NAVIGATING our way through the Holidays: GIVING Tuesday and everyday...

Our blog topic of the day is pretty straight forward and important to us: GIVING!  'Tis the season for giving! In fact today is known as "Giving Tuesday" in Canada and abroad. We thought this would be a great time to let you know about a few things we're doing to help others in need this season and throughout the year. We hope you'll join us!

WE REALLY REALLY REALLY HOPE YOU CAN ATTEND...even for just 1 hour! 

We're hosting a POP UP of a different sort...a POP UP GIVING NIGHT Wednesday, December 7th, 6:30pm-8pm!  Not many people know about the Navigator Street Outreach Program (click HERE to find out a bit more now). We are hosting an evening where you can hear first hand how the program is helping people everyday and how you really make a difference to someone's life RIGHT NOW for very little. 

A very moving presentation by Program Coordinator Sasha Anderson will kick off the evening at 6:45pm. Afterwards, we'll have some festive treats.  This presentation is FREE however we'd ask that you bring at least one of the following items to help out:
Personal Hygiene Products
(deodorant, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene, soap, shampoo etc)

Simple Household Items
(dish clothes, towels, facecloths, bed sheets)

Warm Winter Clothing
(gloves, jackets, long johns, hats, boots)

Other items you may not think of..
(tarps, nutrient bars, bus tickets, gift certificates to Sobeys or No Frills, art supplies)

If you can't attend but still want to help out, get in touch! Please try to attend and tell your friends. We remember the first time we heard about this program...it gives you hope. A way to help!

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Ongoing until late afternoon this Saturday, December 3rd, drop by the gallery and PICK AN ENVELOPE off our walls, in support of Christmas Daddies. For just $5 you will win a gift from us and be helping many families in need of essentials and gifts for children over the holiday season. We'll be taking all of the donations collected to the Christmas Daddies Telethon on Saturday and will be on TV at around 5pm!    If you'd like to make a donation over an above the $5 or live abroad and want to help out, give us a call. We'd be so happy to hear from you. 

Not sure what Christmas Daddies is...here's a LINK about it all...

As the little happy guy above suggests, we hope you can SAVE THE DATE  and attend our  HOLIDAY PARTY on Friday, December 9th from 3pm-7pm. If you are able to bring a donation of food, warm blankets or any of the items listed above for the NAVIGATOR program, we'd really appreciate the help. We'll have lots of treats, surprises and special offers on locally made wonderfulness, to thank you for your help !  Many of our artists will be bringing us NEW works and will be on-hand so you can meet them! Bring a friend with you...and we'll give you a 20% off coupon to be used anytime!

Tis the Season for New Artwork, Falalalala...

It's that time of year! Our artists are busy toiling away in their workshops and studios, making beautiful work. Every day we're getting new and beautiful pieces in, and here's just a sampling of some of the pieces that have arrived...

Briana Corr-Scott, Moon Snail #1, 8"x10", Oil on Board

Briana Corr-Scott, Urchin, 5"x5", Oil on Board

Briana Corr-Scott, Clam Shell, 8"x8", Oil on Board

See more of Briana Corr-Scott's new work here: Briana Corr-Scott Online Album

Gordon MacDonald, The Blue House, 21.75"x25.5", Oil on Board

See more of Gordon MacDonald's recent work here: Gordon MacDonald Online Album

George Spencer, Harvest, 16"x20", Oil on Board

See more work by George Spencer here: George Spencer Online Album

Kimberley Eddy, Ocean Flow 38, 8x10, Acrylic, Ink, Shimmer Power and Resin on Board

Kimberley Eddy, Ocean Flow 35, 20x20, Acrylic, Ink, Iridescent Powder and Resin on Board

See more work by Kimberley Eddy here: Kimberley Eddy Online Album

And, well this crew, you'll just have to come in and see for yourselves. We have a whole new pack of animals by Dorothyanne Brown that just arrived!

Felted Animals by Dorothyanne Brown

Come in and meet the gang, say hi, and check out the inspiring new work that's arriving all the time!

WALL OF ENVELOPES & the Great "Chicken Bone candy" Taste Off!

We're trying something new!

May we introduce our WALL OF ENVELOPES until December 3rd!  For just  $5, pick an envelope from our wall ! Each envelope will  have a special surprise waiting for you- such as a small gift, gift certificate or money off your next purchase!  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Christmas Daddies fundraiser !

There will be some empty envelopes that YOU can fill with your own wishes of hope or kind words for someone that just needs a lift. Those envelopes will be available for FREE.

