About AX
Our Building
is located in the heart of Sussex, New Brunswick and includes Knocks Cafe (a licensed restaurant), an outdoor patio, a professional, climate-controlled and secure gallery, a ceramics centre, artists’ studios for rent, and a newly renovated workshop space.
Storm Policy
Weekdays: if school is closed in Anglophone School District South, the AX gallery and office is closed for the day, and events and workshops are cancelled/postponed.
Afternoon and evening events, and weekends: in the event of inclement weather (current or incoming), we will assess on a case-by-case basis and provide information through our telephone voicemail message (506) 433-8351, here on our website, and our Facebook page.
Gallery Rentals
An intimate venue for gatherings of up to 45 people.
AX is pleased to offer gallery rentals (up to 4 hours) of our gallery space or patio to the public at a fee of $175 (including tax) and to non-profit organizations for a fee of $125 (including tax). This does not include catering. Please coordinate catering for your event directly with Knocks Cafe by emailing knockscafe@gmail.com or calling 506-432-5120 Here you can find information on the gallery dimensions. We have 7 plastic folding tables, 45 folding chairs, a screen, projector, and some basic audio equipment that you may borrow, but we ask that you notify us of your needs in advance.
Please call Melanie at 506-433-8351 or email her at execdirector@axartscentre.ca to check availability and book your rental date.
Rental Contract and details here.
Staff and Volunteers
The success of AX hinges on hard work and support from our local community
– we can offer great programming because we have great staff and volunteers. Our volunteers help in countless ways, but here are a few examples:
- Serve on committees
- Help coordinate events
- Greet gallery visitors
- Promote arts and culture programming
Melanie Mitton
Executive and Aristic Director
Melanie grew up in Sussex, and after spending half of her life outside of New Brunswick, got tired of missing it and moved back a few years ago. A writer and photographer, she is very excited to be involved with AX and the arts scene back in her hometown.
execdirector@axartscentre.ca
Joelle Martin
Gallery Docent and boutique manager
Joëlle Martin is a visual artist who resides near Fundy National Park in New Brunswick. She specializes in portraying flora, fauna, and found objects in her watercolour artwork, infusing each piece with intricate detail and a vibrant narrative. Joëlle blends antique paints with modern pigments, making her paintings a true chronicle of time and memory. Previously a Makeup Artist with a background in customer service and retail management, she brings valuable experience to her role as Docent and Boutique Manager at AX. She is dedicated to curating enriching experiences for visitors and promoting local arts and culture in the region
docent@axartscentre.ca
Emily Rioux
marketing and programming coordinator
Originally from Rothesay, NB, Emily Rioux is a multidisciplinary artist and arts administrator based in Sussex, New Brunswick. She serves as the Marketing and Programming Coordinator at AX, the Arts and Culture Centre of Sussex, where she is dedicated to fostering creativity and community engagement through innovative arts programming.
Emily is a graduate of the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, where she earned a Certificate in Visual Arts and a Diploma in Metalsmithing and Jewellery Design. Her artistic practice pushes the boundaries of traditional jewellery, focusing on creating full-body, conceptual pieces that challenge the conventional understanding of wearable art.
When she is not working in the arts sector, Emily is a passionate spin coach, who enjoys spending time in nature with her dog.
marketing@axartscentre.ca
Megan Pearson
Boutique Assistant
Megan Pearson is a multimedia artist whose creative practice spans a diverse range of mediums. Holding a BA in English Literature and European History from Mount Allison University, along with a Foundation Visual Arts certificate from the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD), Megan brings a deep appreciation for history and storytelling into her artwork.
Driven by a passion for exploration, Megan constantly seeks to learn new techniques and experiment with different forms of artistic expression. Embracing both traditional methods and digital art, Megan continuously expands her creative horizons, always looking for new ways to challenge herself. Her work is a reflection of her curiosity, her dedication to craft, and her desire to bring personal expression to each piece.
info@axartscentre.ca
Willow Mitton
programming assistant
Our volunteer Board of Directors
Mark Webster
President
Mark Webster graduated from Acadia University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. After successful careers in Sales (Midland Transport/Cavendish Farms, and the Paper Industry (Rolland Inc/Graphic Papers), Mark entered the investment business in 1991 where he spent the next 30 years working with clientele in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. He sold his practice and retired from Scotia McLeod in 2021. Mark enjoys being active playing hockey and golf, and other general fitness activities and has enjoyed a growing interest in both music and visual arts. A strong proponent of “giving back” and “paying it forward”, Mark has sat on a number of different boards/committees, including Sussex Area Community Foundation, St. Paul’s United Church and Sussex Golf and Curling Club.
Delanie Pearson
Treasurer
Emily O'Donnell
Secretary
Emily O’Donnell has recently completed her post-secondary studies, graduating this year with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from Université de Moncton. During her time at university, Emily was involved in many groups and associations on campus, as well as with organizations such as French for the Future and Canadian Parents for French. Having previously been a summer student and part-time employee at AX, she is excited to continue being involved in the arts community while beginning her career in education.
