This Week at Agnes

Sandra Brewster’s Judith Brown (Blur #6)

In a powerful act of public memory, Toronto artist Sandra Brewster remounts Judith Brown (Blur #6)—a monumental portrait of Kingston’s beloved mentor, leader, community advocate and educator Judith Brown who passed away in October 2024 at the age of 81. Paying tribute to the joy and enduring presence of Black people in Kingston, Brewster’s original 2019 portrait of Brown was part of an Agnes-commissioned series of Sandra’s signature “blur” portraits that feature several influential community members.

This public artwork, located on the exterior of 68 Brock St,  is produced with the loving support of Dr. Aba Mortley, community member and local business owner, and supported by Arts and Culture Services at the City of Kingston.

Sandra Brewster is a finalist for the 2025 Sobey Art Award. She is based in Toronto.

Framing the unknown: The Journey of Monogrammist I.S.

Two paintings from our Bader Collection made the 6,300 km trip to Mänttä, Finland to be a part of  Master I.S.: The Enigmatic Contemporary of Rembrandt, on now at Serlachius. The exhibition is dedicated to the works of an unknown painter, Master I.S. (aka Monogrammist I.S.) who is thought to have moved in the same circles as artists such as Rembrandt and Lievens.

Read  Framing the Unknown and discover what it takes to make an international loan come together.

Learn more about Master I.S. by viewing Serlachius’ mini documentary on the mysterious figure, available on their website now!

Master I.S.: The Enigmatic Contemporary of Rembrandt is on view at Serlachius until  18 August 2025 and travels to Museum de Lakenhal in Leiden, Netherlands until 2026.

Cultivating Sustainable Collections

Cultivating Sustainable Collections is a two-day gathering focused on advancing sustainable practices in collection management and preventive conservation. Initiated by Agnes’s Collections and Care Manager, Gabriel Bevilacqua, this event brings together professionals, community leaders, researchers, artists, students and collectors to share and exchange innovative, practical and community-rooted solutions for a greener approach to cultural heritage care.

Each day features a panel discussion and a workshop. Participants can build their own agenda by signing up for events individually. Panel discussions are free of charge and are offered in-person. Workshops are fee-based and in-person only. Early bird pricing is on until 31 July 2025.

For more information and to register for the events, please visit: Cultivating Sustainable Collections page on our website.

With generous support from the Elizabeth L. Gordon Art Program, a program of the Gordon Foundation and administered by the Ontario Arts Foundation. With additional travel support from the Chancellor Dunning Trust Visitorship.