Bonavista Biennale

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Bonavista Biennale

An innovative, rural-based, contemporary art event occuring every two years throughout Newfoundland and Labrador's Bonavista Peninsula.

08/27/2026

Summer Shoutout Series: week 7 ☀️

You'll find Wild Cove Pottery while exploring the historic town of Port Union. The studio is run, and features, pottery and sculptural works by artist Michael Flaherty, and is inspired by the unique weather, landscape, and culture of Newfoundland.

Visitors are welcome year-round to visit Michael (who is also a Biennale artist alum), browse the shop and see pottery being made. If your travels this summer have already come to a close, you can also see these unique pieces and shop online: https://www.wildcovepottery.ca/

08/25/2026

Mark your calendars!
The Biennale's Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday September 8 at 5.30pm NL. We'd love to review and celebrate our 2025/26 season with you.

Join us online: rsvp by filling out this quick form & we'll send you a link: https://forms.gle/u9r58rJKoAz5s8gP7

📷 in Champney's West by Chris Clarke

08/20/2026

Summer Shoutout Series: week 6 ☀️

Sitting right on the water in Bonavista, Barbara Houston’s Art Studio offers a unique and thoughtful stop on your journey around the Peninsula's coastal loop. Tucked inside her studio at 32 Ryans Hill Road, you’ll discover original paintings, drawings, and mixed media pieces that capture the textures and architecture of rural Newfoundland with incredible detail.

Stop by during summer studio hours on Saturdays (10am-4pm) or book a private visit to chat directly with Barbara, and take home a piece that's deeply rooted in the Peninsula's coastal landscape.

Visit https://www.barbarahouston.ca/ for more information.

1 & 2) Houston’s Studio
3) Ponds No.2. Acrylic Japanese graphite sepia ink + free stitched under drawing on Belgian linen, framed

08/13/2026

Summer Shoutout Series: week 5 ☀️

This week, we're sending a shoutout to the incredible members of the Women’s Institute who make our communities brighter!

The Port Union-Catalina-Little Catalina branch on the Bonavista Peninsula formed in 1967, and there are currently ~30 active members.

If you're exploring the area this season, be sure to pop by their Craft Shop & Visitor Information Center on Rte. 230 . Since the 1990s, members have been showcasing and selling the handcrafted pieces they’ve created. It’s the perfect place to pick up unique, locally made treasures.

📸: Chris Clarke

08/11/2026

Last week was a gorgeous time 😍

Thank you to everyone around the Peninsula who helped host our 2027 Curator Chris Clarke and Exhibitions Manager Luca Jesse Apel, who visited the Peninsula to join Executive Director Sue Balint for a busy itinerary of site and artist studio visits.

We're now just one year away from the 2027 exhibition. Development of a curatorial vision and list of potential artists from across the province and around the world is well underway.

We also want to send a special thank you to Round Da Bay Inn for hosting a lovely gathering for the Biennale team and special guests this past weekend. We appreciate you!

08/06/2026

Summer Shout-Out Series: week 4 ☀️

The English Harbour Arts Centre is a former Anglican Church and restored heritage building overlooking Trinity Bay. The Centre's programming this summer offers a concert series, with two events remaining in August.

Check out the line-up here:
https://www.englishharbourartsassociation.com/all-events

Image ID:
A bright and sunny outdoor photograph of the English Harbour Arts Centre, a historic white wooden building with red trim and a burgundy red roof. The building sits behind a field of purple flowers and green grass.

Pro tip: English Harbour is a gorgeous hidden gem of a community on the Peninsula. Worth a stroll around!

07/30/2026

Summer Shout-Out Series: week 3 ☀️

Summer in Newfoundland isn't complete without live music and laughter! Running since 2017, the Garrick Theatre Summer Series brings world class talent right to the heart of Bonavista.

Whether singing along to iconic local favorites like Shanneyganock, taking in the tunes of The Ennis Sisters, or attending comedic performances, such as the weekly open mic nights, the Garrick’s summer lineup has something for everyone. The Garrick is a hub for summer culture on the Bonavista Peninsula.

Check out upcoming events & grab your tickets here:
https://garricktheatre.ca/garrick-summer-series

Image ID:
1) Three people walking through the front entrance doors of the Garrick on a bright summer evening.
2) An exterior shot of the historic theatre, highlighting its iconic dome silhouette against the sky.

07/23/2026

Summer Shoutout series: week 2 ☀️

This week's shoutout goes to one of our greatest local treasures: Rising Tide Theatre! The theatre's 'Seasons in the Bight 2026 festival' offers a chance to enjoy a main stage musical, dinner and a comedy, or an immersive walking performance through the historic streets of Trinity.

Rising Tide is one of the province's premiere cultural destinations, drawing over 20,000 visitors each year. Visiting is an opportunity to experience a blend of traditional Newfoundland lore, contemporary Canadian drama, and local cuisine!.

Check out all of this summer's programming on their website:
https://www.risingtidetheatre.com

Image ID:
Scenic shot of Trinity, featuring the the two bright red Rising Tide Theatre buildings with white window trims situated right on the water.

07/20/2026

Welcome, Luca!

We’re thrilled to welcome the multi-talented Luca Jesse Apel to the Biennale team as Exhibitions Manager!

Luca is a sculptor, arts administrator, and lifelong nomad who has officially pitched his tent in St. John's, NL. Whether he is organizing community events, streamlining digital backbones for arts organizations, or chipping away at a log of wood, Luca brings a unique blend of grounded structure and raw creative energy wherever he goes.

As a sculptor, Luca’s practice is deeply personal, profound, and tactile. His work focuses on translating the lived, often invisible experience of chronic pain into physical forms. His striking pieces have been exhibited in galleries and festivals across Atlantic Canada, British Columbia, and Ontario.

Luca is also a master of digital organization and community building. Recently, he brought vibrant public art to life by running the East West Mural Fest in Esquimalt, BC. He also put his tech-savvy mind to work heading up a massive digital infrastructure overhaul for St. Michael’s Printshop.

Please join us in welcoming Luca to the Peninsula. We look forward to seeing the incredible work he will bring to the 2027 Bonavista Biennale.

07/16/2026

Summer Shoutout series: week 1 ☀️

We're officially kicking off our Summer Shoutout series! Each week, we’ll be highlighting some of our absolute favorite local spots, organizations, or initiatives that make our community so vibrant. For our very first feature, we’re shining the spotlight on the incredible team at Union House Arts and their weekly Makers Night!

What is Makers Night?

Each Thursday from 7–9 pm, UHA opens up its doors for a casual, cozy evening of crafting, chatting, and community. You can bring your own project, or just come for the company! UHA is an accessible and welcoming environment, meant for people of all ages. And did we mention it's completely free? It's one of the best ways to spend a creative Thursday night on the Peninsula.

Follow Union House Arts to check out their schedule, and see which artists-in-residence will be hanging out this week!

Address

16-20 Church Street
Bonavista, NL
A0C 1B0

Website

http://www.bonavistabiennale.com/

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