HALIFAX.- The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia has recently acquired twenty-nine compelling art works by twenty-five incredible artists, from Nova Scotia and around the world for its Permanent Collection. Nova Scotian artists included are Ursula Johnson, Letitia Fraser, and John Devlin. Jordan Bennett, Chantal Gibson, and Camille Turner are also among the long list of artists. “We are thrilled to be able to acquire works by such a talented roster of artists” says Nancy Noble, Director and CEO of Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. “With these acquisitions, we are working towards expanding and further diversifying the provincial collection in order to broaden our narrative and strengthen the Gallery.”

These acquisitions were made possible by a number of supporters including: the Charles Anthony Law and Jane Shaw Law Charitable Trust; the Elisabeth Connor Endowment Fund; the Sheldon and Marjorie Fountain Endowment Fund; the Estate of Edwin Charles Urquhart; the Fred and Elizabeth Fountain Endowment for Contemporary Art; the Art Sales and Rental Society, Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Billie and Perry Nodelman, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The Gallery’s Permanent Collection is the essence of the work the Gallery does. We collect, preserve, and exhibit these visual art pieces for the benefit of Nova Scotians and visitors to this province. We aim to acquire pieces that have strong ties to Nova Scotia, the Atlantic Provinces, or Canada as a whole, as well as international works that complement our over 18,000 existing pieces. As the Gallery continues to add to the Permanent Collection, we are building on the future of visual arts in Nova Scotia and ensuring all Nova Scotians feel represented at their Art Gallery.

Four of these works, by artists Letitia Fraser, Chantal Gibson, and Camille Turner, will be featured in upcoming exhibitions at the Gallery.

“We are honoured to be building the permanent collection of art for the people of Nova Scotia. We want all Nova Scotians to see that this is their Gallery and to celebrate all of our diverse and unique stories through these extraordinary works of art.” - Sarah Moore Fillmore, Chief Curator, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

"Generations of Black folks have contributed to the complex and complicated history of Nova Scotia and Canada. It's time to see ourselves and our stories represented in our cultural institutions." - Chantal Gibson, Artist

“I’ve been a volunteer guide and docent at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia since 2016. Provocative conversations with visitors about how the Gallery represents BIPOC Nova Scotians led me to become aware of how few works by artists of colour there are in the Permanent Collection. Because of this, my wife Billie and I decided to designate our contributions to the Gallery toward helping to add more. We’re pleased that new acquisitions will help the Gallery reflect the province’s diversity, and I look forward to sharing and talking about the new additions with visitors in the months to come.” - Perry Nodelman, Volunteer Guide and Docent, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia