Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

At the Edge of the Woods illustrates a young girl stepping toward ‘modernity,’ much like Bannerman herself. The “edge” isn’t an endpoint, but an invitation.

Image: Frances Jones Bannerman, At the Edge of the Woods, 1882. Permanent Collection. Gift of Anne F. Joudrey, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2001.

Born in Halifax, Frances Jones Bannerman was a passionate artist drawn to light, atmosphere, and nature. She embraced Impressionist techniques in Paris, becoming a pioneer of Canada’s “New Painting.” She passed away on October 6, 1913, but her innovative approach to light and form lives on.

🧡 Spend National Day for Truth and Reconciliation learning and reflecting on Indigenous histories through the works on view and the looped screening of Dr Imelda Perley Opolahsomuwehs: Women of This Land at the Gallery.

We’re open 10am-5pm.

Last week, we opened the Mi’kma’ki Artists’ Spotlight featuring Gordon Sparks. His hand-carved masks, shaped with care and adorned with eagle feathers, bear fur, and moose hide, carry the stories of the land.

Learn more about his work: agns.ca/exhibition/m...

Photo by Toonasa Jordana Luggi.

Join us for a Mi’kmaw Language Tour on September 25!

Mi’kmaw teacher Curtis Michael will explore vocabulary and cultural themes in the exhibition Ta’n a’sikatikl sipu’l | Confluence.

Beginners and fluent speakers are welcome! Space is limited, reserve your spot now at agns.ca/event/mikmaw....

Image: Dozay Christmas, Glooscap’s Canoe – Bird Island, 2000. Permanent Collection. Purchased with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Assistance Program and the Art Sales and Rental Society, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2000.

Maliseet artist Dozay Christmas drew on Mi’kmaq stories while in Unama’ki. Glooscap’s Canoe – Bird Island recalls the legend of Glooscap’s canoe breaking into the Bird Islands, still seen today along the Cabot Trail near North Sydney.

You can view it in Ta’n a’sikatikl sipu’l | Confluence at AGNS.

Co-organized by AGNS and National Gallery of Canada, We come from the sea is on view at Inverness County Centre for the Arts and Eltuek Arts Centre until October 12. Plan your visit today!

YouTube video by Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Joan Jonas: We come from the sea in Cape Breton

“We all come from the sea, and we have memories of it — in our minds, in our bodies.” – Joan Jonas.

Through drawings, video, sound, and performance, Jonas ‘returned’ to the sea as a place of memory and ecological reflection.

On view in Sydney and Inverness until Oct 12.

🔗 youtu.be/Or3pSwRV7tM

This Labour Day, stART your day off with a trip to the AGNS. We’re open as normal, 10am-5pm today (September 1). Explore our exhibitions with free admission for those 17 and under, and 50% off for youth 18-24 through the Canada Strong Pass — last chance before September 2!

Image: Edith A. Smith, Petite Riviere, 1933. Gift of Sheila Sperry, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 2019, with assistance from the Sheldon and Marjorie Fountain Endowment Fund.

Take a summer stroll through our Permanent Collection—Edith Smith’s Petite Riviere, illustrating a peaceful view of Risser’s Beach and Crescent Beach.

This beautiful scene is a perfect reminder to visit the beach if you haven’t yet this summer!

Where's your favourite summer spot? 👇

Image: Edith A. Smith, Petite Riviere, 1933. Gift of Sheila Sperry, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 2019, with assistance from the Sheldon and Marjorie Fountain Endowment Fund.

Image: Alan Syliboy, Butterfly, 1997. AGNS Permanent Collection. Gift of Virginia Miller, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2021, in memory of David H. Elliott.

Alan Syliboy’s Butterfly is more than a beautiful image — it carries Mi’kmaq symbols of life, movement, and spiritual connection.

Did you know that in August 2013, he recreated this mural on a much larger scale at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport?

Join us and the Alliance Française Halifax on Thursday, September 11, for a guided tour of exhibition Sonia Boyce: Feeling Her Way… en français!

Admission is FREE from 5–9pm during BMO Free Access Thursday, but make sure to register with AFH so you don’t miss out.

👉 agns.ca/event/french...

Image: Moving Off the Land II, Untitled, 2019 © Joan Jonas / ARS New York / CARCC Ottawa 2025.

Join us at the Inverness County Centre for the Arts in Inverness, Cape Breton on Aug 24 at 2pm for a special event with artist Joan Jonas!

You will hear Joan share insights into her career, Cape Breton ties, and the ideas behind We come from the sea 🌊.

FREE and open to all—no registration needed!

Looking for something to do today? We’re open regular hours (10am-5pm)!

StART exploring our permanent collection exhibitions like Blacklight and From One to Many Natures, or pop into our Gallery Shop for a little something to take home 🛍️.

YouTube video by Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Sonia Boyce: Feeling Her Way at AGNS

🎧 Hear from artist Sonia Boyce as she shares the inspiration behind Feeling Her Way: youtu.be/e4Yuk3NVvGA.

Follow our YouTube for more video updates: youtu.be/sIJkWl1FLQU

🎥: Unbound Media Inc.

On June 13, we celebrated the opening of our summer exhibitions at AGNS—including the Halifax debut of Sonia Boyce: Feeling Her Way, an award-winning, multisensory installation first shown at the Venice Biennale.

Don’t miss this extraordinary experience. On view until Sept 29, 2025.

🌈 Happy Pride, Halifax!

This weekend is heating up with the Pride Parade hitting our downtown on Saturday, July 19 at 12pm!

But first—drop by the AGNS tonight from 6–8:30pm for our Pride Art Jam! All 2SLGBTQIA+ youth are welcome for art, music, snacks & great vibes. Come get creative with us! 🎨

Youth Pride Art Jam is back! 🎨

Swing by the Gallery on Thursday, July 17 (6–8:30 PM) for FREE drop-in art activities that celebrates 2SLGBTQIA+ joy through creativity! Draw, paint, make buttons & more! 🌈

Open to all 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 12–19.

Proudly in partnership with the Youth Project.

Find everything you need to know at agns.ca/exhibition/j....

Image: Moving Off the Land II, Untitled, 2019 © Joan Jonas / ARS New York / CARCC Ottawa 2025.

We're thrilled to present We come from the sea by Joan Jonas — on view Aug 10–Oct 12 at the Eltuek Arts Centre and the Inverness County Centre for the Arts 🌊

Organized by @artgalleryns.bsky.social and @gallery.ca, We come from the sea is unlike anything you’ve experienced before.