- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Categories: Local Services Community Service/Non-Profit Arts & Entertainment Museums Arts & Entertainment Art Galleries Shopping Art Galleries Community Service/Non-Profit, Museums, Art Galleries [Edit]
1723 Hollis StHalifax, NS B3J 1V9
(902) 424-7542
- Hours:
Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun 10 am - 5 pm
Thu 10 am - 9 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
11 reviews for Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
11 reviews in English
-
Review from Ben B.
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
I am an unapologetic yet undereducated appreciator of the arts. What does that mean exactly? Well, just that I will never say no to local theatre, galleries, or literature, but don't have the Arts Degree itch that makes people want to justify, evaluate, or otherwise critique these cultural products. While they're discussing the artist's motivation or historical relevance of the piece, I'm smiling, saying 'Oh, that one's nice!', and moving on. And I'm okay with that.
For me, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is a perfect hideaway for a quiet day of inspiration. You can roam for a solid afternoon between all the exhibits (I'd argue you don't need days of time as you would at the Met or equivalent) without too many people around making you feel like you're not appreciating art hard enough or in the right way.
Entry is cheap, opening events in the evening are very lovely without *too* much pretension (although there's always a little bit...I mean, it *is* art after all...), and the range of exhibits, styles and media on display make it easy to find something you'll enjoy. Some day I also hope to take advantage of their art rental service! -
Review from John W.
Halifax, NS
3/29/2011
This gallery is sometime great, sometime boring.
I agree with the sentiment of the others. Although, I do like Maud Lewis. Her paintings are fantastic in a kitchy, folk way. She paints cows or oxen so well. They have such a consistent feel. Its almost like they are a stamp or something. She knows what things look like to her, and I think thats great.
That being said, the permanent collection is tiring. I enjoy the conceptual art that goes through there, the director for the gallery has good choices.
Nocturne is usually quite exciting, as was the Sobey art awards.
Its hard to compare to somewhere like the National Gallery where there is great modernist work from montreal like Riopelle and much more interesting group of seven paintings.
Agns has some grumpy as hell security guards. I was almost escorted out because it was 5 minutes til the gallery closed. I feel like the whole place has a kind of unfriendly quality. Maybe except the gift shop.
-3 out of 5, better to check out NSCAD Anna Leonowens if you want something more fresh and exciting- but im biased! I go there!!! -
Review from Laura P.
4/10/2010 4 photos
Sheepishly, I haven't frequented this great gallery since October's Nocturne Festival. And what a remarkable body of work that night infused- from installation artwork to gigantic ceramic sculptures- it was the kind of stuff to fuel reflection and flow. AGNS is one of Halifax's utmost esteemed purveyors of the Atlantic art scene and an optimum space to utilize creative talents.
The gallery of a large scale, often housing multiple collections to ponder and appreciate. Their website is great to see whats current and on the go. Programs and tours are an option as well, as the gallery extends its notion for art towards the community.
Its a fantastic space with lots to look at. To have this spot at our fingertips, its not necessary to be an expert to enrich ones life through art.Listed in: Art World
-
Review from Shawna D.
Chester, NS
7/3/2010
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is a great place to go on a rainy afternoon.
There is some fantastic art here and history to have a look at.
Of course the Maude Lewis, is famous and is a must see. This is a pretty spectacular Art Gallery for Halifax. -
Review from Katie M.
Halifax, NS
3/29/2010 1 photo
My earliest memories of visiting Art Gallery of Nova Scotia were being pretty bored for most of the trip and then getting to color a picture at the end. I've gone on countless field trips here over the years and I can distinctly remember not enjoying myself. It's a pretty tight laced gallery and can get boring for those who don't appreciate this brand of conservative art. As I've gotten older I actually enjoy going to the Art Gallery, but only once and awhile because the exhibits can be tedious.
During a more recent visit I learned all about the "Nocturne at Night" festival which is happening in October that brings "art and energy" to the streets of Halifax. I'm not entirely clear on exactly what that entails, but the girl I was speaking with said that it's a pretty big deal, so I plan to keep my eyes peeled!
Hot Hint: To volunteer at the aforementioned festival, check out their website for details. -
Review from Ang M.
