Introduction to Contemporary Art: Abstract CANCELLED


Date: Apr 9
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Where: Theatre
Workshop

Join art educator Anne Pickard-Vaandering for a series of lively lectures about contemporary art. The third lecture in this series takes a look at the history and interpretation of abstract art. We will also view and interpret abstract artworks in our art galleries.

Tickets are $15.00 per lecture ($40.00 for all 3). Pre-registration is required and can be purchased in person at the admission desk or by calling 757-8090. Seats are limited.

We ask for your cooperation in complying with COVID-19 recommend protocols.

  • Contact information will be collected when tickets are purchased and must reflect the person attending the lecture. Should the lecture be attended by someone else please have them contact Visitors Services to update the contact information associate with that ticket.
  • Masks must be worn at all times when moving throughout the building but can be removed once seated and the lecture has begun.

Image:  Rae Perlin. Self-portrait with Easel (1949). Oil on canvas board. 35.5 x 25 cm. Memorial University of Newfoundland Collection, The Rooms.

Image credit:  Michael Gough, You will return and know this place for the first time  2013. Oil on canvas. 91.5cm x 121cm. The Rooms, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Collection.

Events & Programs

10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Playdate

Join us for a delightful morning at The Rooms! Bring your little ones to our enchanting Harbour View Room for unguided playtime surrounded by an array of toys and books tailored for infants and toddlers aged 0 to 4.

No prior registration is necessary; simply pay your admission at The Rooms front desk and drop in anytime between 10:30 am and 12:00 pm! Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note that caregivers must accompany their children throughout the session. While our program room can accommodate up to 20 adults with their little ones, if it reaches capacity, we kindly ask caregivers to momentarily step back to make room for others to join in the fun.

The Playdate is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms Members. 

With support from Thomas and Susan (Kent) Foran Family Foundation.

10:30 am - 11:00 am
Tour

Being Present: The Architecture of The Rooms

The Rooms is a space where architecture and history meet, inspired by traditional fishing rooms that once brought communities together. Its design reflects the province’s stories—anchored in place, open to change—with each wing symbolically facing land, people, and sea.

Natural materials and bold colors evoke Newfoundland and Labrador’s landscape and spirit. Light, reflection, and shifting perspectives make the building feel alive, adapting with time and weather. This is more than a building—it’s a gathering place for memory, creativity, and connection.

Join us each day for an interpretive guided tour in one of our galleries. From the story of the Cod fishery to visiting a current art exhibition to a Family Rainbow tour, there is something for everyone. 

Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Join the students of the Suzuki Talent Education Program (STEP) for their back-to-school play-in! Enjoy a selection of Baroque and Classical songs from the students’ shared repertoire on the violin, viola and cello, along with Newfoundland and Irish fiddle tunes that will be sure to inspire a new appreciation for music.

This is a free, drop-in performance. 

About STEP:

The Suzuki Talent Education Program offers a complete string music education for children (ages 0-18) in violin, viola, and cello. Based in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, STEP has been the foundation of string playing in our community for over four decades and is the province's only Suzuki music education program.

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Tour

Shirley Moorhouse – EYES

Join us for a guided tour of Shirley Moorhouse's exhibition - EYES, which features her innovative artworks spanning 30 years. Moorhouse is a respected member of the Canadian art community and renowned for her textiles-based wall hangings. Using embroidery, beading, caribou hide, and other objects on black wool stroud, Moorhouse tells stories and delves deeply into complex themes, inviting viewers "to reflect, to dream, and to celebrate the beauties and mysteries of life".

Join us each day for an interpretive guided tour in one of our galleries. From the story of the Cod fishery to visiting a current art exhibition to a Family Rainbow tour, there is something for everyone. 

Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.