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 Ashley at 506-433-8351 or email her at admin@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
fund development officer
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.
fund@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, fundraising and special events coordinator
Emily Rioux is a marketing specialist, spin coach and jewellery artist hailing originally from Rothesay, New Brunswick. She has recently relocated from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Sussex, where she has taken on a permanent position as AX’s Marketing, Fundraising and Special Events Coordinator. Emily’s personal practice as a jeweller leans more to the conceptual side of wearable jewellery, creating pieces that bend beyond traditional jewellery, and explore the human figure. Emily has been running all of AX’s marketing since early 2023 and is happy to get to be physically present moving forward, and connect more with the local community.
marketing@axartscentre.ca
Ed Tribe
Boutique Assistant
Ed Tribe is a versatile artist whose creative expression spans collage, lino-cutting, ceramics, digital art and beyond. Born and raised in the Sussex area, Ed’s diverse background influences his unique approach to artwork – often reflecting his passion for activism in much of his work. As Boutique Assistant, Ed is dedicated to fostering a welcoming atmosphere for visitors by ensuring that each item is displayed with care and that the space remains inviting and vibrant. Known for his warm customer service, Ed hopes to enhance the overall experience of patrons at AX Boutique by offering an engaging and pressure-free shopping experience.
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.
Donna Floyd-Hanson
vice President
Donna graduated from UNB Saint John in 1999 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and obtained her CGA designation in 2002. Donna has worked in the accounting industry for more than 20 years, in both industry and public accounting, and in 2009, she opened an accounting firm of her own. Donna is actively involved in her community, currently serving on the Board of the Sussex Regional Library as well as past Chair and Treasurer of the Sussex Area Community Foundation Inc. When she’s not in the office, Donna loves baking and spending time with her husband Derrick as well as family and friends.
Mary Lea Stafford
past President
Mary Lea Stafford obtained a BA from Mount Allison University in 1975 with a major in history and a music minor, in 1976 a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario, and in 1994 a Master of Education from UNB in Fredericton. Mary Lea retired from teaching in 2006 as the Principal of Sussex Elementary, having taught at elementary schools in Rothesay, Sussex Corner, Apohaqui and Sussex for 30 years. She is currently on the Board of the Sussex Public Library and is a former board member of the Sussex Area Community Foundation. Mary Lea is the choir director of St Paul’s United Church and chair of their Worship Committee, and is an active member of the Sussex Golf and Curling Club and Class Act.
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.
Sloane Ryan
Director
Before joining the AX staff in late 2017 as an Administrative Assistant and Gallery Docent, Sloane attended StFX University where she served as the president of X Pride, a student-led LGBTQ+ advocacy society. Now in Sussex full-time, Sloane works as a brewer at the local microbrewery Sussex Ale Works continues to participate as a member of the AX Creative Writing Group and serves as a board member for the Sussex Downtown Business Association.
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.
Sari LaBelle
Director
Laurel Corbett
Director