Ruth Abernethy

Born in Lindsay, Ontario, Ruth Abernethy began a creative profession from high school. First working as Assistant Carpenter at the Kawartha Summer Theatre in Lindsay, she later attended Malaspina College in Nanaimo, B.C.

Ruth turned 21 as the Head of Props at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and created props in theatres across Canada for 20 years. She was Head of Props at Shaw Festival, built special items for the National Ballet of Canada, and spent 15 seasons with the Stratford Festival Theatre.

In 1996, Ruth exhibited her first sculpture collection in Waterloo. Her first work in bronze was Raising the Tent (1997). This complex design, located on the grounds of the Stratford Festival Theatre, depicts the raising of the poles of the original performance tent.

Over the last 22 years, Ruth has completed dozens of commissioned works, primarily in bronze and, occasionally, in stainless steel. These works are found in public spaces and private collections in Waterloo Region, across Canada, and beyond.

In 2018, Ruth was awarded an Honorary Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Ruth’s installations assume a place in the landscape and engender a sense of pride among members of the community. They spark curiosity. They seek to inspire, entertain, educate, and inform. They invite viewer interaction and participation, and they always tell a story. Ruth’s work will be her legacy.