Fredericton City Council has expressed its support for the Beaverbrook Art Gallery’s request to establish a sculpture garden along The Green next to the Gallery’s new pavilion.
The plan would see the Robbie Burns statue reinstated, the James Dunn Memorial Fountain (The Three Graces) repaired and reinstated, and the Lord Beaverbrook statue relocated from Officers’ Square to a site next to the Gallery.
“The idea of a sculpture garden, visible from the window of our new pavilion, was always part of the vision for our expansion,” said Thomas Smart, Director/CEO of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. “Relocating the sculpture of New Brunswick’s native son to a location near his art gallery and in view of the Provincial Legislature creates the perfect anchor for an expanded space for public art.”
“Discussions with The Gallery about moving the Lord Beaverbrook statue to the proposed sculpture garden have been ongoing since January of this year,” said Fredericton Mayor Mike O’Brien. “While the City will continue to own the land and sculptures, we are pleased to work with the Gallery to fund the effort and enhance public art in our community.”
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery has committed to provide $80,000 towards the reinstatement of the Robbie Burns statue, as well as $10,000 each towards the Lord Beaverbrook statue and the Three Graces fountain. The City of Fredericton will contribute a matching $100,000 towards completing the work.
A Heritage Permit will be required from the Province of New Brunswick to move the Lord Beaverbrook statue. Related work is expected to be carried out starting in the spring of 2019.
BACKGROUND
Robert (Robbie) Burns Memorial Statue
The Robert (Robbie) Burns Memorial Statue is made of bronze and stands 3.2 meters high on a granite pedestal. It was unveiled on Thanksgiving Day, October 18, 1906 and was not only the first public statue erected in Fredericton, but also the first in New Brunswick.
Due to defects in the bronze casting and the appearance of unsightly rust three years after it was erected, the statue was recast. The new statue was placed in position in September 1911. The statue was originally placed on The Green, opposite the Provincial Legislature, but in the fall of 1956, was relocated to the east to allow for the construction of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
The statue was taken down for repairs in 2008. Its future became uncertain when the City of Fredericton announced it could not afford the $80,000 needed to flood-proof the statue foundation. Following a donation by J.K. Irving and his wife, Jean, the statue was reinstated to its former location in September 2011.
The statue and its base were removed again in November 2015, after concerns were expressed about possible undermining associated with the expansion of the nearby Beaverbrook Art Gallery. The statue and associated granite pieces were placed in storage with the understanding they would be reinstated after the construction was complete.
Sir James Dunn Memorial Fountain (The Three Graces)
The Sir James Dunn Memorial Fountain, located on The Green east of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, was a gift to the City of Fredericton from Lord Beaverbrook in memory of his friend, and fellow New Brunswicker, Sir James Dunn, who died in 1956.
It is a two-tier marble fountain, whose upper bowl is supported by three figurines known as the Three Graces. The fountain is surrounded by a memorial inscription carved into its granite base.
Lord Beaverbrook purchased the fountain in 1960 and sent it to Fredericton. It had formerly stood on the grounds of Stowe Palace in Buckinghamshire, England. The unveiling of the statue was planned for May 1961, but a flood postponed the event. The fountain was operational by June 1961.
In June 2015, the fountain was vandalized. It was removed and placed in storage, where it remains today. The remaining concrete base and granite apron have been enclosed in a plywood structure. The exterior of the structure has been painted with scenes of the statue.
Lord Beaverbrook Statue
The nine-foot bronze statue of Lord Beaverbrook sits on top of an 11-foot stone pedestal in Officers’ Square. The statue was designed by world renowned Italian sculptor, Vincent Apap
In 1956, Fredericton night watchman, T. Donald “Shun” Ryan suggested the idea of a statue to honour Lord Beaverbrook – a great benefactor of the city and province.
School age children donated pennies to pay for the statue. Any child who donated a dime had their names recorded on a ledger, which was tucked into the base of the statue.
Mr. Ryan unveiled the statue on August 28, 1957 during a ceremony that placed children in a prominent position near the front of that statue. On September 5, 1957, Lord Beaverbrook issued a thank you to the children who made the statue possible.
The statue is identified as a character defining element of the Square. It is listed in Provincial Heritage Site Designation documents. The relocation of the statue will require a Heritage Permit from the province.
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