22 October 2008, Save Easy, Sackville, NB
Ethel ODGEN (1870-1902), Untitled (Landscape), oil on mahogany board. 21.1 x 13.7 cm. Owens Art Gallery, Sackville, Accession no. 1999.118 (Reproduced from Atque Ars : Art From Mount Allison University 1854-1989. Sackville : Owens Art Gallery, 1989, 14).Traded for gift certificates to the Marshlands Inn
Lorena LeBlanc embodies an interesting reflection on gender, labour and class within the Sackville university environment. She lives in the nearby francophone community of Shemogue and is the custodian of the Owens Art Gallery and the Fine Art building on the Mount Allison campus. I think she has been working there for twelve years. A few years ago, she got tired of being invisible to people who only recognized her custodian uniform and decided to get an art history degree. It allowed her to combine her interest in art, history and women’s issues. The degree will also make her eligible for higher paying administrative positions on campus.
Her union contract allows her to take two courses per semester with one year off to go to class full time. Although higher levels of administration encourage her, middle management offers some resistance asking what her intentions are in taking the courses. Custodial staff has been cut down significantly in the last few years (Lorena used to be in charge of cleaning only one of the two buildings) so I imagine they are concerned with who will do the cleaning while Lorena is off learning.
I lectured on relational aesthetics and public art in one of the classes Lorena is taking this semester, and later on had the good fortune to get to know her a bit better. She is incredibly kind and brought me a care package of fresh fruit and soaps to make me feel better while traveling. Also she overheard me wondering where to get supplies for a performance on Saturday night and surprised me by going to get them in anticipation of my needs. Finally, she gave me gift certificates to the Marshlands Inn, the “fancy” restaurant in town so that I could have the experience of this famed Victorian inn before I left Sackville. Thank you Lorena.
Last year I worked at the Owens Art Gallery with the lovely staff there including Lorena. She certianly is an amazing lady, and always enjoyed chatting with her in the mornings before the gallery opened to the public. I hope you enjoyed your time in Sackville. Its a magical little place! :+) best of luck,
Mary
It really is a magical place. I am still basking in the glow of it as I sit here in slushy Montréal.