Immense congratulations are in order! Fredericton’s own John Leroux has been named a 2024 recipient of the Order of New Brunswick “for his outstanding vision, dedication and commitment to the future of the province's architecture and to the protection of historic buildings, and for his passion for building an improved quality of life for generations to come.”
Art and architectural historian, curator, educator, and practitioner John Leroux has fostered a renewed appreciation of the architecture and culture of New Brunswick.
Over the past 25 years, he has been an ardent defender of New Brunswick's historic buildings and a champion of insightful contemporary design. He has spearheaded efforts to save from destruction important sites such as York House, the Centennial Building, and Charlotte Street School in his hometown of Fredericton, and Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral in Moncton. He has also led the careful restoration of provincial treasures like the McAdam Railway Station, St. Anne’s Chapel of Ease in Fredericton, and St. Lawrence’s Anglican Church in Bouctouche.
Always willing to share his knowledge and skills for the benefit of his community, Leroux has volunteered with the City of Fredericton Preservation Review Board and the City of Fredericton's Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. Most recently, he helped design and co-ordinate a ‘’housing first’’ retrofit of an historic Fredericton building into dignified affordable housing.
Leroux has worked at prominent architecture firms in Toronto, Atlanta, Saint John and Fredericton, and has won many awards for architectural and public art projects throughout Canada. He was a team member of Canada’s entry at the 2012 Venice Biennale in architecture, and he has authored 18 books on architecture and visual culture, including Building New Brunswick: An Architectural History and A Vision in Wood and Stone: The Architecture of Mount Allison University.
Says publisher Susanne Alexander, “We have had the absolute pleasure of working with Leroux on numerous publications over the years.” His books include Peter Powning: A Retrospective | Une retrospective; Wabanaki Modern | Wabanaki Kiskukewey | Wabanaki Moderne; A Natural Balance: The K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens at Acadia University; the recently released Michael Smith: Sea of Chance | Mer mouvante; as well as the forthcoming St. George: Ebb & Flow | Au gré des vagues, which features the work of photographer Susan Lapides.
We can wholeheartedly attest to John Leroux’s passion, his intelligence, and his boundless energy. Well earned!