art gallery of nova scotia

I've been here only a couple of times, the whole thing was awesome, all the different paintings. The one I loved the most I think would have to be a mechanical room one with foam/bubbles was so interesting had to go away & come back just to make sure I was seeing it correctly.

Coming up from the waterfront, I entered through the back basement door, which was unlocked and not well signed, neàr the security office. The gallery was quiet and dimly lit, and I barely saw a soul, as I tried to figure out the location of the information desk. By the time I found the desk, which was attended by distracted staff I had seen half the gallery, and was so far unimpressed, so I found my way out the door I had come in. I do think I will go back to see the Mary Pratt exhibit.

Went to see Mary Pratt exhibit, which was great. But there was so much more. Especially loved the Maud Lewis exhibit.

The art gallery has been going through renovations but these seem to be coming to and end. Right now there is an amazing exhibit of work by Mary Pratt. This artist has turned domestic moments into icons on masonite. I loved it.

The Art Gallery has so many wonderful exhibits to look at. One of my favorites is the Maud Lewis exhibit. I also enjoyed the paintings and carvings done by local artists. The modern art is also a very interesting exhibit and it is constantly changing in order to accompany many artists. The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Also there are free tours for students accompanied by teachers. There is also a coffee shop and lovely gift shop. Excellent way to spend and afternoon!

The Maude Lewis exhibit should not be missed! The other exhibits are a nice mixture of contemporary, classical, and folk art. This was an interesting place to spend a few hours on a cold and windy day.

This show cases many artists both Modern and Older. Great place to hang and relax and soak in the Paintings. Our favourite is the Maud Lewis Gallery and The Folk Art.

This is a small museum but fulll of nice surprises. There was a Mary Pratt exhibit that was fabulous and also one by a folk artist. It is actually in two separate buildings but you do not have to go outside to get into the second one. Some interesting photos by Annie Leibowitz of the Beatles.

My first visit to the Art Gallery of NS was to see the Mary Pratt exhibit recently. I was a member of the National Art Gallery while living in Ottawa but have to say I enjoyed the smaller size of this one. I will definitely be back!

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is a confusing place: on the outside, a gorgeous period building, on the inside, modern meets...a bit peculiar. The layout is all over the place; it's easy to lose your way. Even if you are a semi regular visitor, you have to keep your wits about you, so you can find your way back to the main lobby, and even between exhibit spaces which are on a number of floors and down side stairwells. Signage is very poor in size and in content. On one of my last visits, the gallery map was handed to me reluctantly, and only upon my request. It was a poor quality photocopy. The front desk staffers were not able to adequately answer my questions (not at all, really) about current exhibits. On almost every visit this was the case. Training is definitely required.As always, the Maude Lewis exhibit is a joyful, exuberant space, drawing new fans and welcoming returning friends into the magical world of this mesmerizing artist.At the time of this writing, a retrospective of the painter, Mary Pratt's career is the gallery's featured exhibit. Not since the memorable Gee's Bend Quilters installment a few years ago, have I enjoyed an exhibit so much. I first visited on the evening of Nocturne (a free evening highlighting the Halifax art scene). What a joy! The exhibit itself, comprehensive in scope, was magnificent; the choice of pieces, the placement and hanging were superb, as was the guidance provided by knowledgeable, friendly docents. I understand special staffing was supplied for the evening, but the contrast between this delightful state of affairs, and the everyday indifferent, untrained staff was marked.Between the highlighted regular collection pieces and the visiting exhibits, you will find plenty to enjoy as long as you are aware of the shortcomings of this gallery (which has so much potential) and allocate time enough to find your way around.

I especially liked the exhibit of Maude Lewis paintings (naive folk art). She was Canada's Grandma Moses. See her home inside the museum. Yes, it is that small that the entire house is inside one of the galleries!

When we visited 2 galleries were closed. In one a display had just ended and in another a display was just being put up. Yet there was no discount on the admission fee. I had gone to this Art Gallery because it is advertised as the place to see Alex Colville and Maude Lewis paintings. Unfortunately, all of Alex Colville paintings were packed up and shipped to a display in Montreal. However, I did get to see Maud Lewis gallery. In it her 12x12 house has been reassembled and we could look inside to see how she had tried to beautify it with her paintings of flowers. She lived in this 1 room house up to 1970's with her husband. She heated the room with her stove and I doubt if she even had electricity. What a comparison to my newly built house which I lived in. She lived near Digby. Photos showed how the house, now run down, looked when it was rescued by the Art Gallery. On the walls were many examples of her work and information boards explained her method, her subject, and her growing appeal. All of her work is more amazing once one realizes she had crippled hands from arthritis. Her style is childlike, but she captures the horses, cattle, and wildlife in wonderful winter scenes. Perhaps she used to sell these as Christmas cards for 75 cents. On display were some outdoor shutters she had painted with wonderful stocks of flowers. She saw beauty all around her but lived so poorly. This display was memorable. The displays in the other galleries were unremarkable for me. I don't know why they even bothered displaying several European paintings done "in the school of...". We stayed about 1 hour.

A strange art gallery with poor signage, so much so that I kept loosing my way. The map that I was given was not explained and a lady from next door was the most helpful person in the place! They need to sort out their signs and make it absolutely clear what rooms are where. However, the Maud Lewis house and gallery was the best thing to visit in the whole place. Refreshing and enchanting. Shame the museum wasn't as good!

This is a highlight of our trip to Halifax, Maude Lewis Folk art and a gallery dedicated to her and her little home. I love her work and the bright colours she used with simple familiar to her animals and objects. The Gift shop sells her works, books and pictures. The War Poster Gallery was very good, and definitely worth the quiet reprieve from a hectic City.

We were drawn to this museum to see the Maud Lewis house. As a child, Maud (born 1903) became afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. Her small stature and unusual appearance caused her to become a recluse. She taught herself painting as a creative outlet. She married a poor fisherman at age 35 and lived in their tiny house until her death in 1970. She had painted nearly everything inside the house with flowers and birds -- stove, cabinets, walls, windows -- even the front door is decorated. The house was saved from total deterioration by a group of concerned citizens. The Canadian government and private individuals eventually made it possible to restore and conserve the house which is on permanent display in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Her individual paintings are also on display. They once sold for $5. Now they sell for thousands!The museum is easy to navigate. Small floors filled with art are contained within two buildings connected by an underground walkway. It's a nice way to fill an afternoon.