November 16th 2025 marks the 121st birthday of our beloved building.

Did you know the Saint John Arts Centre was originally built as one of the Carnegie Libraries in 1904? We are one of 125 built in Canada, and are also one of 63 left standing in the country.

Many Saint John residents grew up studying in what are now our galleries. If you ask your parents and grandparents, they would most likely have a story to tell about reading a book or two in these walls – looking at the same oak archways and fire places, the same architecture in the rotunda (the main lobby), taking in the breathtaking stained glass in the bottom of the cupola (designed by Halifax’s Frank Reardon) and walking across the same English Encaustic floor tiles, imported from Minton Hollins Ltd. Although some may not have gotten to enjoy the stained glass as it was dismantled and covered by a drop ceiling (we believe during WW2) and was refurbished in the 1980’s.

The building remained as the free public library until 1983, when the literary collection grew too large for the building to hold. The library then moved to Market Square where it still is to this day. After the move they had a large “yard sale” here where some Saint John residents ended up owning furniture from the building. If you or any of your family have any of the pieces from that sale.

After the library moved the building received a grant from Lady Violet Aitken and the Beaverbrook Foundation, the building was refurbished including the magnificent stained glass. Local artisan Paul Blaney took great care to ensure it was returned to its former glory. Architect Bob Boyce led the renovation for the Aitken Bicentennial Exhibition Centre. He wanted to keep the integrity of the building so he would “commune” with the building, letting it speak to him about what should be done.

Once the revamp was completed in 1985, the building was then named The Aitken Bicentennial Exhibition Centre, with a dual visual arts and science education mandate. It was filled with interactive science exhibits and art showcases. Many Saint John schoolchildren, now adults, grew up visiting the building during this time. Do you have any memories of visiting here as a child?

There are many aspects of this building that keep it near and dear to countless hearts in the community. Those who have grown up studying in the facility for sentimentality, and others for the fact that Saint John Architect G. Ernest Fairweather designed the building, and Saint John Alderman Robert Maxwell brought the Beaux-Arts façade to life with his accomplished masonry skills.

Now the building lives as our beloved Saint John Arts Centre. You can come in anytime Tuesday – Saturday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm to enjoy the art work in our 5 galleries and admire the stunning architecture. We have new exhibitions approximately every 6 weeks. Admission is free yet donations are gratefully accepted.

~ Fun facts:
~ The sandstone on the outside of the SJAC was quarried from Pickard Quarry in Sackville NB
~Some of the motif above our front entrance is repeated on the fireplaces and wood working within the building.
~You can see the original stained glass front window above the entrance to the Saint John Free Public Library main branch, as well as a portrait painting of Andrew Carnegie, architect’s sketch, and other artifacts from the building’s rich past.

Stop by the public library any day between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm to view these artifacts

Visit our social media to see a collection of photographs of the buildings past.Click here for Instagram and click here for Facebook