A canvas painted with sea and culture
Recognize artistic talent that is just as unique as the region’s lighthouses. Inspired by the natural world around, art truly comes to life in Yarmouth & Acadian Shores. Find everything from quilts to functional pottery from local artisans or bring home vibrant abstract paintings and watercolours created by talented artists. Don’t forget to experience an exciting musical performance full of fiddling and French harmonies that will keep you clapping and jigging.
Contact: Angela Collier Civic Address: 341 Main St., Yarmouth, NS Phone: 902.749.2248 Open: Open year-round; May 19 - Oct 12, open daily 10am-5pm (- 8pm Jul 3 - Aug 28); Oct-May, open Fri-Sun, noon-5pm. Admission: Admission charged.
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Western Branch continues to bring the art of the world to Nova Scotia and the art of Nova Scotia to the world. The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is the only provincial art gallery in Canada to have a satellite branch. Its establishment helps to make art more accessible across the province and bring the visual arts and Nova Scotians together.
The inspiration that guides June Deveau through her work is gathered from the rich cultural background which is rooted in the Acadian villages along St. Mary's Bay. She endeavors to express the beauty of this area and to honor the traditional crafts, values and skills of the past. Many of the titles for her paintings are written in Acadian French, and share the theme “art heritage acadie.”
The "Galerie Comeau Studio" art gallery looks onto a magnificent view of Baie-Sainte-Marie, and displays original works by artist Denise Comeau. Recently, Denise characterized her style as: ‘For the past nineteen years my work has consisted primarily of watercolours that reflect the landscape, customs, and folklore of Acadian life in Baie Sainte-Marie. These works are quite traditional in imagery and evoke a collective sense of culture and community. More recently, I have begun to explore the expressive qualities of abstract painting. This approach allows me to examine other aspects of my culture and reflect on them in a more personal manner.”
Th’yarc (the Yarmouth Arts Regional Centre) is the largest multi-function performance centre in southwestern Nova Scotia. Th’yarc presents both professional and amateur artists, including dramas, comedies and musicals. The centre consists of a 343 soft seat theatre with fly tower, an art gallery, an artist studio, an etching studio and a costume studio. It operates year round with a staff of three and approximately 300 volunteers.
Contact: Larry Peach Civic Address: 23 Lighthouse Road, Unit 1 - Université Sainte-Anne campus, Church Point Phone:902-769-1234 Open: Year-round.
This Acadian Cultural and Interpretive Centre, located on the campus of Université Ste-Anne in Church Point, is a vibrant hub of activity where residents, students and visitors meet. Situated under the bright red roof, the Centre houses an artist run gallery "Le Trécarré", a visitor information centre, souvenir boutique, a 263 seat performance theatre featuring music and films, an outdoor performance area, and an internet café. The new Acadian Interpretive Centre & Museum showcases interpretive panels and multimedia exhibits, introducing visitors to the culture of Acadians in Clare through their history, language, music and more. Bus tours welcome. Admission charged for interpretive centre and cinema.
Art de la Baie is a network of artist’s studio in St. Mary’s Bay. The artists invite you to discover the beauty of the area through its art and by seeing the original artwork by talented artists. 14 artists participate in the network, and produce a wide variety of art, including watercolours, leather work, stained glass, and forged metal. Details on the individual artists are below.
Musique de la Baie
Musique de la Baie (also known as Music by the Sea) presents local music nightly in restaurants throughout Yarmouth & Acadian Shores all summer long. The music performed is either about the region, written by someone from the region, or reflective of the region. Music is performed in both English and French, and is a fun way to meet locals and take part in a real kitchen party!
There is no cover charge to take in a Musique de la Baie performance, but a meal must be purchased. Advanced reservations are always recommended, as performances quickly sell out.
For more information on Musique de la Baie, click here.
Musique Saint Bernard
Contact: Suzanne LeFort Civic Address: Saint-Bernard Church on Route #1. Saint-Bernard, NS Phone: 902.837.5306
Musique St Bernard is a classical musical series offered by St Bernard Church. The music at Saint-Bernard takes on an intensity which is both inspiring and moving, guaranteeing the audience a splendid musical event performed by some of Canada’s most respected artists.
Quilting
Quilting is a very popular winter-pastime in Yarmouth & Acadian Shores for women of all ages. Many people quilt for their family and friends, and are often willing to sell their quilts. There are two large annual quilt displays each year, featuring hundreds of local handmade quilts. One occurs during the Festival acadien de Clare, and other during the Festival international de par-en-bas.
If you are looking to buy a quilt while visiting Yarmouth & Acadian Shores, you can ask at local artist studios or craft shops for contact information for a local quilter. They may also have quilts on display within the shops. Alternately, keep an eye out for lawn signs in front of quilter’s homes. These are often open-by-chance adventures, but almost always result in a great find!
The 2009 quilt exhibit dates are:
July 16 – July 19, 10am – 5pm, St. Peter’s Church in West Pubnico. For more information, please call 902-648-2311.
July 29 – August 1, Sacred Heart Church, on Route #1 in Saulnierville. For more information, please call 902-769-2113.
