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The Owens Art Gallery at 69���˵�Ӱ�� University will present an exhibition titled Hidden Blackness: Edward Mitchell Bannister (1828–1901), opening on Friday, Jan. 24. This exhibition highlights the life and work of Edward Mitchell Bannister, a pioneering 19th-century Black artist, and is the first major presentation of his work in Canada — 124 years after his death. 

The exhibition is a collaboration between the Owens Art Gallery, curator Dr. David Woods, and the Black Artists Network of Nova Scotia. Emily Falvey, director/curator of the Owens Art Gallery, says, “We are honoured to collaborate on this historic exhibition and to offer a long-awaited homecoming for Bannister’s work in the Maritime region.” 

Hidden Blackness represents the artist’s Maritime homecoming. Featuring loans from the permanent collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the New Brunswick Museum, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, as well as the private collection of Marilyn Sandford, the exhibition will tour the region for a year, with presentations at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery (Summer 2025) and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (Fall 2025).  

According to Dr. Woods, “Hidden Blackness will give the Canadian public its first glimpse of the creativity and excellence of Edward Mitchell Bannister’s artistry, while also providing an important opportunity to examine his early years in Saint Andrews, NB, as well as the life of nineteenth-century Black New Brunswickers in communities like Slabtown.” 

Hidden Blackness: Edward Mitchell Bannister (1828-1901) provides an opportunity for Maritime audiences to delve into the significant contributions of this remarkable artist to the art world and Canadian culture. By spotlighting Bannister's legacy, the exhibition encourages a deeper appreciation of the diverse voices that have shaped the country’s cultural heritage. Attendees will have the chance to witness Bannister's artistic evolution and recognize his vital roles as a philanthropist and abolitionist. Among the highlights are rare works like "Untitled (Sunset with Quarter Moon and Farmhouse)" (1883) and “Approaching Storm” (1886), both of which offer insights into his dual identity as an artist and a community leader. 

This exhibition is more than an art showcase; it serves as a meaningful reclamation of history, inviting visitors to engage with the rich narratives of Black excellence while celebrating Bannister's enduring legacy.  

The exhibition will be on view until Sunday, April 6 on the main floor at  the Owens Art Gallery.  

About Edward Mitchell Bannister 

Born in Saint Andrews, NB, in 1828, Bannister’s life is a testament to grit and genius. Despite the systemic prejudice of his time, he earned accolades for his pastoral landscapes and seascapes, which aligned with the Barbizon school of painting. Beyond his art, Bannister was a philanthropist, abolitionist, and co-founder of the Rhode Island School of Design and the Providence Art Club. 

Bannister’s landscape paintings transcend time, resonating as much for their beauty as for the perseverance behind them. Breaking through the rigid racial barriers of 19th-century society, Bannister emerged as a masterful artist, winning critical acclaim despite systemic discrimination. His triumph at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, where he earned first prize for his now-lost painting Under the Oaks, cemented his place in history as the first African American/Canadia to win a major art prize in the United States. 

Bannister’s impressive contributions are increasingly celebrated in the United States, with institutions like the Smithsonian American Art Museum featuring his work and galleries honoring his legacy. However, he remains largely unknown in his home country of Canada, promoting his work could help bridge this gap and foster a greater appreciation for his talent among Canadian audiences. 

For more information about the Owens Art Gallery  visit