50 Years of Impact: The Art of Mystery
How a creative fundraiser became lasting support for local artists.
In 2007, Saint John art lovers were invited into a different kind of experience, one built on curiosity, creativity, and a little bit of mystery.
At an event called “WhoDunIt?”, guests gathered not just to admire art, but to guess its origins. Fifty original works lined the space, each one unsigned. No names. No reputations. Just the art itself.
The challenge? Choose a piece you loved, without knowing who created it.
As described at the time in the Telegraph-Journal, the fun was in the guessing. Some tried to match styles to familiar artists. Others simply followed instinct. When the evening ended and the names of the artists were finally revealed, the experience shifted from playful speculation to something deeper: a new appreciation for the breadth and talent of Saint John’s artistic community.
But “WhoDunIt?” was more than just a clever idea.
It was part of a larger, community-driven effort to support local artists, one led by a passionate group of champions including Suzanne Hill, Carol Taylor, Lynn Wigginton, Pat Schell, and Kate Kerr. Alongside studio tours, talks, and other creative fundraisers, the event helped bring people together around a shared belief: that art matters here.
That belief turned into something lasting.
In 2005, these efforts led to the creation of the Professional Visual Artists Fund, an endowed fund held by the Community Foundation. Built through the energy and generosity of events like “WhoDunIt?”, the fund continues to provide annual support to visual artists across Greater Saint John.
What began as an evening of mystery became a legacy of possibility.
Today, the impact lives on in the artists who are able to take risks, develop their craft, and share their work with the community. And while the signatures may no longer be hidden, the spirit behind that original idea remains: an invitation to see art, and the people behind it, in a new way.
