Violet Gillett

Violet Gillett was born in Liverpool, England in 1898.[2] In 1908 she emigrated with her family to Andover, New Brunswick.[1][2]

She attended the Ontario College of Art in Toronto and in 1928 she attended the Royal College of Art in London, England.[1]

While still a student at the Ontario College of Art, Gillett received a commission to produce medical illustrations for Medical Department of the University of Toronto. She also created illustrations for Dr. Frederick Banting and Dr. Charles Best, the co-discoverers of insulin.[1]

After graduating from the Royal College of Art, Gillett returned to New Brunswick and took up the position of Principal of the Department of Fine and Applied Art at the Saint John Vocational School.[1]

In 1939 New Brunswick province adopted her curriculum for creative art in elementary schools.[2]

During her tenure at Saint John Vocational School Gillett was active in the creation of Maritime Art magazine. This publication was the first Canadian magazine with a sole focus on the visual arts. The first issue was published in 1940 under the auspices of the Maritime Art Association. Gillett and student volunteers from the Vocational School were responsible for production of the first issues.[3]

Gillett participated in the formation of the Maritime Art Association.[2] She was the secretary for nine years[1] then succeeded Walter Abell as president in 1946.[3]

Gillet retired from Saint John Vocational School in 1947.[2] She went on to open a shop with her sister, paint murals for the local church, and write and illustrate two books;Where the Wild Flowers Grow and In the Fields and Wood.[1]

Gillett died in 1996 in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick.[1]

• Member of the Order of Canada, 1976
• New Brunswick Teacher's Centennial Award (1976)
• Queen's Jubilee Medal (1977)
• Governor General's Medal (1977)

• In fields and woods. Brunswick Press. 1967. OCLC 70433574.
• Where wild flowers grow. Brunswick Press. 1966. OCLC 63551000.