Leadership and experience

Confederation Centre of the Arts has appointed Pan Wendt as the new Director of the Confederation Centre Art Gallery (CCAG). Wendt brings a strong record of leadership, artistic vision, and community engagement to one of Atlantic Canada’s leading public art galleries.

In his new role, Wendt will lead the artistic and strategic direction of the CCAG, overseeing exhibitions, collections, publications, and public programming, while advancing the Gallery’s mandate to reflect diverse voices and perspectives from Prince Edward Island and beyond.

“Pan brings an exciting combination of leadership experience and a deep commitment to artists and audiences,” said Steve Bellamy, CEO of Confederation Centre of the Arts. “His long-standing relationship with the Gallery and his national curatorial profile will be a tremendous asset as we look ahead. 

“We are thrilled to have Pan lead the Gallery and look forward to the vision and energy he will bring to the role.”

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and raised on Prince Edward Island, Wendt comes from a family of artists and has been deeply involved in the arts for most of his life. He studied art history in New England and, after spending nearly a decade producing “unofficial” art-forward events, began publishing contemporary art criticism, organizing exhibitions and happenings, and working as an arts administrator.

In 2010, Wendt was appointed Curator at the CCAG, where he has organized more than 100 exhibitions and contributed to numerous publications on Canadian contemporary art. He co-founded Art in the Open in 2011 and has served on a wide range of regional and national arts juries. Most recently, Pan and his team were awarded the Premier’s Stand-out Project of the Year for the Erica Rutherford: Retrospective at the PEI Arts Awards. This exhibition is now on tour across Canada until the end of 2027.

“I am honoured to step into this role and to continue working with the dedicated team at the Confederation Centre,” said Wendt. “The Art Gallery plays a vital role in supporting artists and engaging communities, and I am excited to build on its strong foundation while exploring new opportunities for collaboration, learning, and creative exchange.”

The CCAG is home to a significant collection of Canadian art and presents a year-round program of exhibitions and public programming. As Director, Wendt will play a key role in shaping the Gallery’s future and strengthening its connections locally, nationally, and internationally.