Dawn MacNutt: Timeless Forms
Dawn MacNutt, Kindred Spirits, 1984, seagrass woven on copper wire warp loom, sculpted, welded metal armature, installation at Crescent Beach, NS. Photo: Peter Barss. © Dawn MacNutt and Peter Barss, 2026
Dawn MacNutt: Timeless Forms
January 17 – May 12, 2026
Owens Art Gallery, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB
Curators: Melanie Colosimo and Emily Falvey
Organized in partnership with MSVU Art Gallery
Throughout her career, Dawn MacNutt has examined the fragility of human life through a lens of care and support, creating poignant pieces that mingle joy and courage with loss and mourning. Spanning four decades of work, this exhibition traces the evolution of her unique practice through a selection of key sculptural works. Moving from delicate miniatures crafted in silver and copper wire to impressive human forms woven from locally sourced willow, this gathering of works charts the development of a complex and nuanced oeuvre that explores the depths of the human condition. The exhibition is accompanied by Timeless Forms, a memoir written by the artist and distributed by Goose Lane Editions (Fredericton, NB).
About the Artist
Dawn MacNutt obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Art and Psychology) in 1957 from Mount Allison University (Sackville, New Brunswick). In 1970, she obtained a master’s degree in social work from Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia). She was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts in 2008. In 2005, she was honoured with a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Mount Saint Vincent University and, in 2014, with a Doctorate of Laws from Mount Allison University.
MacNutt’s work is inspired by her lifelong love of the human condition, what she describes as “the beauty of human frailty.” Interpreting universal human form, or architectonic column-like forms, she generally works with natural materials. There is continued interest in her life-size willow works cast into bronze for outdoor installations and sculpture gardens. In addition to her exhibitions and commission work, she is a longstanding member of the International Sculpture Center; CARFAC; Craft Nova Scotia; Visual Arts Nova Scotia; and Creative Pictou County. She served as a national director on the Canadian Craft Council from 1983–1987 and her work is held in numerous collections, including MSVU Art Gallery (Halifax, NS), the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, (Halifax, NS), the Owens Art Gallery (Sackville, NB), the Museum of Arts and Design (New York, NY), Rideau Hall (Ottawa. ON), and the Canadian Museum of History (Ottawa, ON).
Owens Art Gallery
Mount Allison University
61 York Street
Sackville, NB E4L 1E1
506-364-2574
owens@mta.ca
www.owensartgallery.com
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Monday to Friday, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday and Sunday, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Admission is Free
The Owens is partially accessible. The stairs from the entrance nearest the University Chapel have a handrail. There is also ramp access at this entrance, however, the ramp is steep. The stairs to the entrance off York Street have a handrail, but no ramp, and are covered with temporary wood treads. The main floor of the Owens is wheelchair accessible. Our second-floor gallery and gendered bathrooms are located in the basement and are not accessible. Two flights of stairs lead to each of these floors. LED lights are used throughout the building. The Owens welcomes guide dogs and other service animals. The closest accessible parking spaces are located on York Street across from the Owens. For detailed information on venue access, please visit our Accessibility page. If you would like to visit the Owens at a quieter time, or when all staff and visitors are masked, private visits can be arranged from 9:00 – 10:00am on weekdays. If you have any questions about your visit, please email owens@mta.ca or call (506) 364-2574.
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