Latest news with #localart
CBC
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
'It's really been a privilege': Dartmouth art gallery closing after 12 years in business
Jane MacDougald has spent the week carefully taking down the artwork that adorns the purple walls of her gallery, neatly packing up more than a decade's worth of memories and decor, piece by carefully curated piece. The Dart Gallery closes its doors this week after 12 years on Portland Street in downtown Dartmouth. "It was crushing because you know, I've put a lot into making this space what it is," MacDougald said last week, standing among shelves of local art prints and jewelry. MacDougald said she was surprised when her landlord recently decided not to renew her lease. Ian Stanley, who owns the building, said he tried to work with MacDougald and said an art gallery is "great for the community." But he said the rent she hoped to pay was "way under" market value, and they could not come to an agreement. Since she announced the closure on social media, MacDougald said she's been overwhelmed by messages of support. "It's really nice to hear, you know, how much it's meant to people," MacDougald said, her voice breaking. "People, I think, are very sad to see it go." Besides a place for artists to sell their work, the gallery's Red Room — named for the hand-dyed red plywood floors — became a community hub hosting everything from live music, DJs, and comedy, to Black beauty events. MacDougald said she knows that art can sometimes feel inaccessible, and wanted to change that by creating a vibrant, welcoming space that "feels good to be in." Lindsey Harrington, a longtime host of a writer's circle at the gallery, said MacDougald more than achieved that. "We really had the full gambit of artists … whether it be, you know, the city's poet laureate to somebody who never shared a poem before," Harrington said about the dART Speak event. "The biggest gift that the Dart Gallery gave me was a community." The Dart Gallery was among the first wave of businesses to kick-start the revitalization of Portland Street, which has become a vibrant stretch of cafes, restaurants and shops. "She was just so supportive of downtown Dartmouth when nobody else was. It's just really sad," Harrington said. MacDougald said she can't take too much credit for the work of other businesses who followed after her. But, she remembers hoping that bringing art and culture to the neighbourhood where she lived could give it a sense of identity. Tim Rissesco, CEO of the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission, said the closure "leaves a hole for community gatherings on the street." He is hopeful MacDougald could eventually reopen at a new location within the area, something that MacDougald said she also wants. "I've met so many wonderful, talented, kind people and it's really been a privilege," MacDougald said. "I'll miss seeing everyone as often, but you know, I'm not really going to go anywhere." For now, MacDougald said she will offer local art through her gallery website and is interested in exploring a community land trust for downtown Dartmouth. She pointed to the Kensington Market Community Land Trust as a possible model. In that case, community members pool resources to buy properties to prevent residential tenants and small businesses from being pushed out of the unique area.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Artists celebrate one-year anniversary of Halifax airport gallery's reopening
A small but vibrant art gallery tucked inside Halifax Stanfield International Airport is marking its first anniversary since reopening. The ArtPort Gallery, located between the airport's security and arrivals sections, measures just 14-by-20 feet, but every inch of wall space is covered in colour, texture and storytelling. It features original pieces from 12 local artists. 'We're serving not only Canadian customers but also international,' said artist Ilze Lucis. 'So we're sharing our local art with the world.' From bold portraits to abstract landscapes and coastal wildlife, the artwork is as varied as the passengers who pass by it. Artists take turns curating and selling their work in-person, something Jennifer Dingle says has brought her back to her roots. 'I trained originally as a biologist, and so I love animals and painting the local flora and fauna,' she said. 'It's given me a chance to learn about them again.' Paintings Paintings at the ArtPort Gallery are pictured. (Source: Hafsa Arif/CTV News Atlantic) The group behind the gallery operated in the terminal for more than a decade before COVID-19 shut it down. When it reopened last year, it marked a hopeful return for a community of creatives familiar with the space. 'It's good to be back here,' said artist Marshal Burgess. 'We were shut down for three years with COVID. We're very glad to be here — it's always busy, and you meet more people.' Some, like Annabelle Caissie, have been involved for more than 20 years — from the days when the gallery was a small kiosk near the food court. The artists are hoping the lease, currently set to expire in December, will be renewed so they can continue building on the gallery's momentum. 'We just love to share our art with the world,' said Lucis. ArtPort The ArtPort Gallery reopened in 2024. (Source: Hafsa Arif/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Whyte Avenue Art Walk returns for its 30th year
Edmonton Watch More than 400 artists have set up shop on Whyte Avenue this year for the annual art walk, giving people a chance to see and shop for local art.
Arab News
05-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Diriyah supports local creativity, national brands
RIYADH: A daily event featuring Saudi brand stores and promoting local art, accessories and modern designs is taking place in Diriyah's JAX District. The event, which began on Wednesday and runs until July 8, is open from 8.30 p.m. until midnight and aims to support creativity and national products. Brands taking part are presenting a range of innovative pieces that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The initiative supports creative industries by connecting the public with local entrepreneurs and innovators, boosting the cultural economy and encouraging artistic and craft production.
CTV News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
B.C. couple names bush ‘The Dude' after carving faces into it
John and Tracy Ferreira stand with the happy side of "The Dude." (CTV News) Every time she backed up her car to leave her driveway, Tracy Ferreira's view of the oncoming traffic was blocked by the bush. 'It was a bit of a challenge, safety-wise,' Tracy says. But Tracy didn't want to cut the bush down, so her husband John wondered if the best work-around would be to cut a window through it. 'So I made a couple holes,' John says. Which proved to be a whole lot of help for Tracy. 'It's brilliant!' Tracy says, showing how she can see through the bush. 'It's so much easier to get out of the driveway.' And that would have been that, until a friend mentioned the hole in the bush looked like a mouth. 'So I made a face,' John says. He cut two smaller holes above the mouth to make a pair of eyes, before pruning the sides of face and leaving the top to grow wild like hair. Finally, he named it The Dude. But despite John's best efforts, The Dude seemed to be somewhat dour. 'I thought it was great. But it was a little too grumpy for me,' Tracy says, showing how the mouth looked like it was frowning. '(I said) 'You've got to do one on the other side that's happy.' So John cut two more eyes on the other side of the bush, and adjusted the mouth to make it smile. The happy Dude not only inspired passing people to share appreciative comments, they left presents too. 'They stopped and left a beer there for me saying thank you,' John says, adding that kids ask to cycle past The Dude with their parents and the residents of a nearby retirement home would make regular bus trips to visit it. 'For Christmas, someone left a card that said thank you.' Every season, Tracy and John find a way to make The Dude even more dynamic. 'For Halloween, I have a mannequin I stuff in it's mouth,' John smiles. While the grumpy side of the bush can get ghoulish, the smiling side is happy to sport bunny ears and buck teeth for Easter and wear a massive hand-made Santa hat for Christmas. But when it comes to celebrating our country, there's a consensus that both sides fly Canadian flags attached to hockey sticks. 'In today's world, we need to do happy stuff,' John smiles. Which is why John has expanded his positive pruning to include a second bush along the driveway featuring half a dozen happy faces that he calls The Little Dudes. Tracy calls it The Kids, because like real children, they can't get enough of Christmas and wear mini Santa hats. 'A little bit of effort can bring a whole lot of joy,' Tracy says. 'So why not take the time?'