This Saturday drop by the gallery and take the CHICKEN BONES TASTE-OFF....in support of our current colourful show by Kim Floyd, still on display in our windows for the Parade of Lights happening Saturday evening too!

Do you LOVE this candy that has become a Maritime Holiday Tradition OR Do you think it's just yucky!  We're interested in hearing what you think! Pick up a frame-able postcard of the candy while your here...they'd make great gifts to give and receive!

Warm up with other paintings by Kim, such as FRY's COCOA on a cold November evening...

Time to Give Thanks! Celebrating YOU!

We wouldn't be anything without YOU, the person that loves art and appreciates the wonderful artists that fill our province to the brim. This week perhaps more than others, it seemed like the perfect time to say THANK YOU to you. We encourage you to visit us soon and take advantage of some of our special promotions while celebrating our GOLD WIN for BEST GALLERY which we just received last week.  YAY!

 1. To show our thanks, we’re offering FREE SHIPPING within Canada and the USA until         December 9^th! This includes SHIPPING on 12 month Art Subscriptions (which make great gifts!)

2. PICK A CARD...ANY CARD! CARDS CARDS CARDS!  
    BUY 5 Cards GET ONE FREE until November 15th

3. THIS SATURDAY ONLY November 12^th- TAX FREE on ALL ITEMS!
 
4. GIFT CERTIFICATES:  Save 20% off gift certificates (ie- $100 gift certificate will only cost  you $80) Limited amount of 20 will be available in any denomination-get them before they are gone!  So if you love art, and you want to save extra dollars throughout the year for yourself or give the gift of art, this is a great deal!  This is basically like getting 20% off in the future....make your future self happier with original art while saving money! You're so smart. :-) 

 

THANK YOU for helping us receive such a great recognition of GOLD and Best Gallery!

  We also want to remind you all that we will be CLOSED on REMEMBRANCE DAY as we say thank you to those who fought for our freedom and country. But drop by Saturday and say hello!

STUDIO SATURDAY with Danny Abriel

Welcome to Studio Saturday! Today we're excited to bring you into the studio of artist Danny Abriel!

Danny grew up in the Musquodoboit Valley and attended the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, and studied photography at NSCC.

Danny's work is informed by the native scenery where he grew up - reflective waters, wind-swept tress, contoured landscapes and seasonal colour. His paintings are inspired by his connection to the beauty and drama of trees and their surroundings.

Danny currently has a show on at the gallery, "Luminous Ways", until Nov 30th. You can see the work online here: Luminous Ways by Danny Abriel

And now let's sneak into his studio...

Danny working in his studio.

 

Oh, PAL-o-MINE you are so Fine

Well tonight is the night where we unveil two bodies of art by two spectacular local artists- Danny Abriel and Kim Floyd! Both shows are now on the walls so drop by anytime, attend the opening reception tonight, Friday, Nov. 4th 7pm-9pm, or visit online anytime! Both shows continue until the end of November.

** Make sure to check out our STUDIO SATURDAYS blog post tomorrow at noon to learn more about Danny Abriel, as our featured artist studio!**

Staring out at all these beautiful colourful works from our desk this afternoon, in particular the paintings by Kim Floyd...are making us hungry!  Kim's painted a series of works that fill the gallery with nostalgia in the form of paintings of popular food brands that are associated with our shared Canadian culture and memories.

Earlier this week, we learned from one of our gallery artists a little bit of history about the Ganong Brothers Company and their chocolate bar, PAL-o-MINE so we headed over to the internet for a bit of specific info.

For example, bet you didn't know that Pal-o-Mine, a soft fudge, coconut and peanut bar covered in dark chocolate is Ganong's oldest product that was first introduced in 1920 and is still being made today!

And get this! Pal-o-Mine was the first chocolate bar in Canadian history to be wrapped! 

 
"Ganong Bros.' Limited has been one of the Canadian chocolate industry's most important companies. Arthur Ganong was the first to make any sort of a wrapped chocolate bar; Ganong began selling the first chocolate bars in 1910. In 1920 they began using the brand name "Pal-o-Mine" for their chocolate bar.The company also was the first to introduce a heart-shaped box of chocolates in North America. The heart-shaped boxes were originally used for presents over the Christmas season before it also succeeded around Valentine's Day."

Now you can seem smart at the next party you attend or when you are with coffee with friends and enjoy a little chocolate while your at it! Or if you want to skip the calories, why not buy this painting featured above by Kim Floyd. It measures 8" x 5", acrylic on board.See the entire show ONLINE HERE.