Rick Burns (1949 - 2004)

Rick was born in Middleton, Nova Scotia, settling in Fredericton, New Brunswick in the late sixties. He studied at the University of New Brunswick and after taking Kent Thompson's Creative Writing course, had a number of short stories and plays produced on CBC Radio. He has twice participated in TNB's Brave New Words.

After apprenticing with Rosemary James Cross, in the mid-seventies, Burns began painting and sculpting. His first solo exhibit was at the Landmark Gallery in 1980, followed by an extensive exhibition record, including a major solo exhibition and an accompanying catalogue published by the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in 1992. His work is included in numerous collections including the UNB Permanent Collection, the NB Museum Collection, the Bank of Montreal, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the NB Art Bank and the Canada Council Art Bank.

He has received an Exploration Grant from Canada Council, four Creation Grants from the NB Arts Branch, a grant from the NB Co-operation Agreement on Cultural Development and the prestigious Strathbutler Award.

He is a founding member of Gallery Connexion, and was a driving force in the Fredericton Art community. He taught drawing and mixed media painting at the NB College of Craft and Design since 1984. Burns served as the visual arts representative on the New Brunswick Arts Board, and as an appointed member of the Cultural Task Force for the Province of New Brunswick.

Awards:

2000       Strathbutler Award

               Creation Grant, NB Arts Board

1999       Creation Grant, New Brunswick Department of Municipalities, Culture and Housing

1997       Creation Grant, New Brunswick Department of Municipalities, Culture and Housing

1996       Solo Exhibition, New Brunswick Department of Municipalities, Culture and Housing

1993       Creation Grant, New Brunswick Department of Municipalities, Culture and Housing

1992       NB Co-operation Agreement on Cultural Development

1991       Creation Grant, New Brunswick Department of Municipalities, Culture and Housing

1986       New Brunswick Cultural Development Branch Grant

1983       New Brunswick Cultural Development Branch Grant

1982       Materials Grant, Fredericton Rotary Club

1981       New Brunswick Cultural Development Branch Grant

1980       Materials Grant, Fredericton Foundation