Since its inauguration in 1986, the A. Wilfrid Johns Gallery has received generous support from the Johns family that allows for regularly scheduled exhibits by Art Education faculty, sessional instructors, students, alumni, and community partners. The gallery also occasionally hosts exhibitions of work by artistic scholars and community practitioners outside of Art Education.
In 1960, Professor A. Wilfrid Johns was commissioned by Victoria College to paint a mural, entitled, “Scope of the University” which can be seen hanging in the A. Wilfrid Johns Gallery. It depicts a myriad of symbols that represent some of the professions and fields of study offered at the University at that time.
A. Wilfrid Johns also worked closely with the architect to design the wing of the MacLaurin Building which currently houses Art Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Victoria.