Arthur Motyer

2010—Arts Builder

Arthur John Motyer

Teacher, mentor, director, playwright, impresario, author and member of the Order of New Brunswick: all these and more has Arthur Motyer been. He first set foot in Sackville in 1942, as a Mount Allison freshman. A Rhodes Scholarship drew him to Oxford for further studies in English. Back in Canada he taught at the University of Manitoba (1948-50) and Bishop’s University (1950-70).

Returning to Sackville in 1970, he immersed himself in the cultural life of campus and community. He served for many years as Chair of the Performing Arts Committee and of Debut Atlantic, founded Windsor Theatre and the Mount Allison Drama Programme, and was mentor and founding chair of Live Bait Theatre. He has written two distinguished books, the novel What’s Remembered and a memoir, The Staircase Letters.

At every stage he has displayed a remarkable talent for uncovering the best in people and situations. As one student put it, “He saw in me what I had not seen in myself.”