Dialogue and Debate with Memorial University at The Rooms
Date: Mar 19
7:00 pm
- 8:30 pm
Where: Theatre
Broad Strokes: The Passion and the Past of the Art Gallery of NL
What role did Memorial University play in seeding a Newfoundland and Labrador arts community in the 1960s and 1970s and what is the role of cultural institutions like art galleries in the province today? Join The Rooms and Memorial University for Dialogue and Debate: The passion and the past of the Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Dialogue and Debate is an event series that invites experts from Memorial University to discuss and expand on the collections and exhibitions featured at The Rooms. The discussions are lively, informative and designed for the public.
This is a free event but a ticket is required. Please reserve your free ticket online or by calling (709)757-8090/
Featured Debaters:
Jane Walker (BFA'15), (she/her) is a visual artist and arts administrator based in Corner Brook / Elmastukwek. She holds a bachelor of fine arts in visual arts from Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, and a masters of research from the Glasgow School of Art. Walker is the Director of the Grenfell Art Gallery and has been deeply involved in the art initiatives across the province for ten years, including the establishment of Union House Arts (2016-2022) and working with organizations like the Bonavista Biennale (2017, 2019, 2021) and Riddle Fence Journal of Arts and Culture (2018-2024). Jane has written for Canadian Art, Visual Arts News and other publications, winning the 2021 VANL-CARFAC Critical Eye Award for Art Writing. Since 2021, she has also worked on public art projects with Business and Arts NL, including creating a Public Art Strategy and later curating the art collection for the new Adult Mental Health and Addictions Centre in St. John’s, opening in spring 2025.
Dr. Jeff Webb (BA'85, MA'87) is a professor at Memorial University and head of the Department of History. He is the author of three books: including Observing the Outports, that examines the university scholarship upon Newfoundland Society and Culture, and most recently, The Cause of Art, that tells the story of the Memorial University Art Gallery’s efforts to foster a professional Newfoundland visual art. He has also published numerous essays on a variety of topics. They include a history of the rise and fall of Memorial University’s Extension Service. In a project related to that, in collaboration with Derek Norman, he made a documentary film, The Films of Fogo Island, the revisited Extension’s and the National Film Board’s pathbreaking development of participatory media as a tool for public engagement.
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.