Who was Armine Nutting Gosling?
A leader with wide sympathies, Armine Nutting Gosling (1861-1942) campaigned for votes for women, first in St. John's where in 1921 a limited property-based franchise was instituted. Describing this as a "stepping stone to greater things" she then led the island-wide Women's Franchise League to victory in 1925. She also provided leadership to child welfare, maternal health and animal rights movements, and reforms in girl's education and women's sports.
No class, or race, or sex can have its interests attended to...
unless it is represented by direct suffrage."
Why this initiative is vital
Sharing the “herstory” of a woman of distinction, whose work helped shape the lives of those choosing a different path from tradition, will inspire others to take bold steps in forging their own life trajectory. Weaving the significant contributions of women back into our historical narrative is a critical stepping stone to equality and towards balanced representation.
Through a realized design by artist Sheila Coultas, Gosling will be commemorated life-sized, in bronze, in Bannerman Park, St. John’s as the first statue of a named woman in the capital’s history. It will also be the first public statue in the province designed by a woman.
Through a realized design by artist Sheila Coultas, Gosling will be commemorated life-sized, in bronze, in Bannerman Park, St. John’s as the first statue of a named woman in the capital’s history. It will also be the first public statue in the province designed by a woman.
Donate today - as individuals:
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Together we are on a journey to achieve recognition for Armine and the Women's Suffrage Movement.
It is not one person, but many that will #RaiseHerUp on metaphorical 'blocks' purchased by individuals. You can purchase one or many. Donors are listed online in perpetuity, linked through a QR code which will appear on the statue's interpretive sign. Individual donors gifting $1,000+ will also be listed directly on the statue signage in Bannerman Park. |
Each 'block' is $25 - you can buy one or more, as a one-time or a monthly donation.
Custom dedications to the special women in your life are a popular option - in memoriam, for birthdays, or holiday presents. Every donation receives a charitable tax receipt. If you prefer to pay by cheque, it may be made out to "Persistence Theatre Company" and mailed to Persistence Theatre Company, The Nest - 410 East White Hills Road, St. John's, NL A1A 5J7 Canada |
Contribute - as a corporation:
- Company logo on the statue's interpretive sign in the popular Bannerman Park
- A private lecture from a renowned historian for clients and staff
- Logo included in promotional material for statue unveiling (evites, website, print)
- Opportunity to host company employees and clients at the statue's unveiling
CASTING IN BRONZE
We sat down with artist Sheila Coultas at the Newfoundland Bronze Foundry to get an update on the progress of the statue, and learn about the process.
Coultas is an artist and welder who started her journey as a textile artist.
“I am passionate about work that gets me dirty and allows me to create,” says Coultas. “I love to explore new mediums and enjoy the creative energy I experience in learning how to do something new.”
Something new indeed! In 2021, PerSIStence approached Coultas to become the first woman to design a piece of public sculpture in the province and the first statue of a named woman in the City of St. John’s - the Armine Nutting Gosling statue.
In 2022, at the project launch, we unveiled Coultas’ maquette of the statue - essentially a smaller version, carved in clay, that served as a design guide for what the full statue in bronze might look like.
“We very much wanted this statue of Armine to be her “in action”, so to speak,” says PerSIStence producing artistic director Jenn Deon.
“We love that Sheila’s design has Armine reaching out to ask you to sign her petition for votes for women!” continues Deon.
For Coultas, designing a figure sculpture involved a combination of historical research and the careful study of anatomy.
“The process was very enlightening,” says Coultas. “And it’s a lot of fun to figure out the musculature and shape.”
Now that the design is finalized, Coultas has begun the process to make the full size statue of Armine that will be erected in Bannerman Park in April 2025 - the 100th anniversary of women achieving the right to vote throughout Newfoundland.
For Coultas, creating this statue has a special personal connection, as she grew up in a home where Armine Nutting Gosling was a hero.
Coultas’ mother is Frances Ennis, a well-known feminist in our community who has walked a path very similar to Armine. Ennis has also dedicated her life to women’s rights, and has worked tireless with related causes such as adult literacy and anti-violence against women, work for which Ennis has been awarded the Governor General’s Award in honour of the Person’s Case, and the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“This project feels like a culmination of both my mother’s work and my own,” says Coultas. “It shows how these kind of things have a tendency to knit themselves together.”
Coultas is an artist and welder who started her journey as a textile artist.
“I am passionate about work that gets me dirty and allows me to create,” says Coultas. “I love to explore new mediums and enjoy the creative energy I experience in learning how to do something new.”
Something new indeed! In 2021, PerSIStence approached Coultas to become the first woman to design a piece of public sculpture in the province and the first statue of a named woman in the City of St. John’s - the Armine Nutting Gosling statue.
In 2022, at the project launch, we unveiled Coultas’ maquette of the statue - essentially a smaller version, carved in clay, that served as a design guide for what the full statue in bronze might look like.
“We very much wanted this statue of Armine to be her “in action”, so to speak,” says PerSIStence producing artistic director Jenn Deon.
“We love that Sheila’s design has Armine reaching out to ask you to sign her petition for votes for women!” continues Deon.
For Coultas, designing a figure sculpture involved a combination of historical research and the careful study of anatomy.
“The process was very enlightening,” says Coultas. “And it’s a lot of fun to figure out the musculature and shape.”
Now that the design is finalized, Coultas has begun the process to make the full size statue of Armine that will be erected in Bannerman Park in April 2025 - the 100th anniversary of women achieving the right to vote throughout Newfoundland.
For Coultas, creating this statue has a special personal connection, as she grew up in a home where Armine Nutting Gosling was a hero.
Coultas’ mother is Frances Ennis, a well-known feminist in our community who has walked a path very similar to Armine. Ennis has also dedicated her life to women’s rights, and has worked tireless with related causes such as adult literacy and anti-violence against women, work for which Ennis has been awarded the Governor General’s Award in honour of the Person’s Case, and the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“This project feels like a culmination of both my mother’s work and my own,” says Coultas. “It shows how these kind of things have a tendency to knit themselves together.”
