Nova Scotia Artwork Purchased for Art Bank Collection

NOTE: The names of the artists and the artwork purchased for the Nova Scotia Art Bank follow this release.

Twenty-four Nova Scotian artists and craftspeople had their work added to the Nova Scotia Art Bank collection today, April 16, at a ceremony at the Mary E. Black Gallery in Halifax.

"The creativity of our artists enriches Nova Scotia and makes it a more vibrant place to live and work," said Kelliann Dean, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "The Art Bank Purchase Program celebrates artistic excellence, preserves a history of art-making and showcases our best local artists."

Established in 1975, the Nova Scotia Art Bank Purchase Program supports the careers of local artists. Artwork is selected by an independent jury and displayed in government offices throughout the province, and in special gallery exhibitions across the country. Today, the collection consists of about 1,800 pieces.

The newly purchased work will be on public display at the Mary E. Black Gallery, 1061 Marginal Rd., Halifax, from April 17 to 27.

Applications for the 2008 Art Bank Purchase Program will be accepted until Nov. 15. For more information, visit the department's website at: www.gov.ns.ca/dtc/culture/culture_funding.asp.

Following are the names of the artists, their community, and the name of the artwork purchased for the Nova Scotia Art Bank.

• Kenny Boone of Dominion, Eleven
• Mark Brennan of Westville, Storm Over Cape Smokey
• Todd Brown of Enfield, Herbert River #1
• Geoff Butler of Granville Ferry, Mush
• Ernest Cadegan of Port Williams, Moving Across the Field
• Kim Cain of Dartmouth, Ky-man in Upper Monastry
• Anne Camozzi of Antigonish, Blue Earth Spirit
• Regina Coupar of Chester Basin, Book of Life
• Holly Crooks of Prospect Bay, Gathering Time: Train Station #1 Stratum No. 5
• Deborah Ferguson of Enfield, Choir's.u102
• Bethanne Fraser of Glen Haven, Lime Barrel
• Anna Hornsnell Wade of Eastern Passage, (b14) Beat
• Virginia Houston of Oakfield, Crow's Gulch
• Marie Koehler of Dartmouth, Tumour
• Justine Kerr of Mahone Bay, Divine Mother and Sunflowers on Dark Blue
• Shaun Lowe of Fall River, Exit and Pack Yours Bags
• Collaborative artists Fenn Martin of Antigonish and Nicholas Johnson of Lunenburg, After the Gleaning
• Cathy McKelvey of Dartmouth, Torso #1 and Torso #2
• Wilma Needham of Dartmouth, BRINK 2
• Jonathan Otter of Halifax, Eva Sofa
• Karen Rowantree of Hackets Cove, Wind Study #2
• Alan Syliboy of Truro, Fast Runner - study 01, Fast Runner - study 02 and Old Wigwam Against Blue/Grey Sky
• Anna Syperek of Antigonish, Brierly Brook from the Wheel