Alan Deacon gave a special talk titled “Appreciating the art of Maud Lewis” at the AGNS this Friday September 19 in the Community Room. Deacon not only has the largest private Maud Lewis collection in Canada (spans three decades of her work), he also authenticates her paintings for all the major Canadian art auction houses. In 2011 and 2013 Deacon gave a talk at the Mayberry Gallery in Toronto for their two successful Maud Lewis exhibitions. He says, “It’s rather like being a detective! Authentic Mauds always have certain nuances in the work. I think that’s how I became an authority–by studying and looking at them closely.” This talk is sure to be informative and entertaining! Everyone is invited. No charge.
Author Archives: Sandra Phinney
September 15, 2014 – Auction a resounding success!
What a night! Raised $17,400 during the evening (and close to $20,000 from the entire project including postcard sales, raffle tickets etc.) The Shell Survivor House sold for $2600 and this money will be going to start the Carl Doty Art Scholarship Fund. The winner of the Plymouth School house was Noella Demille, in Brooklyn. Special thank yous to Linda Marie Coakley and Joan Semple for orchestrating yummy food; students for a darling “Mostly Maud” segue; Bruce Bishop for being a great MC; and Erin Power for being the best auctioneer ever. Of course, Wendy Majestic deserves a bow. And a vacation. Volunteers make the world go ’round!
May 15, 2014 – “Maudified” house launch!
To see all Maudified House posts click on Maudified House Project in the Categories box to the right side of screen.
Saturday, May 24th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Starts at the Yarmouth County Museum at 2 p.m. with Town Crier David Ollie. He’ll then lead us to Town Hall, where Mayor Pam Mood will cut the ribbon on a “Maudified” House. Next … to Alma Square/the AGNS to visit the Maud Lewis Homecoming Exhibit followed by enjoying Ginger Ale and ice cream, two of Maud Lewis’s favourite treats.
April 27, 2014 – Creative Minds – The Artist’s Way Collective.
Our final Creative Minds series of the season is coming up and we’re excited to meet members of The Artist’s Way Collective from Annapolis.
This is a unique group who got together for 13 weeks to discuss Julia Cameron’s book titled The Artist’s Way. But they did more than discuss the book and how to “get creative.” They worked through whatever blocks they had, did their homework, and produced some amazing stuff.
Members of the collective will be taking us on a journey behind the scenes to understand what transpired, the challenges and rewards. Bonus: the gallery has a make-over! Brand new exhibits in every gallery. Exciting stuff!
April 13, 2014 – Maudified house project on schedule
To see all Maudified House posts click on Maudified House Project in the Categories box to the right side of screen
The “Maudified” house project has completed the first two stages: assembling 11 houses then getting them painted (16 artist have been hard at work for the past several weeks.) 
Today, work crews installed two of the houses: Roy Mandell’s at the Mariners Centre and Margaret Knubben’s at the Visitor Centre. Following are some photos of the work accomplished today.
All of the houses will be in place by the time the ferry starts its daily run. We’re currently working on a brochure for a self guided tour, and planning a public launch on Saturday afternoon, May 24th.
Stay tuned! 
April 3, 2014 – Youth create birds in flight
April 6, 2014 2 p.m.
Family Sunday “Birds in Flight”
Make a flock of folk art birds using Styrofoam, craft paper, and paint! A tour of the Gallery’s “Birds in Flight” exhibit will give children and parents some great ideas for creating their own feathered friends. Suitable for ages 5 to 12. Admission 3.00 per child, please register by calling 749-2248. A parent and/or caregiver must accompany each child.
March 16, 2014 – Creative Minds features Darryl Whetter
Widely-acclaimed author, poet, and critic, Professor Darryl Whetter will use his two most recent books (Origins and Keeping Things Whole) as a basis for his reflections on the topic “Writing about place … within poetry and fiction.”
His presentation and discussion promises to be lively, informative, and interesting. No charge. All welcome!
Sunday March 30 at 2 p.m.
February 23, 2014 – Creative Minds with June Deveau
June Deveau will be giving a special presentation at the AGNS in Yarmouth this Sunday at 2 p.m. as part of the popular Creative Minds Series. She’ll take us behind the scenes of her paintings as she discusses the inspiration that’s guided her for so many years. Namely, the rich cultural background that is rooted in the Acadian villages and landscapes along Baie Sainte-Marie, Nova Scotia, where she resides and works.
Mostly self-taught, June has also over the years studied with several well-known artists and has participated in various solo and group shows in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Québec and Louisiana. While she primarily paints with acrylics, she enjoys watercolours, drawing, monotypes, and linocuts. Colour, texture and form have always fascinated her. Her paintings reflect the beauty of her region, traditional arts, and values of the past. In 2003, June opened her gallery, June Deveau Galerie Studio, located in Saint-Alphonse, N.S., where she receives visitors from various parts of the world.
In addition to her personal artistry, and participation in various artistic projects within the schools, June teaches painting and sketching to residents of her community. She has also won numerous awards as a small-business owner. A selection of her artwork can be seen on her website, www.junedeveau.com.
June has recently launched “Inspiration to Creation,” a tourism experience that allows visitors to participate in an exploration of various art forms, the Acadian culture and local scenery, then push their boundaries through creating works of their own. Please join June for her presentation this coming Sunday. There is no admission charge.
January 21, 2014 – Program summary
New Lobby Show
“Individual Perspectives,” an exhibit of student photography done through an ArtReach s project led by Bill Curry, is on display in the lobby.
Creative Minds, Sunday January 26th, 2 p.m.
Join us for a presentation by Linda Marie Coakley about a thought-provoking exhibit in the Community Room titled The Plight of the Child Soldier—Innocence Lost. Linda Marie will take us behind the scenes of an ArtSmarts project with students from two schools in Yarmouth and Barton.
August 16, 2013 – New exhibits at the gallery
Several new exhibitions that showcase everything from painting and printmaking to sculpture and folk art, are all part of a new season of exhibitions now open at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia’s Western Branch in Yarmouth.
As part of this new exhibition rotation Arts Nova Scotia, the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage and the AGNS Western Branch are honoured to unveil the work of 16 exceptional Nova Scotia artists whose art was added to the Nova Scotia Art Bank collection in 2013. These works are on view in the main gallery.
Also featured at the AGNS Western Branch in Yarmouth is:
Blue curated by Sarah Fillmore features a selection of paintings that draw on the emotive qualities of the colour blue. Artists include: Wayne Boucher, Elizabeth Enders, Tom Hammick, John Hartman and Françoise Sullivan.
Portraits of Places: Watercolours by Frederick B. Nichols curated by Laurie Hamilton and Dale Sheppard highlights the recently discovered 19th century historical watercolours that depict such Nova Scotia landmarks as George’s Island, Bedford Basin, Ferguson’s Cove, and other picturesque views of the province.
Remembering Kenojuak Ashevak curated by Dale Sheppard celebrates the work of the late and much loved Inuit artist best known for her bold sense of design, draughtsmanship and her iconic birds.
Birding: F
olk Art in Flight curated by Dale Sheppard reflects the birding culture of south-west Nova Scotia with birds of all shapes, sizes and colours drawn from the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia folk art collection! Included are paintings and sculptures by well-known Nova Scotia artists such as Maud Lewis, Ralph Boutilier, Joe Norris, and Sidney Howard. Arts: Western Branch curated by Dale Sheppard and Kris Webster.
Autism Arts: The culmination of a very successful first year of the Autism Arts program in Yarmouth is now an exhibition of work!