This is a practicum project exploring the History of the McMullen Gallery and displaying that history in a visual format. Research into McMullen Gallery’s archives was done in preparation for this project.

(1) The gallery's architectural drawings - almost 40 years later it is largely the same. Image by Richard Connor 1983. (2) first invitation announcing the opening of McMullen Gallery. (3) The original mandate for McMullen Gallery.

In 1977, McMullen Gallery had its start when William Bernard McMullen, the Chairman of the Alberta Art Foundation and Vice chairman Chairman of the University Hospitals Board, had the idea for a space in the new University Hospital where patients, hospital staff, and visitors could find peace and quiet in an otherwise stressful place. The space, originally called the “Rest and Relaxation Area”, was planned through consultation with the Edmonton Art Gallery, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and other cultural institutions. The planning team proposed a space with appropriate lighting, climate control, wall finishing, and acoustics to allow for music and visual art to be presented in a “restful environment.” Even a glass wall was proposed “for attraction of visitors [and] … ease of security and psychological relief.” (1)

Unfortunately, William McMullen died in 1979, 7 years before his vision was realized, and in 1984 it was decided that the space would be named in his honour. (A plaque continues to hang outside the entrance to the gallery with a dedication in honour of William Mr. McMullen).

Two years prior to the University of Alberta Hospital opening, the McMullen Steering Committee (3) decided that in addition to a dedicated gallery space, art would be purchased for placement throughout the University Hospital. Initially called the McMullen Collection, artworks were purchased for placement in public, patient, and staff spaces. The artwork would be acquired from Alberta artists and would be “a means of improving the visual and social environments”. (4)Over 900 artworks were purchased and placed in the new hospital. In September of 1986, the University Hospital and McMullen Gallery opened to the public. For its first four years, the Gallery was managed and staffed by volunteers; however the challenging work of managing the gallery was eventually taken on by dedicated, paid staff. (5) The initial McMullen exhibitions were curated through the Alberta Art Foundation’s collection and their staff were used to install the art. Other early exhibitions were drawn from the Edmonton Art Gallery, the University of Alberta Art Collection, and from local, private art collectors.

Over the thirty plus years that McMullen Gallery has been open, not much has changed in its policy to provide a quiet retreat for visitors and to make art accessible to all patients.

Today, this dedicated space for the display of art on the main floor of the Walter C. Mackenzie building, remains largely unchanged in its design. (6) The McMullen Gallery welcomes visitors into an open room with a glass wall (as initially proposed) that looks out on to the main hospital corridor. Removable walls allow for a versatile use of the space. Travertine tiles and carpet cover the floor and the iconic swan and egg chairs designed by Arne Jacobsen purchased in 1986 continue to create a welcoming environment from which visitors can view the art and relax.

• 1977: Phase I of the Walter C. Mackenzie Heath Sciences Centre construction begins. The concept for a gallery hospital was initiated by William McMullen at this time.

• 1979: William McMullen passes away.

• 1982: Phase I of the Mackenzie Centre is completed. Phase II of construction begins.

• 1984 to 1986: The McMullen Steering Committee advises on the creation of the gallery and acquiring art for the hospital. The Rest and Relaxation Area is renamed McMullen Gallery in memory of William McMullen.

• 1986: Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre Phase II is completed, artwork is installed throughout the hospital, and McMullen Gallery officially opens.

• 1986 to 1988: The Friends of the University Hospital take over administration of McMullen Gallery and the art collection.

• 1989: The Family in Inuit Art exhibition is organized by Edmonton’s Inuit Art Enthusiasts, demonstrating the importance of local art collectors to the gallery.

• 1990: A full-time, paid gallery and collection administrator position is hired.

• 1991: Sand, Fire, and Light exhibition, featuring work by Alberta craftspeople, begins a long history of presenting craft in McMullen Gallery.

• 1993: The Dolls of Japan exhibition is curated in partnership with the Japanese Consulate, expanding the gallery’s programming to include international collaborations.

• 1999: A community exhibition, Lost and Found, is presented featuring objects from new immigrants to Canada.

• 1999: The U of A Hospital’s Artists on the Wards program is created.

• 2008: Terry Frost’s DNA - Double Helix sculpture was commissioned to celebrate the University Hospital’s Centennial.

• 2014 and 2017: Dr. Rowland and Muriel Haryett donated 268 artworks to the UofA Hospital, the largest donation of art to the hospital.

• 2017: The Friends collaborate with the Albert Foundation for the Arts (AFA) to curate an exhibition titled This Art Makes Me Feel… in celebration of McMullen Gallery’s 30 th anniversary. The exhibition recognized the importance of the AFA to the Gallery’s origins and reflected new research in hospital art programming.

Personal Experiences Form

If you have a personal story about an experience you have had with the McMullen Gallery that you would like to share online, we would love to hear about it. Just fill out the form below. The stories will be posted on the McMullen Memories page (some editing may be required ). You can choose to leave your name below or remain anonymous. Thank you for sharing.

Footnotes

1 “Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre Detailed Facilities Program, 4.28, Rest & RelaxationArea, McMullen Gallery Archives.

2 Letter from E.W. King, Chairman of the University Hospitals Board, to Mrs. McMullen, August 28.,1984. McMullen Gallery Archives.

3 The McMullen Steering Committee consisted of Mrs. N. Lieberman (Women’s Auxiliary), Mr. Norman Yates (U of A, Department of Art and Design), Mr. Tin Ng (Executive Director, Alberta Art Foundation), Terry Fenton (Director, Edmonton Art Gallery), Mrs. Peggy DeJonge (Volunteer), (Corporate Affairs, U of A Hospitals)

4 “Proposal for Art Acquisitions, Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, Submitted by Donna Karpowich, Interior Designer – Operations Planning”, undated. McMullen Gallery Archives.

5 “The State of the Art”, undated. McMullen Gallery Archives.

6 Letter from W.J. Lavender, Project Director, to Mr. G. Pincock regarding acquiring artwork for the Hospital, November 5, 1985. McMullen Gallery Archives