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A few years ago, my husband and I made a “quick stop” in Peggy’s Cove, but the village had other plans. We’d unknowingly arrived during Paint Peggy’s Cove, a plein air art festival where the whole village becomes a living canvas. Artists were tucked into every corner, capturing the character of this place. I was instantly hooked.
We only stayed an hour (okay, maybe two), but I made myself a quiet promise: one day, I’ll come back and do it right.
And I did.
This time, I stayed for three full days in the sweetest Airbnb, right in the heart of the village, with the iconic lighthouse as my nightlight.
I soaked up every moment of this Peggy’s Cove Area Festival of the Arts event. Artists painted on-site throughout the community, and their work was displayed and available for purchase in a large yurt. The art, the ocean air, and the creative energy made it unforgettable.
I met artists working in oils, acrylics, watercolours, collage, pencil, and even linocut.
Richard Mulroy, a Nova Scotian who specializes in lighthouses and nautical scenes, was in his element. Watching his artwork slowly unfold in coloured pencils was mesmerizing.
Many of the artists’ stories were just as captivating as their creations. Stephen McKelvay, a firefighter who paints in his off-hours to decompress, sold every piece he created during the festival. Although he originally trained for a career in animation, life led him to emergency response. The early training didn’t go to waste, though, He still dabbles in design work while exploring airbrushing, pencil crayon, watercolour, and acrylic painting.
Paint Peggy’s Cove began in 2011 with just 32 artists. Today, the event is capped at 40 artists and fills up within days. Artists travel from as far away as Ireland and Florida, though most are based in the Maritimes, with many coming from communities throughout the Halifax region.
According to the organizers, Rhonda Barrett’s collages are always in high demand, while collectors regularly seek out work by Gail Sutherland, Kim Aerts, and acclaimed local oil painter Alexander Koltakov.
Choosing an artwork wasn’t easy. I met so many artists and witnessed a beautiful blend of creativity, colour, and connection. The Art Yurt was continually brimming with one-of-a-kind works, each piece reflecting a different perspective on the village.
Deciding whether to fall in love with something already finished or wait to see what might emerge from a nearby easel was an ongoing challenge.
I kept circling back to a delicate piece by Julia Festa, started on Day 1. Julia has been part of the festival for more than a decade. She shared that she never decides what to paint in advance. Instead, she lets the light and shadows guide her in the moment.
Julia spoke fondly about the camaraderie among the artists.
“Everyone’s just focused on creating,” she said, adding that the organizing team does a fantastic job of supporting that environment.
Julia’s journey into painting began 24 years ago while she was working as a nurse. After admiring a patient’s artwork, she confessed, “I wish I could paint.”
The patient simply replied, “What are you waiting for? Pick up a brush, take a few lessons, and practice a little every day.”
That encouragement stayed with her and changed everything.
Inspired by Nova Scotia’s vivid natural beauty, Julia paints in oils and watercolours.
I’ll treasure my keepsake and my memories of Paint Peggy’s Cove. There’s something powerful about watching art come to life amid salt spray, wild roses, and weathered shingles.
Seeing artists interpret the same landscape in completely different ways gave me a new appreciation for a place I thought I already knew.
Next on my wish list is the Studio Tour, another event presented by the Peggy’s Cove Area Festival of the Arts.
Chart your own course from Hatchet Lake to Deep Cove, where more than 70 artists open their doors for a self-guided tour through working studios and group exhibitions. Follow the blue sandwich boards and lighthouse signs to discover 40 locations tucked into coves, harbours, and coastal communities throughout the region.
Learn more about the artists and festival events at peggyscoveareafestivalofthearts.com.
Written by Coreen Hildebrand
maritimesmaven.com
