Claude Roussel

[1] With Laporte's mentorship, Roussel advanced his wood carving techniques, and showed his early works at his first solo exhibition in 1947, at the age of 17, the year he completed his Lycée studies in Edmundston.

After completing his studies, Roussel returned to his hometown where he became the first professional artist to teach Education Through Art in the public school system of the province of New Brunswick.

[4] From 1959 to 1961, Roussel was employed at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton as the first francophone occupying a curatorial position.

During the public announcement of his appointment, Lord Beaverbrook stated "I think young Roussel will give the gallery a major liaison with the Acadian culture of this area and at the same time impart to our French Canadian artists a real sense of belonging".

[5] In 1963, at the invitation of Father Clément Cormier, vice chancellor and founder of University de Moncton, New Brunswick, and with a special grant from Canada Council for the Arts, Roussel became the first Artist-in-residence given the responsibility to develop the visual arts curriculum.