See the upcoming events at the Gallery.

The John V. Hicks Gallery is located on the second floor of the Arts Centre (1010 Central Avenue) and features local and regional art exhibitions.

John V. Hicks (1907 – 1999) - Prince Albert’s former Poet Laureate

John Victor Hicks was born on February 24, 1907 in London, England, but his family immigrated to Canada while he was still an infant.  After living in New Brunswick, Quebec and Alberta, Hicks settled in Prince Albert, where he resided until his death.

Hicks began writing poetry in the 1930s while perusing a career as an accountant. However, he didn’t publish his first book of poetry until 1978 at the age of 71. Now is a Far Country (Thistledown, 1978) was the culmination of years of publishing individual poems in journals across Canada and the United States, and along with later works it reflects the influence of writers like T.S. Elliot. In total Hicks published ten books of poetry during his distinguished life.

Music was Hicks’ other great passion. He served as the organist at St. Alban’s Cathedral in Prince Albert for more than sixty years. As far as John was concerned, music and poetry were inseparable and his poems demonstrate his love of music. Carefully chosen language, rhythms and silences reinforce the underlying themes of his work.

Although he was dubbed “Canada’s most neglected poet” by Earle Birney, Hicks did receive his share of recognition and fame. He appeared as a regular guest on the CBC program Morningside, he received the Saskatchewan Arts Board’s Lifetime Award for Excellence in the Arts in 1990, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 1992, and unofficially served as Prince Albert’s Poet Laureate until his death in 1999.

Hicks left a legacy of contributions to the arts and culture of Canada, Saskatchewan and Prince Albert. Although he never formally taught poetry or music, he participated in afternoon teas at the Prince Albert Arts Centre almost daily where he served as a mentor for aspiring artists. Here, his ability to recognize talent drew many young people to him for a review (or a preview). It was Hicks who encouraged the tenor Jon Vickers to pursue a singing career. It is for these contributions that the art gallery at the Prince Albert Arts Centre was named in honor of John V. Hicks.

Information is from the Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan

Below is the schedule of exhibits that will be appearing at the John V. Hicks Gallery.

For more information about showing your work in the gallery, please contact Michel Boutin at 764-7667.