History of Gallery 78

The oldest private art gallery in New Brunswick was established in 1976 by James and Inge Pataki. James, a classical musician, and Inge, a practicing visual artist, arrived in Fredericton from Europe in 1970 when James joined the Brunswick String Quartet at the University of New Brunswick.

Avid art lovers and collectors for many years, they quickly became an integral part of the province's cultural community and opened a gallery in their home at 78 Brunswick Street with a stable of artists/friends including Bruno Bobak, Molly Lamb Bobak, David Blackwood, Carol Fraser, Brigid Toole Grant, Joseph Plaskett, David Silverberg and others. By the late 1980s their home was no longer adequate to house this flourishing business and with foresight and considerable tenacity, they acquired the Crocket House, an historic home the present location since 1989. Click here to read more about the history of the home.

Situated in Fredericton's historic downtown, overlooking the scenic Wolastoq, the gallery is just steps away from the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, the Legislative Assembly and Christ Church Cathedral. The building itself is a stately 19th century Queen Anne Revival mansion complete with conical roof, corner turret, decorative shingles, bay and stained-glass windows, and intricate woodwork. The gallery provides a studio space on the second floor to watercolour and egg tempera painter, David McKay.

Gallery 78 presents major solo and group exhibitions every month throughout the year in seven spacious exhibition areas.

While Inge continues to provide counsel to the gallery, daughter Germaine Pataki-Thériault and granddaughters Véronique and Sophie work with family and close friends to promote the wonderful art of Atlantic Canada to the world.

Galleries should be enjoyable, comfortable, inspiring places to visit. Gallery 78 is renowned for its exceptional service, warm hospitality, high quality art selection, expert advice, honesty and integrity. Clients have trusted the gallery since 1976 to help build their art collections and beautify their homes and offices. Gallery 78 serves a clientele of corporate, private, and public collectors in Canada and abroad.

Gallery 78 is honoured to have been recognized with the 2004 Micro Business Excellence Award, the 2016 Community Leadership through Business Award, and the 2018 Small Business Excellence Award by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.

Gallery 78 is a long-standing member of the Art Dealers Association of Canada.

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