Articles & Images Submitted by Micha Fardy, Executive Director, Friends of Fundy
There is something cool beginning to take shape at the Molly Kool Heritage Centre located in Fundy National Park.
This summer, the Friends of Fundy, in partnership with the UNESCO-designated Fundy Biosphere Region and Fundy National Park, has invited four artists to help develop the Molly Kool Heritage Centre Artist-in-Residency program.
Inspired by the spirit of Captain Molly Kool, North America’s first licensed woman sea captain, the residency will invite artists to spend time in the Bay of Fundy region exploring how creativity can deepen our relationship with landscape, culture, and one another. The long-term vision is for the Molly Kool Heritage Centre to become not only a place where history is preserved, but a gathering place where stories continue to evolve through art, learning, and shared experiences.
The residency program is still very much in its learning phase, but we are excited to welcome the first artist this season: New Brunswick painter Jill McNair. Jill will be in residence from June 29 to July 5. Many visitors already know Jill’s work from the Friends of Fundy Outpost gift shops, where her nature-inspired paintings have become a favourite among visitors and locals alike. After a career in education, Jill became widely recognized for her artwork celebrating the natural beauty of New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. Her paintings can now be found in homes and galleries across the region, from Fredericton to Moncton and beyond. During her residency, Jill hopes to spend time exploring the landscapes and ecosystems of the Fundy Region, drawing inspiration from the colours, textures, tides, and forms that make this place so distinct.
The residency program encourages artists to engage directly with the community through conversations, workshops, storytelling, and shared creative experiences. At least one new piece of art will be created during each residency period, with participating artists contributing work to the residency art exhibit during the Rising Tide Trails & Tunes Festival in October 2026.
Other artists joining us this summer include: Ronda Cynthia Fraser - July 6th to July 11th Emily Jane Kelly - July 18th to July 26th Ann Piché - July 28th to August 6th. Full descriptions for these artists will be included in the July Connecting Albert County.
The Molly Kool Centre has long been home to community events. This developing residency will offer new ways to experience the Fundy region and further strengthen communities, celebrate culture, and care for the land and waters that we all share. As the residency evolves over time, organizers hope it will continue to grow as a meaningful platform for artists, residents, and visitors alike, carrying forward the legacy of Molly Kool through creativity, stewardship, and shared experiences rooted in the Bay of Fundy.
There is something cool beginning to take shape at the Molly Kool Heritage Centre located in Fundy National Park.
This summer, the Friends of Fundy, in partnership with the UNESCO-designated Fundy Biosphere Region and Fundy National Park, has invited four artists to help develop the Molly Kool Heritage Centre Artist-in-Residency program.
Inspired by the spirit of Captain Molly Kool, North America’s first licensed woman sea captain, the residency will invite artists to spend time in the Bay of Fundy region exploring how creativity can deepen our relationship with landscape, culture, and one another. The long-term vision is for the Molly Kool Heritage Centre to become not only a place where history is preserved, but a gathering place where stories continue to evolve through art, learning, and shared experiences.
The residency program is still very much in its learning phase, but we are excited to welcome the first artist this season: New Brunswick painter Jill McNair. Jill will be in residence from June 29 to July 5. Many visitors already know Jill’s work from the Friends of Fundy Outpost gift shops, where her nature-inspired paintings have become a favourite among visitors and locals alike. After a career in education, Jill became widely recognized for her artwork celebrating the natural beauty of New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. Her paintings can now be found in homes and galleries across the region, from Fredericton to Moncton and beyond. During her residency, Jill hopes to spend time exploring the landscapes and ecosystems of the Fundy Region, drawing inspiration from the colours, textures, tides, and forms that make this place so distinct.
The residency program encourages artists to engage directly with the community through conversations, workshops, storytelling, and shared creative experiences. At least one new piece of art will be created during each residency period, with participating artists contributing work to the residency art exhibit during the Rising Tide Trails & Tunes Festival in October 2026.
Other artists joining us this summer include: Ronda Cynthia Fraser - July 6th to July 11th Emily Jane Kelly - July 18th to July 26th Ann Piché - July 28th to August 6th. Full descriptions for these artists will be included in the July Connecting Albert County.
The Molly Kool Centre has long been home to community events. This developing residency will offer new ways to experience the Fundy region and further strengthen communities, celebrate culture, and care for the land and waters that we all share. As the residency evolves over time, organizers hope it will continue to grow as a meaningful platform for artists, residents, and visitors alike, carrying forward the legacy of Molly Kool through creativity, stewardship, and shared experiences rooted in the Bay of Fundy.
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