Art Gallery Opening Reception


Date: Feb 9
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Where: Level 3 Atrium
Opening Reception

You are invited to join us for a free public art gallery opening reception!

Daze Jefferies: stay here stay how stay explores transfeminine belonging in Newfoundland, using the ocean as an archival body to counter historical narratives. Through textile, wax, and multimedia, the artist honours intergenerational knowledge, embraces rural trans pleasure, and addresses discourse on trans and sex worker bodies with a narrative of care, intimacy, and resistance.

Sheilagh O’Leary's: A Sea Change is a tribute that spans three generations, exploring cultural erasure and resurgence through analogue portraits and cyanotypes. Inspired by her mother's experiences as a French-Mi'kmaw woman, the exhibit delves into complex interactions of embodiment, power dynamics, identity, and environmental stewardship, symbolizing life, renewal, and change

Jenny Yujia Shi: The End of a Line draws from her childhood in Beijing and immigration to Halifax at eighteen. Exploring displacement's impact, the autobiographical display spans a decade, offering a poignant glimpse into Shi's migration experience and reflections on Canadian citizenship, positioning herself within Canada's complex history.

There will be live entertainment by harpist Venessa Goodyear and refreshments available (cash bar 19+). Admission to the Art Gallery exhibitions will be free during the event.

See more about the artists here:

Daze Jefferies: Stay Here Stay How Stay | The Rooms

Sheilagh O’Leary: A Sea Change | The Rooms

Jenny Yujia Shi: The End of a Line | The Rooms
 

Image: Daze Jefferies. with/holding (2023). Mixed media, digital illustration, maternal grandmother’s handwriting. Courtesy of the artist.

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.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Craft at Risk

Join craftsperson and scholar Christian Dauble for a three-hour workshop all about weaving!

Learn about the history of weaving in Newfoundland and Labrador and around the world. Walk through the basic techniques of weaving and get hands-on experience trying out various types of looms and techniques. Leave with a new perspective on the fabric that surrounds us every day and the importance of textile crafts in our community. Weaving, the craft or action of forming fabric by interlacing threads, was moved from Endangered in 2021 to Currently Viable on the 2024 Craft at Risk List.

Christian Dauble, an avid knitter, became enamoured with weaving in 2019 and decided to pursue it further. They built a small loom from a canvas frame where they began to practice basic tapestry weaving. Christian was a weaving Apprentice with Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.

Cost: $40 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. All materials included. Register online!

Presented in partnership with Heritage NL.

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Step inside the story as artist Marlene Creates brings Matthew-Robin Nye’s immersive installation, Good Night Moon: a Rhythm, a Tempo to life!

Through poetry and performance, Marlene invites audience members, especially children, to feel the sights and sounds around them in this one-of-a-kind, interactive experience.

Perfect for families and adults of all ages!

This is a free program but a ticket is required. Limited tickets due to space.