitheatre is also popular. “St. Andrews has a population of 1,800,” notes Henderson. “And the amphitheatre’s capacity is 2,000. The whole community can sit for a town meeting,” he says with a chuckle. “And our summer concerts are very popular — entry is typically by donation — with our 2019 programme including Jimmy Rankin, the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra and David Myles.”
THE REAL ATTRACTION But the garden is the real attraction. “Kingsbrae Garden is fantastic for the entire season,” continues Henderson. “Come in the spring or come in the fall, it looks completely different every time you go through it. And we have art sprinkled throughout. There are also things for families such as playhouses and animals including alpacas, ducks, rabbits, peacocks and pigmy goats. I know that every time I walk through, I’ll notice something I’ve not seen before. And that constant change is why we have so many season members. There are also two fantastic restaurants. Kingsbrae Garden Café is lighter fare with pasta, soups, salads and sandwiches. And we have a fine dining restaurant, Savour, which features fresh local ingredients so the menu is constantly changing. It could be something fresh off the wharf or something harvested from a local farm. About 98 per cent of what we serve in Savour is from New
Brunswick, so it really is an authentic experience.” Kingsbrae Garden is indeed a magical place. Like some soulsatisfying sanctuary its tranquility and beauty make this a captivating destination for those who love nature and the sheer beauty of life. “Yes, this truly is a wonderful place,” agrees Henderson with a nod. “And thanks to her generosity, Lucida Flemer makes it all possible. She is always doing something to make St. Andrews a better place. She truly believes that what doing better for Kingsbrae is good for St. Andrews and what she does better for St. Andrews is good for Kingsbrae. She’s a remarkable woman. This project is her vision and her legacy. I’m very fortunate to work for her and at such an exciting attraction. As much as I appreciate you speaking with me, Lucinda Flemer, who walks the garden every morning with her poodle Jasper, is the real story here. What she has done is really remarkable.”
ROBERT SIMMONDS / 39
LIAM VEALE
GO FOR IT
Quispamsis youth and Canada’s Smartest Person Junior grad says taking a risk is always worth it By Sara Ericsson | Photography: Contributed
I
t was while watching a National Hockey League playoff game that Liam Veale decided to take a risk and try out to become the smartest young person in Canada. The 12-year-old was watching the Washington Capitals game at home in Quispamsis, N.B. with his dad, Dave Veale, when a commercial for the CBC program Canada’s Smartest Person Junior appeared on TV. Something about the show struck a chord within him and he found himself grabbing his tablet and typing out an application for the show — almost as if he was watching it play out on TV in front of him. Liam soon found out he’d been invited to complete an intelligence test for the show and then a few months later, he found out he’d been selected to compete on the show itself over the 2018 summer.
40 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
“I was over the moon and couldn’t believe it — I don’t know how to explain how that felt,” says Liam. TAKING CHARGE Being on the show gave Liam a feeling he equates with numbness. “My mind was blown the entire time and I was feeling tingly all over, like I couldn’t feel my own body,” he says. But Liam learned to take that feeling in stride and stayed focused through long hours on set as he and the 11 other contestants competed in brain game type challenges testing their physical, musical, social, linguistic, logical and visual abilities. He was one of only three contestants from the Maritimes — he says six others were from Ontario alone — and says it made him feel even
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LIAM VEALE
more motivated to do well and represent the region. “I knew I had to give it my all and my main goal was to not finish in last. I wanted to do whatever I could to not be the first person eliminated from the show,” he says. This take-charge attitude was one Dave was pleasantly surprised to see and says was something Liam demonstrated during the auditioning process and on the show itself, when he accomplished everything with little to no help from his parents. “The whole way along, he did it all on his own. And I’m thinking back to this little boy who wouldn’t get onto the school bus and I just couldn’t believe my eyes,” says Dave, recalling when Liam started kindergarten. He says Liam started the show off a little more introverted and shell-shocked than the other contestants, but that as soon as the pressure was on and it was game time, everything changed. “He’s got this characteristic where he responds to pressure really well. When we were watching, he just kept on going and got to the point where we really thought he might win the whole thing,” says Dave. “By the third episode he was kind of the kid to beat.” STAYING FOCUSED Liam says the difficulty level of the show’s challenges varied, some he considered very easy and others nearly impossible. He remembers one of the first challenges when the contestants had just seconds to study and memorize every detail of a tiered wedding cake and were then tasked with replicating it. The challenge that ended up being his last on the show was another memory challenge where contestants had to memorize incredibly fine details of models’ outfits and objects they were carrying.
