RELEASE: ArtsNL unveils new brand identity and 45th Anniversary Gala featuring CODCO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ArtsNL unveils new brand identity and 45^th Anniversary Gala featuring CODCO

May 27, 2025 (St. John’s, NL) – ArtsNL revealed a new chapter for the organization this evening, unveiling a refreshed visual identity and announcing a major public celebration in honour of its 45th anniversary—a gala performance featuring the reunion of trailblazing comedy troupe CODCO.

Held in the Cox & Palmer Second Space at the LSPU Hall in St. John’s, the press launch brought together media, artists, and arts leaders to reveal ArtsNL’s new logo and renewed branding, which was designed through an open call by local creative agency Perfect Day to reflect the vibrancy and evolution of the province’s arts sector.

“It’s been a delight to work with Perfect Day throughout this process,” said Melanie Martin, Executive Director. “The logo is the stylized lowercase ‘a’ in ArtsNL and has been assembled with various shapes to symbolize working together to lift the arts. Nothing could be more fitting for ArtsNL and our commitment to the arts community. My first interpretation was of a person, an artisan hunched over, toiling at their craft. The various shapes are layered to create the symbol— itself a metaphor for the multiple layers of the artistic process. With the bold colour palette, the overall feeling is positive and collaborative, sentiments ArtsNL fully embraces as we forge ahead.”

“Forty-five years of supporting the arts in Newfoundland and Labrador is a major milestone that calls for a big celebration. So, when Co-Vice-Chair, Ray Penton, first raised the idea of reuniting CODCO, we didn’t hesitate to say yes,” said David Brown, Chair of ArtsNL. “CODCO was one of the first performance troupes to bring our unique culture, dialect, and humour to a national stage, inspiring a generation of young Newfoundland and Labrador artists, writers, and performers. This celebration show includes a powerhouse of diverse performers, reflecting exactly why long-term sustainable investment in the arts matters. It launches careers and makes moments like this possible.”

The ArtsNL 45th Anniversary Gala will take place on October 25, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. at the JAG Soundhouse and promises a night of comedy, connection, and celebration. CODCO will headline the event with a rare reunion performance featuring Andy Jones, Cathy Jones, Robert Joy, Greg Malone, and Mary Walsh, along with a host of diverse provincial performers.

Tickets go on sale June 2, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. NT.

For updates and more information, visit artsnl.ca/45-anniversary-gala.

Media enquiries:
Charlene Jackson
Communications Officer, ArtsNL
(709) 726-2212 ext. 3
charlene@artsnl.ca

The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council (ArtsNL) is a non-profit Crown agency created in 1980 by The Arts Council Act. Its mission is to foster and promote the creation and enjoyment of the arts for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Council is governed by a volunteer board of no fewer than 9 and no more than 11 members appointed by government. At least 7 members must be artists or arts administrators, and one member is appointed to represent the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation (non-voting). ArtsNL receives an annual allocation of $5.3 million from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to support a variety of granting programs, program delivery, office administration, and communications. It also seeks support from the public and private sectors. It supports the following artistic disciplines: dance, film, multidiscipline, music, theatre, visual art, and writing. 

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