Artful Escapes
Municipality of Chester
We invite you to discover the works of our artists and artisans in galleries and shops. To witness their wonderful creations – paintings, photography, pottery, hooked rugs, sculptures, jewellery, ironworks, woodworks, glassworks, and more.
We’d be so happy to see you take home and treasure their creations – and maybe you’ll be inspired to create a little art of your own while you’re here.
Amicus Gallery - Village of Chester
Location: 20 Pleasant St, Chester
The gallery hosts a collection of Fine Art & Fine Craft - all handmade predominantly in the Maritime provinces. Paula MacDonald, the gallery owner, makes the pottery in her studio at the Gallery. 'Amicus' is Latin for friend - a perfect name for the Gallery as it truly represents a gathering of the work of many of Paula's gifted friends.
Aspotogan Arts and Crafts - Hubbards
Aspotogan Arts & Crafts are a non-profit volunteer group formed in the year 2000 with the goal of exploring professional development, promotion, and exhibition possibilities, and mutual support for artists working in the Aspotogan area of Nova Scotia. The members work in a wide variety of arts and crafts including painting, rug hooking, woodworking, sculpture, fibre arts, pottery, and photography. Aspotogan Arts & Crafts organizes annual shows that attract a growing number of visitors and participate in several art exhibitions and events in the greater community. In addition, they sponsor artist talks and workshops (open to both members and non-members). The Aspotogan area has become a destination of choice for artists - the spectacular natural beauty of the area being complemented by its wealth of artistic activity.
Barbara O'Neil Fine Art - New Ross
With a focus on oil paintings on canvas in a wide variety of sizes - artist Barbara O'Neil specializes in seascapes and landscapes - often abstracted but always impactful. Set on a small farm in New Ross, O'Neil's gallery shares its space with a little shop on The Roundway Farm selling their handmade soaps, creams and floral products created from what they grow right there. Barbara is also available for commissioned projects.
Blue Shutters Art Gallery & Antiques - East Chester
Location: 3167 Hwy 3, East Chester
In addition to its great selection of antiques, collectibles, and vintage decor, Blue Shutters showcases the work of 8 local artists who completely capture the beauty of life here on the South Shore and beyond.
Captain's House Gallery - East Chester
Location: 33 Central St, Chester
Located in what used to be the Captian's House Inn, the Captain's House Gallery features artist Carol Hansen - an acrylic abstract artist who focuses on the "interaction of shapes and colours" in her Nova Scotian landscape paintings. The gallery also features a series of other artists that use a variety of media through their exhibitions and events.
Doug Forsythe Gallery - Village of Chester
Location: 163 Queen St, Chester
Doug Forsythe Gallery opened its purpose-built gallery in 2021. They work in a variety of media including mixed media and prints featuring local ocean landscapes.
Falling Acorn Studio - Martin's Point
Location: 6833 Highway 3, Martin's Point
Falling Acorn Studio features mixed media abstract pieces primarily depicting people and fish. Alongside their original paintings, you can also pick up prints and gift items.
Going Coastal Fine Art & Furnishings - The Village of Chester
Location: 41 Queen St, Chester
In addition to their wonderfully designed line of reclaimed furniture, Going Coastal’s gallery carries a curated collection of fine art, furnishings, home décor, crafts, jewellery, and apparel. With a keen eye for unique pieces that are often limited edition or one-of-a-kind pieces - you're sure to be captivated with their offering, 100% created by Nova Scotia artists and crafters.
Goede Vibes - Chester Basin
Location: 5370 Nova Scotia Trunk 3, Chester Basin
Recycled & Earth-friendly art - Goede Vibes features one-of-a-kind handmade recycled art, photography, jewellery, cards, felted items, colourful toys, and more made by a truly creative couple - Nova Scotia's Mike & Sherry Goede. Born and raised in Holland, Mike studied photography at the School of Arts in Utrecht. He met his Canadian wife Sherry while traveling in Nepal. In 2005, they moved to Nova Scotia to raise their young family. In his new surroundings. Mike finds inspiration in the small villages and rocky harbours along the Atlantic coast. Fascinated by early morning light, his simple compositions have a serene stillness that captures the raw beauty and heart of his new home.
Jim Smith Fine Studio Pottery - Village of Chester
Location: 112 Water St, Chester
A feast for the eyes and the soul, Jim Smith's gorgeous pottery is a delight to display and a joy to use. Jim is widely recognized as one of Canada's most acclaimed contemporary ceramic artists. The showroom shelves in his charming studio are brimming with luscious and lyrical vases, platters, bowls, and serving dishes.
Kiln Art - Chester Basin
Location: 378 Lacey Mines Road, Chester Basin
Owned by husband and wife duo Sharon and Paul, Kiln Art uses a technique of painting with crushed stained glass in their glass art. Their studio is open by chance or appointment.
Peggy's Cove Replicas - Chester
Location: 3400 Lighthouse Route, Chester
Peggy's Cove Replicas makes varying-sized replicas of this Nova Scotian landmark starting from 5 inches with light-up versions available.
Salt Sky Studios - Hubbards
Location: 23 Sandy Lane, Hubbards
Salt Sky Studios creates colourful wooden artwork using wooden slats of varying heights displaying the colours you will see throughout the south shore. Many of their pieces feature abstract shorelines and woodland scenery.
Scotian Ironworks - New Ross
Location: 4843 NS-12, New Ross
Blacksmith and artisan Scott Hamlin has the ability to put commonly used items to an artistic expression or bring your ideas to life. Scotian Ironworks can use your ideas in the creation of your very own customized metalwork.
Seal Rock Studios - Blandford
Location: 20 Pleasant St, Chester
Seal Rock Studios is home to Nova Scotia-born and trained metal artist Allyson Simmie. She creates a variety of pieces with a focus on detailed landscapes and including Canadian, especially arctic, sourced stones. Open by appointment or by chance.
Station 20 Craft Shoppe & Museum - Chester
Location: 20 Smith Rd, Chester
This cultural craft store includes works from more than 30 local Nova Scotian artisans and crafters whose unique skills and abilities are shown in their works. A small portion of the proceeds is used to operate and maintain the Chester Train Station, while the vendors receive a majority for the fruits of their labours. With gracious donors, vendors, and volunteers, the Chester Heritage Society continues to provide an enjoyable environment for our patrons.
Teresa Bergen Ceramics - Chester
Location: 117 Hwy 14, Chester
Teresa Bergen's work "explores narrative and relationships through movement, myth and folklore. Animated by the turn of a crank, human, and animal figures take flight, perform banjo solos or spin in helpless circles surrounded by chaotic toddlers. Pattern, colour and story adorn the interior and exterior surfaces of her sculpture and functional ceramics." Open by chance or appointment. Please call ahead.
The Glass Bakery - Mill Cove
Location: 994 Highway 329, Mill Cove
The Glass Bakery creates the essence of nature! Each bird is unique, simply and beautifully capturing the essence of friendly bird faces that greet us each day! From the resident chickadee to our visiting Hummingbirds, The Glass Bakery creates a range of unique and varied coloured birds to capture your eye and your imagination. The birds perch in driftwood collected from the shores of Atlantic Canada or attractive Live-Edge Bark Slices hand-harvested from the Forest.