42 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
Liam says his skills in logic and kinesthesia meant he excelled at most challenges and that even though this one proved beyond his grasp, he still stayed focused and gave it his all. “With the cameras on you, with the pressure you’re feeling, it’s hard to keep your cool and to remain calm. But [during] the action I was just in the zone and couldn’t hear anything outside of that,” he says. Liam ended up placing fourth on the show Subtitle and garnered a national social media following along the way. He also captured a more local By Author Name audience in Quispamsis, with his school Harry Miller Middle School following his progress. The Dairy Queen in Quispamsis also featured him on their sign — something that’s considered a big honour in the community. “Liam said to me, ‘Dad, you know you’ve really made it not just when you get interviewed by the media, but when your name’s on the Dairy Queen sign’,” laughs Dave.
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WHAT’S NEXT Liam says the experience and learning how to take pressure in stride from both the show’s challenges and the spotlight it put him in matured him — something Dave says he’s also noticed in his son. “Liam won and lost gracefully and he’s now been exposed to a bigger world. I think he’s in a really good place and recognizes that if he puts his mind to it, he can accomplish what he sets his sights on,” he says. The show has also had a positive impact on other members of the Veale family — Dave says his nine-year-old daughter, Brynne, felt inspired by her brother’s achievements and took a chance in trying out for a local play. Liam says the show has changed him in more ways than his maturity. It’s evolved his understanding of what intelligence looks like, whether in academics, music, sport or otherwise and that straight A’s on a report card aren’t the only way to measure it. He says it’s also given him lifelong friends in his fellow contestants, with whom he still keeps in touch despite the separation of time zones. And ultimately, he says his biggest takeaway from the experience is to always take a chance, because it’s almost always worth the risk — especially when there is nothing to lose and everything to gain. “You never know what could happen and you might just get where you’re aiming for,” says Liam. Liam plans to stay involved with CBC and even has an upcoming appearance on a segment of CBC Kids News to be aired late summer. He says those who watched his progress on the show should stay tuned for what’s next. “I keep using this quote, ‘You haven’t seen the last of Liam Veale’,” he says.
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BLAIR AND ROSALYN HYSLOP
BAKING BLISS
Mrs. Dunster’s owners on finding early success, balancing business and marriage and why giving back matters most By Sara Ericsson | Photography: Rod Stears Photography
couple that first met in a high school entrepreneurship program now run a thriving baking business together three decades later. Blair and Rosalyn Hyslop are Co-Owners and Co-CEOs of Mrs. Dunster’s, which supplies its famous old-fashioned doughnuts and a slew of other baked-good items to every single grocery store/chain in the Maritimes — around 600 individual stores. They bought the company in 2014 and expected to grow it at around three per cent per year. But its growth has shocked them as the company has grown by an average of 30 per cent each year since 2014. And last year, it doubled in size. “We never imagined we would be here. When we bought 44 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
the business, the banks thought growing by even three per cent per year was unrealistic. But now five years later, we are three times bigger than we were then and we still see lots of potential for this business to continue to grow,” says Blair. BUYING THE BUSINESS Rosalyn and Blair first met in Halifax three decades ago in a high school class called Junior Achievement teaching future entrepreneurial skills to youth. On their first date, they talked and dreamed about owning a business. The couple eventually married and had children and put off that dream until 2014 when Mrs. Dunster’s was for sale. Blair had experience working in a bakery
early in his career and was reminded of it when considering Mrs. Dunster’s. He thought it might be a good fit and as it turns out, he was right — eight weeks after first seeing it, they owned the business. They are now based out of Sussex, N.B., with bakeries in Moncton and Borden, P.E.I. that start each day with zero inventory and fill shelves as fresh goods exit ovens. The products are then delivered from each location to surrounding grocery stores, which is a system Blair says felt immediately familiar and makes their business unique. “We found an opportunity to combine our skills with this platform to take advantage of our business capabilities to build something great,” says Blair.
