Thursday, August 26, 2010

Big Day Downtown, part 2



Thanks to the genius people at the Halifax Downtown Business Comisssion, I was given $100 to spend as I liked in downtown Halifax. Nice huh? 29 other lucky bloggers were also given the same opportunity and you can read about their adventures here . If you want to win your own $100 Halifax downtown fun Visa you can follow the HDBC on twitter and Facebook:) to find out more!

Just around the corner from the Granville Mall is the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, NSCAD, one of the anchors of downtown Halifax and an internationally recognized art institution. In fact, it was founded in 1887 by Anna Leonowens, famous as the governess in Anna and the King of Siam! This is where we went to find the Art Supply Store.

Located in the lower Granville mall, it is open to the public, and has a WONDERFUL variety of supplies and books. I was in creative heaven:) Very competitive prices too. I purchased some brushes, pens and a pot of cobalt blue paint! Say hi to Neil and tell him Shelagh sent you:)

Moleskinnery:)

Next we headed to the Gallery of Nova Scotia to visit the Art Sales and Rentals Society. My daughter is way ahead of me, we are walking down Hollis Street to the second sandstone building on the left.

Here it is!

Right across from Province House, Canada's oldest seat of government. This is where Joeseph Howe argued for six hours securing the right for freedom of the press on March 2,1835. It is a cool place to visit too, they have tours and anyone can pop in and have a look around.

But first, some refreshment is in order:) We sidled into Cheapside Cafe which is located in the lobby of the gallery . They have the most delectable desserts, soups and sandwiches!

So colourful and bright!

Daughter chose this delightful and delicious frilly concoction. Hiding behind the cake is a giant strawberry and puff of whipped cream:) I had a coffee and muffin.

Next stop was the Art Sales and Rental Society, just across the lobby. It is a non profit society and is a wonderful place to come and browse. They carry over 1,000 pieces from more than 200 Atlantic Canadian artists and are open seven days a week!

The concept here is that you can rent a piece of art and pay for it monthly for up to six months and if you decide you want to purchase it, the rental fee will be deducted OR you can return it and rent another piece. Rentals start as low as $14 depending on the size. Rent some art to see if you love it!
Friends of mine rented a large painting and then at the end of six months returned it to get another. They then discovered much to their surprise that they really missed the first piece and tried to get it back but it had been rented out again. Luckily, it was returned and not purchased by the second renter so they scooped it up and took it to it's forever home:)

Art Sales and Rental have a jury process for artists wanting to have art accepted and every two weeks they meet to go over the submissions. The society is run by volunteers.

Luckily, Zehava Power, one of the artists represented here just happened to be working this morning and kindly agreed to pose in front of some of her work~ I LOVE the Flamenco dancer on the right. I am thinking I might try to volunteer here. I know I would enjoy it:)


to be continued.....

Big DayDowntown,Part 3

Big Day Downtown, Part 1

12 comments:

Sara said...

What a fun day! I love, love Zehava Power's paintings! Every year I bid on them at the Lunenburg Paint Sea on Site sale...and lose out to higher bidders. Her work is very, very popular!
I finally got high speed, and finally can see the photos on your blog! YAY!!!

Unknown said...

Dear God I want to INHALE that piece of cake. Right now. Mmmmm

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I have visited all the places you mention -- thanks to this post, I feel like I've just had a little stroll in Halifax again!

Tvor said...

I love the art supply store, much more than the other one down Barrington. People are v. friendly there, too and it's much more personal shopping experience! Agns is a great place and the cafe is indeed yummy! Did you ever try to offer your paintings for the rental thingy?

aliceinparis said...

Sara- Zehava is a lovely person too:)
Kim- I had a taste and it WAS good.
Debra- I can vist them again and again:)
Tvor-It's a great shop and a lot of people don't know about it. I am now thinking about seeing if my work might be accepted there:)

Dolores said...

I am going to visit your part 1 now. you really had fun.

ph0enix1211 said...

"The Bee's Knees" from the is still hanging on our mantle :)

gayle said...

Ah,Shelagh, how I love "clicking" into you each morning. You truly transport me:--- those rows of yellow paint brushes, that absolutely delectable looking cake and what a fantastic idea, "rent with option to buy " art gallery.I have heard of similar in Aus. but not any near me, unfortunately.Your photographs are sooooo beautiful ! I am a learner photographer and am currently doing a basic course but get continually frustrated by " not having the knowledge in order to achieve the results" I want. Enjoy your weekend

The Words Crafter said...

The cake, the buildings, the colors! It's all so beautiful.....it's more than one can take in at once. I've decided that one day I'm going to visit all these wonderful places. You are quite the photographer! Stunning work!

Tumble Fish Studio said...

Hi Shelagh! I am finally able to sit more than 5 min. at the computer and was determined to visit everyone that visited me today at least. I have missed coming by more regularly. I always fall in love all over again with your blog every time I visit. I read the entire first page and thought I'd better comment before I get too far away. You sure got a lot of wonderful out of your $100 downtown trip! It was priceless! Renting art is a brilliant idea! Love that! And I also got a good giggle out of your email post! I may have to share that if you don't mind! Thank you for your visit!
marsha

Patti Edmon Artist said...

your downtown is gorgeous, and so is your photography! I'm thankful to Marsha for passing your name along!

susanna said...

Oh maaaaan, I wish I could have gone with you that day. There are so many interesting sites to visit in Halifax, eh? Thanks for the information on Joseph Howe as I had never heard of him before. And to take an evening or weekend course as NSCAD...ohhhhhh... And the Art Sale and Rental Society is a MUST spot for anyone visiting Halifax. Look at those paintings in your photos! Wow! I wish I was that good at painting. And I think YOU should show, rent, sell your paintings there, too. Do you? And you should show your artwork in the cafe, too.

Thanks for the tour!