Art Gallery Opening Reception
Date: Feb 28
7:00 pm
- 9:00 pm
Where: Level 3 Atrium
You are invited to join us for a free public art gallery opening reception for three new exhibitions!
Grounding
Marking The Rooms 20th anniversary, the ideas behind this building’s architecture act as touchstones for exploring artistic expression in this province.
Bringing together some of the most beloved artworks from The Rooms’ collections, this exhibition considers how our surroundings and structures shape what has been valued, preserved, and shared by our communities.
Artists include Dinah Andersen, David Blackwood, Grant Boland, Vessela Brakalova, Maurice Cullen, Jerry Evans, A.Y. Jackson, Philippa Jones, Michael Massie, Mary Ann Penashue, Barbara Pratt, Christopher Pratt, Mary Pratt, Ned Pratt, Helen Parsons Shepherd, Gerald Squires, Jessica Winters, and many others.
To Launch Forth into the Deep: A Legacy of Supporting the Arts at Memorial University
This exhibition, part of Memorial’s 100th-anniversary celebrations, offers a glimpse into its extraordinary collection of over 4,000 artworks. By empowering artists to thrive at home, Memorial transformed Newfoundland and Labrador’s cultural landscape, enriching local life, and elevating the province’s voice on the national stage.
Artists: Anne Meredith Barry, Peter Bell, Jerry Evans, Gilbert Hay, Frank Lapointe, Heidi Oberheide, Christopher Pratt, Mary Pratt, Helen Parsons Shepherd, Reginald Shepherd, Gerald Squires, and Don Wright.
Amber-Lynn Thorne: Because of the Sea
In her work, Amber-Lynn Thorne weaves together ceramics and written reflections. She transforms the ocean into a place where discarded histories are lovingly reclaimed—a boundless reservoir of memory. Her art invites us to witness the quiet power of the hand: to hold, to mend, and to connect the tangible with the deeply emotional.
There will be live entertainment by pianist Alla Melnychuk, refreshments, and a cash bar 19+. Admission to the Art Gallery exhibitions will be free during the event!
See more about the artists here:
Grounding
To Launch Forth into the Deep: A Legacy of Supporting the Arts at Memorial University
Amber-Lynn Thorne: Because of the Sea
Today's Events & Programs
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 12:30 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.
Join the students of the Suzuki Talent Education Program (STEP) for their holiday play-in! Enjoy a selection of Baroque and Classical songs from the students’ shared repertoire on violin, viola, and cello, along with Newfoundland and Irish fiddle tunes that are sure to inspire a new appreciation for music.
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.
Cost: Free. No registration required.
Let your kids dive into a world of creativity while you tackle your holiday to-do list. In this fun and festive workshop, children aged 8–11 will explore the magic of printmaking and craft up to 12 one-of-a-kind holiday cards to share with family and friends.
Highlights include:
- A special visit to the Wooden Santas and The Rooms’ dazzling holiday decorations
- Hands-on printmaking activities—no experience needed
- A cozy hot chocolate break to warm up and recharge
Just bring your holiday spirit—we’ll take care of the rest!
Cost: $40 per person plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Register online or by calling (709) 757-8090.
All workshop materials are included in the cost, but this workshop may get messy—appropriate clothing is recommended.
The Rooms Gift Shop will be open for your holiday shopping experience.
Beaumont-Hamel and the Trail of the Caribou
In this exhibition, find out about the impacts of the First World War on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and how events overseas dramatically altered our lives at home.
Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.
Step inside the world of Nirvana, a new play by Lisah Nsanzugwanko, in this intimate work-in-progress showcase created through Twiga Collective’s Sound & Movement workshop.
Join us for an afternoon of performance, conversation, and behind-the-scenes insight into the making of a new Afro-futurist story set in 2035—a celebration of Black creativity, process, and artistic community.
Cost: $12 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Get your tickets online or by calling (709) 757-8090.