The Legacy Behind the Stoker Arts Festival

How did the Stoker Arts Festival begin? Explore the history of this beloved BCS tradition and the legacy of Shirley and Paddy Stoker as we get ready for this year’s event on April 24.

What is the Stoker Arts Festival?

Held each spring, the Festival celebrates creativity through hands-on workshops led by local artists (including staff and students), an exhibition of student work, and a performance by Sherbrooke-area musicians. Over the years, student activities have ranged from mixed martial arts and bannock bread-making to knitting and fine oil painting, making the Festival a vibrant and much-anticipated part of school life.

History of the Stoker Arts Festival

The Stoker Arts Festival has long stood as a celebration of creativity at BCS, highlighting the importance of the arts within school life and bringing students, staff, and the wider community together through artistic expression. Established in 1991 by Patrick “Paddy” Stoker, BCS’38, the Festival was created in honour of his wife, Shirley Harrison Stoker, KHC’46, a dear friend not only of BCS, but also of the arts in the school.

Shirley Harrison began her journey at King’s Hall in 1940 as its youngest student. By the time she graduated six years later, she had left her legacy as a Prefect, an athlete, and a devoted admirer of Miss Adelaide Gillard — “Gilly,” as Shirley affectionately remembered her — who, in Shirley’s words, “always kept her word and never let you down.” That example of steady leadership and care would stay with Shirley throughout her life.

It was in this spirit that Shirley later became a remarkable leader in her own right. She was the first woman to chair the BCS Board, serving from 1984 to 1988. For Shirley, this was far more than a formal position; it was a labour of love. She knew the school intimately, cared deeply for its people, and inspired others to support BCS in meaningful ways. An artist and lover of the fine arts, she grew to know faculty and staff personally, took genuine interest in students, and helped guide the school during one of the most ambitious capital campaigns in its history. Today, her portrait hangs in the Dining Hall — a lasting reminder of her devotion to BCS.

Beside her throughout those years was her husband, Patrick McGillicuddy Stoker, whose own history with the School began decades earlier. In 1936, as a Form V student with a passion for photography, Paddy documented the construction of Grant Hall, the building that would become the new Preparatory School. Years later, in 1972, he returned to transform that same building into a house for girls — a fitting continuation of his lifelong connection to the campus.

The history of the Stoker Arts Festival is, at its heart, the story of two people who loved this school deeply. In creating the Stoker Arts Festival in 1991, Paddy gave BCS a tribute that reflected both Shirley’s legacy and their shared love for the school. The Festival became not only a celebration of the arts, but also a celebration of community, tradition, and the belief that creative expression deserves a central place in school life. Over the years, it has showcased the extraordinary talents of BCS students and local artists alike, offering a space where artistic voices can be seen, heard, and valued.