Thomas Suntherland after James Hakewill,
“Trinity Estate, St. Mary’s,” 1825, hand-coloured aquatint
“Trinity Estate, St. Mary’s,” 1825, hand-coloured aquatint

Most people don’t know
about the 200-year history
of slavery on Canadian soil.
The Institute will change that
by revealing, preserving, and
sharing the complex and
interwoven histories of
bondage, slave ownership,
cultural contact, and colonial
commerce.
William Clark, The Court-House, 1823,
hand-coloured aquatint
hand-coloured aquatint

The Institute will provide a one-of-a-kind
destination with the space, resources,
and community for scholars, artists and
cultural producers to create work
related to Canadian Slavery and its
legacies.
The Story The Space The Vision and Mission

William Clark, Carting and Putting Sugar-Hogsheads
on Board, 1823, hand-coloured aquatint
on Board, 1823, hand-coloured aquatint


Through a variety of archival
materials, art, and artifacts, the
Institute will share the stories of
the lives and experiences of the
enslaved in Canada that might
otherwise remain hidden,
misunderstood, and devalued.
Mandate Areas Outcomes
Photo: Stephen Brookbank

Dr. Charmaine A. Nelson is a
professor of art history, NSCAD
University’s Tier 1 Canada Research
Chair in Transatlantic Black Diasporic Art
and Community Engagement, and the
founding director of The Institute for the
Study of Canadian Slavery.
She is supported by research assistants Emily Davidson, Katelyn Clark and Achini Ranasinghege.
She is supported by research assistants Emily Davidson, Katelyn Clark and Achini Ranasinghege.
Team Bios Advisory Board Affiliations

Agostino Brunias, Linen Market, Dominica (1780), oil
on canvas, 49.8 x 68.6 cm.
on canvas, 49.8 x 68.6 cm.
FELLOWS
The Institute supports and promotes traditional academic fellows and artists-in-residence working in its mandate areas through funding, office or studio space, and library access that allows for research and production time, peer-support, mentorship, and exhibition/collaboration opportunities.
The Institute supports and promotes traditional academic fellows and artists-in-residence working in its mandate areas through funding, office or studio space, and library access that allows for research and production time, peer-support, mentorship, and exhibition/collaboration opportunities.
STUDY
The Institute’s only designated faculty is its director, Dr. Nelson. However, as cohorts of postdoctoral fellows becomes more established, a part of their role will be to teach courses relevant to their disciplinary expertise.
Dr. Nelson is scheduled to teach ‘The Visual Culture of Slavery’ (AHIS 4401) during NSCAD’s winter 2022 semester.
The Institute’s only designated faculty is its director, Dr. Nelson. However, as cohorts of postdoctoral fellows becomes more established, a part of their role will be to teach courses relevant to their disciplinary expertise.
Dr. Nelson is scheduled to teach ‘The Visual Culture of Slavery’ (AHIS 4401) during NSCAD’s winter 2022 semester.
DONATE
An investment in the Institute is an investment in reconciliation and progress towards a more just and equitable society for all Canadians. Changing our knowledge of and conversations about the past through our established institutions and structures is an important step forward. If you would like to support a fellow, an artist-in-residence, or programming, donate today.
An investment in the Institute is an investment in reconciliation and progress towards a more just and equitable society for all Canadians. Changing our knowledge of and conversations about the past through our established institutions and structures is an important step forward. If you would like to support a fellow, an artist-in-residence, or programming, donate today.
PARTICIPATE
The Institute will host and convene various conferences, exhibitions, lectures, readings, screenings, workshops, and other events. Students, scholars, artists, cultural workers, and the general public are welcome to attend and to participate.
The Institute will host and convene various conferences, exhibitions, lectures, readings, screenings, workshops, and other events. Students, scholars, artists, cultural workers, and the general public are welcome to attend and to participate.
902-450-4313