Rodd Grand Dinner Theatre
Civic Address: 417 Main St., Yarmouth, NS Phone: 902.742.2446
During the summer months, Rodd Grand Yarmouth - A Rodd Signature Hotel welcomes the ever popular "Rodd Grand Dinner Theatre", a fun-filled dinner performance where interaction from the audience is both welcomed and encouraged! The 2009 show is entitled “Married to the Mob,” and features Mo-Town music.
Yarmouth working studios is a partnership of 12 craftspeople and artists in Yarmouth & Acadian Shores to promote Nova Scotia crafts and art to visitors. Artists in the partnership include spinning, stained glass, lampwork (glass bead making), watercolour painting, quilting, knitting, rug hooking, pottery, wood turning, driftwood carving, weaving, and making ships in bottles. The individual working studios are operated independently and look forward to welcoming you. Specific information on the artists is below.
The inspiration that guides June Deveau through her work is gathered from the rich cultural background which is rooted in the Acadian villages along St. Mary's Bay. She endeavors to express the beauty of this area and to honor the traditional crafts, values and skills of the past. Many of the titles for her paintings are written in Acadian French, and share the theme “art heritage acadie.”
The "Galerie Comeau Studio" art gallery looks onto a magnificent view of Baie-Sainte-Marie, and displays original works by artist Denise Comeau. Recently, Denise characterized her style as: ‘For the past nineteen years my work has consisted primarily of watercolours that reflect the landscape, customs, and folklore of Acadian life in Baie Sainte-Marie. These works are quite traditional in imagery and evoke a collective sense of culture and community. More recently, I have begun to explore the expressive qualities of abstract painting. This approach allows me to examine other aspects of my culture and reflect on them in a more personal manner.”
Contact: Brenda Doucette Civic Address: 357 Main St., Yarmouth, NS Phone: 902.742.4308
Established by business proprietor Brenda Doucette in the town of Yarmouth, Acadian Glass Art is a design studio for the production of stained glass artwork. Visitors are welcomed to stop in and see how glass art is made.
The vast majority of Anne Marie's paintings are Nova Scotia landscapes and seascapes. Ann Marie's paintings can be very time consuming as she works to capture fine details like the rigging and pulleys on fishing boats. It can take up to a dozen glazes of colors before she gets the three dimensional effect she is looking for. She sketch's and draws extensively on paper before transferring her ideas onto canvas.
Contact: Denton Ford Civic Address: 133 Richmond Rd., Port Maitland, NS Phone: 902.649.2363
Denton is a wood-turner, working with local burl wood, creating one-of-a-kind bowls and enclosed vessels. He also enjoys creating intricate designs in segmented vessels with local and exotic woods. His varied collection includes the simpler wine corks and complicated carved vases. Open by chance or appointment.
Contact: Juergen Schenk Civic Address: 565 Cedar Lake Rd., RR#1, South Ohio Phone: 902.649.3134
Juergen’s artwork brings into focus the beauty which nature has already provided. Combining the untouched with refined carving he exhibits the partnership of driftwood and design.
Contact: Luc Tardif Civic Address: Université Sainte-Anne, Bernardin J. Comeau building, Church Point, NS Phone: 902.769.2114 ext. 189
This art gallery is designed for local artists to showcase their art, as well as professional artists each year. The art gallery is located on the University Ste Anne campus.
Contact: Susan Hood Civic Address: 14 Elm St., Yarmouth, NS Phone: 902.742.1213
Susan Hood’s creative process centres around her love for light and glass. She creates stained glass and works with lampworking beads to create jewelry. She heats Italian Effetre glass (Moretti), and sculpts the molten glass, combining colours and techniques to give each piece of work its individual style.
Ivan has been creating refined folk art since 1984. He has become nationally acclaimed for his ships in bottles. Highly accurate in detail, you can almost hear the ropes and the sails in the wind. Also a painter and a wood sculptor, his studio is a place of creations to enjoy.
Contact: Jay LeBlanc Civic Address: 131 Cottreau Rd., Little Brook, NS Phone: 902.769.0861 Open: Year round by appointment or chance.
Jay creates signature original works in stained glass and various media including printmaking, painting, collage, and clay sculpture. Contemporary innovative designs reflecting the eclectic nature of her environment are displayed throughout the first floor, with the studio on the second floor. e:jay@jayleblanc.ca w:http://jayleblanc.ca
Tin Pot Textiles
Contact: Ann Jones Civic Address: 429 Lakeside Rd., Dayton, NS Phone: 902.742.8150
A studio devoted to the art of knitting and rug hooking using traditional techniques, natural fibres and local yarns. Works include knitted shawls, lace knitting, socks, sweaters and rugs hooked with hand dyed wool strips.
Contact: Tim Turpin Civic Address: 735 Overton Rd., Yarmouth Phone: 902.742.1660 Open: and August 10-9. September to June 9-1 or by appointment. Closed Sundays.
Tim’s studio is situated on the scenic drive to Yarmouth’s lighthouse; where you are welcome to view his transparent watercolours depicting Southwestern Nova Scotia. Come and learn why he chooses to paint from “life”.
