A new exhibition at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton documents the history and legacy of Black families in New Brunswick [1].
The project seeks to integrate the experiences of Black descendants into the province's broader cultural narrative, ensuring their contributions are recognized as a permanent part of the region's heritage [3].
Titled "Still Here: Preserving Our Legacy," the exhibition combines poetry, photography, and extensive research [2]. The project was organized by poet Thandiwe McCarthy and a research team [1]. The team spent three years working on the initiative to ensure an accurate representation of the families involved, reports said [4].
A central feature of the exhibit is a landmark group portrait. Dozens of Black New Brunswickers and their descendants gathered for the historic photograph to symbolize the continuity of their presence in the province [5].
The collection uses a multidisciplinary approach to trace ancestral lines and community ties. By pairing visual art with research and poetry, the exhibition aims to preserve stories that might otherwise be lost to time [2].
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery serves as the venue for this display, providing a high-profile space for the documentation of Black history in New Brunswick [1]. The organizers said the work serves as both a celebration of survival and a record for future generations [3].
“Still Here: Preserving Our Legacy”
This exhibition represents a formal effort to institutionalize Black history within New Brunswick's public art spaces. By documenting lineage and community through a three-year research process, the project moves beyond anecdotal history to create a verified archival record of the Black diaspora in the province.