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BLAIR AND ROSALYN HYSLOP
EXPANSION AND POTENTIAL FOR MORE Blair and Rosalyn agree that describing a typical day is near-impossible because each is different and there is just that much on the go. Rosalyn jokes that she carries her office in a backpack to keep up with the varying places she travels to and tasks she carries out. There are now six Mrs. Dunster’s stores and bakeries and Blair and Rosalyn agree that this medium size business is their best asset, as it is how they can out manoeuvre their competition. “We’re able to service the same customers but with more flexibility, creativity and responsiveness,” says Blair. The company sells around 400 different products, including the doughnuts it is famous for and newer products like its garlic cheese bun and jumbo English muffins. The doughnuts are still made using the traditional Dunster family recipe. It’s this loyalty to tradition that Rosalyn says enables them to also try new things. The company recently expanded into Costco stores in Ontario and Quebec and will now shift gears and establish a solid base upon which they can continue building. “We don’t lay awake at night wondering how to grow. Our focus now is making the business healthy, profitable and growing it responsibly,” says Blair. MARRIED TO THE JOB But owning your own business is no piece of cake, even if baked goods are the name of your game. 46 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
“We both enjoy what we’re doing, so getting to do it together is a bonus.” – Rosalyn Hyslop Blair and Rosalyn work seven days per week to ensure they are on hand as their bakeries operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week. “It means working sometimes nights and sometimes mornings. And it certainly takes a lot of energy and effort. But it’s something we’re passionate about and enjoy doing, so it makes it easier,” says Blair. The couple has met other “couple-preneurs” — their nickname for likeminded life partners who’ve ventured into business together — with whom they share common challenges, like learning to leave work at work and focus on the personal life at home. It’s something that’s easy to say but hard to do when what you have most in common is work, but the couple doesn’t mind because working well together comes naturally for them. “It’s hard but also very rewarding because we get along and work well together. We both enjoy what we’re doing, so getting to do it together is a bonus,” says Rosalyn.
GIVING BACK A big part of the Hyslop’s business philosophy is a responsibility to give back. Rosalyn calls the process “using one’s superpowers for good,” and says the couple works to also be social entrepreneurs to do right by the community. They’ve started a charity called the Good Fit Book, which pairs young students with mentors who help them choose a book that piques their interest. The pair also co-founded the Million Dollar Pledge with which companies pledge $10,000 per year for 10 years toward relieving child poverty and illiteracy. The charity has 12 companies participating, who will together raise a total $1.2 million. “We’ve realized the impact we could have by getting engaged rather than just writing a cheque. You can have so much more of an impact that way,” says Bair. Rosalyn says it’s also been important for the company to be open about its charitable and professional successes, to show that true success is achievable in New Brunswick. “We’ve really made a point to talk about our success because we really want young people in Atlantic Canada that they can stay home and be successful,” she says. And Blair says while it may feel like it goes against what the company stands for, talking about its wins is an important part of it all, too. “Being humble is not always good — you have to talk about it. We have a responsibility as community people to celebrate its successes and wins and show we can be successful here,” he says.