Peter Powning
Director
Peter has been active in arts and culture organizations for more than forty years. His work has been exhibited on six continents and he has an active studio practice producing public art commissions and gallery exhibitions. Peter is a founding director of AX, was on the founding board and vice president of ArtsLink (Arts Association of New Brunswick) from 2008 – 2012, on the Advisory Council of the NB College of Craft and Design from 2011 – 2015, as well as the New Brunswick Arts Board as vice-chair 1990 – 1991 and the Premier’s Advisory Committee for the Arts, 1987 – 88.
Peter is the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for High Achievement in the Arts, in 2017, the 2006 Bronfman Governor General’s Award, and an honorary doctorate from UNB in 2014.
Heather McCaig
Director
Heather McCaig is a flameworked glass artist from Ontario, who now lives near Sussex, New Brunswick. In 2019 she transitioned from her production glass line to creating one of a kind fine craft. Heather has received a scholarship to the Pittsburgh Glass Center in the United States and generous support from the New Brunswick Arts Board. In August of 2021, Heather displayed her gallery series titled Shadows, a statement about Canada’s threatened ecosystems and the climate crisis at AX: The Arts and Culture Centre of Sussex. This exhibition was selected by Canadian Heritage and the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture to represent New Brunswick at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany. Heather’s upcoming solo exhibition Together we Bloom will be on display at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in November, 2022.
Alyson Scott
Director
Alyson Scott was raised in the small community of Markhamville, located just outside of Sussex NB. Alyson studied fiber arts at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, graduating from the college in 2005 with a diploma in Textiles. After completing her studies at the college, she and her sister Amy opened Legacy Lane Fiber Mill, a custom fiber processing mill. Legacy Lane expanded its services to fiber producers, with a weaving, knitting and dyeing studio. Alyson and Amy also own Legacy Lane Yarn & Gift Shop on Main St in Sussex, which sells a variety of handwoven items, knitwear apparel and many fiber related products.
Bonny Hill
Director
Bonny Hill is a contemporary Canadian artist who was selected for the 2017 Surveillance Studio Watch at the Lord Beaverbrook Art Gallery for her series, I Don’t Know Anything About Art. I Just Want Something Nice to Hang Over My Sofa to Match My Living Room.
Bonny completed a Bachelor of Art in Art Education at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 1984 and has recently retired from a 31 year career teaching art in public schools. In 2011, she was recognized by the Canadian Society for Education Through the Arts with the Canadian Art Educator of the Year award . Her teaching was also recognized nationally in 2013 with a first place finish in DC21YCC Youth Creativity Challenge sponsored by Heritage Canada and provincially with the New Brunswick Teachers Association Credit Union Award for Excellence in Teaching. Bonny has also been active in theatre: directing spring musicals, building and designing sets, teaching choreography, and performing.
Bonny began exhibiting her work in 2006 and has since been awarded eight solo and several group shows in public galleries. Bonny would like to thank ArtsNB for supporting her current work.
Ryan Cubberley
Director
Ryan Cubberley is a traditional woodworker who draws on his knowledge of English joinery to
create practical, timeless artefacts for the home out of his Sussex, New Brunswick workshop.
Harriet Taylor
Director
Harriet is a seasoned arts educator and administrator with nearly 40 years of experience. She holds undergraduate degrees in Business Administration, Surface Design, Fine Arts, and a Master of Education in Adult Education. Harriet worked at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design for 28 years, serving as Academic Dean from 2013 to 2017, and co-founded Mawi’Art: Wabanaki Artist Collective during her tenure. She was named Honourary Fellow of the College in 2018. Her recent roles include Education Program Coordinator at the Saint John Arts Centre (2021–2024), steering committee member for Neqotkuk Art Studio (2019–2021), and current Executive Director of the Multicultural Association of Sussex. She also serves on the Public Art Committee for the Town of Sussex.
Jim Sackville
Director
Jim is an urban design consultant and president of BDA Landscape Architects working from their head office on Main Street in Sussex. Jim has prepared downtown and streetscape plans for communities throughout Atlantic Canada over the past 40 years and has received national and international recognition for this work. Jim has a passion for planting street trees in Sussex and has been involved in planting 100’s of shade trees throughout the town. Jim joined the board of Ax to offer his experiences working in communities with arts and cultural centers similar to Ax.
Katie Swift
Director
Katie Swift trained as an actor at the National Theatre School of Canada and had a 20-year career as a professional theatre actor, director and creator in Toronto. She’s been an adjudicator and instructor at the NB Dramafest for nearly 15 years and recently moved home to Sussex with her family. In June, she graduated from the Bachelor of Education program at St Thomas University and is now a certified teacher.