Nova Scotian Art Purchased for Art Bank Collection

NOTE: The names of the artists and the artwork purchased for the Nova Scotia Art Bank follow this release.

Nova Scotia's artistic heritage was enhanced as the work of 35 local artists and craftspeople were added to the Nova Scotia Art Bank collection.

In a presentation ceremony held at the Mary E. Black Gallery, in Halifax yesterday, May 5, the province paid tribute to the artists whose work had been selected by an independent jury for purchase by the Nova Scotia Art Bank.

"The province encourages the development of artistic excellence," said Kelliann Dean, deputy minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "Thanks to the Nova Scotia Art Bank purchase program, we can preserve and showcase the work of contemporary Nova Scotian artists for both present and future generations."

Established in 1975, the Nova Scotia Art Bank purchase program has supported the careers of local artists for more than 30 years. Today, the collection consists of almost 1,800 pieces of art, many of which are displayed in government offices throughout the province.

The newly purchased work will be on display to the public at the Mary E. Black Gallery, 1061 Marginal Rd., Halifax, from today, May 6 until May 14.

Applications for the 2009-10 Nova Scotia Art Bank purchase program will be accepted until Jan. 15. More information is available on the department's website www.gov.ns.ca/tch/culture_funding.asp .

Following are the names of the artists, their community, and the name of the artwork purchased for the Nova Scotia Art Bank.

• Poppy Balser of Digby, Foxgloves
• Ernest Cadegan of Port Williams, On the post
• Ted Coldwell of Halifax, Joggins 2676
• Denise Comeau of Digby Co., Jardin d’été
• Cecil Day of Port Maitland, Landfall II, 2007
• Mark Grantham of Halifax, City (Quinpool Road)
• Linda Johns of James River, Last Quarter
• Justine Kerr of Mahone Bay, Temptation
• Inae Kim of Halifax, Last Snow
• Debra Kusyk of Annapolis Royal, Blue Dog Jar
• Ray Mackie of Annapolis Royal, Chickadee Casserole
• Carolyn Low of Waterville, Inspired by the bay
• Dawn MacNutt of New Glasgow, Robin
• Henriette Maier of West LaHave, Wildflowers
• Susan Malmstrom of Bear River, Chaos Theory and Loose Ends
• John Malone of Halifax, MacDonald Bridge #1
• Evan Maxwell of Lower Sackville, Day Lillies
• Alexandra McCurdy of Halifax, Mark of the Maker
• Ashley McKenzie of New Waterford, Smile
• Margot Metcalfe of Halifax, Wharf II
• Carol Morrison of Oakfield, Two islands (plus five), near Parrsboro
• Don Pentz of Pleasantville, Canoe Enigma
• Andrea Pottyondy of Fall River, Horizon Series: The Colour of Anticipation
• Andrea K. Redmond of Halifax, Bowl of Fish
• Christine Ross of Annapolis Royal, Curtain/View
• Kath Rutherford of Musquodoboit Harbour, Beelines
• Robert Rutherford of Musquodoboit Harbour, Petpeswick Narrows
• Barbara Schmeisser of Dartmouth, Peace and Harmony
• Ann Schroeder of Mabou, Eclipse
• Lynda Shalagan of Halifax, Golden Pond
• Roxanne Smith of Dartmouth, Ebb Tide, Bay of Fundy NS and Low Tide, Cape Split NS II
• Kay Stanfield of Dartmouth, Scroll #3
• Alan Syliboy of Truro, Red Caribou and Yellow Sun
• Anna Syperek of Antigonish, Winter Evening, Harbour Centre, 2007
• Susan Wood of Halifax, Caught on a Page