Halifax, NS
10/20/2009
I get a kick out of exploring art galleries in general, and the AGNS has some great collections. There's a permanent exhibition of Nova Scotia folk art, now with a full wooden Obama family that's pretty hilarious. Right now the winner of the prestigious Sobey Art Award is on display, and what an interesting and challenging piece that is.
The gallery has a large Maud Lewis collection and features her fully-restored house on permanent display.
My beef with the gallery is the $10 admission charge for adults, which I think is way too much. I'd go there once a month if it was more affordable, and the cost goes up for special exhibitions. To be fair, every Thursday evening from 5:00 to 9:00pm admission is "by donation", but that's not usually when I'm hankering for a bit of gallery time. Other than that, very worth exploring. -
Review from Adam B.
Halifax, NS
1/5/2010
The three star review is an average. Basically, here's the thing, if there is a special touring exhibit or the Sobey's award nominees are on display, four stars! But if it's just the same old gallery, two stars.
So on average, three stars.
I suppose it's hard to critique the art itself because it's all subjective, but I can't stand the work of Maude Lewis. I know she has an interesting story, but that doesn't mean her paintings are interesting. Since there is so much work by Lewis in the AGNS, it's hard to separate my complete disinterest in her work from the gallery as a whole.
I suppose it might be easier if the permanent collection was a little more exciting, but it's not, and it's certainly not worth the price of ten dollars. If you're going to go, go on Thursday night when it's admission by donation, which means you can pay what you feel, which means you can pay a reasonable price.
While I don't care for the permanent collection, there are usually some very interesting touring and special exhibits. It's always worth checking the web site to see what is coming up.
As I've said, art is very subjective, one man's coffee is another man's tea, one man's whiskey is another man's... well...you get the idea. It is a very impressive facility and worth taking a look around on Thursday nights, but I don't think it's worth the steep admission price every other day of the week unless something special is going on. -
Review from Ruth D.
Halifax, NS
12/19/2009
While it's true that there aren't nearly as many international artists represented here, it's a wonderful place to spend many an afternoon. I can't seem to get enough of the Maude Lewis house and exhibit - a must see every time I go...that and the permanent folk art exhibit.
That said, I usually find many other visiting exhibits give me pause. I'm still impressed by a Gee's Bend quilting exhibit I saw years ago, Mary Pratt, Rodin...but my favorite place of all is the gift shop. From umbrellas to place mats and t-shirts with some artist's work imprinted, to the more sublime artisan works in glass, clay, fabric and jewellery, it's wonderful.
Although I've never eaten a meal at the Cheapside Cafe, I have enjoyed a very civilized ladies tea on more than one occasion. -
Review from Lacey H.
4/1/2010
Hey Halifax - Who do you think you are having a pretty great art gallery? A big city or something? Seriously! You go, girl.
I have seen some great exhibits at this place. Maybe large scale artists aren't always amply represented and yes, Maude Lewis' perpetual display can run a little stale; nevertheless, I've seen some cool up and comers display wicked creations at this joint....
Graeme Patterson's installations anyone! For real!
Currently, you can suss out Jean-Pierre Gauthier's exhibit, Machines at Play, which is both investigative and intricate. There are regular tours and the gallery is open daily, save for Mondays, with Thursday evenings being of the FREE variety!
I highly recommend this as a must visit location in Halifax. Especially with one night a week that's free, there's no reason not to go!
Check it out. Open your mind. Be inspired.Listed in: Artsy Fartsy
-
Review from Ellen C.
6/26/2010
We enjoyed this gallery on a Thursday evening when we visited Halifax, although to be honest, we probably wouldn't have toured it had it not been free admission. There were still some areas that were under construction on the outside, but we were able to view most exhibits inside. The gallery is pretty small and took us about half an hour to browse the works. I've seen much larger collections of Inuit and Aboriginal art in the National Gallery in Ottawa, naturally, but I was surprised that there weren't more local/provincial works of art displayed, considering it is representative of Nova Scotia as a whole. It is still an interesting gallery, and the girl at the front desk was really friendly and helpful with all of our non art-related questions.
-
Review from Claude Edwin T.
Toronto, ON
5/20/2011
Nice enough of a place, however not easy to access them on Social media platforms. Art Gallery of Nova Scotia would like you to follow them on Twitter , however they will not follow Malebeautyforum art gallery back. They would rather follow that Horny Tim coffee shop up" Da Road". However it is nice enough of a place.
