Things to See and Do

The Maud Lewis display is often the first stop, and for many, the reason they came.   

A folk artist from rural Nova Scotia, Lewis turned her tiny home that she lived in for 30 years into a studio and a canvas. Restored and preserved at the Gallery, it’s remained its most iconic and enduring exhibition since 1998. Twenty-seven original works line the gallery walls outside her house, offering a broader look at her vision.  

From her iconic Three Black Cats to oceanside and rural scenes, visitors are invited to see Nova Scotia through her lens. Her art exemplifies rural life, poverty, and the quintessential Nova Scotian experience.  

The moment you peer inside Lewis’ house, the colours leap out, especially the bright flowers she painted across the wooden boards and other items, all completed while she lived with rheumatoid arthritis. 

Take your time and absorb the details of her carefully arranged kitchen, the patterns, and the sense that life and art were inseparable. 

Next to the house is her painted front door, which has been removed from its hinges and stands alone. One side is covered in butterflies, flowers, and swans, the other in a garden of hand-painted blooms.  

The Lewis display might hold your attention for longer than you expect. There’s plenty to read, listen to, and take in at your own pace, including an audio tour you can access from your phone.   

While Lewis’ work offers one powerful lens into Nova Scotia, it’s far from the only one. The Gallery’s most common feedback is that visitors came for the Lewis display but fell in love with another exhibition.  

For example, the Mi’kma’ki Artists’ Spotlight offers a powerful window into Mi’kmaw culture and artistic expression. This exhibition is ongoing and refreshed regularly with new artists. The spotlight tells stories, traditions, and artistic practices of the Mi’kmaq, the Indigenous peoples of Halifax.  

Explore Ta’n a’sikatikl sipu’l | Confluence, an exhibition highlighting seven guiding topics that collectively build caring relationships: Awareness, Reflection, Sustainability & Treaty, Community, Memory & Remembering, Gathering & Knowledge, and Sharing. It features depictions and stories by Indigenous artists across Canada, including paintings, carvings, textiles, and historic artifacts.  

Pieces like these, vivid, personal, and rooted in place, show how Nova Scotia’s cultures express themselves through art.  

With more than 19,000 works in its collection, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia offers something for everyone, from coastal landscapes and rural scenes to contemporary interpretations and storytelling from various cultures.  

Planning Your Visit

How to get there

• Close to ferry terminals and surrounded by hotels. 
• Parking in Downtown Halifax can be difficult, so take public transit or walk when possible. 

Tickets and admission

• Buy tickets online or at the front desk. 
• Free admission on Thursday evenings from 5 pm to 9 pm. 

During your visit

• Backpacks, large bags, and umbrellas aren’t permitted in the gallery but can be stored in the coatroom. Lockers are also available. 

Insider Tips

Don’t skip the gift shop. It’s full of great finds like Maud Lewis clothing, art prints, mugs, and coasters.  You’ll also discover hand-crafted items by artists and makers working in the region. 

The Gallery tends to be quieter before 10 am. Foot traffic tends to pick up around midday between 12 and 12:30 pm.