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YAN SIMARD
Clothing: Hugo Boss navy sportjacket. Hugo Boss navy blue Merino turtle neck sweater, Brax travel pant
A LOCAL SPARK IN GLOBAL INDUSTRY How New Brunswick’s leading mixed reality company found that spark By Josh Healey | Photography: Bang-on Photography
icrosoft. The Atlantic Canada Aero-space and Defence Association. NATO. These are just some of the organizations that have recognized New Brunswick’s Kognitiv Spark, a company competing in the fast-paced field of mixed reality. It’s a field that’s on the cusp and, with any luck, CEO Yan Simard expects his company to 48 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
be a global player in an industry with huge implications. “I would say the field is getting busier and it’s growing fast,” he said. “However, we’re seen as being very unique and Microsoft believes were among the most technically sophisticated teams.” Founded in 2016, Kognitiv Spark’s resume reads like something more situated to California
than Fredericton, the company’s home base. But given the nature of mixed reality — the merging of virtual and real world environments through technology like Microsoft’s HoloLens — the company can be situated anywhere and compete globally. The company currently employs around 20 people in New Brunswick. Simard noted the company’s founders, Ryan
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ROBERT SIMMONDS / 49
YAN SIMARD “Field workers haven’t been touched by IT the same way as a desk worker because of the nature of the work, they need to get their hands greasy and all those things. We feel mixed reality is the right medium to allow digital transformation to impact these workers.” – YAN SIMARD
Groom and Duncan McSporran, entered the field with an open mind and spent much of the early days exploring the needs of potential clients. They quickly realised that industrial workers across the aerospace, defence and energy sectors had issues with getting up to date knowledge and training. Enter RemoteSpark, a mixed reality application designed for devices like the HoloLens. “We’re trying to enable (industrial workers) to excel by completing tasks faster and right the first time, every time,” explained Simard. For example, if a complex piece of machinery were to break down, a worker can put on the HoloLens, which looks like a pair of plastic, wrap around goggles, to seek help. By activating the RemoteSpark application, the worker’s field of view is broadcasted to their supervisor or an expert remotely; images, documents and more can be added to the stream and are displayed as a hologram through the goggles. This way, said Simard, workers in the field are able to get the most relevant information and training on the job versus having to wait for additional help. “What we’re doing is a light augmentation on top of what you’re seeing,” he said, adding that Kognitiv Spark is the only mixed reality company in Canada doing fully interactive calls. In many ways, mixed reality has the capability to transform industrial fields in a way not previously possible. “Field workers haven’t been touched by IT the same way as a desk worker because of the nature of the work, they need to get their hands greasy and all those things,” said Simard. “We feel mixed reality is the right medium to allow digital transformation to impact these workers.” The first commercial grade version of RemoteSpark was launched in 2018, ushering in contracts and growth for the burgeoning company. Most of Kognitiv Spark’s clients are Fortune 50 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
500 companies based in North America but Simard said they are looking to expand globally. For example, the company recently opened an office in Manchester, U.K. and hopes to open another in Houston, Texas. Simard explained that clients using RemoteSpark are looking to cut down on expert travel and solve problems more quickly and efficiently. But in a fast-paced field like mixed reality, the parameters can change in an instant. “I think that globally, Microsoft is releasing a new device which has way better performance and comes in at a cheaper price point. All of these factors should contribute to a strong growth rate over the following months,” said Simard. Given the developing nature of mixed reality, he added the company looks to hire people with potential — the rest can be learned on the job. The company has hired several University of
New Brunswick grads. “I’d rather hire one person who is a rockstar at what they do then hire five people who are more average,” said Simard. And as an IT professional, entrepreneur and investor, Simard knows what it takes to excel in a competitive field: it takes a spark. He said he and the founders are pleased with the company’s path so far but expect more of the same. “We have to grow fast or other companies will pass us,” he said. In 2019, Kognitiv Spark was recognized as a finalist for Microsoft’s Mixed Reality Partner of the Year and was listed as one of the top 75 Canadian defence companies by the Canadian Defence Review. The company had also previously won NATO’s Defence Innovation Challenge, Microsoft’s Impact Award and more.
