1. 1
The Miramichi International Castle
Galleries and Convent Art Studios

2. 2
The Miramichi Economic Vitality
The Miramichi region is facing few challenges
and the Government has made several
announcements to diversify the local economy and
help jump-starting Miramichi’s economy.
Miramichi has been dependent on the forestry
industry as its main economy and the local
government wants to help change and diversify
the region’s economy.
The New Brunswick government is committed to
attracting new businesses to the region.
The city is very interested in working with
provincial and federal governments to help the
Miramichi region evolve and considers them
important partners in a brighter economic future.

3. 3
The Community Growth Strategy (CGS)
• The City of Miramichi mandated the consulting
firm P.K. Consulting to elaborate and deliver a
growth strategy report for the region.
• The CGS, a broad-based community consultation,
reflects the views of the stakeholders and the
current socio-economic context of the region.
• It also discussed desired projects that are needed
in four principal areas one of which being the
cultural sector.

4. 4
The Three Cultural Challenges
Miramichi cultural challenges:
Need to identify and share what we have in
the region (communicate).
Need to preserve the culture;
Need to provide incentives for people to
work/train in the off time.
The need to promote Miramichi’s 4 major
cultures (Acadian, First Nations, Irish and
Scottish).
The importance of developing and maintaining
cultural projects and the need to be inclusive of
First Nations and other Minorities.

5. 5
Our Vision
In parallel with the Vision of the City of Miramichi
which is “to be the most progressive,
prosperous and healthiest community in
Canada” we want to create an international
culture and tourism destination in Miramichi.
To promote the three strategic policies of the
City of Miramichi which are :
1. Effective and efficient use of human,
financial and capital resources.
2. Economic growth and sustainability; and
3. Consistency
To foster an international exchange of artists
and provide for new artists the opportunity to
learn from more seasoned ones.
To provide a venue for the exposition of
Acadian, First Nations, Irish and Scottish Art

6. 6
Our Mission
In harmony with the Mission of the City of
Miramichi which is “to provide services and
encourage growth to ensure an outstanding
quality of life for all of its citizens” we will
improve, upgrade and expand the old Courthouse
and the Convent in keeping with the original
design and character into an International Art
Gallery and Studios which will ensure growth and
enhance the quality of life of its citizens.
To work with Team Miramichi to create an
International Gallery and Art Studio where artists
and art lovers locally and from around the world
will assemble in a heritage setting conducive to
creativity and serenity

7. 7
Location
The two-storey building, commonly referred to as
the ‘‘big sandstone courthouse’’ is a 90 year old
Northumberland County Courthouse located on a
hill at the corner of Newcastle Boulevard and the
King George Highway in the City of Miramichi. It
has served as a landmark in the community for
nearly a century.

8. 8
Castle Galleries and Museum
Floor Plans

9. 9
The Miramichi International Castle
Galleries and Museum

10. 10
Concept
The Miramichi International Castle Galleries and
Convent Art Studios is to become Miramichi's
designated regional art and cultural gallery.
It will be an independent non-profit public art &
cultural gallery committed to the acquisition,
education, presentation, interpretation and
dissemination of modern and contemporary visual
art for the benefit of the regional and international
arts community and to develop tourism for the
region.
The non-profit organization will be called the
Miramichi International Cultural Centre (MICC)

11. 11
Concept – Castle Galleries
The very imposing chateau style building will be
converted into an art gallery and museum with a
permanent collection.
The project will explore a variety of opportunities
and include exhibitions, talks, lectures, tours and
the productions of visual arts by local, national and
international artists.
It will have a growing contemporary collection of
works associated with the region.
We are exploring to partner with the Breaverbrook
Art Gallery to establish a satellite site in Miramichi.

12. 12
Concept – Castle Galleries
We will house Acadian and Aboriginal art collections such
acclaimed New Brunswick painter Bruno Boback and the
internationally acclaimed Acadian heritage painter Léo B.
Leblanc.
Partnership with the New Brunswick Arts Board to promote
Aboriginal artists and promote the development and creation
of culturally specific / contemporary Aboriginal works.
Include in the foyer area of the Castle a very rare painting
(10ft x 18ft) on the Acadian Deportation by the nationally
acclaimed 20th Century Acadian painter Edouard Gaudreau.
The surrounding gardens will be for use by artists and as a
tourism attraction.

13. 13
Location
The old St-Marie’s convent located on King
George Highway is situated centrally on a large
3.8 acre lot. It is a 4 storey steel framed building
with brick/stone exterior.

14. 14
The Miramichi International
Convent Art Studios

15. 15
The Miramichi International
Convent Art Studios

16. 16
Convent Art Studios Loft Floor plan

17. 17
Convent Art Studios Lofts

18. 18
Convent Art Studios Lofts

19. 19
Concept – Convent Art Studios
It will be adapted to lofts (open concepts studios)
for visiting artists and will house workshops,
classes, studios, incubators and computer art
facilities.
It will have space for the exposition of permanent
and temporary art work and will include surrounding
gardens for use by artists and as a tourism
attraction
It will become a venue for the sale of local goods
and artifacts. Lofts for artists will be available while
attending workshops or working on major
collections

20. 20
The Miramichi International
Convent Art Studios

21. 21
The Miramichi International
Convent Art Studios

22. 22
The Miramichi International
Convent Art Studios

23. 23
The Miramichi International
Convent Art Studios
Dedicated fly fishing workshop: locals
to teach their art and sell products

24. 24
Financial and Economic Considerations
Initial estimate of the capital (one time) works needed is
approximately $8.5million. An additional $1 million will be
required to make both buildings handicap accessible
Initial feasibility for the operations, after 2 years the annual
expenses will be $1.2 million, with revenues estimated at
$800,000, therefore a recovery of 75%.
Direct economic spin-off:
During the construction phase: 60+ FTE jobs
During the operational phase: 20+ FTE jobs annually
Significant indirect economic spin-off such as taxes,
hospitality, tourism, transportation and indirect jobs.
100% local distribution of the labour, material and
professional services contracts, all capital and operational
expenditures funding will stay in the local and regional
economies.

25. 25
Next Steps
Answer your questions
Obtain approval in-principle to move to next phase:
detailed planning (project approval).
Work in collaboration with Business New Brunswick
to prepare necessary applications for funding
Start initial design work and construction by latest
March 2008 in order to have the venues opened by
summer 2009 in conjunction with Acadian World
Congress.

26. 26
Mr. Yvon Furoy
Established and successful entrepreneur that is passionate about art,
he has a significant collection of paintings
Is a visionary who has a dream to promote local culture and has
found his calling in Miramichi.
Mr. Furoy has invested resources and effort in this project and
obtained letters of intents from local and non-local artists and art
collectors for the exhibition of their paintings worth millions of dollars.
“I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE DIRECT
ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY AND ASSIST
THE GOVERNMENT IN ACHIEVING ITS ECONOMIC AND
CULTUREAL OBJECTIVES.” (Yvon Furoy)