Saturday, February 8 is the opening day for WILD, a new exhibit at the Nova Scotia Archives’ Chase Gallery that’s centered around nature.
“It’s been a long haul. I have to say it’s been lots of work, and we’re just on the final things, so it’s pretty exciting,” says Shelagh Duffett, organizer of the exhibit and one of the contributing artists.
Duffett has created the exhibit entirely on her own. When she booked the gallery two years in advance, she knew she wanted to use the February 2020 spot for something that gives back to the community.
“I thought I really want to give back. I want to do something that’s going to affect change somehow. I really want to do something positive,” says the artist. “And I thought, well I can have a show at the gallery and make it into a fundraiser.”
Duffett also has a special connection to the Blue Mountain – Birch Cove area.
“I grew up in Rockingham, and as a teenager I used to hike up and swim in Quarry Lake and Suzy Lake, so that whole Birch Cove Lakes, Blue Mountain wilderness area is very familiar to me and dear to my heart,” she explains.
The gallery will open on Saturday at noon with a special reception and presentation from the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.
The non-for-profit needs to raise $2.1 million to purchase the 575-acre piece of land between Hammonds Plains and Timberlea known as the Blue Mountain Wilderness Connector.
“We’re asking for the public’s help, we’ve asked for the city’s help, and we’re hoping that this effort will be well supported,” says Allison Thorne, Conservation Project Coordinator with the Nature Trust.
The Nature Trust was surprised but happy when Duffett came forward with her proposal for the art exhibit, which runs through until February 28.
“Shelagh really just took it upon herself to do it, so it’s all going to be a great benefit,” adds Thorne.
The land itself is surrounded by urban development and is increasingly in danger of being turned into condos or apartments.
“It is an area that’s really well-loved by the citizens of Halifax, a lot of community groups have been working for many, many years to see that whole area protected,” says Thorne.
The exhibit itself will feature upwards of 80 pieces of art, ranging from acrylic paintings, to poured resin, to woodworking.
“I got nine other artists who are all established artists, they’re wonderful and multidisciplinary, all different,” explains Duffett.
The artists include Danny Abriel, Mark Brennan, Kimberley Eddy, Melanie Fontaine, Gord MacDonald, Lori MacDonald, Timothy McGuire, Suzanne O’Callaghan and Anne-Marie Spears.
“The whole theme, everything is all the different artists’ interpretation of wilderness and wild. They have no humanity allowed, it’s just about the wild,” says Duffett.
All the artists will donate 20 per cent of their profits to the Nature Trust, with some artists donating up to 100 per cent. At least four paintings have pre-sold, including one at the price of $1,400.
But for Duffett, as much as it’s about raising money and selling her artwork, it’s about getting the word out about something near and dear to her heart.
“This is the area I grew up enjoying and I hike it now, and I’m going to do what I can to protect it and raise awareness.,” she says. “I thought well this is also part of my gift to Nature Trust. It was my donation as well.”
