Bonavista Biennale was conceived in 2015 as a means to contribute to the recovery of the Bonavista Peninsula from the devastating impact of the 1992 Northern Cod Moratorium. Outport fishing communities across Newfoundland were hungry for ways to help people overcome the socio-economic conditions that ensued. Within this context, Bonavista Biennale represents a significant cultural and economic contribution to rural revitalization in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Conceived as a bi-annual, month-long, multi-site, international art exhibition, Bonavista Biennale was initiated as a project of 2 Rooms Contemporary Art Projects, an art gallery, museum and artist residency in Duntara operating since 2012. The concept of a major art event on the Bonavista Peninsula was developed by a small group of creatives and guided by a volunteer Steering Committee into the full-fledged art festival. The inaugural Bonavista Biennale launched in August 2017.
Bonavista Biennale continues to reflect the confluence of natural, historical and cultural conditions that exist interdependently in Newfoundland’s outport communities. With each new theme and iteration, Bonavista Biennale aspires, through the power of art and public engagement programming, to engage with local issues that have regional, national and international relevance. Bonavista Biennale has been operating as an independent incorporated entity since January 1, 2020.
Founder
Catherine Beaudette
Organizing Committee (2016-2017)
Sarah Agnew (Co-Executive Director 2016-2022)
Catherine Beaudette
Peggy Fisher
Patricia Grattan
Mary MacDonald
Kiloran McRae (Co-Executive Director 2016-2022)
Margaret Ryall
Ruth Weller-Malchow
Past Directors
Catherine Beaudette
Peggy Bulger
Mireille Eagan
Donna Maloney-Brown
Don Ryall
Susan Sherk (Chair 2016-2022)
Loretta Weeks