Statement from the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI

The Atlantic Veterinary College acknowledges that asking the artist Christopher Griffin to choose between taking down his painting or leaving his residency was a mistake.

The decision did not reflect our institutional values, and we regret the hurt and frustration it caused. Art plays an essential role in education and public life—it challenges us, encourages dialogue, and fosters understanding. We fell short of our responsibility to protect that role.

We have offered a direct apology to Mr. Griffin and have offered to reinstall the painting in a prominent campus location. Mr. Griffin has responded to UPEI, accepting the invitation to speak about and show his paintings. We will be working to develop that event. We are also reviewing our internal processes to ensure future decisions uphold our commitments to free expression and inclusive discourse.

We remain committed to creating space for meaningful conversations—even, and especially, when they are uncomfortable.