A Conversation about Mary Pratt


Date: Nov 15
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: Theatre
Engaging Evening

A Conversation about Mary Pratt with Curator Mireille Eagan and Biographer Anne Koval

Join art historian and Mary Pratt biographer, Anne Koval and Curator of Contemporary Art at The Rooms, Mireille Eagan as they talk about Koval’s latest work, Mary Pratt: A Love Affair with Vision. Koval wrote this book in close consultation with the artist. The book is informed by extensive interviews with the artist, her family and friends, and with colleagues. Koval was also given unprecedented access to Mary Pratt’s archival holdings at Mount Allison University.

This in-depth study of Mary Pratt’s life and work explores complex issues of gender, feminism, and realism in Canadian art. The result is a richly layered biography of an artist who redefined the visual culture of her time.

Based in Newfoundland and Labrador for most of her life, Mary Pratt’s art has captivated millions of people across Canada. Her luminescent paintings capture reality in a way that few artists have been able to achieve. Replete with symbolism, Pratt’s work elevates the traditional still life by transforming the everyday into the iconic.

Tickets: $12 (+HST). 10% discount for Rooms Members. Please reserve your ticket online or by calling 709-757-8090.

About the author:

Anne Koval is Professor of Art History and Museum and Curatorial Studies at Mount Allison University. She is the author of Mary Pratt: A Love Affair with Vision, Whistler in His Time, and the co-author of James McNeill Whistler: Beyond the Myth.  She has written on Anna Torma for the Textile Museum of Canada and her writing on contemporary art has appeared in several edited volumes, including Stitching the Self: Identity and the Needle Arts, More Caught in the Act: An Anthology of Performance Art by Canadian Women, and the Radcliffe Line and other Geographies: Sarindar Dhaliwal, which includes a series of ekphrastic poems by Koval.  She has curated exhibitions at the Owens Art Gallery, the Mendel Art Gallery, the Banff Park Museum, and the Confederation Centre Art Gallery.

Mary Pratt: A Love Affair with Vision by Anne Koval is available for purchase at The Rooms Giftshop.

Today's Events & Programs

9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Workshop

Excited about finding some Newfoundland and Labrador ancestors? This half-day workshop is an introduction to genealogy, with an orientation to the extensive genealogical archival collections at The Rooms. Our expert staff will be your guide through practical resources that you can use to trace your family tree.

This workshop is suitable for all skill levels. Included in the workshop fee are:

  • An Introduction to Genealogy Handbook
  • A permanent researcher registration number for The Rooms (Value $10)
  • Light refreshments (tea, coffee, and a freshly baked muffin from The Rooms Café)
  • An orientation tour of the Archives Reference Room
  • A Family History Notebook
  • Access to key genealogy resources to aid your research
  • A voucher for free admission to The Rooms for a return visit to see exhibitions

Cost: $75 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Pre-registration is required. Register online or by calling (709) 757-8090.

Please note: All ticket sales are final; no refunds will be issued.

For more information on the workshop schedule and content, please contact Carla Watson at carlawatson@therooms.ca.

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Playdate

Join us for a delightful afternoon 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 1:30 pm and 3:30 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.