Under one roof, The
Rooms Provincial Art Gallery provides the largest space for Newfoundland and Labrador culture and heritage,
along with Canadian history.
This destination is sought out by people internationally. “We see people from all over the world and it’s
continuously growing,” says Sheila Perry, director of The Rooms.
The Rooms is located in the heart of St. John’s and is its prime attraction. The space provides cultural
stability for the province, and Perry says, “We’re showing Newfoundland culture to the world.” The gallery
has been in existence since the ‘60s but The Rooms opened up in 2004 when the government decided to place the
provincial archives, art gallery and museum under one roof.
Now it is a world-class facility and the ultimate source for Newfoundland’s historic culture and heritage,
telling its stories and present issues through collections, exhibits and programs. With their art, artifacts,
archaeology, architecture, archival records, digital technology and atriums, it has something for everybody.
“You have lots of experiences when you come to The Rooms as a whole,” says Perry. A person can go in
fascinated by the local, regional and national artists featured in the gallery, but become totally immersed
in the history of the building or the province and investigate the archives, or become involved by
interacting in the natural history exhibit being featured. “The level of interaction can’t be replicated,”
says Perry.
She likes to think of The Rooms’ location in the heart of St. John’s as a reflection of what they do. “We are
the collective cultural conscience and being at the centre of that is juxtaposed,” says Perry. “The power of
place here, you cannot help but be moved by it.” They have three main rooms, which feature their archives,
museums and art gallery. The subjects of their galleries are vast and tend to mix it up. While they are
all about Canadian, specifically Newfoundland history and culture, they all ultimately foster discussion and
learning. “It is about introducing different topics and concepts so the person walks away with something,”
says Perry.
The Rooms’ art gallery provides exposure for struggling artists and has created a balance featuring local and
provincial artists. She says people who’ve visited have been awed by the remarkable beauty of the
province, as seen through this visual culture. “If it’s interesting, if it’s thought-provoking and if it
challenges your preconceived notions, we show it,” says Perry.
She adds, “We’ve upped our game especially with Burtynsky [being] featured this summer.” A Canadian premiere,
the Edward Burtynsky: Oil exhibit is already generating a lot of hype. Burtynsky is one of the most respected
and recognized contemporary photographers in the world and has travelled everywhere to explore the use of
this critical fuel. The exhibit features 60 large-scale landscapes revealing their alterations by the
extraction of oil from the earth. It also focuses on how our daily lives are driven and affected by
this fuel and how it’s not just about the big companies but how we live our lives. “That’s what we really
like about him — he doesn’t point fingers at one thing, but repositions things out of context so you can look
at it and become involved in this conceptual experience,” says Perry.
Burtynsky has touched upon one of the most important and timely subject matters with the country’s current
economic development. “The issue is not so far removed and the strength of his work is this subtle
realization,” says Perry. “What’s so successful about Burtynsky is that he has the ability to use visuals to
say that we are all a part of the discussion and this challenge.”
Running from May 7 to Aug. 15, Perry can’t contain her eagerness for the exhibit over the phone. “We are
really excited!” she says. •
