JOAN STEBBINS

(1941 - 2025) Joan Marie Stebbins (Hurley), 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 Luke. As they both moved from place to place pursuing their educations, they were busy raising their two sons. In 1980, she earned a BFA 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 front 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 travelled 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 the Eastern USA. She financed her travels and all of her hundreds of exhibitions at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery 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 Honorary 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, a great-grandchild (with another on the way); and her two brothers, Michael and Tim. Joan was predeceased by her sisters, Kathleen and Judy. In lieu of flowers, please take your family to visit the Southern Alberta Art Gallery. Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.