STEBBINS, Joan
Posted: December 20th, 2025
JOAN STEBBINS OCTOBER 28, 1941 – DECEMBER 13, 2025 Joan Marie Stebbins, of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Lucius Stebbins, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the age of 84 years.
Joan studied at four different universities in the first 15 years of her marriage to Like, as they both moved from place to place pursuing their educations. She finally earned a B.Fa Degree from the University of Lethbridge, with majors in Literature and Studio Art. She was soon hired by the Southern Alberta Art Gallery as a weekend from desk person, but within a year was invited to assume curatorial work. In a few years, she advanced to Assistant Curator, Associate Curator, Curator, and Director/Curator. She continued in that role for fifteen years, after which she hired a new director and continued as a curator for another fifteen years.
In her span of 30 years as a curator, she traveled throughout Canada, Western Europe, and several American cities doing studio visits with artists. She searched for artists to exhibit in 22 European cities, Ireland, Japan, every major Canadian city, and on multiple visits to galleries and art museums in Eastern U.S.A. She financed her travels and all of her hundreds of exhibitions at the Southern Alberta Art Galleries with grants from Canada Council, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and granting agencies in six European countries, publishing 181 artist catalogs. For her work as a curator, she was awarded The Order of Canada, an Honored Doctorate Degree, The Queen’s Jubilee Medal, and the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Award in the Arts.
She leaves behind her husband Luke, sons Shawn and Dan, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and two brothers.
In lieu of flowers, please take your family to visit the Southern Alberta Art Gallery.
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.
I was very saddened to recently hear of Joan’s passing.
Her contribution to SAAG and her devotion to artist’s and their art will be long honoured and remembered.
I recall the last time I was in Lethbridge a few years ago ,I sat with Joan and Luc at a house gathering ,having a wonderful discussion.
My condolences to Luc and all family members.
Allan
I am broken hearted to hear that Joan has passed away. She was one of the most important and encouraging people in my life, from standing up and supporting me in a studio class for a non-conforming use of materials, to standing by me as I was trying to navigate my way as a young bookkeeper and receptionist at the gallery, for having faith in me to pack art works for shipping, through years later when she guided me through a number of positions on the Board, as well as her ongoing support writing letters of reference for grad school, a number of Director/Curator positions, and teaching appointments. We laughed a lot, shared stories, and freaked out during a few intense situations – I learned so much from Joan – she was my inspiration. I will miss our correspondences, her integrity, intelligence, passion for what she did so well, and for our friendship. Luke and family my heartfelt condolences.