Simon Fraser University will open the Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum on September 20.

The 12,100-square-foot space brings together SFU’s existing art collections under one roof. Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects with Iredale Architecture, the building draws in natural light and frames views of the surrounding landscape. Scott Construction is the general contractor.

Representing a consolidation of SFU Galleries’ three locations into one purpose-built facility, the Gibson will also house the university’s growing SFU Art Collection, a vital archive of over 5,900 works that trace the cultural and social life of the region.

“Rooted in the vision of the late Dr. Edward Gibson, who was an SFU charter faculty member and former director of SFU Gallery, this museum reflects his belief that visual art can break down disciplinary silos,” says Kimberly Phillips, director of the Gibson. “Whether students are studying biology, history, or engineering, art encourages critical thinking and helps uncover deeper, more integrated insights.”

The inaugural exhibition, “Edge Effects,” will set the tone for what the Gibson aims to be: an inclusive, dynamic space for contemporary art, learning, and community connection.

Curated by Phillips with assistance from Susanna Browne and Joshua Segun-Lean, the exhibition will bring together 12 remarkable artists to explore “edge effects,” an ecological term to describe the unique conditions that arise when and where two ecosystems meet—like forest and farmland, or river and sea. These zones often support a rich diversity of life. The Gibson imagines itself as such a space: a place where disciplines, communities, and ideas converge to create something vibrant and new.