ROBERT SIMMONDS / 51
MARION MCCAIN ATLANTIC ART EXHIBIT
MEET BILLIE Marion McCain’s legacy and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery By Josh Healey | Photography: Contributed
Deanna Musgrave (New Brunswick), A Conversation with Emma Kunz, 2019, Acrylic on canvas, 47” tondo, Collection of the artist
t is fitting that the journal, which covers Atlantic Canadian artists and culture, is called Billie. Marion McCain was a giant in the regional arts community, a patron of galleries and supporter of societies, the daughter of a New Brunswick premier. And she was known, affectionately, as Billie. The journal, which is made possible through the Harrison McCain Foundation and the McCain Foundation, isn’t afraid to honour her impact on the regional arts community. And it’s just one of several institutions to showcase McCain’s contributions. For example, McCain’s first art exhibition — a collection of works by New Brunswick artists — premiered in 1987 and has evolved to include pieces from across Atlantic Canada. McCain died in 1994 but the exhibition, now 52 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
called the Marion McCain Atlantic Art Exhibit, continues on at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton. Tom Smart, the gallery’s director and CEO, said he had the privilege to work alongside McCain but also to curate the exhibit bearing her name. “I’m really proud that the gallery has this association with the McCain family so that we can continue to do this and honour the legacy that Mrs. McCain set for us,” explained Smart. “It’s an honour to work with her memory and work with the family.” But the exhibit, like the gallery, has transformed over the years. Smart said that earlier renditions of the exhibit were juried, meaning that a team of professional artists, curators and directors would sift through submissions.
The exhibit transformed into a curated display in the 1990s. However, Smart has since added his own twist. “When I did the exhibition this time, I wanted to combine the two (styles),” he said. He estimated the exhibit received over 100 submissions from across Atlantic Canada before he cut that number in half; Smart then included a number of artists’ work he thought would round out the submissions to create a cohesive narrative. The result includes work from all four Atlantic provinces, including pieces by First Nations artists. And like many before him, Smart said was inspired by McCain’s artistic style. “I wanted to put her aesthetic and sensibility right into this exhibition,” he said, adding he was intrigued by her use of materials to create functional objects.
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MARION MCCAIN ATLANTIC ART EXHIBIT
Luc Charette (New Brunswick), Abstraction 04:112017, 2017, acrylic on canvas , 360 x 240 cm, collection of the artist
“I wanted to put her aesthetic and sensibility right into this exhibition.” – TOM SMART
54 / ROBERT SIMMONDS
Smart said the thought people entering the gallery would be struck by the eclectic nature of the collection and that he enjoyed the challenge of creating a narrative from the individual works. For example, one of the first pieces on display was created by artist Ann Manuel and combines the hard metal of a ladder with natural materials. Other works range from paintings to headdresses, creating a broad spectrum of textures, shapes and colours. Smart said the vast range of pieces is what originally attracted him to Atlantic Canada after graduate school at the University of Toronto. He first came to work at the gallery in 1989 and, after some time away, returned to the gallery two years ago. “I was enormously taken with the deep level of accomplishment and dynamism in the community,” he said. “It’s a very rich environment for art and artistic creation.” In fact, Smart noted, his life and the gallery have come full circle. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery, which is New Brunswick’s provincial art gallery, is celebrating 60 years since its opening. He has also returned to the gallery he loves and has curated a collection in honour of someone he admired. Simply put, Smart has been thinking a lot about legacies. And there’s no doubt, when it comes to the
New Brunswick art community, that the gallery and McCain’s legacy are inevitably intertwined. From the exhibition to the journal bearing her name — of which Smart works as publisher — McCain’s contributions continue to be honoured today. Smart added it’s been a pleasure to guide an institution which meant so much to McCain. “She was very much involved in the gallery as a patron,” he said. And that involvement hasn’t been lost, as various McCain foundations continue to support the regional arts community. In a foreword for the journal bearing her mother’s name, Ann McCain Evans highlighted the importance of recognizing Atlantic Canadian artists. Evans wrote that her family hoped to build off her mother’s accomplishments and to shine a light on the region’s creativity. “We realize the challenges of taking on a project of this magnitude but we do so knowing that we are continuing the work Marion McCain began almost thirty years ago,” she wrote. It’s a legacy that spans four provinces, the work of a woman who championed art and creativity and local stories. But you probably know this giant, simply, as Billie.
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