More than a century after her last painting, Africville artist gets first solo exhibition

In the 1980s, David Woods volunteered at the north-end library in Halifax, where he regularly encountered a woman named Ruth Johnson. Johnson would often mention her mother, Edith MacDonald-Brown, who was known for her talent in painting. Despite Johnson’s frequent mentions, she did not provide many details about her mother’s artwork.

Years later, in the late 1990s, Woods was curating an exhibition of Black Nova Scotian art when he remembered his conversations with Johnson. Intrigued by the prospect of showcasing MacDonald-Brown’s work, Woods visited Johnson’s house to view some of the paintings. Impressed by the quality of the artwork, Woods promised to organize a solo exhibition of MacDonald-Brown’s pieces.

Although Johnson passed away in 2003, Woods made it his mission to fulfill his promise to her. The exhibition, titled “From Africville: The Paintings of Edith MacDonald-Brown,” is set to open at Mount Saint Vincent University’s art gallery. The showcase features a collection of MacDonald-Brown’s paintings, spanning from 1898 to 1913.

MacDonald-Brown, who was born in Africville in 1886, displayed a remarkable talent for painting from a young age. Her works encompassed themes of nature and rural life, reflecting her upbringing in both Africville and Montreal. Despite her artistic prowess, MacDonald-Brown’s painting career ceased around 1914 when she returned to Africville to get married. She passed away in 1954.

Melanie Colosimo, the director of the Mount’s art gallery, believes that MacDonald-Brown’s work aligns well with the gallery’s focus on women artists and the university’s proximity to Africville. By showcasing MacDonald-Brown’s paintings, the exhibition sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of Africville’s history.

The exhibit features nine of MacDonald-Brown’s known works, on loan from family members including her great-granddaughter Colleen Howe-Boone, who traveled from Virginia Beach, Va., for the opening. Howe-Boone views the exhibit as a spiritual experience, recognizing her great-grandmother’s artistic legacy within her family.

Colosimo hopes that the exhibition will spark further research into MacDonald-Brown’s life, potentially uncovering more of her artworks. Woods, on the other hand, aims to give MacDonald-Brown the recognition she deserves for her talent and contributions to the art world.

“From Africville: The Paintings of Edith MacDonald-Brown” will run until April 26, inviting visitors to appreciate the beauty and significance of MacDonald-Brown’s artwork. Through this exhibition, her legacy as a talented artist from Africville will be celebrated and honored for generations to come.