The following is being distributed at the request of The Rooms Corporation.

CEO of The Rooms announces appointment of interim director for art gallery

Dean Brinton, CEO of The Rooms Corporation, today announced the appointment of Dr. Shauna McCabe as interim director for The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery. Dr. McCabe will begin the post on December 5 and will be on hand until the end of March 2006.

Dr. McCabe has been Senior Curator with the Confederation Centre Art Gallery in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island since 2001. Subsequent to studying at McGill University and Simon Fraser University, her doctoral research completed at the University of British Columbia investigated critical landscape aesthetics in contemporary art. She has produced numerous exhibitions and research publications such as Curb Appeal (2005), Beauty Queens (2004), Littoral Documents (2004) and Between Earth & Sky (in knowing one, one will know the other): Geoffrey Hendricks (2003).

Dr. McCabe writes frequently on public space, art and architecture, contributing essays and articles to Blackflash, Canadian Art, CV Photo, Presentation House, Owens Art Gallery, Galerie Optica and the Robert McLaughlin Gallery. Forthcoming publications include �Landscape, with Stains�, in Modern Now (AI Press), and �Ghost Worlds�, in Dwelling/La Demeure (Galerie Optica). Currently Research Associate with the University of Prince Edward Island and Adjunct Professor with Mount Allison University, she is also curatorial advisor for the Atlantic region for the 2006 Sobey Art Award. She also pursues creative interests which include photography, poetry and installation, as in stream/shore (2004), a public art commission for the City of Charlottetown, and what you will think of (2004), a public installation created for the Informal Architectures residency, Banff Centre for the Arts. Her collection of poetry, ancient motel landscape, was released in October 2005.

�Dr. McCabe comes to The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery with a wealth of experience and knowledge,� said Mr. Brinton. �She has a national reputation for curatorial professionalism, and we are very fortunate that she has accepted this temporary position. We look forward to working with her in the coming months.�

During her appointment, Dr. McCabe will represent the gallery�s interests within The Rooms Management Committee and will work with staff to ensure a dynamic exhibition program presenting both contemporary and historic art of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and the world. In addition, Dr. McCabe will be responsible for ensuring quality collection, conservation and art management practices are adhered to; will provide direction and leadership for the development of high quality on- and off-site educational activities and programs; will provide direction in the development of exhibition publications and communications; will over view the artist-in-residence program; and will be responsible for the management of the 12 staff and administration of its budget and operations.

The announcement of a permanent director is expected in the New Year.

The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery is a division of The Rooms Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador, which is a provincial Crown Corporation of the Provincial Government. It plays an important role in showcasing the culture of the province and is pivotal in the arts community, as it is the only provincial art gallery in the province with the capacity to develop and present exhibitions of the work of contemporary artists. It is mandated to represent Canadian contemporary art through both its collections policy and its exhibition and education programs. The gallery has a budget of $1 million annually and 12 permanent staff working towards the delivery of its mandate.

Media contact: Deanne Hayward, The Rooms, (709) 757-8070, 691-5681

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