Artistry in Action is designed to provide a platform for artists to create, demonstrate, and discuss their work while interacting with an engaged audience. Artists will work in their chosen medium, whether it’s painting, sculpture, textiles, or any other form of craft or visual art. Visitors will have the chance to observe the artist’s process up close and ask questions about their practice, techniques, and inspirations.

Space will also be provided for local art groups to educate the public about their programming and initiatives. 

Join us for this free event and learn more about the variety of artists we have right here in our backyard!

This project is funded by the department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.

September 20 | Pictou Landing First Nation School

Join us Saturday September 20 from 11am-4pm at the Pictou Landing First Nation School (6407 Pictou Landing Road, Fishers Grant) for a fantastic line up of artists and collectives!

Artist Demonstrations

Rachel Smaldon | Painting

Rachel Smaldon is a self-taught artist who has been creating art since childhood. She moved to Nova Scotia from Ontario at age six and was inspired by the nature surrounding her. Her art has a very bright and busy aesthetic with a focus on nature. She has participated in multiple art shows and craft sales in the last few years with a variety of mediums and artworks. Acrylic is her primary medium, but she has also created and sold art in gouache, clay sculpture, and textiles. Having already tried many differing mediums, she plans on expanding her experience by taking a range of art courses at St. Francis Xavier University in the Fall.

Jennifer Coveyduc | Textiles

Jennifer is a Nova Scotian artist who is inspired by her love of all nature, the forests, fields and oceans and is influenced by their simple yet intricate beauty and the treasures they hold. With a background in Art and Biology she creates using a wide variety of mediums/ art forms and strives to incorporate a combination of natural, reclaimed or recycled material into her pieces to emphasize the importance of the environment and sustainability.

She is working towards setting up a small home studio for her business ‘Fringeweed Designs’ where she can continue to create in enamelling, jewellery, weaving, collage, paper making, sewing, eco friendly gardening and more. When she is not creating she enjoys teaching and excitedly hopes to bring a variety of fun, creative, art and gardening classes to Pictou County.

Leonard Cremo | Furniture Making

Leonard is a wood worker who lives in Pictou Landing First Nation. He makes tables, chairs and other furniture out of found materials.

Mark Sander | Photography

Based in the heart of Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Mark Sander is an amateur photographer with a passion for capturing the natural beauty that surrounds him. His work explores the rugged coastlines, peaceful landscapes, and vibrant wildlife of Atlantic Canada. Mark strives to share moments of wonder both on the ground and from above. With a growing focus on drone photography and video bringing out the unique character of the region in every frame.

Fran Nicholas | Quill work

Fran is an artist from Pictou Landing First Nation and will be making medallions from porcupine quills and birch bark.

Artist Collectives

Pictou Art Society

The Pictou Art Society are painters, potters, fibre artists, photographers, and artists of all kinds who contribute to the arts in Pictou and surrounding areas. Through events, such as Paint Pictou, Artist Tours and our gallery wall at Art2Sea Gallery, they strive to create a vibrant artist community in Pictou.

Lights Up Theatre Company

LLights Up Theatre is a local youth theatre company based in Pictou County. Our goal is to build confidence, create a strong sense of community and educate through a love of theatre.