BARDO-29 is an experimental art space in Gillams, NL, presenting new work by invited artists. Now in its sixth year, BARDO-29 is open to the public each summer.

BARDO-29 started in 2017 as a way of keeping The House Museum alive as a venue for art and community. Each summer, it hosts exhibitions and performances with the guiding principle being that the artist(s) need to step outside of their usual mode of working and try something new. Since the space and audience are small, the risk level is low. Thus, the invitation is to take a risk with new materials, ways of work or subject matter.

Artists interested in presenting a project in BARDO-29 should get in touch.

2017 - Newfoundland, Real and Imagined. The inaugural BARDO-29 exhibition was a group show of over 20 artists exploring how tourist marketing affects our understanding of this place.

2018 - That Reminds Me (to nature, the roof and the floor holding heart). Amy Bay, an artist based in Portland, OR, and Ashley Hemmings, an artist in Newfoundland, engaged in a long-distance collaboration to create a site-specific piece that included hooked rugs and painted wall decorations inspired by Ashley’s nan’s house.

2019 - Emma and Marta Croll-Baehre hosted a drag king performance inquiring into place and perception.

2020 - Shawn O’Hagan: Joyful Effort and Intuitive Stitching. The COVID-19 pandemic closed BARDO-29 in 2020 for public events so we collaborated with Corner Brook-based artist, Shawn O’Hagan to create an online conversation about her project, Intuitive Stitching.

2021 - Getting There. Gaayathri Sukanda Murugan presented a multimedia installation exploring issues of mental health and coming through the pandemic.

2022 - Printshop in a Box. BARDO-29 hosted a hands-on printmaking workshop for community members using the 3-D printed printing press developed by the Visual Art program at Memorial University. Participants learned to create a small print using materials and the press.

2023 - MFA in Conversation. A collaboration with students in the MFA program at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University. They came out for conversation and tea, then created spontaneous work in response to the site.